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“The Limehouse Golem” is the Nostalgic Whodunit You Didn’t Know You Needed

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In an age of big special effects, over the top monsters, and all too shallow plotlines, it’s easy to forget that really good stories not only exist but can still thrill viewers in unexpected ways.  Luckily, from time to time, a film like The Limehouse Golem comes along to remind us of that very fact.

Directed by Juan Carlos Medina with a script by Jane Goldman (who also wrote the screenplay for The Woman in Black) based on the novel by Peter Ackroyd, The Limehouse Golem tells the story of Lizzie Cree (Olivia Cooke) a former music hall actress who’s accused of murdering her husband (Sam Reid).  At the time of his death, however, there’s a much larger case that’s rocked an entire community.  A killer known only as the Limehouse Golem has committed a series of brutal murders, the last including an entire family.  Inspector John Kildare (Bill Nighy) from Scotland Yard has been brought in to solve the case, and to serve as a fall guy for the Yard if he cannot.

Kildare soon realizes the two cases are inextricably linked but discovering the killer’s identity may put more at risk than his career.

It’s a beautiful throwback film, embracing the tropes of the great British mysteries that came before it.  No one is completely innocent and guilt lies not only on the killer but on the people who helped create them.  The streets are just a little too clean, and the poor just a little too healthy looking, for it to all be completely believed, and yet we do.  It is mystery theater at its best, inviting the audience to put the pieces of the puzzle together having no idea what the larger picture truly is.

Bill Nighy (Underworld, Pirates of the Caribbean) turns in a brilliant, understated performance as Kildare consciously choosing a subtle approach to this intelligent and caring man.  Interestingly enough, Alan Rickman was originally cast in the role, but when his health began to deteriorate he had to leave the production.  Nighy stepped in, and while one cannot help but imagine Rickman in the role, it is undeniable that the film did not suffer in the least with the substitution.

Cooke (“Bates Motel”, The Quiet Ones), an undeniably talented actress, is serviceable in the role of Lizzie, at once strong and vulnerable, and yet there were times where her performance was overwhelmed by those around her.  About half the movie passes before she finds her even footing with Nighy and some of her co-stars.  That firm footing locks into place, and the second half of the film is the better for it.

It is Douglas Booth (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Jupiter Ascending) who steals this show, however.  As music hall performer Dan Leno, Booth is magnetic, radiating sex, mystery, and danger.  He is beautifully ambiguous in his desires and commanding on stage in 19th century drag, and the screen sizzled with his charisma each time he appeared.

Medina, who I was surprised to find only had four directing credits to his name on IMDb, directs his cast beautifully with an innate ability to balance silence with dialogue and stillness with action to fully tell the story of The Limehouse Golem.  Many a horror director could take lessons from Medina in the realm of gore.  His murder scenes are seriously gory, but he doesn’t linger.  He gives us just enough to take in the scene before cutting away quickly leaving an afterimage for the viewer to process.  The method is extremely effective.

The Limehouse Golem releases September 8, 2017 in theaters and on demand from Number 9 Films in associate with RLJ Entertainment and Lionsgate among others.  Check out the trailer below!

 

 

TITLE: THE LIMEHOUSE GOLEM
IN THEATERS AND AVAILABLE ON VOD AND DIGITAL HD: September 8, 2017
DIRECTOR: Juan Carlos Medina
WRITERS: Jane Goldman, based on the novel “Dan Leno and the Limehouse Golem” by Peter Ackroyd
CAST: Bill Nighy, Olivia Cooke, Douglas Booth, Daniel Mays, and Eddie Marsan
SYNOPSIS: The city of London is gripped with fear as a serial killer – dubbed The Limehouse Golem – is on the loose and leaving cryptic messages written in his victim’s blood. With few leads and increasing public pressure, Scotland Yard assigns the case to Inspector Kildare (Bill Nighy) – a seasoned detective with a troubled past and a sneaking suspicion he’s being set up to fail. Faced with a long list of suspects, including music hall star Dan Leno (Douglas Booth), Kildare must get help from a witness who has legal troubles of her own (Olivia Cooke), so he can stop the murders and bring the killer to justice.
GENRE: Thriller
DISTRIBUTOR: RLJ Entertainment

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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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