Movies
Donner Pass
“One shouldn’t blame Elise Robertson’s feature directorial debut Donner Pass for being an absolutely horrible film. In the vein of straight-to-DVD horror about kids going into the woods and dying, the direction is competent enough in that you won’t outright consider it terrible. All of the blame for this film rests squarely on the shoulders of first-time writer R. Scott Adams, whose script is filled with every manner of contrived plot points, annoying stock characters, and lazy dialogue imaginable.”
One shouldn’t blame Elise Robertson’s feature directorial debut Donner Pass for being an absolutely horrible film. In the vein of straight-to-DVD horror about kids going into the woods and dying, the direction is competent enough in that you won’t outright consider it terrible. All of the blame for this film rests squarely on the shoulders of first-time writer R. Scott Adams, whose script is filled with every manner of contrived plot points, annoying stock characters, and lazy dialogue imaginable.
Opening with a brief scene explaining the supposed “untold history” of the Donner Party, wherein George Donner gruesomely killed and ate his party members, the film quickly transitions to standard slasher fodder. A group of high school students – the “couple,” the outcast, and the raging bitch – are headed into the woods for a weekend at the outcast’s parents’ cabin. The catch? The cabin is located in the Donner Pass, the site of the aforementioned pseudo-fictional cannibal tale. After the unexpected arrival of the raging bitch’s boyfriend and his drunk buddies, the body count begins to pile up as an unknown assailant begins to pick them off one by one. Add inner turmoil among the friends and you have a recipe for really stupid kids doing really stupid things in an effort to stay alive.
Cheesy dialogue spewed out of the mouths of bad actors pervades the film as each character is picked off in mildly gruesome, yet ultimately unoriginal, ways. Given the focus on cannibalism, chest cavities are splayed open, necks are gnawed upon, and copious amounts of blood flows as this hour and a half long film plods along into familiar slasher territory. Some praise can be given to Robertson’s direction, as she imbued in the film an aesthetic pleasantry so that, although you were watching trash, it was at least easy on the eyes.
This much can be said of the aforementioned ten minute stretch wherein we’re suddenly transported to a different film, one that’s gritty and violent in a way that belies its slasher film roots. When combined with the music, reminiscent of 28 Days Later, you get the impression that this was the movie Robertson wanted to make. It’s violent, disturbing, and features the one instance where we’re given something beyond standard slasher fodder. Unfortunately, it takes approximately an hour and twenty minutes to get there, and although certainly interesting, it does little to redeem the rest of the film.
This week’s big new horror release is of course Evil Dead Burn in theaters later in the week, but you don’t have to wait until this weekend to inject fresh nightmares into your eyeballs.
Five brand new horror movies have already released at home this week.
Here’s all the new horror that released on Tuesday, July 7, 2026!
Director André Øvredal’s (The Autopsy of Jane Doe, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, The Last Voyage of the Demeter) new movie Passenger is now available on Digital at home.
Here’s the synopsis for Passenger: “A few weeks into their van life adventure, a young couple witnesses a horrific accident that leaves the driver dead. Soon they’re being pursued by a demonic stalker who’s impossible to outrun and follows them wherever they go.”
André Øvredal told Bloody Disgusting in an exclusive chat, “It’s a road movie, which is what I really fell in love with. It’s totally unique for me as a horror movie. Bridging the road movie with a haunting, essentially, on the road. I think it’s the scariest movie I’ve made.”
The cast includes Jacob Scipio, Lou Llobell, Melissa Leo, Tony Doupe, Bonni Dichone, Devielle Johnson, Jessica Cruz, Miles Fowler, and Alan Trong.
The screenplay is written by Zachary Donohue (The Den) and T.W. Burgess (Mister Howl). Former Warner Bros production executive Walter Hamada, who steered the Conjuring and It franchises, is producing via his 18hz as part of his first-look deal with Paramount. It screenwriter Gary Dauberman is also producing via Coin Operated.
Supernatural horror, psychological suspense, and an eye-catching creature take center stage in The Leaching, now available on Digital from Dark Star Pictures and Uncork’d Entertainment.
“After waking up in a grave on her father’s isolated forest property with no idea of who she is or how she got there, Vivian must use her limited memory to piece together the nightmarish truth, all the while being tormented by the undead, a giant leech monster, and her ‘father.’
“Over the next few days, she will uncover the framework of a truly nefarious supernatural scheme, but will it be too late?”
The Leaching is written and directed by Evan Showalter (Ante Mortem, Bad Music Terry).
“The Leaching is an exploration of faith, the loss of self, and the monsters (literally) that emerge when people surrender themselves to something greater than they can understand,” says Showalter. “It’s an isolating horror film that plays with a very uncomfortable question.”
A film student finds herself trapped in a giallo nightmare in lo-fi horror movie City Wide Fever, which is now streaming exclusively on the Midnight Pulp streaming service.
The meta horror movie is from debut writer/director Josh Heaps.
In City Wide Fever, “Sam, a young film student, discovers a USB detailing the life and career of forgotten Italian horror director Saturnino Barresi.
“As she begins to investigate his mysterious disappearance, Sam finds herself pulled into a violent conspiracy eerily similar to those of the films she adores.”
Diletta Guglielmi, Angelica Kim, and Nancy Kimball star with Onur Tukel (Summer of Blood), Larry Fessenden (You’re Next), Carolyn Farina, and comedian Ian Fidance.
Paul Lê wrote in his review for Bloody Disgusting, “This isn’t just a case of throwback filmmaking that’s been achieved with contemporary technology; the director used era-authentic equipment to help create this striking and nostalgic piece of modern horror. The end result is a movie… teeming with enough verve and style to make it feel fresh.”
A Gen Z slasher that pays homage to ’90s teen slasher movies, You’re Dead to Me is now available on Digital outlets at home courtesy of distributor Dark Star Pictures.
In the slasher film, “Three high school seniors skip prom for a secluded weekend party free from parents, school, and responsibility, but their escape turns terrifying when they learn one of their classmates has been brutally murdered.”
Denise Richards (Valentine) stars alongside Siena Agudong (Sidelined: The QB and Me, Sidelined 2: Intercepted), Jessica Belkin (“Baywatch” ), Ella Anderson (“Henry Danger,” Song Sung Blue), and Conor Husting (“Boo, Bitch”, Hollywood Stargirl).
The film was directed by Juan Pablo Arias Munoz.
You’re Dead to Me was co-written by Sarah Howard and Terry Castle, the daughter of the legendary producer and filmmaker William Castle (House on Haunted Hill, The Tingler).
Steven Quale (Into the Storm, Final Destination 5) directed the supernatural thriller Black Box, which has now taken flight on Digital outlets courtesy of Aura Entertainment.
The film is based on the short film The Vessel, and an original screenplay from horror writer Stephen Susco (The Grudge, The Grudge 2, Texas Chainsaw 3D, Hell Fest).
Black Box (Flight 298) follows the supernatural events surrounding Vero Airlines 298 from New Orleans to Seattle.
Tom Brittney, Holly Leena White, Betsy Blue English, Dane Whyte O’Hara, Kaja Chan, Asa Ali, Boadicea Ricketts, Ceallach Spellman, Georgina Leonidas, Molly Belle Wright, Hanneke Talbot, Danny Mack, and Weronika Rosati star in Black Box.
Hammerstone Studios’ Alex Lebovici (Barbarian, Boy Kills World) and Jon Oakes (Drive, The Guilty) will produce alongside Capstone’s Christian Mercuri and David Haring (Bill & Ted Face the Music), Warren Zide (The Final Destination, American Pie), and Susco. Ruzanna Kegeyan and Roman Viaris of Capstone, and Clark Baker (Vessel) will executive produce.
What happened to Flight 298? Find out on Digital outlets now.
You must be logged in to post a comment.