Movies
[Review] ‘Observance’ is a Masterfully Crafted Thriller
From its gloomy opening to its tragic conclusion, Observance is a film that captivates the viewer with an inescapable sense of dread rarely felt in contemporary horror. Directed by Joseph Sims-Dennett, the film stands as a testament to Australia’s growing movie industry and the versatility of horror films. Borrowing from both classic sources, like Hitchcock, and relatively recent inspirations, like Takashi Shimizu, Joseph has managed to create a patient thriller that knows exactly when to start the scares.
The film stars Lindsay Farris as Parker, a grieving private detective on a new mysterious assignment that might be way more than what he bargained for. When Parker’s seemingly normal subject, played by the gorgeous Stephanie King, appears to be in danger, things quickly spiral out of control as the detective is left in the dark by his shady client and his own questionable mental state. Channeling the best of classic voyeur films like Rear Window while still clinging firmly to its horror roots with some terrifying moments that would make David Cronenberg proud, Observance presents us with a cleverly paced ride into madness.
Depressing tales of grief and obsession aren’t exactly new to the genre, but Sims-Dennett weaves enough subtle story elements into the film’s brief runtime that it’s hard to be disappointed when the credits finally roll. Observance may be a slow-burner, but that doesn’t mean that it’s empty, or even boring, for that matter. The more bloodthirsty filmgoers out there might be disappointed with the movie’s lack of ‘true’ scares, but that is more than made up for with the unsettling atmosphere and unusual story.
Lindsay Farris does a great job at making Parker seem like a desperate but still sympathetic protagonist, considering that the film as a whole depends on his reaction to the shadowy characters and events that surround him. King also proves to be a compelling actress, though her character is usually observed from afar and isn’t given enough screen presence to showcase her acting abilities. Despite this being an Australian production with a native cast, it seems that accents have been muted in favor of more traditional English, which is a curious choice by the filmmakers, though some of the actors slip up every now and then.
Observance is a peculiar little film, and though it’s masterfully crafted, not to mention a welcome change of pace from common genre fare, I suspect that quite a few moviegoers will have a hard time digesting some of its slower moments. The more patient viewers out there will certainly be rewarded for their attention to this old-fashioned thriller, but not everyone is into that kind of experience. Even so, though the art of cinema is constantly evolving, it’s nice to see that there are still some filmmakers willing to take a risk and respect their audience’s intelligence instead of providing unnecessary answers to every single aspect of the story.
Observance is available to pre-order On-Demand via Artsploitation.
Nicolas Winding Refn. Michael Mann. Pinocchio. Today’s lineup of new horror movie releases is eclectic, to say the least, and we’ve got the full rundown for you as we head into the weekend.
Here are the new horror movies that released on Friday, July 24, 2026!
Nicolas Winding Refn’s Her Private Hell is now playing in theaters from NEON.
In the film, when a mysterious mist engulfs a futuristic metropolis, unleashing a deadly and elusive entity, a troubled young woman searches for her father. Her quest collides with an American GI on a harrowing odyssey to rescue his daughter from Hell.
Sophie Thatcher (“Yellowjackets”), Charles Melton (“Riverdale”), Kristine Froseth (How to Blow Up a Pipeline), Havana Rose Liu (No Exit), and Diego Calva (Babylon) star.
The ensemble also includes Dougray Scott (Hitman), Aoi Yamada (Perfect Days), Shioli Kutsuna (Deadpool & Wolverine), and Hidetoshi Nishijima (Shin Ultraman).
Nicolas Winding Refn directs Her Private Hell from a script he co-wrote with Esti Giordani (“Vida”). Pino Donaggio (Carrie, Don’t Look Now) composed the score.
Refn produces under his byNWR Originals banner. Executive producers include Takuma Takasaki, Kimberly Willming, Christina Erritzøe, and Lene Børglum.
Her Private Hell is rated ‘R’ for “some strong/bloody violence, sexual content, and language.”
Michael Mann‘s adaptation of Thomas Harris’ Red Dragon has received a new 4K restoration in celebration of the film’s 40th anniversary this year, and it’s been dubbed Michael Mann’s Manhunter: The Final Cut. The film is now playing in select U.S. theaters.
In Manhunter, “FBI criminal profiler Will Graham (William L. Petersen) is called out of early retirement to assist on a serial murder case involving a killer known as the “Tooth Fairy” (Tom Noonan). Graham enlists the help of imprisoned serial killer — and cannibal — Dr. Hannibal Lecktor (Brian Cox), who is the reason Graham took an early retirement.
“Soon, Graham and the FBI are entangled in a deadly cat-and-mouse game between the Tooth Fairy, Lecter, and an interfering journalist (Stephen Lang).“
Michael Mann guided this 4K scan of the original 35mm negative, with a few shots from an interpositive, that was conformed and digitally restored at L’Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna.
This new 4K Final Cut, overseen by Michael Mann, “enhances the film’s depth, visual clarity and sound, offering audiences the ultimate immersive version,” per the press release.
Part of the cinematic universe known as the “Poohniverse,” Pinocchio Unstrung puts a horror movie spin on the classic tale, and the film is now playing only in theaters.
The chilling reimagining of the familiar fable unfolds inside an elite London prep school. Created by Geppetto and influenced by a sinister Cricket, Pinocchio launches a violent crusade to carve himself into a real boy like his brother, one piece at a time…
Richard Brake (Barbarian) stars in Pinocchio Unstrung as the obsessive Geppetto, with horror icon Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm Street) as the voice of Cricket.
Pinocchio is voiced by Jude Evan Lloyd and brought to life via a practical animatronic created by Todd Masters (“Tales from the Crypt,” Slither). Cameron Bell, Jessica Balmer, Jack Art Gray, and Peter De Souza-Feighoney round out the horror movie’s cast.
Rhys Frake-Waterfield (Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey) writes and directs the British slasher, in addition to producing alongside Scott Jeffrey via their Jagged Edge Productions.
This is fifth entry in the Twisted Childhood Universe, following Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey and its sequel, Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare, and Bambi: The Reckoning.
The Poohniverse continues with Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 3, currently in production, and the crossover film Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble, slated to shoot this summer.
Danny Trejo stars in indie horror movie Accursed, released on Digital today.
Here’s the official synopsis: “When a nun’s cursed secret resurfaces on Emma’s 21st birthday, a lake-house reunion turns deadly. A masked cult and dark prophecy force Emma and her friends to face possession, betrayal, and a midnight ritual that could raise ancient evil.”
Humberto Rosa and Brian Frank Visciglia directed. Gabriel Sousa, Paris Dylan, Philippe A. Haddad, Kira Cahill, Lulu Bailey, Rafael Amadeu, and Vivien Soraya also star.
And finally, Dark Sky Films released Cruel Hands on Digital today.
“A mother and her young son escape from an abusive husband to an isolated farmhouse, only to find themselves trapped between him and a raging bushfire that surrounds them.”
Cruel Hands is directed by Al Kalyk.
Mavournee Hazel, Iolanthe, Max Cattana, Charlotte Friels, Harry Greenwood, Diesel La Torraca, Josh McConville, Jack Sacks, and Jesse Turner star in the film.
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