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Spoiler Free Review: “Crystal Lake” Should Be Required Viewing

When I first heard about a prequel series for Friday the 13th, I felt genuinely apprehensive. Crafting a TV show to build the foundation for such an iconic horror franchise is notoriously difficult to get right. However, Peacock and A24 have delivered an absolute triumph with “Crystal Lake.” As someone whose very first horror movie was Friday the 13th at nine years old, this franchise holds a special place in my heart. Ultimately, I am thrilled to report that this series is one of the absolute best things I have seen on television in a long time. A Powerhouse Lead and Deeply Human Characters The eight-episode series is led by Linda Cardellini as the infamous Pamela Voorhees, alongside young Callum Vinson as her son, Jason. Cardellini delivers an absolute powerhouse performance throughout the show. Specifically, she captures the heartbreak and raw daily struggle of a grieving mother with incredible nuance. While Pamela is undeniably unhinged, her rage feels completely tragic

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Oct 15, 2026

Spoiler-Free Review: Don’t Move

Official synopsis A church group’s annual retreat turns deadly when they wander into the wrong part of the Ozark wilderness, and something starts picking them off one by one. Suspicion falls on Ricky (Russell “Russ” Vitale), the troublemaker of the group. But the real threat is far worse. Deep in the forest, wrapped in a labyrinth of webs, the group is pursued by a terrifying prehistoric arachnid that hunts by vibration. When every step could be their last, they only have one choice: DON’T MOVE. It’s up to Megan (Lyndsy Fonseca) to hold what’s left of the group together and get them out alive. Review For the first several minutes of Don’t Move, I was wondering if I had started the wrong movie, as there is a lot of happy family fun at a carnival. Well, things took a turn, for sure.  Megan (Lyndsy Fonseca) waits outside while her husband and young son go on a haunted house ride, where

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Oct 15, 2026

Spoiler Free Reviews: Insecta and Bonded (Screamfest 2026)

Insecta (Uruguay, 2026) Official synopsis A horror writer returns to an isolated estate to say goodbye to her dying father, only to suspect that the monstrous insect she imagined as a child may have been real all along.   Review With Insecta, director Martín Florio crafts a highly entertaining chiller that combines creature feature and gothic horror elements, with engaging family drama for good measure. Renowned horror writer Mercedes (Mayra Hermosillo) returns to her childhood home to visit her estranged elderly father Jaime (Luis Felipe Tovar), who is close to death. He has been taken care of as of late by Mercedes’ stepsister Belen (Rocío De La Mañana), who alternates between seeming pleased and unwelcoming about Mercedes’ presence. Mercedes has nightmares about a traumatic incident from her childhood about her brother’s death and about an oversized insect that haunted him, along with sexual fantasies about Belen. Much intrigue ensues, and Florio, working from a screenplay that he cowrote with Leonel D’Agostino

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Oct 15, 2026

Spoiler-Free Reviews: Split Rock and Found Alive (Sitges Film Festival 2026)

Split Rock (Canada, 2026) Official synopsis While conducting survey work in the remote badlands, geologists and lovers Lauren (Clark Backo) and Ben (Drew Ray Tanner) uncover a mysterious block of magnetic stone embedded in the earth. As their team investigates, their equipment begins to fail and a violent unseen force emerges. Lauren becomes obsessed with the ancient block, convinced that an eternal consciousness is using her mind to reach the surface. When Ben attempts to stop it, the outcome leaves the duo and their team forever altered.  Review Bearing the enigmatic qualities of classic Nigel Kneale fare (The Stone Tape, Quatermass and the Pit), Picnic at Hanging Rock, and a dash of The Monolith Monsters, Split Rock is a slow-burn chiller that boasts an ever-increasing atmosphere of dread. Geology students Lauren (Clark Backo) and Ben (Drew Ray Tanner) uncover an out-of-place stone fragment that begins to affect their survey team and its equipment and vehicles. Lauren is especially impacted by

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Oct 15, 2026

Spoiler-Free Review: The Caged (Screamfest 2026)

Official synopsis A family is terrorised by a dark presence after they move into a quaint cottage, and discover it lies on the site of a medieval prison which once housed women accused of witchcraft. Review Writer/director Jeffrey Scott Collins’ supernatural shocker The Caged (U.K., 2026) may follow some tropes with which seasoned fright-fare devotees will be familiar, but there are plenty of original spins on those expected elements to have it rise above the pack. Fine performances and impressive work at the helm are also on display.  In the late 1980s, recovering alcoholic fiction writer Robert (Edmund Kingsley), his wife Emily (Tamzin Merchant), teen stepdaughter Isabella (Raffiella Chapman), and young son Liam (Callen Carter) move into a remote mansion-sized abode in the English rural countryside. It had gone unsold and vacant for at least a decade so Robert and Emily got it dirt cheap, which we know means that there is a dark history behind it. As events ranging

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Oct 14, 2026

Game Review: ‘Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse’

Castlevania is a title that demands respect as one of the strongest franchises in gaming history and has been seen on many consoles over the years. Unfortunately for me, the only title I’ve played was Castlevania 64 for, you guessed it, the Nintendo 64. Now, years later, Konami was awesome enough to allow me to check out the latest entry in the series, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse! Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is set 23 years after the events of Castlevania III and the Netflix animated series. Tevor Belmont and his daughter Rose are in Paris after a demonic outbreak occurred and is painting the city red. The duo split up to fight monsters and find the source of the evil, which may actually be caused by an old nemesis. Now, onto the game itself! When it comes to the controls, they are very responsive and simple, almost like an old-school arcade. The game’s art is what shines the brightest for me! I’ve heard the

Continue reading →
Daniel S. Liuzzi
Oct 13, 2026

Series Review: Mike Flanagan’s “Carrie” is a Masterpiece

Horror fans are buzzing following the release of Mike Flanagan’s acclaimed series adaptation of Stephen King’s Carrie. Streaming now on Prime Video, the eight-episode limited series reimagines the classic telekinetic tragedy for modern audiences. Summer H. Howell stars as the infamous Carrie White, delivering a heartbreaking performance grounded in pure kindness and innocence. After her father dies in an accident, Carrie leaves home in isolation to attend high school under the watchful eye of her hyper-religious mother, played by Samantha Sloyan. You can watch the review below. Modern Consequences Elevate the Classic Nightmare Once at school, Carrie faces merciless harassment led by spoiled bully Chris Hargensen, played by Alice Thornton. Notably, the series updates the setting to the present day, making social media the primary weapon of psychological torture. Chris launches a viral account called Carrie Red, triggering escalating chaos, privacy violations, and violence across the entire student body. While some purists question the modern setting, the digital bullying makes

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Oct 13, 2026

Spoiler Free Reviews: Valley View Motel and Once Upon a Time in a Horror Movie (Screamfest 2026)

Valley View Motel Official synopsis After a 1977 diamond heist goes sideways, two small-time crooks take refuge at a remote Pennsylvania motel, where a pair of bizarre sibling owners, a ruthless hitman and a night full of bad decisions turn their getaway into a desperate fight to survive the night and make it to their rendezvous before it’s too late.  Review Cowriters/codirectors/stars Kevin Ignatius and Nick Psinakis serve up neo noir thrills and slaughter aplenty with Valley View Motel. Set in the 1970s and boasting an aesthetic that wonderfully fits crime cinema of that era without overdoing things, the film features Ignatius as Cliff, the more reluctant half of a diamond thieves duo with the more hotheaded and desperate Reg (Soulo Smith), and Psinakis as Hal, math teacher by day and hitman by night who is hot on the trail after the thieves abscond with the diamond they were meant to hand over to their employer. Sunny Kang (Laura Im)

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Oct 13, 2026

Series Review: Netflix’s “Below” is Totally Binge Worthy

Netflix has unleashed a new creature feature with its six-episode horror series, “Below.” Starring Josh Hartnett, Charlie Heaton, and Mackenzie Davis, the coastal story delivers pure aquatic terror alongside an emotional arc. However, a festive family reunion quickly devolves into sheer survival horror. Saltwater Terror and Small-Town Secrets Filmed in Newfoundland, the narrative immerses viewers in a vulnerable seaside community. Suddenly, local deep-sea wildlife develops a bloodthirsty appetite for human flesh. Fisherman Calvin Penney, brilliantly played by Hartnett, stands directly at the center of the storm. Naturally, Calvin vows to protect his family while battling the monstrous entity terrorizing his hometown. Throughout the series, he also uncovers the island’s buried secrets, which only heightens the tension. The family’s individual drama also adds a great weight as the story unfolds. Masterful Suspense and Visceral Effects Brilliantly, the production keeps the creature mostly hidden until the final scenes. As a result, the imagination conjures far more disturbing horrors than any CGI program.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Oct 12, 2026

Spoiler Free Reviews: Processing Charlie and Wounds (Screamfest 2026)

Processing Charlie Official synopsis With his marriage about to fall apart, Charlie gets a surprise visit from his long-lost cousin. Charlie offers Cole a place to stay, but as his dark secrets bubble to the surface, Charlie realizes too late that no good deed goes unpunished.  Review Writer/director David Harari serves up a jaw-dropping indie chiller with his black-and-white feature Processing Charlie. As if Charlie (Michael Ursu) wasn’t having enough trouble between arguing with his wife Anika (Kelly Pantaleoni) about his desire to not have children with her and his fear of entering his deceased younger sister’s locked bedroom, along comes his cousin Cole (Asa Fris). Cole has left his parents’ home where he was homeschooled and Charlie reluctantly lets him stay at the house he shares with Anika. From here, Harari steadily builds up suspense as Cole’s odd behavior grows increasingly disturbing and invasive. The ensemble cast members, which also include Sophia Guillen as Anika’s flirtatious friend Carmen, give

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Oct 12, 2026

More from Reviews

Spoiler Free Review: “Crystal Lake” Should Be Required Viewing

When I first heard about a prequel series for Friday the 13th, I felt genuinely apprehensive. Crafting a TV show to build the foundation for such an iconic horror franchise is notoriously difficult to get right. However, Peacock and A24 have delivered an absolute triumph with “Crystal Lake.” As someone whose very first horror movie was Friday the 13th at nine years old, this franchise holds a special place in my heart. Ultimately, I am thrilled to report that this series is one of the absolute best things I have seen on television in a long time. A Powerhouse Lead and Deeply Human Characters The eight-episode series is led by Linda Cardellini as the infamous Pamela Voorhees, alongside young Callum Vinson as her son, Jason. Cardellini delivers an absolute powerhouse performance throughout the show. Specifically, she captures the heartbreak and raw daily struggle of a grieving mother with incredible nuance. While Pamela is undeniably unhinged, her rage feels completely tragic

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Oct 15, 2026

Spoiler-Free Review: Don’t Move

Official synopsis A church group’s annual retreat turns deadly when they wander into the wrong part of the Ozark wilderness, and something starts picking them off one by one. Suspicion falls on Ricky (Russell “Russ” Vitale), the troublemaker of the group. But the real threat is far worse. Deep in the forest, wrapped in a labyrinth of webs, the group is pursued by a terrifying prehistoric arachnid that hunts by vibration. When every step could be their last, they only have one choice: DON’T MOVE. It’s up to Megan (Lyndsy Fonseca) to hold what’s left of the group together and get them out alive. Review For the first several minutes of Don’t Move, I was wondering if I had started the wrong movie, as there is a lot of happy family fun at a carnival. Well, things took a turn, for sure.  Megan (Lyndsy Fonseca) waits outside while her husband and young son go on a haunted house ride, where

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Oct 15, 2026

Spoiler Free Reviews: Insecta and Bonded (Screamfest 2026)

Insecta (Uruguay, 2026) Official synopsis A horror writer returns to an isolated estate to say goodbye to her dying father, only to suspect that the monstrous insect she imagined as a child may have been real all along.   Review With Insecta, director Martín Florio crafts a highly entertaining chiller that combines creature feature and gothic horror elements, with engaging family drama for good measure. Renowned horror writer Mercedes (Mayra Hermosillo) returns to her childhood home to visit her estranged elderly father Jaime (Luis Felipe Tovar), who is close to death. He has been taken care of as of late by Mercedes’ stepsister Belen (Rocío De La Mañana), who alternates between seeming pleased and unwelcoming about Mercedes’ presence. Mercedes has nightmares about a traumatic incident from her childhood about her brother’s death and about an oversized insect that haunted him, along with sexual fantasies about Belen. Much intrigue ensues, and Florio, working from a screenplay that he cowrote with Leonel D’Agostino

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Oct 15, 2026

Spoiler-Free Reviews: Split Rock and Found Alive (Sitges Film Festival 2026)

Split Rock (Canada, 2026) Official synopsis While conducting survey work in the remote badlands, geologists and lovers Lauren (Clark Backo) and Ben (Drew Ray Tanner) uncover a mysterious block of magnetic stone embedded in the earth. As their team investigates, their equipment begins to fail and a violent unseen force emerges. Lauren becomes obsessed with the ancient block, convinced that an eternal consciousness is using her mind to reach the surface. When Ben attempts to stop it, the outcome leaves the duo and their team forever altered.  Review Bearing the enigmatic qualities of classic Nigel Kneale fare (The Stone Tape, Quatermass and the Pit), Picnic at Hanging Rock, and a dash of The Monolith Monsters, Split Rock is a slow-burn chiller that boasts an ever-increasing atmosphere of dread. Geology students Lauren (Clark Backo) and Ben (Drew Ray Tanner) uncover an out-of-place stone fragment that begins to affect their survey team and its equipment and vehicles. Lauren is especially impacted by

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Oct 15, 2026

Spoiler-Free Review: The Caged (Screamfest 2026)

Official synopsis A family is terrorised by a dark presence after they move into a quaint cottage, and discover it lies on the site of a medieval prison which once housed women accused of witchcraft. Review Writer/director Jeffrey Scott Collins’ supernatural shocker The Caged (U.K., 2026) may follow some tropes with which seasoned fright-fare devotees will be familiar, but there are plenty of original spins on those expected elements to have it rise above the pack. Fine performances and impressive work at the helm are also on display.  In the late 1980s, recovering alcoholic fiction writer Robert (Edmund Kingsley), his wife Emily (Tamzin Merchant), teen stepdaughter Isabella (Raffiella Chapman), and young son Liam (Callen Carter) move into a remote mansion-sized abode in the English rural countryside. It had gone unsold and vacant for at least a decade so Robert and Emily got it dirt cheap, which we know means that there is a dark history behind it. As events ranging

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Oct 14, 2026

Game Review: ‘Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse’

Castlevania is a title that demands respect as one of the strongest franchises in gaming history and has been seen on many consoles over the years. Unfortunately for me, the only title I’ve played was Castlevania 64 for, you guessed it, the Nintendo 64. Now, years later, Konami was awesome enough to allow me to check out the latest entry in the series, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse! Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is set 23 years after the events of Castlevania III and the Netflix animated series. Tevor Belmont and his daughter Rose are in Paris after a demonic outbreak occurred and is painting the city red. The duo split up to fight monsters and find the source of the evil, which may actually be caused by an old nemesis. Now, onto the game itself! When it comes to the controls, they are very responsive and simple, almost like an old-school arcade. The game’s art is what shines the brightest for me! I’ve heard the

Continue reading →
Daniel S. Liuzzi
Oct 13, 2026

Series Review: Mike Flanagan’s “Carrie” is a Masterpiece

Horror fans are buzzing following the release of Mike Flanagan’s acclaimed series adaptation of Stephen King’s Carrie. Streaming now on Prime Video, the eight-episode limited series reimagines the classic telekinetic tragedy for modern audiences. Summer H. Howell stars as the infamous Carrie White, delivering a heartbreaking performance grounded in pure kindness and innocence. After her father dies in an accident, Carrie leaves home in isolation to attend high school under the watchful eye of her hyper-religious mother, played by Samantha Sloyan. You can watch the review below. Modern Consequences Elevate the Classic Nightmare Once at school, Carrie faces merciless harassment led by spoiled bully Chris Hargensen, played by Alice Thornton. Notably, the series updates the setting to the present day, making social media the primary weapon of psychological torture. Chris launches a viral account called Carrie Red, triggering escalating chaos, privacy violations, and violence across the entire student body. While some purists question the modern setting, the digital bullying makes

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Oct 13, 2026

Spoiler Free Reviews: Valley View Motel and Once Upon a Time in a Horror Movie (Screamfest 2026)

Valley View Motel Official synopsis After a 1977 diamond heist goes sideways, two small-time crooks take refuge at a remote Pennsylvania motel, where a pair of bizarre sibling owners, a ruthless hitman and a night full of bad decisions turn their getaway into a desperate fight to survive the night and make it to their rendezvous before it’s too late.  Review Cowriters/codirectors/stars Kevin Ignatius and Nick Psinakis serve up neo noir thrills and slaughter aplenty with Valley View Motel. Set in the 1970s and boasting an aesthetic that wonderfully fits crime cinema of that era without overdoing things, the film features Ignatius as Cliff, the more reluctant half of a diamond thieves duo with the more hotheaded and desperate Reg (Soulo Smith), and Psinakis as Hal, math teacher by day and hitman by night who is hot on the trail after the thieves abscond with the diamond they were meant to hand over to their employer. Sunny Kang (Laura Im)

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Oct 13, 2026

Series Review: Netflix’s “Below” is Totally Binge Worthy

Netflix has unleashed a new creature feature with its six-episode horror series, “Below.” Starring Josh Hartnett, Charlie Heaton, and Mackenzie Davis, the coastal story delivers pure aquatic terror alongside an emotional arc. However, a festive family reunion quickly devolves into sheer survival horror. Saltwater Terror and Small-Town Secrets Filmed in Newfoundland, the narrative immerses viewers in a vulnerable seaside community. Suddenly, local deep-sea wildlife develops a bloodthirsty appetite for human flesh. Fisherman Calvin Penney, brilliantly played by Hartnett, stands directly at the center of the storm. Naturally, Calvin vows to protect his family while battling the monstrous entity terrorizing his hometown. Throughout the series, he also uncovers the island’s buried secrets, which only heightens the tension. The family’s individual drama also adds a great weight as the story unfolds. Masterful Suspense and Visceral Effects Brilliantly, the production keeps the creature mostly hidden until the final scenes. As a result, the imagination conjures far more disturbing horrors than any CGI program.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Oct 12, 2026

Spoiler Free Reviews: Processing Charlie and Wounds (Screamfest 2026)

Processing Charlie Official synopsis With his marriage about to fall apart, Charlie gets a surprise visit from his long-lost cousin. Charlie offers Cole a place to stay, but as his dark secrets bubble to the surface, Charlie realizes too late that no good deed goes unpunished.  Review Writer/director David Harari serves up a jaw-dropping indie chiller with his black-and-white feature Processing Charlie. As if Charlie (Michael Ursu) wasn’t having enough trouble between arguing with his wife Anika (Kelly Pantaleoni) about his desire to not have children with her and his fear of entering his deceased younger sister’s locked bedroom, along comes his cousin Cole (Asa Fris). Cole has left his parents’ home where he was homeschooled and Charlie reluctantly lets him stay at the house he shares with Anika. From here, Harari steadily builds up suspense as Cole’s odd behavior grows increasingly disturbing and invasive. The ensemble cast members, which also include Sophia Guillen as Anika’s flirtatious friend Carmen, give

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Oct 12, 2026
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