Movies
Inkubus (V)
“Despite the structural downfalls, the films’ effects (be them abused) and overall quality are actual very nice. There appears to be a greenish gray filter over the entire movie which enhances the claustrophobic nature of the tiny police station it is capsuled in. The screenplay is apparently based on a short story by Ciano. One has to wonder if the true tale of Inkubus is short and sweet versus what is given. For it being Ciano’s directorial debut, he should be proud of the quality, even if the storyline could have used more (or maybe a lot less) work in the editing room.”
Over the last forty-plus years, filmmakers have tried to capture the essence of classics like Rosemary’s Baby with twisted tales of demons spreading their seed upon unknowing females using mind tricks and deception. Inkubus, written by Carl Dupre’ and directed by Glenn Ciano, tries to do just this.
With an opening reminiscent of 1974’s It’s Alive, the film follows the backstory of the demon just born. The baby’s daddy, Detective Tom Caretti – aka Joey Fatone of NSYNC – just so happens to be locked up in a loony bin due to the psychological trauma from the birth. Fatone’s delivery (whilst wearing a straight jacket) is actually quite convincing. Unfortunately, this could be due to his own disbelief that he was once on top of the world…and now he’s in this movie. He tells the story of how this baby came into the world – starting with the day the demon Inkubus walked into the police station with a severed head in his hands.
Robert Englund stars as the film’s namesake, who every few years seeks out a female host to impregnate so he can live on. For some reason, though, he has to go on a killing spree at the same time and mindf*** everyone. Englund acts the hell out of the role in his own way with delivering disturbing lines calmly, and adding sarcasm and humor at the right moments.
Perhaps the real reason Inkubus wants to get creative with his kills is because he really wants William Forsythe to show up, who plays Detective Gil Diamante, the now retired police chief that let Inkubus get away the last time he was up to shenanigans. The cast is rounded out with Jonathan Silverman (Weekend At Bernie’s) as the booking cop who gets wrapped up in a silly little trick Inkubus plays and Michelle Ray Smith as Officer Cole – the tomboy/tough girl cop/ Fatone’s love interest. There is also a plethora of cliché minor characters from tough guys to wise cracking rookies to a possessed psychologist – pretty much anything else that a script needs to appear substantial. Forsythe, on the contrary, stands out from the supporting cast. He seems depressed in the role, as if he knew in filming that somehow the story would get convoluted in the editing room, which seems like the case here.
The opening sequence alone seems like an afterthought with the grotesque Alien homage of the demon baby’s birth. If the story had cut out this and Fatone’s straight jacket performance, we would be left with the police station setting. Without the overabundance of hallucination scenes and gore, it could’ve feasibly made a nice little piece. However, as is, it runs just under 80 minutes. Though short, Inkubus still drags through its confusing tale and left this viewer more bended than the, as already stated, overuse of one of Inkubus’s Houdini tricks. With all of the hocus-pocus and special effects, the key point of the story – the idea that Inkubus has been around since the beginning of time – and is responsible for the downfall of man – is lost.
Despite the structural downfalls, the films’ effects (be them abused) and overall quality are actual very nice. There appears to be a greenish gray filter over the entire movie which enhances the claustrophobic nature of the tiny police station it is capsuled in. The screenplay is apparently based on a short story by Ciano. One has to wonder if the true tale of Inkubus is short and sweet versus what is given. For it being Ciano’s directorial debut, he should be proud of the quality, even if the storyline could have used more (or maybe a lot less) work in the editing room.
A very hungry hippopotamus leads the charge for this week’s brand new horror releases, with Hungry now available at home along with four other new genre movies on Digital outlets.
Here’s all the new horror that released on Tuesday, June 23, 2026!
After a limited theatrical run, hippo horror movie Hungry is now available at home.
From writer and director James Nunn (Shark Bait, One Shot), Hungry follows thrill-seeking tourists on a riverboat tour through the treacherous Louisiana swamplands. Lured off the beaten path by the promise of an exclusive adventure, they soon find themselves fighting for survival against a ravenous hippopotamus lurking beneath the bayou’s murky waters.
Madison Davenport (It’s What’s Inside), Tracey Bonner (Greenland), Michel Curiel (“She-Hulk: Attorney at Law”), Jim Meskimen (“Parks and Recreation”), Samantha Coughlan (Arcadian), Olivia Bernstone (Fighting with My Family), River Codack (“Happy Face”), and Joaquim de Almeida (Desperado) star.
Rob Hunter wrote in his review for Bloody Disgusting, “When all is said and done, Hungry is a genuinely solid animal attack film that succeeds in making its creature threat thrilling, entertaining, and, dare I say, educational?” Rob’s review continues, “Characters are grounded and engaging, the film moves well between suspense, character beats, and action, and the effects used to bring the hippo to life are highly effective and never feel like distractions.”
William Bagley‘s horror comedy Hold the Fort is now available on Digital.
In the film, “Lucas and Jenny think their life is finally coming together when the couple become homeowners. Little do they know that their new house comes with a big catch.
“Lucas and Jenny soon find themselves in a fight for their lives when they become trapped in a battle between their Homeowners Association and an onslaught of monsters from hell.”
Vertigo Releasing promises, “The horror-comedy takes the timely concern of home-ownership and wraps this up in an entertaining action-packed thrill ride.“
Chris Mayers (Adult Swim Yule Log), Haley Leary (“The Walking Dead”), Levi Burdick, and Julian Smith star in Hold the Fort, written and directed by William Bagley.
The latest from filmmaker Alex Noyer, Love Is the Monster is now available on Digital.
Madeline Zima (“Doom Patrol,” “Twin Peaks”) and Leonardo Nam (Werewolf by Night, “Westworld”) star as the unlucky couple discovering romance’s malevolent side.
“Following their marriage being rocked by infidelity, Ana and Justin attend an exclusive couples retreat in Finland, under the golden rays of the summer’s midnight sun. They join other international couples to experience the transformative teachings of the shaman and healer, Tiina, inspired by the ancient Finnish goddess of love and fertility, Lempo.
“Despite her doubts and some ominous first experiences, Ana gives the retreat a chance, but the thrill is quickly replaced by a battle for survival, as the influence of the divinity and the pagan rituals turn deadly. Couples’ problems lead to calamity, while Ana learns about the peculiar role she unwittingly plays in Tiina’s plans.”
Kimberly Sue-Murray (“The Boys”), Moe Jeudy-Lamour (“Ted Lasso”), Kristina Tonteri-Young (“Warrior Nun“), Milla Puolakanaho (Attack on Helsinki), and Sheila McCarthy (Women Talking) also star in Love Is the Monster.
Alex Noyer co-wrote the script with his Sound of Violence collaborator Hannu Aukia and Blair Bathory. Laurence Gendron joins Noyer and Aukia as a producer.
Samara Weaving (Ready or Not 2: Here I Come) and Kyle Gallner (Strange Darling) come together in Carolina Caroline, a sexy crime thriller now available at home.
It’s not a horror movie, mind you, but it’s worth a mention here all the same.
Kyra Sedgwick (Family Movie) and Jon Gries also star in the romantic crime thriller.
Director Adam Carter Rehmeier’s film stars Samara Weaving as Caroline Daniels, whose desire to leave her small Texas town brings her into the orbit of a charismatic con man (Kyle Gallner), and together they weave a path of crime and passion across the American Southeast.
Adam Rehmeier previously directed the films Dinner in America and Snack Shack.
Tom Dean wrote the screenplay for Carolina Caroline.
Described as a mash-up between Pumpkinhead and Cube, Round the Decay offers a fresh take on the monster movie formula with roots extending into psychological and folk horror.
The film is now available on VOD outlets at home.
Written and directed by Adam Newman (Everwinter Night), indie monster movie Round the Decay follows a young woman as she returns to the sleepy town of Newport’s Valley two years after a devastating tragedy and uncovers an all-consuming secret.
Victoria Mirrer leads a cast that includes Damian Maffei (The Strangers: Prey At Night), Sienna Hubert-Ross (Terrifier 3), Melody Kay (The NeverEnding Story III), Phil Duran (Breaking Bad), Sarah Nicklin (The Black Mass), Rachel Pizzolato (Mythbusters Jr.), and Roger Clark (Red Dead Redemption II).
Round the Decay boasts a practical creature designed by veteran special effects artist Greg McDougall (The Haunting of Hill House, Stranger Things, War of the Worlds).
This week’s new release roundups are presented by HUNGRY.
All aboard the swamp tour from hell – this hippo isn’t playing games…
HUNGRY is now available on Digital. Watch it now!
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