Connect with us

News

Movie Review: ‘Horsehead’ is Worth Your Time

Published

on

Romain Basset’s Horsehead is a solid entry to the genre with high quality acting, cinematography, and overall atmosphere.

It’s one of a seemingly growing number of sleep and/or dream-related films emerging in an era with no Nightmare on Elm Street films coming out, accompanied by titles like The Nightmare, Before I Wake, and probably others that I can’t remember off the top of my head. But make no mistake. This is no Freddy movie.

The official synopsis is as follows:

Beautiful young Jessica returns to her family’s countryside estate for her grandmother’s funeral where she is haunted by recurring nightmares of a horse-headed monster. As she attempts to semi-consciously navigate through this dream landscape, Jessica begins to discover the secrets behind this sinister apparition. Haunting and horrific, surreal and shocking, HORSEHEAD is a horror-fantasy that pay tribute to the classic European shockers of Dario Argento and Mario Bava while delivering unforgettable images that both disturb and enchant.

I completely agree that the film is haunting and has a very classic European feel to it. I was certainly reminded of some of Argento’s classic works at times, but that was mostly from specific and occasional shots more so than the film in its entirety.

On the surface, this looks like a movie about a woman being terrorized by a guy with a Horsehead in her dreams. That’s not entirely inaccurate, but it is an incredible oversimplification of what’s going on. The film is much more about a family, its hidden past, and a woman who is able to uncover that past by inducing lucid dreams. This makes for an interesting dynamic, which does not carry the Dream Master tone you might envision from that description.

The score is what truly gives Horsehead its haunting and unsettling tone. A feeling of uneasiness is set up early on because of it (The appearance of Philippe Nahon’s name in the opening credits helped too. That guy is just scary as fuck). The film’s effectiveness is all about tone. The lighting is dark and the sound design is very good contributing to an ongoing uneasiness even during otherwise mundane scenes, such as a family sitting at the table eating a meal. Because of this sensation, you get the feeling that every scene is in fact significant. You never quite know what’s going to happen or how twisted things might get. The fact that the movie constantly slips back and forth between dream and reality only build on that.

I’m not sure I entirely understand every moment that graces the screen in Horsehead, nor am I sure I’m supposed to. Either way, I get the impression that multiple viewings will only enhance one’s enjoyment of the film, which is typically a good sign for a picture’s longevity.

I wouldn’t necessarily put Horsehead in my top five of the year to date, but out of those I’ve seen so far, I definitely have it in the top ten, though that could change as the year progresses. Either way, the film offers much to appreciate and is definitely worth checking out.

This is the third new release from Artsploitation I’ve reviewed, and I’ll just say that two out of three ain’t bad with Horsehead and Der Samurai  being impressive and unique films even if I wasn’t sold on The House with 100 Eyes. I’m definitely looking forward to more of their releases.

Horsehead hits DVD and Blu-ray on June 23.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

Published

on

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

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

Published

on

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.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

Published

on

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.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

Embed Gif with Clickable Title