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Singer/songwriter Halsey had a role in director Ti West’s horror film MaXXXine (which wrapped up the trilogy that West started with the slasher X and continued with the prequel Pearl), and now Variety reports that West and Halsey are teaming up again for Bloodlust, a dark comedy series that’s set up at the Prime Video streaming service. Halsey will serve as the creator, writer, and executive producer on the show, while West is on board as director and executive producer.

Halsey previous wrote If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, an hour-long fantasy horror “film experience” that was set to the music of the album of the same name.

Details on the plot of Bloodlust have not been revealed. In addition to Halsey and West, the series is being executive produced by Anthony Li, who is Halsey’s manager, and Mark Friedman, who is also the showrunner.

After working together on MaXXXine, singer/actor Halsey and director Ti West are reuniting for the dark comedy series “Bloodlust” over at Amazon, Variety reports this afternoon.

Described as a dark comedy, the series is in the works for Prime Video, and the site’s report notes that Halsey is writing the project and Ti West will be seated in the director’s chair.

In addition to writing, Halsey is also the creator and executive producer of “Bloodlust.” Variety notes in today’s report, however, that the singer doesn’t plan on starring in the series.

Ti West will also serve as executive producer, with Mark Friedman on board as executive producer and showrunner of the project.

Plot details for “Bloodlust” are currently under wraps. Stay tuned for more.

Ti West is of course fresh off directing the X Trilogy, which kicked off with the 1970s-set slasher movie X and...

Singer & songwriter Halsey is adding screenwriter to her resume. Variety has learned exclusively that the platinum-selling artist is currently developing a dark comedy TV series at Amazon Prime Video.

Halsey, whose given name is Ashley Frangipane, is set to serve as the creator, writer, and executive producer of “Bloodlust” for Amazon but is not going to star in the show. Ti West is attached to direct and executive produce, with Mark Friedman onboard as executive producer and showrunner. Anthony Li, Halsey’s manager, also executive produces. Amazon MGM Studios will produce.

Exact plot details are being kept under wraps. The project has been in development at Amazon for some time with Halsey, Li, and Friedman attached, but no details had emerged until now.

The show would reunite Halsey and West. West recently wrote, directed, and produced the horror feature “MaXXXine,” the third film in the “X” film series, with Halsey...

It seems odd to think that there's still any kind of debate over the legitimacy of horror as a serious form of filmmaking. The very term "elevated horror" — against which this site has argued passionately — implies from the outset that the genre needs some sort of additional element in order to ascend to the level of that most revered of movie genres: drama. But aside from the fact that it's ridiculous to suppose that confronting society's widespread fears through the art of film is somehow less important than other cinematic projects, the history of cinema itself is replete with masterpieces that stand unapologetically within the horror sphere.

Sadly, in 2024 it seems this point still hasn't quite sunk in, as evidenced by the fact that IMDb's top 250 movies list only features five horror films. Now, it should go without saying that IMDb is not the arbiter of quality in filmmaking,...

With the release of MaXXXine, Ti West's X trilogy has come to a close, and here is every movie in the series ranked worst to best. Starting with X in 2022, Ti West's horror trilogy took viewers on a decades-spanning journey that explored the horrors and violence that could come about from desires to attain fame, with the story of Maxine Minx and Pearl having a lot of interesting parallels. While each film in Ti West's X trilogy is good, some are better than others, and here is a complete ranking of each one from worst to best.

Ti West's X horror trilogy is much more than a simple series of slasher films, as it is an interesting exploration of how film in its different forms has impacted the world throughout its history. Each film in Ti West's X trilogy pays homage to a different era of film, and while X,...

2024 has undoubtedly emerged as a banner year for horror, with a slew of terrifying and compelling movies gracing the screens. From the blood-soaked vengeance of Oddity, where a woman uses haunted items to seek revenge after her twin’s brutal murder, to the chilling occult undertones of Longlegs, which follows an FBI agent on a serial killer’s twisted trail, this year has already delivered plenty of spine-chilling content. Smile 2 continues the franchise’s deep dive into the haunting horrors surrounding global pop sensation Skye Riley, and The Substance introduces a dark take on self-improvement gone wrong, as Elisabeth Sparkle is pushed to extremes to reclaim her life.

But despite the competition, there’s a new horror movies that’s emerged as a serious contender for the best of 2024—Late Night with the Devil. Currently streaming on Lionsgate, it’s quickly gaining attention, earning near-perfect critic scores, including an...

If Ready or Not had you hooked with its intense survival thrills and dark humor, there are two lesser-known gems that will scratch that same itch. Both You’re Next and The House of the Devil dive into the realms of survival horror and eerie suspense, offering unique twists on classic horror setups. They’re perfect companions for fans of Ready or Not who want more nail-biting tension and sinister secrets lurking behind family facades.

You’re Next (2011) is a home invasion thriller that flips the genre on its head with its clever twists and sharp humor. When a wealthy family gathers for a reunion in their remote mansion, they’re ambushed by a group of masked assailants. But the attackers soon realize they’ve underestimated one of their targets: Erin, played by Sharni Vinson, whose survival instincts are nothing short of lethal. Much like Samara Weaving’s Grace in Ready or Not,...

Related Images invites readers behind the scenes and into the sketchbooks of working filmmakers to learn more about their creative processes.Elizabeth Sankey’s Witches is now showing exclusively on Mubi.Witches.Title cards are an underappreciated art and a powerful tool for every director. They can punctuate a moment, make it more comic, shocking, or beautiful. They can hold your hand and lead you sweetly down the garden path of the story you’re about to experience, or they can undermine your expectations and throw you for a loop. Even their placement in the runtime can have a huge impact. In the black-metal revenge thriller Mandy (2018) Panos Cosmatos waits 75 minutes before abruptly kicking his title card onto the screen. Conversely Luca Guadagnino places the card for Call Me by Your Name (2017) at the end of the film to enhance Elio’s heartbreaking stare into the fire, intensifying his crushing...

Dark Sky Films has acquired all North American rights to the psychological horror Lilly Lives Alone from Yellow Veil Pictures, which will represent international sales at next week’s AFM in Las Vegas.

The feature directorial debut from Martin Melnick stars Shannon Beeby as Lilly, a traumatised woman who was the prime suspect in her young daughter’s death and has become a recluse who sinks into a world of drugs, alcohol and meaningless hook-ups.

Ten years after the death, Lilly is trapped in hallucinations when she meets Jed as the ghosts of her past strengthen their grip, leading to unspeakable horrors.

Ain’t no party like a Satantic Pizza Party! Join your horror hosts Kimmi & Jon on this week’s episode of the Nightmare on Film Street podcast as we close out our Spawn of Satan double-feature with Ti West’s retrotastic classic The House of The Devil (2009).

It’s late October and nothing says 1970s Halloween Horror like a babysitter getting lured out to a strange house so some lunatics can summon Lucifer himself! It’s a lo-fi indie masterpiece and a slow-burn stunner with style, scares, and one hell of a soundtrack. Whether you worship the Devil, or you pray to the one true God (Pizza), The House of The Devil is just what the doctor of dark arts ordered. Join ussss….

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Writer/director Ti West has been a household name in the horror genre for a long time, recently directing the stylish and impressive trilogy of "X," "Pearl," and "MaXXXine." But 15 years ago this month, West rocketed onto the scene with "The House of the Devil," which was technically his third feature but unquestionably became his breakout calling card. I remember there being tremendous excitement about the film at the time in the blogosphere -- this was long before I worked for /Film, but as an avid reader of the site, I recall multiple articles singing its praises, with this one being perhaps the most detailed and effusive. I didn't dabble too much in horror back then, but I clocked the enthusiasm in the community and tucked it away in the back of my mind. 

It took 15 years, but I finally got around to seeing the movie (I'm far more open...

The best vampire movies have long been a staple of the horror genre since Georges Mlis' The House of The Devil. For years, they played a huge part in the genre. Classics like Dracula (1931), Ganja & Hess (1973), and Nosferatu The Vampyr (1979) all proved the importance and versatility of the genre. It is easy now to look at the vampire film as an oversaturated sub-genre, but with the boom of slasher movies in the 1980s, there came somewhat of a drought.

Hits like Fright Night (1985) and The Lost Boys (1987) proved few and far between, leading to a decade filled with more obscure cult classics. Vampire movies ended up taking on all sorts of different forms; anthologies, comedies, and even kids' films. Many of these have come to be well renowned within the horror community, but have yet to fully receive the appreciation they deserve.

The Monster Club (1981) Directed By Roy Ward Baker...

Rosemary's Baby (1968), is a groundbreaking horror film that redefined the genre. Its power comes from its psychological complexity, blending supernatural horror with real fears. The film tells the story of Rosemary, a young woman manipulated by her husband and neighbors, a torturous pregnancy, and an iconic movie ending. This premise taps into anxieties about bodily autonomy, trust, and motherhood.

What makes Rosemarys Baby influential is its subtle approach to horror. Instead of relying on jump scares or gore, it builds suspense through paranoia and psychological dread. Viewers are left questioning what is real, sharing Rosemarys escalating terror. The film also pioneered the use of urban everyday settings, showing that horror could thrive in the ordinary and familiar, in contrast to remote castles and mansions in earlier horror. With a newly released prequel Apartment 7A, Rosemary's Baby's themes of control, manipulation, and betrayal resonate deeply, making it a classic that continues...

Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.

Alien: Romulus (Fede Alvarez)

It’s a dire, inhospitable environment, wherein corporate interests can give way to ghoulish monstrosities, and those just trying to navigate the chokehold of capitalism are doing their best to survive. In a way, Fede Alvarez’s Alien: Romulus may be the most meta Alien film to date. No stranger to playing in others’ sandboxes, the Evil Dead helmer is, at first glance, an encouraging fit for the sci-fi horror franchise. Like the original, 2017’s Alien: Covenant––an underrated high point for these films––was at its peak when threading its headier notions with gleefully mean-spirited cynicism towards its human subjects. Alvarez has that same kind of nasty streak in him, and much of Romulus’ mandated fan service...

The first "V/H/S" movie was released in 2012, which was actually four full years before the last manufacturers of VCRs, Funai Electric, finally halted production on the medium. 

VHS was, for those of a certain age, a seminal and ubiquitous technology. Prior to VHS, the only way to see certain cinematic classics was either to go to a repertory theater (which used to be far more common) and see it on the big screen (requiring a well-curated arthouse in your town) or to wait for something to broadcast on network TV (which was often edited for content or time). With the advent of VHS, movies were on-demand for the first time. One could rent their movies from a local video store and watch them at their leisure. For a whole generation, this was the best way to see classic movies for the first time, and the technology, for however...

Apartment 7A Trailer: "Paramount+ today released the official trailer for the all-new psychological thriller Apartment 7A, available to stream exclusively on Paramount+ Friday, September 27 in the U.S. and Canada, Latin America and Brazil and on September 28 in the U.K., France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Australia. Availability in additional international Paramount+ markets to come at a later date. In addition to exclusively streaming on Paramount+, the film will be available for purchase on digital beginning Friday, September 27.

Set in 1965 New York City, the film tells the story prior to the legendary horror classic Rosemary’s Baby, exploring what happened in the infamous Bramford building before Rosemary moved in.

The highly anticipated film will debut at this year’s Fantastic Fest, the world’s largest genre and horror festival based in Austin, Texas, and will be featured in Paramount+ Peak Screaming, a curated collection of fan-favorite horror movies and Halloween episodes from beloved series.

Patrick Lussier's 2011 film "Drive Angry" might belong to a genre hereby designated "neo-grindhouse." There was a wave of films in the late 2000s and early 2010s that sought to evoke the style or the content of a very specific type of exploitation movie that was popular in the 1970s. In addition to the Quentin Tarantino/Robert Rodriguez 2007 twofer "Grindhouse" and its spinoffs, films like "Redline," "The Man with the Iron Fists," "Turbo Kid," "Kung Fury," "Hatchet," "Torque," "Deathgasm," "House of the Devil," and "The Love Witch" popped up on the regular. 

"Drive Angry" gleefully embraced its goofy, action/horror premise with aplomb. A dead race car driver named (sigh) John Milton (Nicolas Cage) escapes the clutches of Hell having stolen Satan's persona gun, a device called the Godkiller. On his tail is Satan's Accountant (William Fichtner), assigned with nabbing John and dragging him back to Hell. John,...

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre inspired countless rip-offs that shaped the horror genre for years to come. Some films, like The Butcher, failed to capture the essence of the original, lacking in quality and innovation. Standout movies like House of the Devil and Wrong Turn successfully paid homage to the iconic Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was among the most influential horror movies ever made, and in the years since its release, there have been countless imitators and copycat movies. Director Tobe Hooper created a new type of horror as he depicted the unstoppable serial killer Leatherface, which would signal the dawn of a new era of over-the-top violence and the use of power tools as a murder weapon. While some rip-offs of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre were blatant cash grabs, others truly added to its concept and led to movies that could be enjoyed on their own merits.

This August, Shudder, the premier horror streaming service, is set to deliver a thrilling line-up of original films, series, and classic horror favourites for the UK and Ireland.

Whether you’ve just returned from a summer trip, or you’re trying to stay out of the unbearable heat, Shudder has plenty of good reasons for you to close the curtains and turn on your TV. From chilling new releases to timeless horror treasures, here’s what to look forward to:

Hell Hole – Shudder Original

Film Premieres on Shudder and AMC+ Friday 23 August

The Adams Family, known for their previous work on Hellbender, brings another spine-tingling horror with Hell Hole. This new Shudder Original centres around an American fracking crew that stumbles upon a French soldier from the Napoleonic era, frozen in time and hosting a parasitic monster. Starring Toby Poser, John Adams, Max Portman, and Anders Hove, this film promises...

Exclusive: Indie film vet Justin Dipietro has been named EVP of MPI Media Group and Dark Sky Films and will oversee the relaunch of the distribution labels with an aim on expanding the company’s global footprint and identifying larger scale projects and releases.

Dipietro will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s distribution operations and marketing efforts, including marketing and business development.

Previously, Dipietro led marketing, publicity and distribution efforts at Oscar-winning distributor Cohen Media Group after serving as Director of Sales and Distribution at Netflix. Dipietro managed and helped develop theatrical and Academy campaigns for several award-nominated titles, including 2023’s Best Foreign Film Academy Award nominee Io Capitano and two 2020 Best Picture Oscar nominees, Mank and The Trial of the Chicago 7. Prior to Netflix, Dipietro was the Head of Distribution at IFC Films, where he oversaw theatrical and non-theatrical releasing and worked on award-winning films such as Boyhood,...

In addition to starring in Ti West’s 1970s-set slasher X, Scott Mescudi (aka Kid Cudi) was also an executive producer on the subsequent prequel Pearl and this year’s sequel MaXXXine, and the singer/actor has taken to Twitter this week to tease another collaboration with West.

Mescudi tweets, “Wait til u see what me and Ti West do next.”

We have no idea what Mescudi is referring to at this time, so it’s important to note here that it’s not necessarily even a horror project at all. While Ti West is primarily known as a horror filmmaker, making a name for himself with films including The House of the Devil, The Innkeepers, and The Sacrament, he’s also strayed from the genre. Of particular note, West directed the Western In a Valley of Violence back in 2016. Point being, it’s not a guarantee that West and...

It hasn't been a blockbuster year for horror at the box office in 2024, but A24 and director Ti West just delivered a solid little debut with "MaXXXine." Building off of the success of "X" and "Pearl" in 2022, West's trilogy centered on Mia Goth's Maxine Minx has come to a close on a high note: The latest entry opened higher than either of the previous films by a pretty significant margin. While that's still small potatoes in the grand scheme of things, a win is a win.

"MaXXXine" opened to $6.7 million domestically over the weekend, landing at number four on the charts, with "Inside Out 2" ($30.3 million) and "Despicable Me 4" ($75 million) owning the lion's share of the attention from moviegoers. But horror fans still turned out to see what West and Goth had cooked up, with the film pulling in another $1.1 million overseas for a $7.8 million global debut.

For further context,...

In the article series Sound and Vision we take a look at music videos from notable directors. This week: Justin Timberlake's No Angels, directed by Ti West. Ti West is obsessed with several themes, among them hedonism and the hive-mind of cults. In films as diverse as House of the Devil, The Roost and especially The Sacrament he has explored the nature of cultish behavior. From devil-worshippers (in a Satanic Panic send-up) in House of the Devil, to a Jonestown situation in The Sacrament. According to those who have seen it, MaXXXine, the final chapter in his X-trilogy, also returns to this well. Likewise, in films like the X-trilogy, House of the Devil ,but also an earlier (disowned) film like Cabin Fever 2 , he...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

Once upon a time in 1970s Texas, a group of filmmakers traveled to a remote farmhouse to shoot what they hoped would be the Citizen Kane of porno flicks. Only one of them would leave that quaint rural residence alive. Cut to: that same “Final Girl” close to a decade later, when she has not only endured another round of related homicides but has been christened Hollywood’s Next Big Thing. Sandwiched in between this fairy tale’s beginning and ending is the story of another woman who also yearns for fame,...

MaXXXine's Rotten Tomatoes score is lower than X and Pearl, with a 20% difference. Critics found MaXXXine's plot less gripping and the characters more shallow. Despite the lower score, MaXXXine still maintains a Certified Fresh status on Rotten Tomatoes.

The third and final entry in Ti West's X trilogy, MaXXXine, finally hit theaters, but the movie's Rotten Tomatoes score hints that its predecessors are better. Since 2022, the X trilogy has been a well-lauded and highly anticipated horror film series. Scream queen Mia Goth leads the films as Maxine Minx (and Pearl), meanwhile, Ti West writes, directs, and produces the movies. Previously, Ti West has worked on horror projects like The House of the Devil, The Innkeepers, and The Sacrament. Considering the success of the other X films, MaXXXine seemed like an automatic hit, yet that isn't the case.

After being released in July 2024, MaXXXine has garnered a 75% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes,...

“MaXXXine,” the third film in writer/director Ti West and producer/actress Mia Goth’s “X” trilogy, is now in theaters. From the ’70s set “X” to the 1910s of “Pearl” and now the ’80s of “MaXXXine,” one of the defining characteristics of the trilogy is how they adopt the look and filmmaking style of the genre of the films they are emulating. Cinematographer Eliot Rockett, a long-time West collaborator who shot all three films, told IndieWire the roots of this approach pre-dated 2022’s “X.”

“This started back with ‘House of the Devil,’” said Rockett, referencing the 2009 horror film he shot for West. “We were trying to make a movie that felt not just like a period, but the whole thing felt more like an artifact from that time.”

With “X,” West wanted to make his first slasher film in the spirit of 1970s films like “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” in...

With “MaXXXine,” writer-director Ti West completes the trilogy he began with “X” and followed with the prequel “Pearl,” shepherding audiences through three bloodstained stories of ambition in as many years. After himself infiltrating Hollywood’s ecosystem as a scrappy outsider with acclaimed projects like 2009’s “House of the Devil” and 2011’s “The Innkeepers,” the three-quel marks West’s biggest film to date. Even so, its potential for success presents him many of the same risks faced by his protagonist Maxine (Mia Goth), who hopes to move past a troubled, violent — and to some, disreputable — past in order to fulfill her larger silver-screen dreams.

Speaking to Variety at what for him is the end of a very long journey, West takes the challenges in stride. Set in 1985, “MaXXXine” is drenched in history and iconography from the time — not only when the popularity of slasher movies like “X” were booming, but during...

MaXXXine concludes Ti West’s ambitious, genre-defying trilogy. We chat to the director about returning to horror and crafting an unexpected slasher with his trilogy closing film.

Ti West’s filmography is an eclectic one. He made a mockumentary with The Sacrament, a traditional ghost story with The Innkeepers, a western with In A Valley Of Violence and his breakout film House Of The Devil managed to recreate the distinct feel and style of 80s horror films to a tee.

But it was 2022’s X that really made West’s name with a gruesome, 70s-set slasher. It was followed by the equally flamboyant Pearl which took inspiration from Technicolor films of Old Hollywood.

The trilogy now comes to a close with MaXXXine, which is an unusual slasher. In fact, in our review of Ti West’s latest film, we suggested it isn’t one.

To get to the bottom of it,...

With films such as The House of the Devil and The Innkeepers, Ti West showcases his talent for blending atmospheric dread, slow-burning tension, and meticulous attention to detail with retro aesthetics. West’s work often pays homage to the horror classics of the 1970s and 1980s, reflecting his deep appreciation for the genre’s history. His ability to craft compelling narratives and memorable characters has earned him a dedicated following among horror aficionados. This reputation set the stage for his ambitious project, the “X” trilogy, beginning with the critically acclaimed film X to the fantastical technicolor nightmare of Pearl and ending with this summer’s Maxxxine. The first entry is a vibrant and thrilling entry into West’s filmography, combining his signature tension-building with a more playful and exuberant tone. X is a fun and gripping homage to grindhouse cinema, delivering both scares and a nostalgic celebration of horror’s past.

As you catch up on our list of the best 20 films from the first half of the year, it’s also time to look at what the latter half brings. While July may be a bit lighter in worthwhile cinematic offerings, it does provide a few promising wide releases, some of the year’s best documentaries, and a few TIFF and Sundance favorites finally arriving.

13. Eno (Gary Hustwit; July 12)

One of the most curious experiments to premiere out of Sundance this year was Gary Hustwit’s Eno, which uses generative technology to produce an entirely new movie every single time it’s screened. That experiment’s now being put to a major test as it opens at Film Forum with new versions every day. John Fink said in his review, “So what we’re left with is a random series of threads, some organized quite well (by Hustiwit and editors...

When we last saw Maxine Minx (Mia Goth) in Ti West’s X, the adult film actress with Machiavellian designs on Hollywood superstardom had just killed Pearl (also Goth), the deranged, elderly killer of all her friends. In MaXXXine, she’s pushing 33 and still grinding in the dregs of the adult entertainment world in L.A., but her savvy agent, Teddy Night (Giancarlo Esposito), snags her a supporting role in a buzzy new slasher film, The Puritan II, to be directed by the Dorothy Arzner-esque star screenwriter Elizabeth Bender (Elizabeth Debicki).

No spotlight in Hollywood, though, is bright enough to eradicate the grime of Maxine’s past. Following the template set by another icon of the industry’s infancy, Joan Crawford, our heroine’s dirty secrets become weaponized against her. A menacing stranger clad in taut, rippling leather (shades of Cruising) sics his goon (Kevin Bacon) on her, sends...

Pearl, the highly acclaimed prequel to Ti West’s X, is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of ambition, madness, and the darker side of the American Dream. Released mere months after its predecessor, Pearl dives deep into the backstory of its titular character, offering audiences a glimpse into the origins of the sinister figure they met in X.

Set in 1918, the film transports us to a world ravaged by the Spanish flu pandemic and the aftermath of World War I. The film’s protagonist, Pearl (Mia Goth), is a young woman living on a remote farm with her strict German mother (Tandi Wright) and her paralysed father (Matthew Sunderland). Her husband, Howard, is away fighting in the war. Pearl dreams of escaping her monotonous life to become a movie star, an aspiration fueled by the films she obsessively watches and the fantasies she concocts while performing for the farm animals.

West...

With the release of Ti West’s Maxxxine just around the corner, it felt high time that we covered the preceeding two films before giving our verdict on the third. So let’s start at the beginning (release dates-wise) with X.

Set in 1979, X follows a group of aspiring pornographers who venture to a secluded Texas farmhouse to shoot an adult film, only to find themselves embroiled in a nightmarish ordeal.

From the outset, West’s direction shines, capturing the essence of the era with meticulous detail. And this has been a strength of his since the opening sequence of House of the Devil (2009), which was saturated in 80’s nostalgia. With X, the cinematography mirrors the aesthetic of 1970s horror films, characterised by a grainy texture and muted color palette that evoke a sense of decay and desolation. This visual style, combined with the isolated rural setting, immediately draws intentional...

MaXXXineImage: A24

The ‘80s have a reputation as a decade of excess, a quality MaXXXine embraces to a fault: The third installment in Ti West’s trilogy of loosely connected slasher-ish horror movies has the unfocused enthusiasm of a coked-up producer throwing out ideas at a party. It could be,...

In Ti West’s 1979-set slasher movie X, Mia Goth played would-be porn star Maxine and elderly killer Pearl. Spinning the film out into a triptych rather than a trilogy, the 1919-set Pearl was about the younger days of the murderess, while MaXXXine is set in 1985 and catches up with what the final girl of the Texas Porn Star Massacre did next in her life. Eventual binge-watchers will notice the way elements recur with variations across all three movies — something Maxine does at the climax mirrors what Pearl did in her film.

In a moment of metatextuality which functions also as a scare scene, Maxine has her head coated with goo as a make-up artist makes an impression to be used to create a severed-head prop for a dream sequence. She is transformed by dripping white gunk into the ghost image of old Pearl, who actually told her she would end up looking like her.

If knives weren’t already being sharpened for Ti West prior to MaXXXine––the third installment in his X series of exploitation throwbacks––they likely will be at the ready once discerning horror fans experience it. On the surface, this is West returning to the same bloody ground as his terrific 2009 breakout The House of the Devil, only with a much starrier cast in tow for this 1985-set slasher mystery. Like that movie, the backdrop here is Reagan-era Satanic Panic, a fitting bedfellow for a story that begins in the adult entertainment industry––that other key scourge for social conservatives in the decade that style forgot. Wider ties between The House of the Devil and MaXXXine, beyond their shared cultural contexts, are few and far between, yet it’s hard not to regard this movie as something of a self-aware victory lap for its director; West isn’t just...

Ti West’s decades-spanning horror trilogy, which began in the late ’70s with X (2022) and then jumped back over half a century for the same year’s WW1 prequel Pearl, now fast-forwards to the mid-’80s with a capper that requires a little more thought than its gory, crowd-pleasing predecessors. You’d be forgiven for thinking that the Reagan years would be West’s safe space, given 2009’s pitch-perfect period piece The House of The Devil, but MaXXXine pulls back on that kind of detail in a way that’s surprising. Despite the obvious genre set-up, which promises way more violence than you’d expect, but is pretty gory when you do get it — West’s film is actually an abstract think-piece about women in cinema, predicated on Bette Davis’s quote: “In this business, until you’re known as a monster, you’re not a star.

Dive into the chilling depths of cult horror with Ti West’s 2013 masterpiece, The Sacrament. Known for his unsettling and atmospheric films like X, Pearl, The House of the Devil, The Innkeepers, and the upcoming MaXXXine, Ti West delivers yet another spine-tingling experience with The Sacrament.

Now, thanks to Second Sight Films, you can add this cult favorite to your collection with the new Limited Edition and Standard Edition Blu-ray releases. Want a chance to win? Keep reading!

The Sacrament giveaway

The new collector’s edition out now is presented in a rigid slipcase with new artwork by Chris Malbon along with a 70-page booklet with new essays and a raft of fantastic special features, including new interviews, a newly edited making of documentary and more.

The Sacrament follows a small news team—played by Aj Bowen, Joe Swanberg, and Amy Seimetz—as they accompany a desperate man on a...

‘A masterclass in unsettling chills from Ti West, lit up by another strong Seimetz turn’

★★★★

Empire Magazine

‘As with all of West’s work this is a good-looking, well-acted film shot through with moments of real power’

Time Out

‘Deserves top marks for being one creepy thriller. The cast do a remarkable job and Jones is absolutely perfect’

Bloody Disgusting

‘Performances are excellent, the atmosphere tense’

Total Film

One of the most prominent horror filmmakers of his generation, Ti West has directed a slew of successful films, including X, Pearl, The House of the Devil, The Innkeepers and the upcoming MaXXXine. Now The Sacrament, the director’s 2013 cult favourite, is the latest horror to get the Second Sight Films Limited Edition Blu-ray treatment, which is set for release this June alongside a Standard Edition Blu-ray.

The new collector’s edition will be released on 24th June 2024 and is presented in...

MaXXXine may glorify real-life killer Richard Ramirez, risking similar criticism to American Horror Story: 1984's depiction. The movie may rewrite history by having the heroine kill Ramirez to symbolize patriarchal oppression, a bold move if executed well. Ti West's slasher trilogy, including MaXXXine, shows promise but may need to handle the real-life killer storyline carefully.

Although MaXXXine looks like a promising end to director Ti Wests slasher trilogy, the upcoming horror movie runs the risk of repeating a horror TV shows most regrettable mistake. Horror movies have a fraught relationship with reality. Some found footage horror mockumentaries, like The Blair Witch Project, became hits based on viewers assuming their stories were real. Others, like The Amityville Horror and The Conjuring, claimed to be based on real events despite taking sizable liberties with their inspirations. Finally, some horror movies, like the upcoming slasher MaXXXine, feature real-life people as characters and reference actual historical events.

I’ve been on a bit of a Larry Fessenden kick lately either intentionally or by circumstance. I really wanted to talk about the movie Late Phases which has a cameo from the man and his name in the produced by section. This led to one of our favorites in Danielle Harris wishing that more people knew about a movie she did called Stake Land. While this had a six degrees of separation angle attached to it with Late Phases star Nick Damichi also starring and writing Stake Land, it also brought back Fessenden in his comfortable producer role, oh and another cameo. We’ve gone down another rabbit hole and heard from the man himself that The Last Winter (watch it Here) is a movie of his that he wishes had been seen by more people. This movie see’s Larry in not only his producing and cameo roles...

Outbreak Park: "Lethal Comics and Holy Crow Press present Outbreak Park! The Walking Dead meets Jurassic Park! Writer Allan Amato and artist Andy Belanger bring you their startling vision of a post-post apocalyptic world. Humanity exists in vastly smaller numbers, within fortified enclaves mirroring the early city-states of ancient Greece. While a vaccine inoculating humans against a bite has been created, most of the planet is still subject to roving herds of undead. And equally frightening anarchist wellness Men’s groups..

In New Alhambra, Outbreak Park is built to further research into the undead phenomenon, using docile zombies as teaching tools for the children growing up in the new republic. Lest the near extinction of humanity ever be forgotten, and repeated.

But while humanity is slowly clawing it way back from the brink, underneath the veneer of civilization lies a fervent minority plotting against the yoke; religious zealots that insist...

Dark Sky Films has announced Dark Sky Selects, a new label “committed to delivering a meticulously curated selection of high-quality, limited edition film releases and exclusive merchandise to the collector’s market.” First up? Hatchet: The Complete Collection SteelBook.

The Limited Edition Blu-ray set collects together all four of creator Adam Green’s Hatchet films for the very first time on Blu-ray, and it’s set to be released on June 25, 2024.

Here’s the full rundown…

Disc 1: Hatchet Disc 2: Hatchet II Disc 3: Hatchet III Disc 4: Victor Crowley Disc 5: Exclusive Blu-ray Bonus Disc with nearly 2 hours of brand-new bonus features Hatchet: Swamp Tales Production Journals

You can pre-order your copy from Dark Sky Films today.

“Old-school American horror is back as Adam Green’s iconic Hatchet series returns in a blood-soaked, fully Unrated collection, uniting all four films for the first time.

“Unleashed at a time...

Dark Sky Films Announces The Launch Of Dark Sky Selects: "Dark Sky Films today announced the launch of their newly created, Dark Sky Selects, a new specialty label bringing some of our best films to the collector's market with limited edition packaging, restored transfers and new special features. These new limited editions will offer die-hard fans and collectors new upgrades of many of their longtime favorite Dark Sky Films, produced for the purpose of making the definitive edition of these classics and modern favorites.

The first official release from Dark Sky Selects will be Hatchet: The Complete Collection Limited Edition Steelbook, which is being released in June and will be available for pre-order at Texas Frightmare Weekend starting tomorrow. This marks the first time all four of Adam Green’s iconic Hatchet films will be available together in one package.

Green's iconic Hatchet series returns in a blood-soaked, fully Unrated collection,...

Intense tension in the film builds steadily towards an unexpected climax. The film's ensemble cast shines, with storytelling that crafts a tense and engaging narrative in a single setting. Despite minor flaws, The Last Stop in Yuma County remains captivating, with an impressive debut effort.

Francis Galluppi's debut film, The Last Stop in Yuma County, is a gripping indie crime thriller that immediately grabs your attention and steadily intensifies throughout. While it slightly runs out of gas towards the end, it remains an enjoyable ride worth revisiting. The story follows a young knife salesman, played by Jim Cummings (The Beta Test), who finds himself stranded at a remote gas station while on his way to celebrate his daughter's birthday. As he waits for the fuel delivery in the adjoining diner, he befriends the waitress, Charlotte, portrayed by Jocelin Donahue (The House of the Devil).

8/10 ProsThe film is filled with...

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Warning: Spoilers for The Last Stop In Yuma County!

Jocelin Donahue and director Francis Galluppi worked closely to develop Charlotte's backstory, adding layers to her character's resilience and resourcefulness. Donahue was thrilled to reunite with Richard Brake on set, praising her scene partner's abilities and work ethic. Donahue pulled from her family history for Charlotte's costume, enhancing her character's essence for the film's unique setting.

Jocelin Donahue isn't the helpless hostage two gunmen think in crime thriller The Last Stop in Yuma County. Donahue has been a major player in the indie movie scene over the past 15 years since landing her first leading role in Ti West's acclaimed horror movie The House of the Devil, going on to star in the likes of Knight of Cups, Dead Awake, Holidays and I Trapped the Devil. Donahue has also lent her talents to more mainstream fare,...

A roadside diner. Not just a place to see peeling upholstery and rodent traps, and indulge in the occasional sugary slice, but a genuine icon of Americana from Edward Hopper to “Frasier.” A diner is the great, anxiety-drenched stage where most of first-time feature director Francis Galluppi’s “The Last Stop in Yuma County” takes place, and, though this thriller is packed with memorable characters, the diner itself might be its greatest.

“The Petrified Forest” meets Tarantino and the Coen brothers, “The Last Stop in Yuma County” revels in its Americana like few films in recent memory. There’s an olive green Ford Pinto, Roy Orbison’s “Crying” played from a jukebox, a sheriff with ’70s sideburns, and, of course, a couple of bank robbers on the run. There’s the oafish Travis (Nicholas Logan), who inquires about the location of the facilities with a repeated “Where’s the shitter?...

It’s easy to see why writer/director Francis Galluppi is already set to helm a new Evil Dead movie in the wake of his feature debut, The Last Stop in Yuma County. There’s a savage sense of humor and mean streak to Galluppi’s tense, dusty neo-noir western, even as it escalates the pressure cooker scenario. It helps that the film’s charismatic ensemble cast is filled with horror stalwarts, one that Galluppi fearlessly culls through with raucous glee, making for an insanely fun single-location thriller.

A massively delayed fuel truck strands various passersby and travelers at a middle-of-nowhere Arizona rest stop, all waiting to fuel their vehicles so they can move on. That begins with the Knife Salesman (Jim Cummings), who arrives before diner waitress Charlotte gets dropped off for her shift by her Sheriff husband (The Dark and the Wicked’s Michael Abbott Jr.). Taking up...

Larry Fessenden is back with new werewolf horror movie Blackout, which is Now Available on Digital/VOD at home courtesy of Dark Sky Films.

Blackout is the third film in Fessenden’s monster trilogy, following Habit (vampires) and Depraved (Frankenstein). Watch a clip below for a sneak peek at his latest monster!

The film follows small town artist Charley (Alex Hurt), a tortured man whose drinking binges blur with his sneaking suspicion that he might likely be a werewolf. He distances himself from those he loves and sinks deeper into solitude, his flashes of memory of his nighttime grisly acts manifested through his artwork.

Fessenden tells us, “I am interested in finding new truths in the classic monster tropes of my youth. The essence of each creature dictates the milieu of the film, and of course, the werewolf is both out of control and regretful so that duality shaped my story.

A24 has dropped the brand new trailer for writer-director Ti West’s, MaXXXine, the third installment of the X film series.

In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. But as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.

Starring Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins, with Giancarlo Esposito and Kevin Bacon, check out the first look now.

The X series includes an original film, its prequel, and now its star-filled sequel.

Writer-director Ti West (The House of the Devil) followed-up to his hit slasher movie X, with Pearl in 2022. Revisiting the unforgettable character Pearl, the film was about the obsessive old voyeur who relentlessly stalked Mia Goth’s Maxine Minx character across the Texas farm that Pearl never managed to escape. Played in the...