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Review: ‘Artik’ is a Gripping, Gritty, Gruesome Serial Killer

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Artik movie review

For his feature film debut, Tom Botchii comes out swinging with Artik. The writer/director pulls no punches, delivering some heavy blows that reverberate through the screen. 

The film follows the titular Artik (Jerry G. Angelo, Better Call Saul) — a serial killer with a passion for comic books — as he trains his son, Adam (Gavin White, 14 Cameras), to follow in his footsteps. Artik is obsessed with the idea of building a hero, torturing his victims mercilessly in the hopes that they will rise from the ashes of torment to take their rightful place as a worthy survivor. When his son Adam meets Holton (Chase Williamson, The Guest), a straight-edge welder who takes interest in the boy, it threatens to expose their horrifying family secret. Soon, Holton might fight to save not only the boy’s life, but also his own. 

Artik

Angelo’s performance is nuanced, portraying Artik with a restrained nature that’s disquieting. In every scene he’s in, Artik buzzes with a predatory energy. He believes he’s on the cusp of finding someone who can rise to the challenge, documenting his work in the comics he draws. It’s an interesting take on the anti-hero archetype; he firmly believes he’s doing the right thing and takes great pride in his work, encouraging his son to take up the mantle. But there’s no doubt that Artik is a villain, and a highly effective one at that. 

Artik’s partner, Flin (Lauren Ashley Carter, Darling), is just as unhinged, though she may be a tad more upfront about it. She maintains the sunflower farm run by the family, though realistically all the work is actually put in by a barn full of malnourished, overworked foster children. It’s a good way to paint her as an unlikable character while allowing her to have moments of sweet innocence. She seems wide-eyed and idealistic, but she’s got a vicious mean streak and zero empathy. 

There’s something wonderfully gritty about the aesthetic of the film. Artik’s scenes are washed with tones of sepia and red, feeding us the texture of an old, faded comic book. Holton’s scenes are touched with deep blues and greys, like gears mottled with oil and dirt. It creates a very rich sense of tone. 

The score by Corey Wallace goes hard, plucking and pulsating throughout. It creates a strong sense of unease and draws out feelings of dread. From start to finish, the music is perfect. 

For those looking for some raw action, Artik is blessed with some really gnarly violence. Visceral sound effects are paired with a wise cinematic eye, framing each moment of carnage in just the right way so as to make it completely effective without being too over-the-top. Artik maintains a level of tense energy through these dark scenes.

While some of the pacing early on can feel a bit rushed, we don’t lose anything to the story. It’s economical and keeps the film constantly moving forward. There are no wasted moments here. 

Artik

With Artik, Botchii has crafted a unique character that leaves you dying to know the origin story. Artik’s method is brutal, his mission is madness, and he’s a force to be reckoned with. Right from the beginning, you want to see more of his horrific handiwork.

The film looks at the toxic relationships between its characters, showing how strings are pulled to influence their actions and opinions, and how harmful that misplaced respect can be.

Flin and Artik feed on each other’s negative qualities, enabling their bad behavior; Artik’s relationship with his son is based around his encouragement of violence and feeding the dark energies bubbling inside him; and Flin believes she’s providing a good life for her small army of child laborers, trying to convince them to believe the same. These relationships develop and crash into one another, dragging victims down in their wake.

Artik is a pounding, thrilling horror film that grabs you by the throat. While the premise may be a touch familiar, writer/director Tom Botchii goes hard with the concept, building an entirely different — and terrifying — beast. It’s an impressive feature film debut from Botchii, and he’s certainly a name to watch out for moving forward. If Artik is any indication, he’s got a promising future ahead. 

 

Artik had its premiere at the Popcorn Frights film festival on August 11th and will arrive on VOD and Blu-ray as of September 10th.

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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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