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Kurtis David Harder’s ‘Spiral’ is Unnerving Psychological Horror at Its Best

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Spiral

There is something powerfully insidious about Kurtis David Harder’s new psychological horror film, Spiral. The film* which originally played FrightFest in the UK in 2019 received strong reviews from critics and audiences alike.

Written by Colin Minihan (It Stains the Sands Red) and John Poliquin (Grave Encounters 2), the film takes place in 1995 and centers on Aaron (Ari Cohen) and Malik (Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman), a couple who leave the city behind for a small town in hopes of creating a better life for their daughter, Kayla (Jennifer Laporte).

From almost the first moment they arrive, however, something just isn’t right.

The neighbors are a little too awkwardly friendly and supportive. The town eccentrics stare just a bit too long. It is unsettling, and it plants a seed of dread in your stomach that carefully and methodically grows throughout the duration of the film.

Harder and cinematographer Bradley Stuckel (Still/Born) prove themselves time and again throughout Spiral with a meticulous attention to space and character proving that you don’t need walls or bars to make a scene seem claustrophobic. In fact there are times in the film when even the horizon seems to crash down on the characters, and when they move that focus inside, it can be almost unbearable.

The director also seems to wring every last ounce of believable emotion from the central family in this tale.

Bowyer-Chapman in particular gives a stunning performance as Malik. The actor was previously criminally underused in American Horror Story: Apocalypse as Andre Stevens, son of voodoo queen talk show host Dinah Stevens (Adina Porter).

His carefully crafted backstory proves a solid foundation for why he is willing to fight for his family, but it’s the actor’s performance that draws you to the edge of your seat simultaneously rooting for him and covering your eyes as he’s forced to make impossible decisions while everyone, including himself, doubts his own sanity.

Lochlyn Munro (Riverdale) is also rather brilliant as one of the family’s neighbors serving as the equivalent of Bradley Whitford in Get Out. He says all the “right things” which somehow never feel quite right and he sells it completely throughout the film.

What stands out most, and is truly terrifying about this film, is the statement it makes about marginalized communities and the way they’re viewed by those in the majority. The film also explores the long-reaching effects of PTSD, not only on the person suffering from it but also the people around them.

In other hands, it might have become the equivalent of a PSA, but instead of a spotlight, Harder, Minihan, and Poliquin, chose a laser-pointer.

This precision adds to the overall tension of the film without detracting in the least from story and character, and makes the final shocking moments of Spiral a stomach-churning nightmare.

*This review of the film was written in September 2019.

Spiral is now streaming on Shudder.

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Watch ‘The Burning’ At The Location Where It Was Filmed

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Fangoria is reporting that fans of the 1981 slasher The Burning will be able to have a screening of the film at the location where it was filmed. The movie is set at Camp Blackfoot which is actually the Stonehaven Nature Preserve in Ransomville, New York.

This ticketed event will take place on August 3. Guests will be able to take a tour of the grounds as well as enjoy some campfire snacks along with the screening of The Burning.

The Burning

The film came out in the early ’80s when teen slashers were being churned out in magnum force. Thanks to Sean S. Cunningham’s Friday the 13th, filmmakers wanted to get in on the low-budget, high-profit movie market and a casket load of these types of films were produced, some better than others.

The Burning is one of the good ones, mostly because of the special effects from Tom Savini who had just come off of his groundbreaking work on Dawn of the Dead and Friday the 13th. He declined to do the sequel because of its illogical premise and instead signed on to do this movie. Also, a young Jason Alexander who would later go on to play George in Seinfeld is a featured player.

Because of its practical gore, The Burning had to be heavily edited before it received an R-rating. The MPAA was under the thumb of protest groups and political bigwigs to censor violent films at the time because slashers were just so graphic and detailed in their gore.

Tickets are $50, and if you want a special t-shirt, that will cost you another $25, You can get all the information by visiting the On Set Cinema webpage.

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‘Longlegs’ Creepy “Part 2” Teaser Appears on Instagram

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Longlegs

Neon Films released an Insta-teaser for their horror film Longlegs today. Titled Dirty: Part 2, the clip only furthers the mystery of what we are in for when this movie is finally released on July 12.

The official logline is: FBI Agent Lee Harker is assigned to an unsolved serial killer case that takes unexpected turns, revealing evidence of the occult. Harker discovers a personal connection to the killer and must stop him before he strikes again.

Directed by former actor Oz Perkins who also gave us The Blackcoat’s Daughter and Gretel & Hansel, Longlegs is already creating buzz with its moody images and cryptic hints. The film is rated R for bloody violence, and disturbing images.

Longlegs stars Nicolas Cage, Maika Monroe, and Alicia Witt.

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Exclusive Sneak Peek: Eli Roth and Crypt TV’s VR Series ‘The Faceless Lady’ Episode Five

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Eli Roth (Cabin Fever) and Crypt TV are knocking it out of the park with their new VR show, The Faceless Lady. For those unaware, this is the first fully scripted VR horror show on the market.

Even for masters of horror like Eli Roth and Crypt TV, this is a monumental undertaking. However, if I trust anyone to change the way that we experience horror, it would be these two legends.

The Faceless Lady

Ripped from the pages of Irish folklore, The Faceless Lady tells the story of a tragic spirit cursed to wander the halls of her castle for all of eternity. However, when three young couples are invited to the castle for a series of games, their fates may soon change.

So far, the story has provided horror fans with a gripping game of life or death that doesn’t look as if it will slow down in episode five. Luckily, we have an exclusive clip that may be able to satiate your appetites until the new premiere.

Airing on 4/25 at 5pmPT/8pmET, episode five follows our final three contestants in this wicked game. As the stakes are raised ever higher, will Ella be able to fully awaken her connection with Lady Margaret?

The faceless lady

The newest episode can be found on Meta Quest TV. If you haven’t already, follow this link to subscribe to the series. Make sure to check out the new clip below.

Eli Roth Present’s THE FACELESS LADY S1E5 Clip: THE DUEL – YouTube

To view in the highest resolution, adjust the quality settings in the bottom right corner of the clip.

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