Movies
[Review] Don’t Accept the ‘Monster Party’ Invitation
There is nothing worse than horror movies that spend too much time setting up the premise. You already know these kids will be fighting for their lives, so having to watch 30 minutes of them debating whether to go to the mansion with the creepy people can be annoying if you don’t care about the characters. Monster Party suffers from this exact problem, as we spend too much time setting up annoying and unlikeable characters and we skip over much of the gory fun.
We are introduced to a trio of robbers who target rich homes in Southern California. There’s Iris (Virginia Gardner), who is pregnant with the child of Dodge (Brandon Micheal Hall), and Casper (Sam Strike) whose dad has a gambling problem. That is it. Director Chris von Hoffmann wants us to care for these kids, yet the above information is the only thing we get to know about these characters we are supposed to sympathize with.
In one of the many similarities to Don’t Breathe, one of our robbers is forced to go on one last job to escape a terrible situation at home. Casper must now come up with a big amount of cash to pay some dangerous thugs who are threatening his dad. Luckily for him, Iris is scheduled to work as a server at a dinner party for a filthy rich family. Of course, they will get more than they bargained for.
The trailer and even the film’s synopsis are quick to spoil what’s going on with the dinner party guests, but just in case I will not say anything about it. Suffice to say, blood will be shed, and our young robbers will have to fight their way out of the house.
The performances are solid. Gardner, in particular, makes for a good old-fashioned horror heroine, and Lance Reddick manages to be menacing while also a comforting and calming presence. The main trio has some scenes with great chemistry, and you can see the fear in their eyes once everything starts going down.
The biggest gripe with the film is its lack of resources, which become too apparent once the bloodshed begins. The film’s glacial pace wouldn’t be a big problem if the characters were interesting – they are not – or if the film had some fun and inventive kills. Unfortunately, after waiting for more than 40 minutes for the “monster” part of the title to begin, the film’s budget restriction kicks in.
While von Hoffmann doesn’t shy away from blood splatter, all the deaths happen off-camera, either cutting away to someone else’s reaction, or just moving the camera to another room of the house and hear a faint scream before moving on. This wouldn’t be a problem if the film found a way around it, or if it was intentional, but it is easy to see the only reason for it was the lack of a bigger budget.
Monster Party has a morbid energy that keeps you interested despite all of its problems. Unfortunately, this is a horror film without interesting characters or satisfying kills which makes for a very dull experience. Do not accept this party invitation.
Monster Party is now on VOD platforms from RLJE.
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.
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