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A Look Back At Margot Kidder’s Extensive Career in Horror

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Margot Kidder

Earlier today, we shared the tragic news of the death of iconic actress Margot Kidder. Kidder was perhaps best known for her role as Lois Lane in Superman I-IV, but the Canadian-born actress has strong roots in the horror genre. We all share the loss of such a bright and vibrant star.

Margaret Ruth Kidder – aka Margot Kidder – was born in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. One (or, rather, two) of her earliest roles was in Brian De Palma’s Sisters where she played Danielle Breton and Dominique Blanchion. The 1973 psychological horror film focuses on a French Canadian model whose separated Conjoined twin is suspected of a brutal murder (as witnessed by a newspaper reporter).

Margot Kidder in Sisters via AIP (American International Pictures)

Kidder’s performance was praised by critics who noted the film’s homage to the works of Alfred Hitchcock. She plays the roles of Danielle and Dominique with a coy balance of coquettish grace and unhinged mania, creating a division between the two sisters.

In 1974, Kidder burst onto the scene with the Canadian cult classic, Black Christmas. Bob Clark’s festive horror film is one of the first conventional slasher films and successfully passes the Bechdel Test. It features a group of strong women whose characters are fully fleshed out as they deal with their own personal concerns and growth (while being systematically hunted down by a crazed killer).

Kidder’s performance as sassy, foul-mouthed fan favorite Barb won her a Canadian Film Award for Best Actress, as well as the admiration of audience members for decades to come.

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via The Mary Sue

A year after Kidder’s debut as Lois Lane in Superman, she solidified her scream queen status as matriarch Kathy Lutz in the hugely successful The Amityville Horror. Though the 1979 film received mostly negative reviews from critics (at the time), it has since been regarded by film scholars as one of the classics of the horror genre.

Kidder was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of a mother in terrified turmoil. The film’s success (it was the highest grossing independent film up until 1990, raking in a total of over $86 million) spawned a slew of sequels, remakes, and genre fan obsessions over the architecturally identifiable (and questionably haunted) house.

Kidder further embraced genre roles with horror anthology series like Deadly Nightmares in 1985 (in which she played the episode lead, Jane Reynolds, in Season 3’s Nightshift), The Outer Limits in 2000 (in the Season 6 episode Revival, alongside Gary Busey), and R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour in 2014 (as the titular character in Season 4’s Mrs. Worthington, for which she won an Emmy Award). Kidder also featured in the anthology film Death 4 Told in 2004 (in the segment titled The Psychic).

Her range extended to the critically acclaimed To Catch a Killer in 1992, the two-part, made-for-TV-movie about the gruesome true story of serial killer John Wayne Gacy. The miniseries was nominated for the American Television Awards for Best Miniseries, and Kidder’s co-star, Brian Dennehy, was nominated for an Emmy Award for his performance as Gacy.

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Smaller roles in The Clown At Midnight in 1999 (alongside Christopher Plummer) and Rob Zombie’s Halloween II in 2009 (playing Laurie Strode’s therapist) continued her work through the genre.

Lois Lane aside, Margot Kidder was a name you’d know with a bright and exuberant face you instantly recognize.

She was versatile. She was resilient. And she will be missed.

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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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