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Fantasia 2019: ‘Dachra’ is an Atmospheric, Impressive First [REVIEW]

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Dachra

As the first horror film out of Tunisia, Dachra is a promising start. Abdelhamid Bouchnak’s directorial debut is an atmospheric turn of the screw, where each new step brings our protagonists deeper into the dark woods of danger.

The film follows a group of three students who — for a class project — set off to investigate a crazed woman and supposed witch, rumored to have come from a remote village under mysterious circumstances. In search of answers, they stumble upon a village with dark secrets that threatens both their project and their lives. 

Though the story is bewitching, the plot is a bit scattered. But, it leaves a trail of breadcrumbs that help track the film’s path on a second viewing. The pacing stumbles in the second act, but a rousing finale helps to re-route the focus and move forward.

via Fantasia Fest

While the students film the entire process, Dachra is far from found footage. It’s beautifully shot and carefully choreographed. 

The cinematography (by Hatem Nechi) is absolutely stunning. The camera pushes in for intimate, intense moments, moving delicately to absorb every inch of emotion. Other shots are held at a distance, freezing the audience with chilling imagery drowned in stillness. As an impressive start to the film, the opening is shot in a single take, dragging the audience through the dark and grisly scene.

Lighting is skillfully manipulated to build tension and emphasize tone. There are moments when a single light source is used to backlight a scene, throwing a horrific emphasis on the subject. Lights move and flicker, with a healthy balance of both warm and cool hues to affect the mood and energy of each moment.

Our three main characters — Yassmine (Yassmine Dimassi), Walid (Aziz Jbali), and Bilel (Bilel Slatnia) — bicker constantly, picking at each other in a way that speaks more to squabbling siblings than best friends. 

For all their quarreling, it’s satisfying to see a female main character interact so candidly without being someone’s love interest. Yassmine holds her own against Walid and Bilel; her tongue is barbed with frustration and she often has final say over the decisions of the group. She is strong and capable, but she’s not impenetrable; she falls under the pressure and terror of the nightmare she finds herself in. She’s incredibly human, and is by far the most fleshed-out character between the three. 

via Fantasia Fest

Dachra — as a whole — is incredibly atmospheric. It builds a world of blood and grime that feels ancient in its permanence. It’s moody and dismal and overall very effective at creating an uncomfortable environment. 

As the first Tunisian horror film — and one of the few horror films in Arabic cinema at large — Dachra tackles a generational conflict that Tunisia is currently facing, while also meditating on brutal practices of witchcraft that still take place in parts of North Africa.

It has a lot of ground to cover. While those themes may be lost on those without knowledge of North African witchcraft practices or the political climate in Tunisia, it’s still an entertaining, well made horror film with a thrilling conclusion, that has made history as Tunisia’s first. 

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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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