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Is Twitter the New Haven for Horror Storytelling?

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The internet has been a viral tool in infecting the masses with information, stories, and fear since the dawn of the World Wide Web. Forums and chat rooms gave us the tools to meet new people from around the world without having to leave the comfort of our homes.

Slenderman might be one of the most notorious ghouls who got his start in 2009 in a challenge on the comedy site Something Awful. From there, images and tales of the tall man circulated and thus the legend was born.

Slenderman Something Awful

First image of Slenderman Via Youtube

Slenderman also brought the around the creepy Reddit threads NoSleep and CreepyPasta. There, original horror shorts – guaranteed to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand – are shared in one collective place. The successes of these threads have made Reddit a go-to for horror fan-fiction and unique works of literature. Some of these works have even spawned book deals, like The Trees Have Eyes.

More recently, Twitter has seemed to be the new place to find tales of horror. For example, Dear David spooked twitter users for years, keeping readers on edge with the accounts of the boy with the indented head. The popularity of the story recently landed a movie deal for Dear David’s creator.

With that being said, Horror Freak News raised the question: ‘Is Twitter the latest frontier for bleeding-edge horror storytelling?

The quick, easy, format of writing on Twitter makes it ideal for a continuous storyline. The connectivity places readers (users) smack dab in the middle of the action, with them being able to weigh in on what they are reading in real-time. Writers are able to skew the storyline according to the responses they might receive. This interaction draws in attention, like the case of Dear David, and creates a friendly bond between the two parties.

Dear David

Images of the ghost boy, ‘Dear David’ Via The13Floor

Adam Ellis, who lived with the ghostly boy, David, began documenting his cases via Twitter. As his base grew, so did his interactions with the followers. Fans analyzed, theorized, and checked-in daily, which landed him the movie deal he has today.

The Sun Vanished has followers perplexed and confused on what they are seeing unfold before their eyes.  The story began with one simple tweet on April 30: ‘Help.’

As the story developed, we saw a clip of what appeared to be CNN report. The news stated the sun had disappeared throughout the world and riots had ensued. No clips appeared online when searching for that exact CNN report but one part was factual; the reference to New England’s Dark Day.

Like a good book, TSV followers flock periodically to find out the next chapter in this interactive story. TSV went dark for 18 days after Jun 19 when an entranced woman broke into the house the twitter user was staying in. He returned July 7 with updates on the strange tale but has not tweeted since.

Life is Below is a new account gaining momentum because of its cryptic messages. Supposedly, LIB is a part of a cult that lives underground in tunnels. He seems to reply to direct messages, which gives the allusion of somebody who’s trapped and trying to gain contact with the outside world. His videos are always obscure, with a mask usually covering his identity and voice changer.

Oddly, the account was created the same day TSV stopped tweeting, June 19.

Fiction parading itself as Non-Fiction is not new. In 1938, Orson Welles caused a mini-nationwide panic after his realistic broadcast of War of the Worlds by H.G Wells.

“I think if Orson Welles had told his version of The War of the Worlds in 2017 instead of 1938, he would have used Twitter instead of the radio,” Said Manuel Bartual to New Statesman.

Bartual created a Twilight­ Zone-like story about his run in with his doppelganger while on vacation. He later admitted that the story was fiction and only wanted to tell a fun story.

Whether the tales are true is one thing but the heart racing horror stories have showed us how effective twitter can be for storytelling. Maybe we will be seeing more short stories hitting the big screen now that studios are realizing the potential behind these fables.

What do you think of twitter being used as a medium for horror story telling? Have you heard of Dear David, The Vanished Sun or Life is Below prior? Will you be tuning into to their eerie tweets? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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