#horrorchallenge2024

[simplylove101]

2024 Horror Challenge: [1/?]

↳“They say time heals all wounds, but time is the wound.” Lisa Frankenstein (2024) dir. Zelda Williams

Plot: A coming-of-rage love story about a teenager and her crush, who happens to be a corpse. After a set of horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a journey to find love, happiness - and a few missing body parts.

Starring: Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, Liza Soberano, Henry Eikenberry, Joe Chrest & Carla Gugino

Goodness, another horror challenge has officially begun (technically this wasn't my first horror watch of the year, I have a few others I need to make a review for) but it figures this would be the one that convinces me to make the first post for this year's challenge (my 8TH YEAR doing it!) I was excited about it when I first heard it was going to be a thing. It looked like it was gonna be super fun as a concept. Not that it's completely original (reanimating life has been done more than plenty. Case in point - I literally watched Poor Things before this. lmao) but knowing that the script was coming from the zany mind of Diablo Cody (Juno, Jennifer's Body) I knew to go into this expecting the tone to be at least slightly off. And well, ofc it was. lol I don't know if it ended up being an instant classic as I thought it would be but I honestly don't really care because overall, I did really enjoy it. Kathryn Newton really impressed me once again like she did in Freaky, really owning that scream queen title. I loved her so much. And her chemistry with Cole was rather solid imo, despite his role mostly being silent. I thought Liza Soberano was a definite scene stealer as her step-sister Taffy as well. And ofc I gotta mention the wonderful Carla Gugino who is always good because her character was quite memorable, despite not being in it very long. I'm a sucker for a comedy horror so I'm not surprised I ended up liking it even though I've seen some mixed reactions (tho more good) It probably could have been better but I will say, even the movies from the 80's that you can tell inspired this one even had their flaws so let's not pretend they were perfect. I think this lived up enough to my expectations that I'm gonna say it now, I can see this one making it on the end-of-the-year faves list. Maybe it won't be for everyone but I think it was pretty good, for whatever that's worth. lol

#lisa frankenstein #horrorchallenge2024

[simplylove101]

2024 Horror Challenge: [8/?]

↳“God saved me for a reason but I'm still searching for what that reason is.” Immaculate (2024) dir. Michael Mohan

Plot: Cecilia, a woman of devout faith, is warmly welcomed to the picture-perfect Italian countryside where she is offered a new role at an illustrious convent. But it becomes clear to Cecilia that her new home harbors dark and horrifying secrets.

Starring: Sydney Sweeney

Man, oh man. Another one I wanted to like more than I did BUT (and this is a big one) that's because I truly did appreciate it for what it was & wanted it to be even stronger. But I do get why Sydney wanted to make this movie. I admire her for being so instrumental into it getting finished and she gave a wonderful performance. People may be doubtful all they want about her as an actress but she has depth. This was a perfect part for her to show her range I think. If nothing else, this movie's best asset was her. A certified scream queen that more than earned her title imo. The script could been a little stronger & maybe take its time a little more. Like even with the jumpscares, I appreciated that they didn't force them completely but they could played them out a little differently too. Truthfully, it felt like the movie was too short and the ending was the strongest part (as well as the beginning). I will not be forgetting that ending, kinda crazy how they went for it there. The movie gets surprisingly gory at parts but I do appreciate how they handled that scene considering it will probably have the audience feeling divided about it. Also wanna note that the movie was lovely to look at so that's another positive. So, ultimately, maybe not quite the horror movie of the year that I was hoping for since it was so hyped up for me but I do think it might still be a lowkey fave of the year that'll get a mention on the list at the end of the challenge at least because I enjoyed it. I do think it's worth a watch for sure. I think I will rewatch it once it's available just because.

#immaculate #horrorchallenge2024

[simplylove101]

2024 Horror Challenge: [11/?]

↳“Ladies and gentlemen, please stay tuned for a live television first, as we attempt to commune with the devil. But not before a word from our sponsors.” Late Night with the Devil (2023) dir. Cameron and Colin Cairnes

Plot: A live television broadcast in 1977 goes horribly wrong, unleashing evil into the nation's living rooms.

Starring: David Dastmalchian, Laura Gordon, Ian Bliss, Fayssal Bazzi, Ingrid Torelli, Rhys Auteri, Georgina Haig & Josh Quong Tart

Now we're getting to the good stuff. I feel like movies like Lisa Frankenstein & Immaculate are the main watches that have gotten me the most excited about this year's challenge since there's been some misses or just okay stuff so far. Interestingly enough, I haven't really veered off too much from recent releases to older stuff yet so we'll see if that changes as time goes on. All I know is, this has been one of those movies I've been hyped for since I watched the trailer & heard the concept which I really love. Been hearing lots of praise for it, which made me even more antsy to watch it. Now I like many was very disappointed about the AI issue (whether it seems small or not it did damper my mood a bit when I heard) and I get if some people never got past that. I guess in a small way I appreciated the honesty about it idk it's a tricky subject. But I just had to see this thing. Kevin Smith calling it 'Rosemary's Baby meets Network' (one of my all-time favorite movies ever btw) was a perfect little way to tease it to make me intrigued, tho you probably could have subbed Exorcist with Rosemary's (not that it goes full-on scary Regan but just enough to be creepy since Ingrid Torelli def owned that part of the movie) First off, hats off to David Dastmalchian getting that well-earned lead role. He's too good of an actor to simply always be a side character. He plays the talk show host role to a t (there was some deja vu moments to Fallon ngl lmao) making him charming but he also shows the swarmy sides to Jack throughout as well. Some of the rest of the acting is campy at parts but it suits with the 70's aesthetic so some of it is excusable but overall I think the casting was spot-on here. It really does feel like you're watching a broadcast in real-time and you're experiencing it with the audience. The ending is bonkers. Mostly in a good way, I mean. lol You're gonna be left on a cliffhanger if you can take that but man, it was a ride once we got there and I really don't know if they could have ended it any other way. But yeah, I had a lot of fun watching this and so far definitely making it to the Faves List at the end. It might not be for everyone but the love for it feels very justified to me.

#late night with the devil #horrorchallenge2024

[simplylove101]

2024 Horror Challenge: [10/?]

↳“You can't kill it, you can't let it out.” Baghead (2024) dir. Alberto Corredor

Plot: A young woman inherits a run-down pub and discovers a dark secret within its basement - Baghead - a shape-shifting creature that will let you speak to lost loved ones, but not without consequence.

Starring: Freya Allan, Jeremy Irvine, Ruby Barker, Peter Mullan & Anne Müller

And I'm officially caught up with what I remember I've watched this year so far even tho I'm pretty sure I'm missing something because I haven't really been consistent with my reviews as I hoped to be. I keep getting behind but oh well. lol Anyway, I watched this one partly out of boredom, partly out of curiosity when I saw Shudder had added it the other day. I didn't really go in expecting much with a name like that but it was something to watch, you know? I did recognize Freya Allen from The Witcher so a familiar face is always nice in any compacity. I think she did fine in her role considering but it doesn't feel as though we really get to know her character Iris or at least enough to fully care about her. Or any of the other characters for that matter. The script is gonna get those inevitable comparisons to last year's Talk to Me even if this story is older than that one, having been made into a short in 2017. I do appreciate that it's the same director who came back for the full feature. That's nice. But the story feels limited here with it being essentially set in one location and the gimmick of the creature feels incredibly repetitive when you consider the movie's length isn't that long. I tried to give it a chance but it wasn't that good imo. But hey, it's at least a little better than both the trainwrecks of Night Swim & Imaginary combined so there's that at least. lmao

#baghead #horrorchallenge2024

[simplylove101]

2024 Horror Challenge: [9/?]

↳“Every culture has a name for it, we call them imaginary friends.” Imaginary (2024) dir. Jeff Wadlow

Plot: A woman returns to her childhood home to discover that the imaginary friend she left behind is very real and unhappy that she abandoned him.

Starring: DeWanda Wise, Taegen Burns, Pyper Braun, Betty Buckley & Tom Payne

Did I need to subject myself to this truly awful movie? No. Did I? Yep. Out of sheer morbid curiosity if it was as bad or worse than Night Swim. The verdict? The jury's still out on that one because omg, this was beyond cringe from start to finish. The beginning was maybe the only show of promise (I mean, I'm being really generous here because even that was weak but at least they started it off with some action stuff) but it quickly goes downhill from there. First off, this concept was not the greatest but I don't know if Blumhouse even cared tbh when they greenlit this story. Between this & Night Swim, it feels like they've truly maybe given up on giving 'quality over quantity' content anymore, which is pretty sad for such a big name production company to say the least. But oh well. Now I watched this expecting it to be bad so it's not as if I can pretend I went into it with an open mind that they could prove me wrong but you go in hoping that will happen, you know? But I don't really know if there was any redeeming qualities for me. I feel for the actors because even if that aspect was cringey too it's not like they had much to go on because the script was horrendous. There's lines in here that are beyond laughable. People do NOT talk like this in the real world. Nobody gelled together in the cast to make this believable either. And the cliches, goodness they were everywhere. It was predictable the whole time. Basically, yeah, I hated it. lol So, I'll stop now. Anyway, what's a challenge without a really bad dud to make it really feel like a proper challenge, right? XD

#imaginary #horrorchallenge2024

[simplylove101]

2024 Horror Challenge: [7/?]

↳“Such a morbid imagination, bringing dead things to life.” Stopmotion (2023) dir. Robert Morgan

Plot: A stop-motion animator struggles to control her demons after the loss of her overbearing mother.

Starring: Aisling Franciosi, Stella Gonet, Tom York, Therica Wilson-Read & Caoilinn Springall

Another movie I wanted to like more than I did but I didn't really know what to expect beforehand since I didn't watch the trailer. I thought maybe the whole thing was going to be in stopmotion animation tbh. I will say, the concept felt original enough with how they handled it so that's a plus. It was kinda cool how they showed us the process of the main character's work. The actress did a nice job imo. And well, it's gotta be said I think people who are coming into this thing for the gore won't be disappointed. I can't quite tell how extreme it felt in comparison to some other stuff but it did have me feeling a little squeamish at certain parts cuz like I said, I wasn't sure what to expect but yeah, it goes there enough. Some creepy enough moments, some interesting camera choices throughout. I don't really know what I needed to like it more but it was watchable. Won't be forgetting it just yet so there's that going for it at least.

#stopmotion #horrorchallenge2024

[simplylove101]

2024 Horror Challenge: [6/?]

↳“You gotta admit, you brought this on yourself.” Night Shift (2023) dir. The China Brothers

Plot: While working her first night shift at a remote motel, a woman begins to suspect that the property is haunted.

Starring: Phoebe Tonkin, Madison Hu & Lamorne Morris

The fact I keep getting behind on my reviews for this thing this year. Prob the most I've been posting them out of order of watching them for one because I keep forgetting to do it afterwards. Oh well. lol Anyway, I know this movie doesn't have the greatest rating on IMDB or Rotten Tomatoes but it has Phoebe Tonkin who I adore cuz of my CW watching days and I miss seeing her in stuff so I was sold regardless. I saw Lamorne Morris from New Girl was in it too (Justice for Winston!!) so I was extra intrigued. I vaguely remembered Madison Hu being in last year's The Boogeyman so another familiar face. So, cast-wise this seemed pretty solid. It's definitely a movie made on a modest budget but that's fine because I don't think it needed any more than it got to be effective. It certainly could have been better but I don't think it was the worst either. It was more average for me than a dud. It had its moments. I think its downfalls were the pacing and maybe not making the most of the side characters. Phoebe did shine, particularly in the later half where it mattered, but she was kinda forced to underplay her part in the beginning so there needed to be more than her just reacting to stuff. I definitely wanted more Lamorne Morris than we got because he did what he could to sprinkle in the humor needed during his parts but otherwise felt wasted in his role. And the rude married couple they had briefly show up was memorable but totally felt random considering they didn't add anything to the plot at all. I do appreciate that the people behind the movie used their single location of a motel pretty well and there are some creepy moments too, even if quite a few of the "jumpscares" are a little lame. And you know, I can appreciate the plot twist towards the end cuz I think I was wondering if something was up but wasn't sure. I don't know if it totally landed as expected but I do think the last act is the most effective part of the movie. But as I've seen other people point out, it does take its time to get going, which is kinda sad considering it's only just a little over an hour. I wanted to like it more than I actually did but as I said before, it had its moments. If nothing else, I don't regret watching it for Phoebe. So, there's that.

#night shift #horrorchallenge2024

[simplylove101]

2024 Horror Challenge: [5/?]

↳“Without your help, none of this would be possible.” Double Blind (2024) dir. Ian Hunt-Duffy

Plot: After an experimental drug trial goes awry, the test subjects face a terrifying side effect: if you fall asleep you die. Trapped in an isolated facility, panic ensues as they try to escape and somehow stay awake.

Starring: Millie Brady, Pollyanna McIntosh & Akshay Kumar

And this is the last horror movie I can remember that I've watched so far. It's one that I probably expected to like more than I actually ended up feeling about it but overall, I do think it was interesting enough. I feel like the IMDB rating should at least be a 6 or something closer because while it's hardly realistic, I think there's still plenty merit to it. There was definitely effort to make it a tension filled ride with stylish camera choices and nice acting from the cast. It certainly held my attention so kudos to that. It was a little hard for me to fully be invested in the characters, including even the main one despite learning things about her backstory, so that's one of my negatives. But I do think the actress did a solid job, it's more the script I think there. I don't really know. Like I said, I wanted to like it more but it's a decent enough watch. At the very least, it was interesting.

#double blind #horrorchallenge2024

[simplylove101]

2024 Horror Challenge: [4/?]

↳“It's funny, isn't it, though. I mean, we evolved out of the water, and some part of our reptilian brain knows we're not supposed to be there anymore. But… I guess that's why we try to tame it so hard. It's like trying to conquer death.” Night Swim (2024) dir. Bryce McGuire

Plot: A family moves into a new home, unaware that a dark secret from the house's past will unleash a malevolent force in the backyard pool.

Starring: Wyatt Russell & Kerry Condon

Oh man, I think I tried to black this one out of my memory because I almost completely forgot about it when trying to remember all the horror movies I'd watched in 2024 so far. lol Yeah, it was that bad. But well, there's always gonna at least be one dud in the bunch. And at least it wasn't the first watch. But yeah, I went into this knowing it wasn't going to be a great movie by any means but you still try to go into it with an open mind. Since it's not like you go into a movie hoping for it to be bad but realistic expectations, you know? I'd heard enough negative stuff, including my fave reviewer on YouTube calling it laughable, to know to keep them low. But then the concept itself already has it sounding bad tbh because a haunted pool? Eh, okay, I guess. lol The one thing I will give the movie is that it does make a real effort to make you care about the family and give more than enough of their backstory. But then it's almost too much because what they really needed to work on was the scary elements because ummm, if this is what the guy behind the movie considers terrifying... I genuinely hope it's because they got rushed with editing the special effects or something but... I'm just gonna say it, that was not scary. AT ALL. It was cringey. I wanted to save Wyatt Russell & Kerry Condon from this hot mess because they both deserved better. The lines they were forced to say, especially him. And don't even get me started on that ending. I hated this movie. And it's definitely going on the dud list for sure. And I'm gonna stop now. lol

#night swim #horrorchallenge2024

[simplylove101]

2024 Horror Challenge: [3/?]

↳“I don't want to be some culture war person. I don't want to be controversial.” Dream Scenario (2023) dir. Kristoffer Borgli

Plot: A hapless family man finds his life turned upside down when millions of strangers suddenly start seeing him in their dreams. When his nighttime appearances take a nightmarish turn, Paul is forced to navigate his newfound stardom.

Starring: Nicholas Cage, Julianne Nicholson, Michael Cera, Tim Meadows, Dylan Gelula & Dylan Baker

This one just missed being watching for last year's challenge because of its release date but I had been wanting to watch it the more I heard about the concept and how it was supposed to be great. Also, people saying it was one of Nicholas Cage's oddest movies cuz um, he's got some strange ones in his filmography that I'll probably never be watching. lol I've also seen that he considers this script possibly one of the best he's read in his career so that was very interesting to learn. I honestly didn't know what to expect because I didn't watch the trailer. I knew it was an A24 movie, which adds to expectations for it, as well as hearing Ari Aster being a producer of it. So, I knew it would be odd but on purpose. And I mostly enjoyed it?? Like, it was weird but also kinda exactly how I wanted it to be. If that makes sense. lol Nicholas was great, very much bringing the needed cringe to his awkward role. The supporting cast was good too with some familiar faces. The humor was dry, which I enjoyed. You should definitely go into this expecting a weird journey. I appreciated it for what it was. Overall, I think was pretty good. Definitely one of the more enjoyable horror movies to come out of 2023 (which was generally a lackluster year for the genre imo).

#dream scenario #horrorchallenge2024

[simplylove101]

2024 Horror Challenge: [2/?]

↳“You probably brought me all the way out here to kill me. Middle of the ocean... No one can hear you scream.” Influencer (2022) dir. Kurtis David Harder

Plot: While struggling on a solo backpacking trip in Thailand, social media influencer Madison meets CW, who travels with ease and shows her a more uninhibited way of living, but CW's interest in her takes a darker turn.

Starring: Emily Tennant, Cassandra Naud, Rory J. Saper & Sara Canning

Okay, I'm finally tackling the rest of my reviews for the horror movies that I've watched this year so far. Or at least the ones I remember. lol Now it's between this & Dream Scenario for which one was my actual first horror watch of 2024 but I'm going with this because I remember it was pretty close to the start of the year when I did. And I also remember actually really enjoying it. Not because it was particularly unique or great but because it felt stylish with a strong performance by Cassandra Naud playing the twisted CW. The rest of the cast was good too but she was the true standout. If nothing else, I'd say watch it for her. It's nothing truly amazing but I thought it was a solid enough thriller considering these types of movies continue to pop up the more influencers become part of our daily lives. It was only a matter of time before they became a staple in horror. It's also really easy on the eyes with the tropical location of the movie and I also really dug the music used. For a Shudder original, it's a lot better than I expected, that's for sure. Since they're generally a hit or miss (but tend to lean more miss) so, yeah, a positive watch for me personally.

#influencer #horrorchallenge2024