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The 8 Best Horror Films of 2018- Tony Runco’s Picks

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If this year has taught horror fans anything, it’s that 2018 produced some of the best original stories the genre has seen in a LONG time. With so many memorable characters and performances showcased on the big screen (as well as the plethora of Netflix originals released), it was quite the challenge deciding which ones stood out above the rest.

While there are still a couple of titles I regrettably have yet to watch (no, I unfortunately have not seen Suspiria just yet), I’ve compiled a list of my 8 favorite horror films that I DID have the pleasure of viewing this year.

8. The Strangers: Prey at Night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUeGU-lTlA0

The three masked psychos are back! The Strangers: Prey at Night follows a family of four staying in a trailer park for the evening. Thinking they are alone, it’s only a matter of time before the masked killers begin stalking and hunting their prey.

While I’ll admit that I still think the first film packed a bit more of a punch, Prey at Night still accomplishes the anxiety driven concept of “what would YOU do if you were stalked by murderous strangers?” If nothing else, this film is worth watching for the pool scene alone! The lighting and soundtrack fit the mood perfectly.

7. Hereditary

After her mentally ill mother passes away, Annie and her grieving family begin to have disturbing and supernatural experiences that may be linked to the family’s dark and sinister ancestry.

Hereditary was a film that polarized audiences. Many found it to be completely terrifying and unnerving throughout, while others complained about that lack of “scares” and slow moving plot. Personally, I appreciate the fact that the writers did not oversaturate it with predictable jump scares, and found the gradual unraveling of the family’s psyche highly effective (much like The Witch).

6. Cam

Lola is an ambitious camgirl who’s on a mission to become the number one sexual fantasy for all of her viewers. But when an exact replica of herself has gained control over her account and subsequent followers, the real Lola must figure out a way to regain her identity before it’s too late.

With the modern day obsession for likes, follows, and views, Cam took a unique approach to create a visual thrill ride that shows just how dangerous social media can become. While the ending didn’t quite resolve the way I had hoped, the film’s suspense built steadily throughout and was supported by a superb performance from Madeline Brewer. This one is definitely worth a watch!

5. Halloween

It’s been 40 years since Michael Myers last wreaked havoc on Haddonfield, and Laurie Strode has been preparing herself and her family for his inevitable return ever since. But when his transport bus crashes and sets Michael loose on yet another murderous spree, Laurie must once again confront ‘The Shape’ in the hopes of killing him once and for all.

Intended to be a direct sequel to the 1978 original classic, Halloween combined both a modern day story with an old-school slasher tone. Director David Gordon Green did an outstanding job of paying homage to the original, while still keeping diehard horror fans engaged and on the edge of their seats (which is no easy task now a days). Don’t go into it comparing it to the original, but appreciate it for what it was intended to be.

4. Apostle

In the year 1905, Thomas Richardson finds himself traveling to an isolated island to rescue his kidnapped sister from a mysterious cult. Upon arrival, Thomas begins to understand the sadistic nature of the religious fanatics, and why they have demanded such a large ransom for his sister’s return.

Writer and director Gareth Evans (The Raid) knocks Apostle out of the park. The visuals are stunning and the soundtrack fits the pace and tone brilliantly. The film reminded me of a blend between The Village and The Witch, but a bit more gruesome than both. It’s always refreshing to see an up-and-comer to the horror genre produce such a memorable and unique original story!

3. The Ritual

Four college buddies reunite to honor their deceased friend’s plans for a hiking trip through the woods of northern Sweden. After deciding to take a shortcut off the beaten path and into the dense forest, the group soon realizes that they are being stalked by a rather large, menacing presence.

The scenery and cinematography for The Ritual are absolutely breathtaking. The acting is believable, and the ending turns this mind bending thriller into more of a creature-feature. I was reminded of all of my favorite parts of The Blair Witch Project, combined with vibrant visuals and crisp sound design. Check this one out on Netflix ASAP!

2. A Quiet Place

In a world where man-eating creatures with ultra-sensitive hearing lurk about, silence truly is golden. Two parents do whatever it takes to keep their family as safe and silent as possible, but even the smallest noise can prove to be deadly.

John Krasinski and Emily Blunt show off some pretty impressive acting chops in A Quiet Place. Not to mention, the directing and writing prowess of Krisinski proves that he is a force to be reckoned with in the horror realm. I’m a huge fan of monster movies, and this one kept me clinched with suspense until the end. If this film doesn’t win the Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing, I will be shocked.

1. Mandy

Nicolas Cage stars in this visually stunning masterpiece about a couple living in seclusion in the woods, when their lives are turned gruesomely inside out by a hippie cult and their demonic biker henchmen.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… the only way I can describe this film, is if Hellraiser, Suspiria, and Blade Runner had a baby with the Manson family, and then that baby did a ton of acid with Nicolas Cage… I was sucked into this film from start to finish, and it absolutely stood out as my favorite film of 2018.

Honorable Mention: 14 Cameras, Bird Box, and most likely Overlord (even though I haven’t seen it yet).

Be sure to leave a comment telling us what you think of our lists, and follow us for all of your news and updates on everything horror related!

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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