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The Christmas Horror Movie You Didn’t Know You Needed

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Krampus was a humongous hit last holiday season. As if you didn’t know that. Whether you loved it or thought it was lame, there is a very good chance you saw it and gave it a chance. Beyond Krampus, we were also given the treat of A Christmas Horror Storywhich was able to satisfy my bloodier Christmas cravings.

But this year, Christmas horror films seem to be in short supply. This is of no matter, as you can rewatch Krampus or Black Christmas on BluRay anytime you want – not to mention Gremlins. So while there aren’t many new options, there are plenty of reliable holiday favorites.

“I’m tired of those movies. I’ve seen them millions of times!”, you may say. Well, this is why I’m here. I’ve got just the solution for you. Two words: Rare Exports.

Rare Exports is a Finnish Christmas Horror/Fantasy hybrid about the real Santa Claus as he is unearthed during an archeological dig in the Korvatunturi mountains. I know, I can’t pronounce it either. Dumb Americans. Much like the villain in Krampus, this holiday icon is most certainly not here to bring any sort of Christmas cheer whatsoever. Everyone in proximity is on the naughty list.

Like A Christmas Horror Story, it’s a suitable alternative for those who thought Michael Dougherty’s film was too tame. It’s not all blood and guts, however; it’s a great middle ground between the two. If Krampus didn’t show enough, but CHS showed too much, Rare Exports is the sweet spot. And despite it being classified as a horror movie, there is enough charm in the film to have you walking away smiling.

But it may not have the same effect on you. There’s no guarantee that you won’t be hiding underneath your snowman blanket afterward.

Directed by Jalmari Helander, the film is flawless in pacing and aesthetic. While there comes a bit of CGI overload towards the end, that’s not really something I can fault the film on. It gives it a strange otherworldy quality, much like many other holiday films. It makes the horror seems almost … innocent. It’s original. Strange. Endearing.

No, it’s not exactly a brand new movie. However, it’s flown under the radar for quite a while. This may be due to the fact that it’s a foreign film with subtitles. Let’s face it; not everyone loves subtitles. But don’t let it kill this wonderful movie for you. In fact, there are a ton of amazing films that many people simply refuse to watch because it’s not in English – take Ip Man, starring Donny Yen, for example.

Rare Exports is a darkly comedic film that the whole family could even watch. Well, maybe that’s not true. I’m just trying to convince you to watch it. It’s probably not suitable for a younger audience. Still, skipping it this Christmas season would be nothing short of a travesty. In my home, it is sure to become a new holiday tradition, and I hope it becomes one in yours, too.

For those who have a Shudder account, it is now streaming. Watch the trailer below.

Need more holiday recommendations? Click here!

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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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