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5 Horror Shows to Binge Watch This Weekend

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If you’re anything like me, you spent your time at home during state lockdowns trying to find horror shows to binge-watch. Now that many places are opening back up, though, you might have realized that you’re stuck with a series that’s got seven more seasons to catch up on.

If you’re rueing the day that you picked a show with over a dozen seasons to watch (looking at you, Supernatural), just know that there are other options out there. You can actually binge these horror shows in just a weekend, so you won’t be stuck at work Monday wondering what’s coming next.

The Returned (2012)

If you caught the 2015 A&E series The Returned, there’s a chance you were let down. Whether this was because the show was canceled after only three months or because you thought it was horrible, the point is the show ended up breaking plenty of hearts. If you’d like to see what that series was supposed to be, though, you should definitely catch the French version, Les Revenants.

This atypical horror show centers around a small town where dead individuals start reappearing, but this is far from a typical zombie show. Each returned individual appears just as normal as the last time they were seen alive, and since they don’t remember dying, they’re just as confused as their family members. It’s a far cry from The Walking Dead, but there’s no way you won’t fall in love with it.

If you want a horror show to binge-watch quickly, the two seasons of Les Revenants have you covered. It seems foreign series don’t abide by the “one season a year” rule, so there may be a third installment yet. Until that point, squeeze the 16 episode run into your weekend plans! The show occasionally pops up on Netflix, but you should always be able to find it on Amazon.

Darknet (2013)

If there was ever a show that earned the title of diamond in the rough, it’s Darknet. The series combines periodic moments of found footage with numerous creepy stories that ultimately end up interconnecting. The synopsis of the show tells the story:

“…snippets of people’s lives being interrupted by vivid instances of unexpected violence or shocking strangeness.”

One great aspect about this series – other than its intense eerie moments and disturbing revelations – is the fact that each episode runs less than 30 minutes. So whether you’re on a long commute or waiting at the DMV, you can fit one in. Check out Amazon for the goods! Sorry, no trailer for this one!

Hillbilly Horror Show (2014)

Remember how much you enjoyed shows like Tales from the Crypt and Are You Afraid of the Dark? You’ll probably enjoy Hillbilly Horror Show even more. Unlike their predecessors, the hosts of this quirky horror anthology present four different haunting tales in each episode. Each story is actually a short film from some of the best up-and-coming directors in horror.

As one of the best horror shows to binge, Hillbilly Horror Show has a lot to offer. In between each indie short, you’ll get to see Bo, Cephus and “kissing cousin” Lulu – played by international model Rachel Faulkner – provide hilarious commentary while they fill the gaps in between. Even though each episode contains four short films, most installments come right in under the hour mark.

Most of the featured shorts have won awards during their runs. Volume 1 has “Franky and the Ant” – which was accepted by the Landshut Short Film Festival – and Volume 3’s “Divination” took home the Best Supernatural Short award at the Atlanta Horror Film Festival. Volume 2’s “Rose White” – which may be my personal favorite – was showcased in the Nevermore Film Festival.

There are four volumes to enjoy, but they’re scattered all over the web. Check out Tubi for a few!

Horror Hotel: The Web Series (2013)

Horror Hotel is a low-budget horror anthology at heart, but the acting and storylines went a long way in making it appeal to a wide demographic. It took home awards at both the LA Web Series Festival and the ATLWebFest. It also secured nominations for Best Thriller at the Miami Web Fest and Best Web Series at both Filmquest and GA Entertainment Gala.

Every episode unfolds in a place that has showed up in countless horror films: a dark hotel. Entries are standalone stories, and since only six episodes have come out and they’re each under 20 minutes. You could literally binge-watch this horror show in just a few hours. The shorts have since been compiled into a film – along with a sequel – and you can find them both on Tubi and Amazon.

Harper’s Island (2009)

While the ultimate fate of some of these shows is unknown, you’ll walk into Harper’s Island knowing that it’s already over. No matter how invested you get into the story, there’s no reason to hold out hope for another episode. This piece of small-screen greatness was created as a miniseries.

You’ll have 13 episodes to enjoy. You’ll learn the story of an island whose history includes a series of gruesome murders. Years after the suspected murderer is taken out, however, the killings start again. And if you thought Game of Thrones was crazy with their deaths, you’ll be floored by a major character dying in every episode of this series.

In fact, make sure you don’t get too attached to anyone. Some episodes feature five major deaths in one outing. You’ll find this great miniseries on Amazon, but look around online before buying it. You never know when it might pop up on Tubi.

Got More Horror Shows to Binge?

We tried our best to introduce a few shows you might not have discovered previously, but if you’ve seen them all, congratulations. You sure know your stuff! Since most of these options are less than two seasons, though, why not give them another go. After all, there aren’t too many horror shows to binge-watch in less than a weekend. If you know others, tell us in the comments!

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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