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Oliver Blackburn unveils his masterpiece “Kristy” at the London Film Festival

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Recently, iHorror.com had the monumental honour of being invited to the premier of Oliver Blackburn’s terrifying new slasher movie, “Kristy”.  I was the lucky one chosen to go along… don’t mind if I do.

The Introduction

Despite tickets being sold out on the website, there were plenty of seats empty and I get the feeling this was deliberate, maybe to keep the premier as intimate as possible. It was quite clear to see that many of Olly’s friends and family had come to support him in what was his biggest movie to date. What a movie it was, too. After seeing and enjoying his “British, gritty, indie” entry to the big screen,“Donkey Punch”, which was filmed in only 25 days, I did set my sights high for his new work.  All movie goers know doing so is a bad idea, and can often spoil the enjoyment gained through watching a movie when knowing nothing about the director or their background. With this in mind, Olly’s work still managed to impress me beyond my expectations, and is the best slasher movie I have seen in many years. Combining elements from movies such as “The Collector” and “Scream”, it really is worth putting on your must-see cinema list.

Oliver introduced himself as the director of the movie, and pointed out that we were currently in the town where he spent many years finding his love for the cinema in a nearby local picture house named The Scarlett. You could easily feel Olly’s love for his chosen line of work, and he was very upbeat and enjoyable to listen to; appearing to make eye contact with as many people in the audience as possible. His introduction only lasted a few minutes, and when drawing to a close, he told us to keep watching to the end of the credits as the movie would not simply end there. This excited me; I love to see a sneaky bit of extra footage at the end of a movie, and possibly witness something others may have missed.

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The Film

The volume was turned up extra high and I knew what I was in for within the first two minutes of the opening credits. I was presented with a low resolution, online style video of a young female being brutally attacked and murdered, and I instantly felt compelled to look away in fear of seeing something to close to the bone (pardon the phrase). Her attackers then started to take photos of the now lifeless woman’s body in a woodland setting, showing no remorse whatsoever. Following this, was a clever insight into the purpose of the killing; an online collection of extremists promoting the idea of “Kill Kristy”. My research had pointed out that there was no one in the cast playing a character named Kristy, and when the introduction scenes explained that Kristy is actually the name given to the followers of Christianity, the movie no longer needed an explanation and I could settle into my seat and enjoy the actor’s performances.

It was a very enjoyable movie with a LOT of jumpy, but necessary moments. I never found myself rolling my eyes at pointless scares, as it all seem to flow together terrifically. It was not over the top gory, and I was told by Olly himself that this was a conscious decision. I did feel it had an adequate amount of bloodshed to whet the appetite of the horror fans, however.

Haley Bennett Ashley Greene Chris Coy
Haley Bennett Ashley Greene Chris Coy
Images courtesy of IMDB.com

The movie followed Haley Bennett as her character was hunted throughout her empty university campus by the Kristy-killing hooligans. Haley portrays the victim brilliantly, leaving no doubt that you are watching a person in immense panic. Without giving too much away, she reaches a turning point where she decides to take matters by the horns, and starts to kick ass, which is why she landed at No. 8 in Glen Packard’s Best Bad Ass Kick Ass Final Girls.

The very popular Ashley Greene is no stranger to a horror movie or two, but is normally the actor playing the sweet and innocent girl with sex appeal. In this movie, however, she finds her true calling, and plays a bad-ass, creepy bitch who is the leader of the hooded attackers. She was amazing, and in Olly’s words, put so much into her work by tirelessly researching her role. By creating a back story for her character, she found a hatred for the privileged, and pulled off something quite brilliant.

Olly pointed out that on several occasions the actors playing the villains would bond outside of work to try to bring a togetherness within their relationship to each other.  Ashley worked closely with Chris Coy, who helped further her understanding of the “partners-in-crime” scenario, as he himself has gained several years of experience in the horror industry. He is now in the cast of “Walking Dead”, and appeared on the show for the first time in season 5 episode 1. Hats off to you, Coy!

After Movie Q&A with Oliver Blackburn

The host of the event didn’t give much time for questions and I myself only managed to ask two. So, rather than writing the conversation out, I thought I would upload the recording and let you listen for yourselves. Sorry for the poor sound recording and the rustling half way though. Olly brought several roles of aluminium foil and asked us all to make Kristy Masks!

 

Some Photos from the Event:

Oliver Blackburn Intro Oliver Blackburn and Host Q&A Daniel Hegarty and Oliver Blackburn 1
Oliver Blackburn at the intro Oliver Blackburn and the Presenter of London Film Festival Me and Oliver Blackburn (Olly not ready for the shot)
Daniel Hegarty and Oliver Blackburn 2 (2) Daniel Hegarty and Oliver Blackburn 2 Daniel Hegarty and Oliver Blackburn 4
 Me and Oliver Blackburn (Me not ready for the shot) Olly trying to put the mask I made on. Olly wearing the mask.

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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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