You can get lost in the Backrooms of Cap’n Clark’s Ottoman Empire on HBO Max later this month. Paramount+ offers both the theatrical and extended cut of Scary Movie. Netflix celebrates the upcoming release of Resident Evil with a collection of animated feature films based on Capcom’s hit video game series. Peacock embraces the Universal classic monsters and collects nearly every Purge film for a survive-the-night marathon.

Get into the seasonal spirit and expect an even bigger slate next month.

Here’s what’s coming to streaming in September.

HBO Max

September 1
A Clockwork Orange
Beetlejuice
Blumhouse’s Truth or Dare
Blumhouse’s Truth or Dare: Unrated Director’s Cut
Carrie (1976)
Final Destination (2000)
Final Destination 2 (2003)
Gremlins (1984)
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
Interview with the Vampire
MaXXXine
Men (2022)
Misery
Pearl: The X-Traordinary Origin Story
Talk To Me (2023)
The Craft
The Final Destination (2009)
War of the Worlds (2005)
Zombieland (2009)
Zombieland: Double Tap (2019)

September 23
The Meg

September 25
Backrooms

Hulu

September 1
Coraline
Jennifer’s Body
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Ma
ParaNorman
Sinister
Starship Troopers 3: Marauder
Starship Troopers: Invasion
Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars

September 7
Poor Things

September 8
Heretic

September 11
Rich Flu

Kanopy

September 1
1408
The Ruins

Netflix

September 1
Alien
Aliens
Gothika
Jaws
Jaws 2
Jaws 3
Jaws: The Revenge
Ready or Not
Resident Evil: Afterlife
Resident Evil: Extinction
Resident Evil: Retribution
The Rite
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Unfriended

September 2
Resident Evil: Damnation
Resident Evil: Death Island
Resident Evil: Vendetta

September 3
Smile 2

September 9
Prom Night

September 24
House at the End of the Street
Oculus

Paramount+

September 1
Afflicted
Area 51
Asylum
Below
Case 39
Dracula III: Legacy
Event Horizon
Rumpelstiltskin
Russell Mulcahy’s Tale of the Mummy
Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse
Seven
Shutter Island
Spell
Spontaneous
Stephen King’s Graveyard Shift
Stephen King’s Silver Bullet
Stephen King’s Thinner
Sweetness*
Tales From the Darkside: The Movie
The Crow
The Crow: City of Angels
The Crow: Wicked Prayer
The Dead Zone
The Devil Inside
The Gift

September 3
Scary Movie (2026)
Scary Movie (2026) – Extended Cut

*Title is available to Paramount+ Premium subscribers.

Peacock

September 1
Alien: Covenant
Bride of Frankenstein
Candyman
Creature From the Black Lagoon
Disturbia
Dracula
Drag Me to Hell
The First Purge
The Forever Purge*
Frankenstein
Get Out
Glass
Halloween
Halloween II
Halloween III: Season of the Witch
Halloween Kills*
The Happening
Happy Death Day
The Invisible Man
It Follows
The Last Exorcism
The Mummy
Phantom of the Opera
Prometheus
Psycho
The Purge
The Purge: Election Year
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Shaun of the Dead
Signs
Sinister
Sinister 2
The Sixth Sense
The Skeleton Key
Split
Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight

September 10
The Last Voyage of Demeter*

September 11
Drop

September 26
Bagman*

September 29
Lisa Frankenstein*

* = is exclusive to Peacock

Pluto TV

September 1
The Blackcoat’s Daughter
Bones And All
Bram Stoker’s Dracula
The Dead Zone
The Final Girls
From Dusk Till Dawn
From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money
From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman’s Daughter
The Gift (2000)
I Know What You Did Last Summer
Idle Hands
Jennifer’s Body
Joy Ride
Lamb
Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer
Pet Sematary (2019)
Relic
Rings
Silent Hill
Slice
Smile (2022)
Stephen King’s Graveyard Shift
Stephen King’s Silver Bullet
Stephen King’s Thinner
Tales From The Darkside: The Movie
Urban Legend
Urban Legends: Bloody Mary
Urban Legends: The Final Cut
Vampire In Brooklyn
The Witch

Prime Video

September 1
Army Of Darkness
Cape Fear (1962)
Cape Fear (1991)
Carrie (1976)
Carrie (2013)
Cat People (1982)
Death Becomes Her
Devil
Don’t Breathe
Dracula Untold
George A. Romero’s Land of the Dead
Halloween II
Halloween III: Season of the Witch
Hannibal
It Came From Outer Space (1953)
Morbius
Prince of Darkness
Skeleton Key
The First Omen
The Mummy (2017)
The Purge
The Purge: Anarchy
The Purge: Election Year
The Silence of the Lambs
The Thing (1982)
The Visit
They Live
Trap
Van Helsing
Videodrome

September 15
Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train

Screambox

September 1
Deathwoods

September 4
Castle of Blood
The Hands of Orlac
The Virgin of Nuremberg
Wake Up

September 11
Dracula, Prisoner Of Frankenstein
Escape From Women’s Prison
Fit To Kill
Hot Spur
Lux Aeterna

September 18
Evie
Fear
The Nanny’s Night
Spithood

September 22
Nightfall: A Paranormal Investigation

September 25
The Degenerate: The Life And Films Of Andy Milligan
The Occupant
Witches of Blackwood
You Shall Not Sleep Tonight

September 29
Generation Terror

Shudder

September 1
Exorcismo
The Horseman
Irrefutable Truth About Demons
The Silent Scream

September 4
Parasomnia

September 7
Its Name Was Mormo
The Serpent’s Skin

September 11
Descendent
Mārama

Tubi

September 1
3 From Hell
All The Boys Love Mandy Lane
An American Haunting
And Soon The Darkness
The Blackcoat’s Daughter
Bone Tomahawk
Boogeyman
Boogeyman 2
Boogeyman 3
Case 39
Cooties
The Crazies
The Descent
The Descent: Part 2
Dracula 2000
Flight 7500
Fright Night (1985)
The Grudge 2 (2006)
Horns (2013)
The Inhabitant
Lake Placid
Lamb
Legion
The Messengers
Messengers 2: The Scarecrow
The Monster
My Bloody Valentine (2009)
Ouija
Ouija: Origin Of Evil
Perpetrator
The Prodigy (2019)
Rob Zombie’s Halloween
Rob Zombie’s Halloween II
The Ruins
See No Evil
Sleepy Hollow
Slice
Sorority Row
Texas Chainsaw 3D
They Live In The Grey
The Witch
What Lies Beneath
Wrong Turn (2021)
You’re Next

September 7
Presence

September 15
From Hell
Poltergeist

September 24
1408
The Eye (2008)
The Last Exorcism

The post All The Horror Heading To Hulu, Netflix, Tubi & Other Streaming Services In September 2026 appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

As always, here’s where you can watch them this week.

For more Stay Home, Watch Horror picks, click here.

The Exorcist III – Hoopla, Kanopy, Peacock, Pluto TV, Prime Video, Roku Channel, Shout TV, Tubi

Set fifteen years after the events of the first film, a new series of murders plagues Georgetown, and they bear an uncanny resemblance to the murders of serial killer James “The Gemini” Venamun. The only hitch is that Venamun was executed around the same time as Karras sacrificed his life to save young Regan MacNeil. Kinderman’s investigation leads him to an amnesiac psychiatric patient in the hospital, who claims to be both the Gemini Killer and Father Karras. The mere mention of The Exorcist III tends to bring two things to mind: one of the most effective and iconic jump scares of all time and Brad Dourif’s intense performance as the Gemini Killer.

Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed – Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Roku Channel, Tubi

Unleashed fearlessly takes a very different approach than expected, going for a unique continuation instead of a rehash. Picking up where the previous film left off, Brigitte (Emily Perkins) is trying to fend off her lycanthropy by injecting monkshood extract into her veins, increasing the dosage as it becomes harder to ward off her inner werewolf. It lands her in a rehab center, locking her in with another werewolf in pursuit. What Ginger Snaps did for puberty, Ginger Snaps 2 does for addiction. That means it’s much darker in both tone and subject matter. Keeper and The Monkey‘s Tatiana Maslany turns in an unsettling supporting performance in an early role.

Psycho II – Indieflix

Written by Tom Holland (Fright Night, Child’s Play), the sequel is set 22 years after the first film’s events, where Norman Bates is released from the mental institution and resumes residence in the old house behind the motel. He gets a job at a nearby diner, where he meets co-worker Emma Spool and young diner Mary Samuels (Meg Tilly), a pretty girl in need of a place to stay. As Norman’s budding friendship with Mary grows, so does the body count. This highly underseen sequel toys with viewer expectations based on what we already know about Norman. It finds an innovative, new way to explore that unhealthy bond between mother and child. Unexpected reveals and more profound, more sympathetic layers to Norman make this one of horror’s all-time best sequels.

Saw X – Roku Channel

This sequel, set between the first and second movies, introduces John Kramer as he struggles with his terminal cancer diagnosis. Facing months to live, Kramer finds hope via a radical life-saving procedure from the elusive Dr. Cecilia Pederson (Synnøve Macody Lund). When Kramer realizes he’s been ruthlessly scammed, he enlists Amanda (Shawnee Smith) to rig a new deadly game. It’s not just the gruesome and inventive new traps that make Saw X so winsome, but the return of Kramer and Amanda, along with one of the most vile new villains to come along in a long while. Director/Editor Kevin Greutert, working from Pete Goldfinger & Josh Stolberg’s screenplay, wields his franchise experience like a lethal Jigsaw trap, ensnaring fans in a thrilling, triumphant sequel. 

Smile 2 – Paramount+

Smile 2 picks up days after the first film’s events, tracking the curse’s path to world-famous pop star Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) just as she’s preparing to launch her new global tour. Two things become immediately clear: the entity seems much more savage this round, and Skye is a deeply flawed and fragile character. Writer/Director Parker Finn is much a more confident and assured filmmaker this round, injecting a more pronounced sense of humor and personality when not scaring the pants off his audience. Make no mistake, though, Smile 2 is far more vicious. It makes for a satisfying thrill ride of jaw-dropping horror and unrelenting dread; a perfect Halloween treat for those in need of a good scare — or twenty.

The post Five Great Horror Sequels to Stream This Week appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

With a final show in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, the tour wrapped after two record-breaking years, 149 shows spread over eleven countries, and a jaw-dropping two billion earned in ticket sales alone. The juggernaut shifted every element of popular culture from fashion and sports, to film and TV—and the genre world was not immune.

The past year has seen no less than three mainstream horror films exploring the world of pop superstardom. Trap, Smile 2, and Borderline each highlight the horrors of unprecedented fame and the monstrous side of this colossal event.

Trap (2024)

M. Night Shyamalan’s buzzy Trap features the return of a ’90s teen heartthrob. Twenty-six years after debuting as Michael Myers’ long-lost nephew in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, Josh Hartnett revisits the genre as a similar kind of monster. By day, he’s Cooper, a loving husband and father, but by night, he’s the Butcher, a sadistic serial killer known for torturing and dismembering his victims. After a string of gruesome and unsolvable murders, detectives stumble upon an unusual clue: a torn ticket stub to an upcoming concert by Lady Raven (Saleka Shyamalan). Seizing the opportunity, they partner with the world-famous pop star to turn her show into a law enforcement trap. An army of police and FBI agents will lock down the arena and question everyone fitting the killer’s description. Unfortunately, a loose-lipped vendor spills the beans and Cooper clocks this elaborate plan. The film transforms into a cat and mouse game as the Butcher attempts to break out of the fortified building while ensuring his daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue) enjoys the show.

True to form, Shyamalan twists this story in unusual directions. Cooper cons Riley’s way onto the stage and finagles an invitation to Raven’s exclusive lounge. Revealing this deception to force the singer’s assistance, he’s surprised to find that the young pop star is more than just an onstage threat. Raven inserts herself into the FBI’s plan and uses her fame to outwit the Butcher. Threatening to reveal his identity to Riley, the megastar invites herself to Cooper’s suburban home, thus drawing attention from police. She posts a description of the Butcher’s latest hostage, using her millions of followers to triangulate his location. But Raven navigates this horror with impressive courage. Rather than a vapid and self-centered celebrity, she genuinely cares about her fans. Having only met Riley an hour ago, the young diva puts her life on the line to protect the teen from her dangerous father. 

Undeterred, the Butcher uses the trappings of Raven’s celebrity to aid in a daring escape. With its tinted windows and fortified exterior, her stretch limousine becomes a getaway car. Having changed into concert merch, Cooper slips out the door and disappears into a crowd of her frenzied fans. The Butcher thrives in confusion caused by Raven’s presence and uses her as a convenient shield. Centering most of the film inside a bustling arena, Shyamalan explores the danger presented by this chaotic event. What monsters are able to hide in plain sight while millions of eyes focus on the stage? 

Smile 2 (2024)

Parker Finn’s sequel to the grim 2022 shocker Smile explores the hellish pressures of pop superstardom. One year after surviving a drug-fueled car crash, Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) is preparing to launch a massive arena tour that will hopefully redeem her tarnished image. We meet the endearing young starlet on the first of many publicity events then follow her through a grueling day of dance rehearsals. When this punishing schedule leaves her in physical pain, Skye solicits vicodin from a shady acquaintance. She arrives to find Lewis (Lukas Gage) in the midst of his own crisis, tormented by an entity she can’t see. With a sinister grin, he stares her down while repeatedly smashing a weight plate into his face. By witnessing this disturbing death, she becomes the next victim of a parasitic creature that feasts on trauma and emotional pain. 

Like Lewis, Skye begins losing track of time and suffering from unexplainable delusions. At a meet and greet, she’s startled by a preteen girl who fixes her with a hideous smile. Later, she hallucinates an attack by another disturbed fan who believes he can cure her palpable loneliness. While presenting at a banquet for underprivileged kids, she misreads the teleprompter and divulges the depths of her destructive self-loathing. As these strange occurrences intensify, Skye begs her manager/mother Elizabeth (Rosemarie DeWitt) for a break. She insists that the tour is too much pressure and she’s not ready to take on the immense responsibility. But her pleas fall on deaf ears and Elizabeth claims it’s too late to back out. Millions of dollars have already been spent and the only way to pay back her benevolent financier is with a successful series of sold-out shows. In addition to this financial burden, the tour is Riley’s last chance at fame. Given her history with substance abuse, the public will not forgive another misstep. 

While Skye is tormented by a horrific entity, Finn provides shrewd commentary on the pressures of fame. Each destabilizing event could also be caused by the intense responsibility thrust upon a fragile young woman. We’re left to wonder what’s more dangerous, the soul-sucking monster enhancing her pain, or the relentless ecosystem built on her back. As Skye careens into the story’s inevitable conclusion, we’re asked to contend with our own part in the singer’s demise. Skye finds herself trapped onstage forced to perform for a screaming audience at the expense of her own humanity while we stare in horror at the beast we’ve created. 

Borderline (2025)

Though likely inspired by Taylor Swift’s record-breaking tour, Jimmy Warden’s Borderline takes us back to the original pop diva. Set sometime in the ‘90s, this quirky horror comedy follows a deranged fan named Paul (Ray Nicholson) and his obsession with a pop star called Sofia (Samara Weaving). This terrifying tale is loosely based on Madonna’s unprecedented fame and the real life stalker who invaded her home. 

We open with Sofia’s head bodyguard Bell (Eric Dane) confronting Paul on the diva’s doorstep. Confused, Paul not only mistakes Bell for Sofia, but believes the two are happily in love and gets down on one knee to pop the question. Hoping to diffuse the situation, Bell plays along, but finds himself stabbed in the stomach and left for dead while Paul enjoys the luxuries of Sofia’s empty mansion. Six months later, Bell has recovered from his injuries and returned to work as Paul simultaneously escapes from prison. He plans to rekindle his “relationship,” this time assisted by two dangerous friends. 

Unlike Finn’s shapeshifting monster, Paul is a frightening yet strangely likeable villain. Played by the charismatic Nicholson, we learn that his psychosis was sparked by a traumatic event at a Sofia concert. Unable to cope with the emotional pain, his fractured mind retreats into outlandish delusion. Seeming to understand, Bell treats the man with compassion while holding the line of Sofia’s protection. But as Paul’s sinister plans unfold, he loses the target of his obsession and becomes an unwitting danger to everyone he encounters.  

In fact, Sofia often seems like the story’s main antagonist. We meet her at the peak of popularity, years after she’s become a household name. Her lavish mansion is decorated with ostentatious memorabilia including a ridiculous candelabra adorned with sculptures of her head. Beloved and revered all over the world, she seems to consider herself royalty and struggles to empathize with anyone else. On the fateful evening of Paul’s attack, she returns home with DeVante Rhodes (Jimmie Fails), a nod to Madonna’s brief fling with Dennis Rodman. Though the basketball star is smitten, Sofia rebuffs his attempts to connect. She’s left a cruel list of hookups for him to find with his own name next to be crossed off. Sofia is similarly dismissive of Bell, expecting him to value her life above his own and the protection of his family.

It’s not until others are drawn into this dangerous world that Sofia realizes how disconnected she’s become. After years of international renown, she’s retreated to a life of isolation and views everyone as a subordinate. Like the ill-fated Skye, her cruel narcissism likely stems from the pressures of fame and years spent in the public eye. However, Sofia takes a note from the altruistic Lady Raven and gradually learns to decenter herself. Watching Rhodes stop at nothing to protect her from Paul, she finds the courage to do the same. Held hostage alongside Bell’s own daughter, she finally understands the sacrifice she asks of him every day.  

Taken as a trio, these films serve to explore the inner life of a singular star and the dangers that accompany worldwide recognition. Swift was forced to cancel three tour dates in Austria upon the discovery of a potential terrorist threat, mirroring the danger Cooper creates at Lady Raven’s event. Like Skye, Swift lives under a microscope and must constantly safeguard her privacy. Sofia serves as a cautionary tale for the long-term effects of fame-induced isolation and the gradual loss of humanity.

But more than anything, these stories combine to paint a compassionate portrait of the young woman caught in a massive ecosystem built upon her image and talent. Behind the glitz and glamour of her public persona is a flesh and blood human just trying to survive.

Trap, Smile 2, and Borderline humanize stars like Taylor Swift while questioning the parasocial relationships we build with our idols and the impossibly high bar we set for our stars. 

The post How Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Inspired a Year of Pop Stars in Peril appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

The six-song album is pressed on “Blood on White Satin” colored vinyl. It’s limited to 2,500, with fewer than 650 copies remaining in stock.

Priced at $29.99, it’s due out on June 20.

Scott, a singer-songwriter herself, co-wrote several of the tracks. Take a Daytrip (Lil Nas X, Juice WRLD) and Idarose serve as producers.

Parker Finn returned to write and direct the Smile sequel, in which global pop sensation Skye Riley begins experiencing terrifying and inexplicable events as she prepares for a world tour. As lines blur between reality and nightmare, Skye is forced to face her past before her life spirals out of control.

Scott stars with Rosemarie DeWitt, Kyle Gallner, Lukas Gage, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Peter Jacobson, Raúl Castillo, Dylan Gelula, and Ray Nicholson.

Meagan Navarro wrote in her review, “Scott throws herself into the deep end of the role’s physical demands, which is a Herculean undertaking in a Smile movie. Skye toggles between grueling dance rehearsals by day while evading vicious attacks at night that leave her in snot-nosed hysterics. It’s a non-stop marathon before the horror anguish takes root.”

The post Skye Riley’s ‘Smile 2’ Music Pressed on Vinyl by Graffiti Records appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

It’s been a fantastic showcase for special makeup effects artists when it comes to on-screen slaughter; 2024 provided multiple extended kills that cumulatively threatened to wipe out a warehouse supply of fake blood. And that’s why we’re looking back and paying tribute to some of the nastiest, goriest, and most unforgettable 2024 horror movie kills.

We’re saluting the ten best kills in 2024 horror movies, which means massive spoilers ahead for the following: Longlegs, MaXXXine, Sting, Alien: Romulus, The Coffee Table, Abigail, Smile 2, The Substance, Terrifier 3, and In a Violent Nature.

You’ve been warned…

Longlegs – Facial Reconstruction

Filmmaker Oz Perkins refreshingly keeps his curious serial killer, Longlegs, as enigmatic and elusive as possible, giving only glimpses into the killer’s machinations and treating him more as a peculiar boogeyman. It makes the short bursts of Nicolas Cage’s eerie freakouts all the more impactful and unnerving, developing palpable anticipation by the time the serial killer finally meets FBI agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) face to face. That’s when Perkins pulls the rug out from both Harker and the audience with the abrupt, visceral self-demise of the film’s seeming Big Bad. Longlegs bashes his face against the desk, splattering Harker with his viscera. It’s not just the nonchalance of the self-harm that shocks, but the realization that Longlegs was never the true villain of this story but a mere pawn of the devil.

MaXXXine – John Labat’s Car Troubles

Kevin Bacon’s John Labat seems like the type of sleazy private eye that revels in trouble from the moment he pops up in Ti West’s trilogy ender. At the very least, Labat makes it clear that his morals are skewed, and he doesn’t take no for an answer. He’s more than happy to employ intimidation tactics. It’s too bad he doesn’t realize until far too late that Maxine Minx (Mia Goth) isn’t your average aspiring starlet at all. When Labat pushes Maxine too far, she enlists her adult film industry agent for a quick resolution in the form of a beat down, followed by a brutal evisceration of his body and the evidence with a live junkyard car compression.

Sting – Maria’s Ruthless Spider Attack

In a year with two spider horror movies, Sting doles out the most savage death. The venomous alien spider, still in a relatively small form, escapes his makeshift cage and into the apartment building to dispatch the residents one by one. The worst punishment is saved for Maria (Silvia Colloca), a depressed woman mournfully looking at a family photo; Sting launches at her face, biting down on a cheek and causing a nasty fall in the process. The alien venom acts fast; Maria gets violently sick, which in turn causes her head to crash into the bathtub’s ledge with a sickening crunch. This kill would still qualify if it ended here, but then Sting decides to crawl into her mouth and cut open her belly from the inside. It’s an elaborate death for a character we’ve barely met, one who’s clearly going through a rough patch. It makes for one of the cruelest kills of the year.

Alien: Romulus – Mother and Offspring

In a film where characters are brutally dispatched via acid, tail impalement, or even the tried-and-true chest burst, it’s poor Kay (Isabela Merced) who suffers worst of all. After being rescued from a vicious xenomorph attack, a badly injured Kay opts to take the experimental Prometheus serum, hoping to save herself and her unborn baby. Instead, the serum alters her DNA and causes her to birth the Offspring. The eerie humanoid creature winds up feeding on his own mother, finally putting an end to her horror and suffering. That Kay is portrayed as one of the most innocent among the group only makes this extended kill all the more heartbreaking. 

The Coffee Table – The Freak Accident

The inciting event of The Coffee Table gets this pitch-black horror-comedy off to a shocking start, and the suspense only ramps up from there. Despite promises for an unbreakable glass coffee table, that’s exactly what happens within the first act, sending a father spiraling after accidentally decapitating his newborn baby while his wife is out. Director Caye Casas toes the perfect balance when it comes to framing this taboo-shattering death; it’s not explicit, yet still harrowing and intense. Quick images combined with effective sound design leave the viewer just as shaken as Dad.

Abigail – A Villain Explodes

Never trust a double-crosser. Frank (Dan Stevens) is the precise type of crook you can’t trust, and the former cop turned criminal evolves from self-appointed group leader to the de facto villain when granted vampiric power. Frank turns on the remaining survivors, eager to slurp up every bit of their lifeblood, setting up one ultra-satisfying showdown. His demise brings catharsis, relief, and triumph for Abigail (Alisha Weir) and Joey (Melissa Barrera) by unleashing an insane torrent of blood; Frank bursts like a giant vampire water balloon, leaving no surface uncovered in blood. Vampire deaths tend to be messy, more often than not, but Abigail stakes a claim for the messiest thanks to the copious amount of blood employed for this death.

Smile 2 – Lewis Lifts Weights

Drug dealer Lewis Fregoli (Lukas Gage) found himself an unwitting recipient of the curse simply for being at the wrong place at the very worst possible time. When it was his turn to pass the curse, director Parker Finn ensured his brutal death would up the ante from the first film. A fully possessed Lewis freaks out on a confused Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), seizes, then violently smashes his face in with a barbell plate. Finn focuses on the carnage, with the sound design working just as hard as the visuals to sell the nausea-inducing bodily harm. While Lewis’s death is far from the only nasty kill feature in this sequel, the brutality sets the tone straight away that Finn’s sequel will be bigger, nastier, and much more ruthless.

The Substance – Monstro Elisasue’s Final Bow

It’s not just the sheer level of prosthetics and makeup effects required that earns The Substance a spot on this list; it’s the drawn-out sequence dedicated to the protracted, gory, and tragically funny demise of Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) and Sue (Margaret Qualley). Or, more accurately, the prolonged dissolution of Monstro Elisasue. After murdering Elisabeth out of rage, Sue attempts to reuse the leftover activator to stave off her rapid deterioration, creating the fleshy, deformed Monstro Elisasue. It sets the stage for the final bow, literally, with the monstrous entity transforming a live New Year’s Eve broadcast into a bloodbath. It culminates, somehow, in even more bloodshed as Monstro Elisasue explodes into a puddle of viscera and goo. It’s the type of over-the-top finale that goes hard and, more impressively, takes its time to splatter as much blood as possible getting there. It’s the type of no-holds-barred climax that doesn’t come around very often. Yet it’s not without emotional impact, either; Monstro Elisasue is far more accepting of herself than Elisabeth was.

Terrifier 3 – Doomed Shower

It’s likely safe to assume that as long as there’s a year with a Terrifier movie released, Art the Clown’s shenanigans will wind up on a Best Kills list with multiple worthy moments for consideration. Terrifier 3 certainly offers up a few choice kills for this list, from a surprise mall explosion to medieval torture by rats. But it’s director Damien Leone’s gender-reversed callback to his iconic Terrifier kill that stands above the bloody pack. On his way to Jonathan (Elliot Fullam) at the university, Art (David Howard Thornton) makes a pit stop at the dorm shower for some Christmas carnage. This centerpiece moment delivers an extended dismembering for the unlucky couple discovered getting frisky in the shower. Art makes sure to give the most attention to Cole (Mason Mecartea), who gets arguably the most graphic death of the film; no anatomy is spared during Art’s deranged bisection via chainsaw.

In a Violent Nature – Yoga Pretzel

It’s difficult to imagine anything toppling a Terrifier film from the top spot in the Best Kill list, and yet the experimental slasher In a Violent Nature clinched it with a creative demise best summed up with two words: Yoga. Pretzel. This centerpiece kill sees undead Johnny come upon Aurora (Charlotte Creaghan) as she’s practicing yoga cliffside. He disembowels her with a rusty hook, then pulls her head back and through the gaping hole in her torso, contorting her body into a gruesome pretzel. It’s a lively death that stands out, especially in the context of this quiet arthouse slasher, but it’s all the more impressive considering how this elaborate, ambitious sequence took months to pull together. A challenging production couldn’t hold back undead Johnny or the incredible SFX team, and the result is the most memorable movie kill of the year.

The post Best of 2024: The 10 Best Kills in 2024’s Horror Movies appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

That doesn’t even touch on the huge studio earners like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, or Alien: Romulus. Yet the surprises extend well beyond how well horror performed at the box office; 2024 horror is defined by the way it refused to stay within its tidy genre bounds.

This is reflected in the way that 2024 horror found new angles to push franchises forward through prequels and sequels, with films like The First Omen finding new ways to expand a franchise through stunning artistry and delicate yet dark subject matter. It’s reflected in new shifts in true crime-inspired thrillers like Red Rooms, a cold, clinical depiction of true crime obsession. Slashers like In a Violent Nature got experimental with a familiar formula to an exciting albeit divisive degree, while Exhuma shook up the tired exorcism horror subgenre.

It’s also a year where horror got deeply personal, featuring no shortage of films framed from a singular perspective, including I Saw the TV Glow or Stopmotion. In short, 2024 pushed the genre forward in exciting ways, introducing new voices while finding fresh fertile ground in even some of the more well-trodden corners of the genre.

Without further ado, here are the top fifteen best horror movies of 2024.

15. Oddity

Writer/Director Damian Mc Carthy‘s sophomore effort feels like a narrative and thematic extension of Caveat.  Aside from the brief return of at least one familiar face and a nightmare bunny, Oddity continues the filmmaker’s exploration of supernatural karma and retribution with offbeat characters and a unique vision for scares. Playing like a whimsical Irish folk tale with expertly crafted scares that send icy shivers down your spine, Oddity relies on pared-back storytelling that lets its horror elements and dual performances from Carolyn Bracken shine. While simple in setup, there’s a more assured tone and polished plotting to Oddity that makes it easy to hope Mc Carthy continues his exploration of this strange, frequently haunting cinematic universe.

14. The Coffee Table

A jaw-dropping inciting event transforms the film into a relentless pressure cooker that never gives its audience a moment to breathe in Caye Casas’s grim dark horror comedy- emphasis on dark. The gallows humor here might warrant a trigger warning for its boundary-pushing horror that serves as the catalyst. The filmmaker mines horror from a freak tragedy to a degree that often leaves those on board with the insanity torn between laughter and edge-of-the-seat suspense. A mundane task turns into an unspeakable nightmare that somehow only escalates the insanity until a doozy of a finale. It’s audacious in plot but even more impressive for the way it shreds your nerves with glee.

13. Woman of the Hour

Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut shakes up the true crime format with this stranger-than-fiction tale of serial killer and rapist Rodney Alcala and his bizarre appearance as a bachelor on the TV game show “The Dating Game.” Screenwriter Ian MacAllister McDonald and Kendrick tell this harrowing story nonlinearly, methodically painting a stark picture of Alcala’s tactics as he targets vulnerable women across the country throughout the ’70s. It’s not horror in the traditional sense, but Kendrick wrings abject terror through nail-biting, suspenseful sequences and one bone-chilling performance by Daniel Zovatto as real-life killer Rodney Alcala. An unsettling killer and centerpiece suspense sequences ensure Kendrick’s debut rattles. But it’s the unwavering empathy for Alcala’s victims and a powerful final gasp that earns this stunner a spot on our list.

12. Stopmotion

Horror is filled with stories exploring the lengths an artist will go to for the sake of their art, but BAFTA-nominated filmmaker/animator Robert Morgan fuses Stopmotion with tactile, squelchy stop-motion animation that sets it apart. The film’s deft blending of live-action and stop-motion animation is utterly captivating, grounded by Aisling Franciosi’s portrayal of a woman coming undone by her ambition. It’s not just the animation that stuns while simultaneously inducing revulsion but the unnerving sound design. Open wounds and puppets alike often come with discomforting, squelching sounds and wet noises that ensure an immersive experience.

11. The Devil’s Bath

The latest from Austrian filmmakers Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala happens to be their most despairing yet, making a powerful show that history is horror sometimes. A grueling depiction of a harsh life in 18th-century Austria, the film follows a dreamer too fragile for this unforgiving world. The Devil’s Bath saturates itself so thoroughly in her misery and psychological distress that it’s difficult not to be affected by Agnes’ plight. It’s a gorgeously made film, shot on 35mm, with an impressive lead performance from Anja Plaschg. The Devil’s Bath isn’t horror in the conventional sense, but Agnes’ journey becomes so despairing that it careens straight into violent, grim horror territory with ease. It’s such an emotional gauntlet that it’s one that you won’t want to revisit anytime soon. 

10. Azrael

The latest from director E.L. Katz (Cheap Thrills) and writer Simon Barrett (The Guest, You’re Next) makes for a fascinating experiment in dialogue-free horror, with a text card establishing the post-Rapture setup behind this apocalyptic horror movie. It’s so devoid of dialogue that modern horror stalwart Samara Weaving can’t even rely on her trademark scream; her character had her voice box severed prior to the film’s events. All of which is to say that Azrael potentially makes for a tough sell on paper. Instead, Katz makes you forget almost entirely that Azrael is devoid of speaking parts. Its nonstop barrage of horror violence gets doled out over the course of 24 hours, making for a gory survival thriller that doesn’t have time to dwell on the story specifics. Weaving’s capable performance and the visceral siege horror ensure this experiment succeeds right up to its memorable final moments.

9. A Quiet Place: Day One

The prequel to 2018’s A Quiet Place merely uses the initial alien invasion that plunges the world into a silent apocalypse as a thrilling backdrop for a soulful, poignant portrait of human connection. A mundane day in New York City gets shattered by a sudden invasion that leaves the city destroyed with a devastating death toll, an easy genre allegory for 9/11, no doubt, but writer/director Michael Sarnoski is more interested in exploring the human triumphs that rise in the face of brutal adversity. Day One ensures the requisite genre thrills and creature feature chase sequences are aplenty, but it’s the tender, unlikely friendship forged between Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn’s characters, along with a scene-stealing cat, that elevate this prequel into something remarkable. It’s the type of deeply stirring storytelling that makes you want a hug and a slice of pizza. Most of all, following a woman determined to meet life and death on her terms fills you with hope.

8. Infested

Director Sébastien Vaniček delivered a shot of adrenaline with his feature debut, ensuring that spiders haven’t lost their touch when it comes to inducing paralyzing fear, even in those not prone to arachnophobia. The simple setup that sees a rare venomous spider loose in a ramshackle apartment building, free to breed and wreak lethal destruction, becomes anything but thanks to class commentary and a terrifying escalation of horror. Vaniček keeps his characters and their conflicts grounded in realism, letting him cut loose with the increasingly intense spider horror. It’s not just that Infested employs real spiders for many of the close, squirmy encounters with the eight-legged beasts, but the filmmaker wrings extreme tension even from the quiet moments. Infested isn’t afraid to kill its characters in excruciating ways, either, making it easy to see why Vaniček was immediately snatched up to helm an upcoming Evil Dead movie.

7. I Saw the TV Glow

A deeply personal examination of identity and dysphoria told with a singular vision. Few films match the striking imagery found within writer/director Jane Schoenbrun’s latest, genre or otherwise. I Saw the TV Glow captures the viscerally jarring, existential horror of ignoring all warnings until you no longer recognize yourself, framed around two outcasts who bond over a ’90s tv show. It’s that specificity and dreamlike vision that mines horror from a relatable touchstone of youth– a period where we often form our identities based on our pop culture obsessions and cling to them like lifeboats in tempestuous waters. It’s a somber, meditative allegory that emotionally devastates, even as its potent visuals cast a haunting spell. More than just an assured piece of arthouse horror surrealism, it’s a stunning and bittersweet cautionary tale to be true to yourself.

6. The First Omen

Richard Donner’s 1976 horror classic centered around the Antichrist spawned three sequels, a 2006 remake, and a direct sequel TV series to diminishing results. When a prequel to the original film was announced, it’s not surprising that it didn’t exactly set the internet on fire; The Omen laid out the details behind Damien Thorn’s birth well enough, after all. What sounded like a typical, uninspired cash grab to extend the life of a fairly dormant horror franchise transformed into a compelling surprise in the hands of director Arkasha Stevenson. Stevenson helms her feature debut with impressive confidence, delivering an exquisitely crafted piece of horror that lends a tactile quality and atmosphere with a piercing score from Mark Korven that also serves a narrative purpose. It’s a breathtaking film befitting of its period setting, anchored by star Nell Tiger Free’s audacious performance. The First Omen finds inventive ways to breathe new life into the franchise while operating within the confines of established IP lore, shifting its focus to bodily autonomy while pushing boundaries with bold subject matter and shocking horror imagery. 

5. Smile 2

As someone who found Smile a solid film bogged down by its familiar horror influences, Smile 2 caught me off guard. In true sequel fashion, the scale is expanded, and the scares are far more visceral and violent this round. But writer/director Parker Finn’s exponential growth between films is what really excites about this sequel; this filmmaker has only honed his scare-crafting chops to the sharpest of edges and is having a blast doing it. This is a filmmaker with mounting confidence, and Finn finds no shortage of ways to keep the lengthy runtime moving at a rapid clip without ever diminishing the oppressive, inescapable horror and tension it yields. It certainly helps that Naomi Scott delivers a career-defining performance, tackling so many layers of her character’s traumas with seemingly effortless ease.  It’s not just the sequel’s razor-sharp and inventive, gory scares that surpass its predecessor, but a profoundly complicated heroine shaping the edgier style of horror.

4. Exhuma

Exorcism horror, for the most part, remains beholden to tired tropes and outdated ideas on faith and religion that make it a tough sell these days. One surefire way to break from convention is by framing exorcisms through a different cultural lens. Writer/Director Jae-hyun Jang (Svaha: The Sixth Finger, The Priests) combines introspective cultural and historical themes with creepy, atmospheric horror told through a yin-and-yang style narrative structure. Exhuma uses a cursed grave to unleash supernatural terror and a potent folkloric examination of the dark history between Japan and Korea. The two distinct story halves highlight the stark contrast between cultures, modern society, and ancient customs without sacrificing the genre’s fun or scares in the process. It’s the type of horror movie that brings cultural depth and worldbuilding while featuring a behemoth samurai oni rampaging through a pig farm. This isn’t your typical exorcism horror movie; its gonzo physical manifestation of past historical trauma makes for one of the year’s biggest horror surprises.

3. Longlegs

It’s safe to say that few films captured the curiosity and attention of audiences this year quite like Oz Perkins’ latest, thanks to the enigmatic marketing behind it. The refusal to reveal much at all ahead of the film’s release also extends to Longlegs’ storytelling, which keeps things close to the vest as it centers on young FBI recruit Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) and her bid to uncover the identity of an elusive serial killer. Longlegs injects a true crime story with putrid Satanism and refuses to handhold, serving as a visceral rebuttal to society’s compulsive need to find logic in the most heinous of crimes. Nicolas Cage’s minimal screentime, combined with his shocking transformation as the eponymous killer, only fuels the film’s elusive, existentially horrifying quality. But it’s the way that evil is a constant, voyeuristic presence in Longlegs that unnerves most; a beastly Satan watches on from nearly every shadowed corner throughout. Yet, as foreboding and palpably evil as Longlegs is, it’s not without a sense of humor. It makes for Perkins’ most accessible horror film yet as well as his most downright unsettling. 

2. The Substance

There’s something remarkable about the way that writer/director Coralie Fargeat’s latest somehow surpasses her debut film Revenge in terms of gory carnage while racking up the accolades, garnering award nominations and a spot on the Oscars shortlist. Fargeat can barely contain her venom as she lambasts Hollywood’s unrealistic beauty standards that fester and, in turn, create vicious cycles of self-loathing. Yet it’s not without humor; there’s an almost whimsy to the insanity that plunges Demi Moore’s Elisabeth Sparkle into a destructive pattern of monstrous body horror in her attempts to stave off aging and forced retirement. The Substance exists in a heightened sense of reality that’s as hypnotic as off-putting, with a protracted finale that unleashes buckets of flesh and gore in Grand Guignol fashion, the precise type of gooey climax that would make Brian Yuzna proud. Fargeat helms with assured confidence, delivering a tactile visual feast for the senses and creating one of the year’s sharpest, most wickedly entertaining entries in horror. 

1. Nosferatu

There’s not a single facet of Nosferatu that doesn’t impress for the sheer artistry on display. Night scenes in Robert Eggers’ macabre masterpiece are re-envisioned as monochromatic nightmares, evocative of black and white gothic horror classics like F.W. Murnau’s seminal vampire tale. Craig Lathrop’s exquisite production design whisks audiences on a tactile, immersive journey filled with dread-inducing decrepit castles, a city torn asunder by plague, gypsy camps, and beyond. Robin Carolan’s triumphant score, combined with Damian Volpe’s unsettling sound design, ensures the twisted love triangle at the heart of this gothic horror movie repulses and delights in equal measure. Bill Skarsgård’s unrecognizable transformation as Count Orlok startles, but it’s Lily-Rose Depp’s mesmeric performance as Ellen, the outcast trapped on society’s margins and forced to become both victim and hero, that stuns. Productions on this scale are rare in horror, and Nosferatu is operatic and dramatic, bold and revolting, with a powerful final shot for the ages.

The post Bloody Disgusting’s Top 15 Best Horror Movies of 2024 appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Here are ten noteworthy horror titles available for streaming in December 2024 on some of the most popular streaming services, along with when/where you can watch them.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice – Max (12/6)

The sequel to Tim Burton‘s 1988 cult favorite reunites three generations of Deetz women for another voyage into the Neitherworld the Ghost with the Most. “Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened.” Michael Keaton returns to his iconic role alongside Oscar nominee Winona Ryder (Stranger Things) as Lydia Deetz and Emmy winner Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek) as Delia Deetz.

Carry-On – Netflix (12/13)

Jason Bateman and Taron Egerton star in the airport-set, Christmas-themed thriller Carry-On from Jaume Collet-Serra (Orphan, The Shallows). In the holiday thriller, “A young TSA agent fights to outsmart a mysterious traveler who blackmails him into letting a dangerous package slip onto a Christmas Eve flight.” Look for this Netflix to bring the intensity on Friday the 13th.

Cuckoo – Hulu (12/17)

NEON’s horror movie Cuckoo starring Hunter Schafer and Dan Stevens brings the weirdness this holiday season. Luz director Tilman Singer‘s shot-on-35mm film tells the story of 17-year-old Gretchen (Schafer) who leaves her American home to live with her father and moves into a resort in the German Alps with his new family. Arriving at their future residence, they are greeted by Mr. König (Stevens), her father’s boss, who takes an inexplicable interest in Gretchen’s mute half-sister Alma.

Deus Irae – SCREAMBOX (12/10)

In this Argentine exorcism movie, “Father Javier, a priest living a fractured existence. On one side, he assists families who claim to have witnessed miracles, and on the other he belongs to a trio of excommunicated priests who hunt the possessed down to exorcize them under their own terms: with Bibles, fire, and shotguns. But when the only way to crush Evil is by becoming something even worse, he must question how much of his own humanity — or sanity — he’s willing to sacrifice in order to defeat the Devil.”

The Inheritance – Hulu (12/20)

Peyton List stars in the latest from Alejandro Brugués (Juan of the Dead, Nightmare Cinema, Pooka Lives!), The Inheritance. As for plot, “On the eve of his 75th birthday, billionaire Charles Abernathy invites his estranged children back home out of fear that tonight someone or something is going to kill him. He puts each of their inheritances on the line, to ensure they’ll help keep him alive.”

Last Straw – Shudder (12/20)

A night shift in a rural, roadside diner transforms into a harrowing, rage-fueled siege in Last Straw, the feature directorial debut by Alan Scott Neal. Jessica Belkin stars as “A young waitress working the overnight shift alone at a rural, roadside diner finds herself in a fight for her life when she’s terrorized by a group of masked assailants. With no one to turn to, she will do everything she can to survive the night, even if it means striking back.”

The Last Video Store – Arrow Player (12/10)

This love letter to the video store era arrives on limited edition blu-ray and SVOD on December 10 via Arrow. The feature debut of directing duo Cody Kennedy and Tim Rutherford is described as “Last Action Hero meets Evil Dead” with an evil cursed tape forcing our video store heroes to face against a slew of “classic cinematic villains plucked from the bowels of the B-movies themselves.”

Smile 2 – Paramount+

Parker Finn’s far more ambitious, intense sequel is now available to stream at home. In Smile 2, “About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.”

Speak No Evil – Peacock (12/6)

Mackenzie Davis (Terminator: Dark Fate, Happiest Season) and James McAvoy (Split, Glass) star in this American remake by James Watkins (The Woman in Black, Eden Lake). In the film, “After befriending a British couple with a mute son, Americans Ben and Louise accept an unusual invitation to bring their daughter for a weekend at an idyllic country estate. Yet when they discover their hosts are hiding sinister motives, Ben and Louise fear their family may be pawns in a disturbing plot.”

Street Trash – SCREAMBOX (12/27)

Fried Barry director Ryan Kruger reimagines the 1987 cult melt film as a standalone spirital sequel. Set in the year 2050, global economic turmoil has destroyed the middle class in Cape Town, South Africa. The local government concocts an evil plot to remove the homeless population using a sinister chemical agent called ‘V.’ They didn’t anticipate that a rag tag group of homeless friends would fight back. The growing divide between the rich and the poor has never been this goopy.

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Smile 2 makes its streaming debut on Paramount+ on Tuesday, December 3.

The hit horror sequel is currently available for rental/purchase on Digital outlets and will arrive on 4K Ultra HD, in a 4K Ultra HD SteelBook, and DVD on January 21, 2025.

In Smile 2, “About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events.

“Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.”

The cast for Smile 2 also includes Kyle Gallner (Smile), Rosemarie DeWitt (“The Staircase”), Lukas Gage (“The White Lotus”), and Dylan Gelula (Dream Scenario), alongside Raúl Castillo (Army of the Dead) and Miles Gutierrez-Riley (The Wilds).

Meagan Navarro raves in her 4-star review here on Bloody Disgusting, “As someone who found the first film solid yet ultimately familiar in its influences, Smile 2 makes for one of the year’s biggest horror surprises. Scott delivers a career-defining performance, tackling so many layers to her character and with seemingly effortless ease. The scale is grander, and the scares are far more visceral and violent. But Finn’s mounting confidence and ingenuity are what’s most exciting; this filmmaker has only honed his scare-crafting chops to the sharpest of edges and is having a blast doing it. It makes for a satisfying thrill ride of jaw-dropping horror and unrelenting dread; a perfect Halloween treat for those in need of a good scare — or twenty.”

The post ‘Smile 2’ Begins Streaming on Paramount+ This Week appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Watch Smile 2 at home beginning Tuesday, November 19!

Smile 2 will also be available on Digital as part of a two-movie collection with Smile and will arrive on 4K Ultra HD, in a 4K Ultra HD SteelBook, and DVD on January 21, 2025.

Fans who purchase the film on Digital or 4K Ultra HD will have access to over 40 minutes of heart-pounding bonus content. The full Special Features package includes…

• Commentary by Director Parker Finn—Take a peek behind the smile with commentary from writer/director Parker Finn as he goes through the gory details of this terrifying sequel.
• Ear To Ear—Cast and filmmakers dive deep into the Smile universe and discuss how they brought the director’s vision to life.
• The Rise and Fall of Skye Riley—Naomi Scott brings you into the cursed life of popstar Skye Riley.
• Behind The Music—Take an inside look at the music and choreography from the film.
• A New Smile—Smile veteran Kyle Gallner gives insight into his character’s gory return and filmmakers break down the film’s intense first moments.
• Smiler: A New Monster—Bigger, bolder, and more insane! Take a behind-the-scenes look at the grotesque monster behind the smile.
• Turn That Frown Upside Down—Meet Lewis, a friend of Skye, and get an in-depth look at the gruesome make-up and prosthetics behind his terrifying smile.
• Show Me Your Teeth—Explore how the filmmakers captured the uniquely horrifying car crash.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes

In Smile 2, “About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events.

“Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.”

The cast for Smile 2 also includes Kyle Gallner (Smile), Rosemarie DeWitt (“The Staircase”), Lukas Gage (“The White Lotus”), and Dylan Gelula (Dream Scenario), alongside Raúl Castillo (Army of the Dead) and Miles Gutierrez-Riley (The Wilds).

Meagan Navarro raves in her 4-star review here on Bloody Disgusting, “As someone who found the first film solid yet ultimately familiar in its influences, Smile 2 makes for one of the year’s biggest horror surprises. Scott delivers a career-defining performance, tackling so many layers to her character and with seemingly effortless ease. The scale is grander, and the scares are far more visceral and violent. But Finn’s mounting confidence and ingenuity are what’s most exciting; this filmmaker has only honed his scare-crafting chops to the sharpest of edges and is having a blast doing it. It makes for a satisfying thrill ride of jaw-dropping horror and unrelenting dread; a perfect Halloween treat for those in need of a good scare — or twenty.”

Just in time for you to smile with the whole family this #Thanksgiving, SMILE 2 is headed home to Digital outlets beginning tomorrow, November 19! pic.twitter.com/JSSScG9JXz

— Bloody Disgusting (@BDisgusting) November 18, 2024

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An official Smile 2 website has been launched this morning, Bloody Disgusting has exclusively learned, with a clip on the front page featuring that opening sequence… but there’s a catch…

The website asks users to turn on their camera and smile in-order for the video to play. It’s responsive so if you aren’t smiling, the video will stop! Can you smile through the scares?

Watch the first 7 minutes of Smile 2 right now… but only if you SMILE!

In Smile 2, “About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events.

“Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.”

The cast for Smile 2 also includes Kyle Gallner (Smile), Rosemarie DeWitt (“The Staircase”), Lukas Gage (“The White Lotus”), and Dylan Gelula (Dream Scenario), alongside Raúl Castillo (Army of the Dead) and Miles Gutierrez-Riley (The Wilds).

Meagan Navarro raves in her 4-star review here on Bloody Disgusting, “As someone who found the first film solid yet ultimately familiar in its influences, Smile 2 makes for one of the year’s biggest horror surprises. Scott delivers a career-defining performance, tackling so many layers to her character and with seemingly effortless ease. The scale is grander, and the scares are far more visceral and violent. But Finn’s mounting confidence and ingenuity are what’s most exciting; this filmmaker has only honed his scare-crafting chops to the sharpest of edges and is having a blast doing it. It makes for a satisfying thrill ride of jaw-dropping horror and unrelenting dread; a perfect Halloween treat for those in need of a good scare — or twenty.”

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Writer/Director Parker Finn goes bigger and harder in every way when it comes to the horror in Smile 2. That includes the film’s finale, topping the original’s ghastly monstrosity reveal on a much larger scale.

The sequel follows global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), who begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events right as she’s preparing to embark on a world tour. 

Smile 2, leaning harder into its R-rating this round, doesn’t waste any time addressing the fate of Joel (Kyle Gallner), the kind police officer who received the horrific curse at the end of Smile. Any hopes that Joel would take center stage in Smile 2 were quelled immediately with the hyper-violent opening sequence that saw his character suffer a rather gruesome demise, but not before passing his affliction to drug dealer Lewis Fregoli (Lukas Gage).

Finn told Bloody Disgusting that he did consider making Joel the lead of Smile 2, albeit very briefly. “I love Kyle Gallner,” Finn emphasizes. “I love working with him. He’s become an incredibly good friend. We chat all the time, and of course, there was a consideration about, ‘Oh, could the next film follow Joel?’ But when I was approaching the sequel, I wanted to make sure that anything that could have been a traditional or obvious continuation, I wanted to just cross that off the list. I didn’t want to do the expected thing; I didn’t want to take the easy route. I wanted to challenge myself to craft something that felt fresh and new, and that also had a new emotional thematic way in. I needed to find a character who felt like the right spine to hang the story on, which is how I developed the character of Skye Riley.

“But where the first movie ended, I wanted to make sure that there was the right amount of connective tissue between the two, and how do you get from a New York police detective to a New York City mega pop star? It felt really fun. Of course, because I like working with Kyle, I wanted to create this opportunity for this incredible bravura opening scene and give him the chance to really flex his acting chops. I think Kyle is such an incredible performer; it’s just the opening scene, but he did a lot of work to bring that to life, and I’m so proud of him.”

While Smile 2 brings the bloodletting and brutality in unexpected ways, it builds to a jaw-dropping finale that sees Skye Riley’s curse culminate on stage in front of legions of fans. In a melding of epic practical effects and VFX, Skye observes the entity burst from her own body- a behemoth Monstrosity created by acclaimed creature effects designer Alec Gillis (Alien: Romulus, Smile) and his Studio Gillis team.

It was always part of Finn’s plans to make Skye’s ending as larger-than-life as the character. He explains, “I wanted to go much bigger. Actually, Alec told me it was the biggest creature they had done practically since the Alien Queen. It’s really big. It requires multiple performers inside of it, and there are a ton of puppeteers around it. It was so important to me to create this practical creature because I love practical effects. I know that VFX and CGI can be great tools, but I always want to make sure that if we’re using them, it’s a hybrid situation. That we’re putting as much in front of the camera as possible or creating practical elements to then visually comp in. But the development of it was really fun. It was all about, how does it come out? What is it doing? How are we taking it way over the top?”

“I knew I wanted to create this echo of an image from the original, but to dial it way up,“ Finn continues. “The original, we’re in this little dilapidated house in the middle of nowhere, no one else is around. This one, we’re on the main stage in front of 20,000 screaming fans, and I wanted to really lean into the showmanship of pop music with it and to create something that was really cosmically, just insane making, but also horrifying, but also gleefully absurd, and I love it. One of my favorite elements of it is Skye’s torso hanging off the backside of it, staring at us with a grin still. I think it’s such a fun image.”

With the massive success of both films, a third entry feels all but certain. While the filmmaker remains coy on whether he’d return for Smile 3, Finn does weigh in on where he’d like to see the franchise head in the future. Is the curse beatable?

Finn says, “You know, I created the curse, so I have a lot of thoughts about how potentially to beat it, but for me, I’m very much about the emotional, cathartic journey of the character, and it felt like this was such a perfect end for Skye Riley. But yes, I want to make sure that if Smile continues, I think it could grow larger and could go in so many different directions. What’s important to me is that while we have the Smile entity and the curse as sort of this throughline, the storytelling remains very intimate and personal and really about the characters. I think Smile’s at its best when the supernatural component is a slight push that causes the human horror to explode.

“That’s really important to me and something that I hope will continue with Smile.“

The post ‘Smile 2’ Required the Biggest Creature Alec Gillis Has Created Since the ‘Aliens’ Queen [SPOILERS] appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Trauma has always been a staple of the horror genre. In his classic (1977) novel The Shining, Stephen King wrote, “Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win.” No modern genre creator embodies the darker side of this aphorism like Parker Finn. The writer/director’s burgeoning Smile franchise brings suffering to life with an apparition that feeds on the pain we carry inside us. And unlike the more hopeful messages in modern trauma allegories, Finn’s monsters too often emerge victorious. 

Smile follows Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon), a psychiatrist who works long hours helping her patients to avoid addressing her own mental health. When Rose witnesses a particularly brutal suicide, she becomes the new target for a terrifying creature that delights in twisting her sense of reality. This cruel beast exacerbates the guilt she’s been carrying since her mother’s tragic death while poisoning the relationships she turns to for help. Several weeks later, this malevolent infection spreads to Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), a pop star struggling to recover from a deadly car crash while embarking on a massive comeback tour. Latching onto this vulnerable performer, the entity begins playing with her own recent trauma while systematically tearing her life apart.

Both films are masterful yet terrifying metaphors for the burden of mental illness and the social expectation to grin and bear it no matter the cost. But which smile feels more devastating? And which woman’s story strikes more successfully at the heart of our own deepest fears?

Intake vs. Addiction

We first glimpse the titular expression in what feels like the safest of places. Rose has an impromptu intake session with a disturbed young woman brought into her ward. Laura (Caitlin Stasey) hides in the corner of the pleasantly staged room, seemingly frightened of an unseen being she claims has been tormenting her since witnessing a suicide days before. Rose tries to reassure the skittish grad student when she’s seemingly choked by invisible hands. Her demeanor quickly changes and Laura turns around to reveal a sinister smile stretching across her face. With a shard of broken plastic, she slices a gaping wound across her neck to mimic the unsettling expression.

Skye catches the beast’s attention while trying to buy vicodin after a long day of painful rehearsal. She stops by the apartment of Lewis (Lukas Gage), a high school acquaintance, only to find him in the grips of delusion. After a few uncomfortable moments, Lewis begins cowering under the presence of an invisible ghoul Skye can feel just over her shoulder. An instant later, his horrified face twists into a predatory smile. Lukas repeatedly smashes his head with a heavy weight plate, crushing his features into a bloody mess. 

Winner: Smile 

The slow destruction of Lewis’s face is admittedly terrifying, but nothing can prepare us for the moment when Laura’s demeanor changes. Her disturbing sneer never falters even when she’s opening the skin of her neck and bleeding to death on the hospital floor. This horrific death both shocks and upsets while setting the tone for a bleak horror franchise.

Malicious Alarms vs. Disappearing Stalker

Rose attempts to recover from this destabilizing incident with a quiet evening at home. But the sudden blaring of her security system shatters this fragile moment of peace. A call from the alarm company quickly sours when the friendly operator asks, “Are you sure you haven’t let something into the house, Rose?” before ominously suggesting she look behind her. Just as she’s turning around, the phone rings again and Rose realizes her hand is empty. She’s imagined the unsettling conversation. 

Finn’s second chapter in the harrowing franchise explores trauma filtered through the lens of worldwide celebrity. While preparing for her tour, Skye conducts a meet and greet where strangers approach her for quick conversations and staged photos. She balks when an intense man requests the word “love” when signing a souvenir T-shirt. After a few inappropriate comments, he advances on her, insisting that only he can cure her sadness. Security drags the screaming man away, while Skye takes a moment to recover behind the curtain then emerges to greet a long line of similar strangers. Later that night, she notices the yellow T-shirt stretched out across her living room floor. Skye follows a trail of discarded clothing which leads to the fan standing naked at the end of her darkened hallway. 

Winner: Smile 2

The dismantling of Rose’s first line of protection may be ominous, but Skye’s encounter with this dangerous fan is pure nightmare fuel. As a public figure, not only could this terrifying incident actually happen, but similar stalkers have taken the lives of real celebrities. It’s a frighteningly plausible scenario that could be the monster or another terrifying drawback to fame and fortune.

Birthday Blood vs. Charity Debacle

In addition to destroying Rose’s sense of reality, this bogeyman delights in stripping away her supportive relationships. At a birthday party thrown by her sister, the frazzled doctor watches her nephew’s delighted gaze turn to horror as he opens her present. Rather than a toy train, the box contains the dead body of her missing cat. Rose clutches her beloved pet while screaming at a girl in the corner wearing the tell-tale grin. When this inhuman party-goer—invisible to everyone else—appears just inches away, Rose trips and falls through a glass coffee table. The guests stare in horror as she emerges with shards of glass protruding from both arms. 

Skye deals with a similar moment of public embarrassment when she’s guilted into performing at a charity event for disadvantaged teens. With lipstick smeared across her face, the reluctant pop star must ad lib her remarks when the teleprompter freezes. The script finally begins rolling and Skye inadvertently welcomes her dead boyfriend Paul Hudson (Ray Nicholson) to the stage before noticing his ghost staring at her from one of the lavish tables. He approaches with a hideous smile as the pop star screams in front of the confused audience now using their cell phones to record her misery. An elderly woman reaches out to guide her offstage, but Skye reacts to her vision of Paul and sends the woman careening through the air and crashing into the table below. 

Winner: Smile 2

While Rose’s ordeal is no doubt mortifying, it can’t compare with the scale of Skye’s humiliation. Videos of the incident quickly go viral, threatening her reputation on the worldwide stage. Adding insult to injury, not one person at either party steps in to help. By gawking at both Rose and Skye, these judgmental onlookers do the creature’s bidding and assists in the ruination of both women’s lives.

Decapitated Sister vs. Deadly Dancers

After the disastrous birthday party, Rose tries to make amends with her sister Holly (Gillian Zinser). In a tearful conversation, they discuss the source of Rose’s childhood trauma—the childhood discovery of her mother’s dead body. The conversation devolves into bitter accusations and Rose retreats to her car. But moments later, Holly reappears poised to apologize. Rose prepares to roll down the window when Holly’s head suddenly drops, grinning at her sister with a hideously distended neck.

In the wake of her own mortification, Skye begins to pack her bags, likely planning to flee the city. Emerging from the bathroom, she’s stopped by her backup dancers somehow crowded into the narrow hallway. Each time she looks away, they change positions, seeming to defy the laws of gravity. Mirrors amplify this terror as the smiling dancers slowly descend on the frightened singer, becoming more violent with each step. 

Winner: Smile 2

This one is no contest. Holly’s shocking head drop may represent the first step into a terrifying new phase of Rose’s torment, but Finn outdoes himself with this shocking dance sequence. Not only does the sinister choreography blend style and terror, the set piece perfectly encapsulates Skye’s growing fear that everyone she knows is turning against her.

Threatening Therapist vs. Monstrous Mom

Though her circumstances are dire, Rose does have someone she can turn to for help and schedules an impromptu session with her therapist Dr. Northcott (Robin Weigert). After a home visit turns sour, the therapist stops by again, essentially threatening Rose with commitment if she doesn’t comply. As they’re talking, the phone rings. The real Dr.Northcott has just called to check on Rose. The frightened young woman slowly drops the phone as the grinning monster begins to chase her through the house.  

Skye also seems poised to finally get help when she wakes up in a posh recovery center. Her mother Elizabeth (Rosemarie DeWitt) has cleared her schedule and taken her phone, insisting she use the day to relax. But this peaceful respite quickly curdles as mother and daughter begin to fight about the upcoming tour. Rose begs for more time off while Elizabeth bluntly reminds her of the stakes. The world will not give her a third chance and if she backs out now, they’ll both be on the hook for millions of dollars. While detailing this grim reality, Elizabeth smashes a mirror with her fist and begins stabbing her face with a shard of glass. Skye slowly rips the IV out of her arm as she tries to escape the fiend now wearing her mother’s shredded face. Moments before rushing out into the hall, she’s shocked to find the jagged weapon in her own hand. Skye is covered in her mother’s blood just feet away from the brutalized body. 

Winner: Smile 2

Both scenes feature cruel betrayals of trust and supportive relationships that descend into hell.  However, it’s Elizabeth’s gory demise that wins this round. Not only must we watch her grin while stabbing and ripping out her own eye, this grisly death serves as a point of no return for her unfortunate daughter.

Deadly Decision vs. Highway Horror

The centerpieces of both films involve harrowing excavations of each woman’s initial trauma. Hoping to avoid passing on the curse, Rose drives out to her childhood home—an abandoned shack on deserted land. Entering the back bedroom, she remembers finding her mother unresponsive in bed. We learn that Rose did not find her mother’s dead body, but refused help when the dying woman begged for the phone. Finally confronting the worst moment of her life, Rose attempts to release herself from the overwhelming guilt. But her mother begins grinning and growing in size, insisting that Rose will never escape her nightmarish past. 

Skye’s story also climaxes with a terrifying return to her most painful memory. After an industry event, she and Paul argue while speeding down a dark mountain road. Clearly high, they scream cruelties at each other, ramping up their outrage with each passing mile. Devastated by Paul’s hurtful remarks, Skye grabs the steering wheel and sends the car careening off a cliff. She awakens trapped upside down in the ruined car next to her boyfriend’s shattered skull.

Winner: Smile 2

The closest battle yet, Finn’s nightmarish direction propels this car sequence to victory. Close camera work brings a terrifying intimacy to this upsetting scene and pulls us into the speeding vehicle as well as the doomed couple’s soul-crushing argument.

Tearful Reunion vs. Frozen Failure

Confronting her most painful memory seems to give Rose newfound strength. As the vision of her mother grows in size and monstrosity, Rose smashes a lantern into its face and watches the demon burst into flames. Relieved, she drives away under the morning sun and soon arrives at her ex-boyfriend’s door. Rose explains to Joel (Kyle Gallner) that her traumatic past caused her to sabotage their relationship. She apologizes then cryptically asks for forgiveness. Joel at first seems moved by her confession, but darkness creeps over this tender scene. With a slow smile spreading across his face, Joel insists that he will stay with her … forever. Rose discovers that she never left her childhood home and this cathartic conversation was all in her head. 

Skye is similarly deceived by Morris (Peter Jacobson), a helpful nurse determined to seek revenge on the horrific monster. His plan involves stopping Skye’s heart then resuscitating her several minutes later, hoping to kill the beast along with its host. But Morris excuses himself at a critical moment and Skye finds herself trapped in the walk-in freezer of an abandoned restaurant with the creature who now wears the skin of her own bleeding body once pulled from the crash. Skye jams Morris’s syringe into her neck, hoping to at least die on her own terms. After momentarily screaming in frustration at Skye’s victory, the hideous creature begins to laugh. Skye once again realizes that her hand is empty. There never was a Morris nor a plan to escape. 

Winner: Smile

As we near the climax of Finn’s first franchise installment, we hold onto hope that Rose can still save herself. She’s released her guilt, accepted her pain, and can begin anew with the love of her life. Joel’s villainous smirk feels like a gut punch as our last bit of optimism drains away. Not only has Rose not escaped, but she’s pulled Joel into her misery and now stands poised to pass him the curse.  

Fiery Finale vs. Killer Concert

Rose dashes back into the house and locks the door with Joel on her heels. Inside, she watches the growing phantom rip off her mom’s face to reveal rows of humanoid teeth protruding from ragged jaws. Joel breaks down the door just a moment too late. The ghoul has crawled into Rose’s mouth and caused her to douse herself with lighter fluid. She slowly turns to reveal a hideous smile then lights a match and sets her body ablaze. We see this gruesome death reflected in Joel’s eyes as he inherits the devastating curse. 

Having failed to defeat the monster, Skye finds herself pushed into a cocoon-like enclosure which opens to reveal a packed arena expecting her to sing. Standing onstage and wearing her skin, the creature rips open Skye’s abdominal scar before crawling inside her gaping mouth. Moments later, the pop star arises to the delight of her thousands of fans. Finn turns the camera towards the audience who suddenly begin to scream in terror as an unseen death plays out onstage. We eventually see that Skye has impaled her face with the microphone she tried so hard to reject. 

Winner: Smile

Finn ups the ante in his second film, presenting thousands of concertgoers now infected with the deadly curse. But the immense tragedy of his first conclusion can’t be topped. Joel has done everything he can to help Rose and now finds his good deeds punished with unthinkable pain.

The Murder Cure

Rose does find one surefire way to outsmart the curse. She must murder someone before a witness, intentionally causing as much pain as she can. Though Rose balks at killing another human being, she returns to work with a hidden knife. Confronting a troubled patient named Carl (Jack Sochet), she prepares to strike as her supervisor Dr. Desai (Kal Penn) bursts into the room. Now that she has a witness, Rose stabs Carl with the large kitchen knife multiple times. But something is wrong. Carl continues to grin while Dr. Desai begins to rip off his own face. This slim chance at salvation is only a dream.  

Smile 2 begins by reuniting us with the unfortunate Joel six days after Rose’s horrific death. Hoping to succeed where she once failed, he’s found a career criminal to witness a murder. But this plan goes awry and Joel inadvertently passes the curse on to Lewis who happens to be buying drugs at the worst possible time. Joel narrowly escapes his victim’s criminal associates before darting into the path of an oncoming truck. Finn slowly reveals this upsetting scene—Joel’s blood and viscera have been smeared all over the road, forming the shape of a crude smile. 

Winner: Smile 2

This opening fulfills the deadly promise at the end of Finn’s first film. Joel may have avoided the monster, but his grim death serves as a harbinger for the horrors to come. As he walks towards this dangerous plan, Joel spies a vision of Rose still burning on the snowy lawn, hinting at the torment he must have experienced over the last six days and the hell awaiting anyone who falls into the clutches of this grief-eating monster.  

For those keeping track, the final count is Smile: 3 to Smile 2: 6. Though both films pack a shattering punch, Finn fills his second franchise entry with gory horror, disturbing set pieces, and horrific jump scares on a much larger scale. While nothing can compare with the quiet devastation of Rose’s unthinkable trauma, Smile 2 unleashes a tidal wave of stylish terror while pulling us into the grips of another horrific nightmare.

The post ‘Smile’ vs. ‘Smile 2’: Which Film Has the More Devastating Grin? appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Across 3,619 U.S. theaters, Smile 2 topped the box office and swallowed up an estimated $23 million in its domestic debut, the film’s worldwide opening weekend hitting $46 million.

In addition to hitting the #1 spot on the domestic box office charts, Smile 2 also opened higher than its predecessor. Back in 2022, Smile opened to $22.6 million in the United States.

The first Smile movie went on to scare up $217.4 million worldwide, a number that Smile 2 hopes to reach – and surpass – in the coming weeks. The budget for Smile 2 was a reported $28 million, a bit higher than the first film’s spend, and it will turn a profit in a matter of days.

Meagan Navarro raves in her 4-star review here on Bloody Disgusting, “As someone who found the first film solid yet ultimately familiar in its influences, Smile 2 makes for one of the year’s biggest horror surprises. Scott delivers a career-defining performance, tackling so many layers to her character and with seemingly effortless ease. The scale is grander, and the scares are far more visceral and violent. But Finn’s mounting confidence and ingenuity are what’s most exciting; this filmmaker has only honed his scare-crafting chops to the sharpest of edges and is having a blast doing it. It makes for a satisfying thrill ride of jaw-dropping horror and unrelenting dread; a perfect Halloween treat for those in need of a good scare — or twenty.”

In Smile 2, “About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events.

“Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.”

The cast for Smile 2 also includes Kyle Gallner (Smile), Rosemarie DeWitt (“The Staircase”), Lukas Gage (“The White Lotus”), and Dylan Gelula (Dream Scenario), alongside Raúl Castillo (Army of the Dead) and Miles Gutierrez-Riley (The Wilds).

The post ‘Smile 2’ Tops the First Movie With $46 Million Worldwide Opening appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Smile 2 opens wide in theaters on October 18, 2024, and it’s been rated R for “Strong bloody violent content, grisly images, language throughout, and drug use.”

The sequel follows global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), who begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events right as she’s preparing to embark on a world tour. What’s clear straight away is that the R-rating is earned; the entity tormenting Skye gets far more violent than in the last outing. Is that heightened savagery a byproduct of it progressively getting stronger with every host, picking up from Smile, or is that really more of a byproduct of Skye’s much more turbulent mind than Rose’s (Sosie Bacon)?

Finn tells Bloody Disgusting, “A little of both. And I love that you latched onto that because that was exactly what was on my mind, was this sense of feeling like it’s such a personal thing for each person it interacts with. I really wanted to make sure that it felt really truly tied to Skye and her world, this big world that she has. So it felt very right to go bigger, to go more brutal, more insane, more savage, as you put it.”

The escalating horror isn’t just an organic result of its lead character; the filmmaker took great care in ensuring that returning Smile fans would be surprised. And that it wasn’t just another repeat of his debut film.

He explains, “I wanted to make sure that if I was going to ask audiences to give me their time again, that I wasn’t just doing a traditional continuation or a simple retread of the first, but something that felt truly surprising and unexpected that had Smile coursing through its veins but also had its own identity, its own metabolism. When it came to figuring out how I was going to stress people out, how I was going to scare them when they’re coming into this film potentially having seen the first. They start ahead of the character, and I was wondering, can I use that against them? Can I find brand new ways to scare them? Anything we might think we know about the entity after the first, it’s like, well, we’ve only seen that through one person’s eyes so far. What if it’s totally different for someone else? I really wanted to up the ante everywhere I could across the board.”

The first step was landing on a lead protagonist, and Smile 2 introduces one of horror’s more complicated heroines in recent memory in Skye Riley. This pop star comes with a lot of trauma, emotional baggage, and immense pressure. Launching a world tour means that so many careers rides on her success, isolating her well before she’s afflicted with a supernatural curse.

That excited Finn. He details the research he put into her character: “I had dove headfirst into every documentary, every essay, every interview I could get my hands on about these women, these pop stars, and what their lives were like both the public-facing part, but also behind the scenes and I found it so inspiring. I mean, there’s stuff that wormed its way into the movie. Out of that research, because I really wanted to ground it and build some credibility. I love the idea of somebody who is so public-facing that all these expectations are put upon her to play this character, to always be performing, to sort of be facing the world with a smile, but we go behind that velvet rope.

“We meet this real human being who’s quite tragic, quite flawed. She has some serious stuff that she’s dealing with, but she’s harboring it all inside. She feels that she can’t speak about it to anybody. Even though she’s surrounded by people all day, every day, she’s the loneliest person in the world. It just felt that there’s something about that level of fame, about all the expectations put upon you that you don’t have any agency over your life. You’re sort of trapped by this character you’ve become. To me, it felt like a perfect starting place for a Smile film.”

While Finn took care to push his visual storytelling and scares much further this round, the terrifying smile remains the same. The filmmaker shares his tips for recreating this eerie look on camera: “I wanted to make sure that there was the through line of the smile, but I love that the smiles in these films are human performance. We’re not using big, goofy CG stuff. We’re not trying to create filters on people’s faces. I love the uncanny valley of it being real human performance.”

For those trying to recreate it at home, Finn offers this advice: “There are certain tips and tricks that I always end up giving the actors about it. I find that it’s not about necessarily over-emphasizing your own smile, but really using a friendly smile and disconnecting the eyes in a way that feels a bit dead, a bit off. There’s a little trick with a bit of a tilt of the head and sort of staring up from underneath the brow that kind of creates that iconic smile. When you marry that with the tools of filmmaking, the framing, the sound design, everything else that we’re putting into it really creates an unsettling package.”

Smile 2 is now playing in theaters nationwide.

The post ‘Smile 2’ – Parker Finn Explains Why the Entity Is Much More Savage This Round [Interview] appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Parker Finn studied pop artists like FKA Twigs, Sia, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Olivia Rodrigo, and Tate McRae (who has a songwriting credit on Smile 2 for “Grieved You”) to capture Skye Riley’s journey and immense tour pressures with authenticity. The filmmaker and his team collaborated with the songwriting duo Take A Daytrip (Denzel Michael-Akil Baptiste and David Charles Marshall Biral) and songwriter Alexis Idarose Kesselman to develop five original songs for Skye’s album “Too Much for One Heart” – “Grieved You,” “New Brain,” “Death of Me,” “Just My Name,“ and “Blood on White Satin.”

Also sharing co-writing credit on some of those songs is the actor behind Skye Riley herself, Naomi Scott. Bloody Disgusting spoke with Scott ahead of the film’s release, who broke down what it was like to pen songs for her character. Scott explains, “One of the songs that we co-wrote together, we co-wrote over Zoom, and it started two days after I was cast. Two days later, I was in the studio, and I was recording; I was cutting vocals for ‘New Brain,’ I believe, or ‘Blood On White Satin,’ I can’t remember. Alexis Idarose, the writer-producer for four of the songs on the EP, we were Zooming; she was in New York, and I was in London. We started co-writing this song, ‘Just My Name,’ together, and she was on a piano in New York, and I was on a piano.

“So that was interesting because there was almost this element of, I hadn’t fully discovered Skye yet, but actually, that’s just part of the process, and it informed it in an interesting way. Then, after we shot the movie, Alexis and I wrote ‘Death Of Me’ together, which is the end credit song. That was so fun because, by that point, I’d done all the hard work, and it was just like, let’s write Skye’s pop anthem. Let’s have so much fun with it. We did, and it was just the best because we’d really solidified her sound by that point.”

That Idarose had already formed some of the tracks gave Scott a working blueprint when it came to finding Skye’s musical sound. Scott says of Skye’s music, “That was very much Idarose and the other producer/writers in terms of, when I signed onto the project, there were already three songs written and, two in particular, which was the ones that she wrote and produced, ‘Blood On White Satin,’ ‘New Brain,’ and then ‘Grieved You‘ was a producing duo called Take a Daytrip. But in those two songs, her voice was on the demo. She was my blueprint. In terms of what Skye sounded like and the way in which she sang, I used Alexis as my blueprint, and together we figured out how she sounded, and also just leaning into that. And with the accent and the way I sing, it’s very different to how I usually sing, and that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted it to be Skye and not me.“

Yet, Scott’s musical contributions to Smile 2 only begin to hint toward just how daunting a role Skye Riley is. Skye is a pop star coping with recent trauma on top of deep-seated insecurities and emotional baggage, exacerbated by the immense pressures of launching an expensive global tour. That’s before she’s afflicted by the supernatural curse that seeks to break her down psychologically. Scott’s performance becomes even more impressive, considering that it’s her first horror role, and Finn puts her through the wringer here.

“I think, just having to trust that I was going to be able to get where I needed to go,“ Scott says of the most intimidating aspect of bringing Skye to life. “I think that any actor or performer, we probably all feel like that, where we’re like, ‘Oh, am I going to get there? Am I going to get there?‘ When it came to the most extreme moments, maybe. I think the rest of it, in terms of Skye just being Skye, that was just so enjoyable to do.“

Skye endures quite a lot of extreme moments in Smile 2, but Scott relished exploring some of her character’s quieter moments of duress. She recalls, “One of my favorite scenes to shoot was when she’s on the phone with Gemma (Dylan Gelula), and the vulnerability in that scene, I really enjoyed that. Some of the quieter scenes were fun, but I really leaned on Parker in some of the more extreme moments to help me meter where I was at and where Skye was at in the movie.“

Smile 2 opens wide in theaters on October 18, 2024. 

The post ‘Smile 2’ Star Naomi Scott Co-Wrote Many of the Skye Riley Songs Featured in the Movie [Interview] appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Smile 2 picks up days after the first film’s events, tracking the curse’s path to world-famous pop star Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) just as she’s preparing to launch her new global tour. Two things become immediately clear: the entity seems much more savage this round, and Skye is a deeply flawed and fragile character. This tour has a lot riding on it, not just for the jobs and money dependent upon its success, but also in that it’s supposed to be Skye’s major comeback one year after a traumatic car crash that prompted Skye’s trip to rehab and left her boyfriend dead. That she’s still healing from the event, physically and mentally, only compounds the immense pressure she’s under. Then she witnesses the brutal suicide of her former drug dealer (Lukas Gage), whose creepy smile moments before bashing his own face signals the start of a whole new set of nightmarish problems for the pop star.

Not that Finn ever shied away from violence in Smile, but the gloves are off in this sequel. The inciting event that passes the curse to Skye is unflinching and graphic, a mass of flesh and bone and squelchy sounds. It’s not even the first burst of violence in the sequel to get the blood pumping. While it makes for satisfying, cringe-worthy horror sequences, what impresses most is the way Finn organically escalates the violence and the nail-biting scares through his lead character.

The entity’s more ruthless method of psychological warfare here is tied to Skye’s psychological state, worming its way further into her brain to use her insecurities, anxieties, and deepest fears against her. Unlike Smile‘s Rose Cotter, a therapist with distant trauma and tools to navigate her mental state, Skye is ill-equipped to fight back. Worse, her cool pop star exterior masks a deeply flawed, tumultuous interior coping with years of deep-seated issues. It’s not just the car crash that informs her trauma, but the fractured relationship with her overbearing mom-turned-manager (Rosemarie DeWitt).

Skye is prone to making rash mistakes, and her checkered past leaves her with a few dark skeletons she’d rather leave buried. Finn’s complex writing of her and Scott’s fearless yet vulnerable portrayal of her is what makes Skye so compelling. Scott throws herself into the deep end of the role’s physical demands, which is a Herculean undertaking in a Smile movie. Skye toggles between grueling dance rehearsals by day while evading vicious attacks at night that leave her in snot-nosed hysterics. It’s a non-stop marathon before the horror anguish takes root.

Finn is much a more confident and assured filmmaker here, injecting a more pronounced sense of humor and personality when not scaring the pants off his audience. It’s in the thought and care he’s given to his pop star protagonist and in the impressive production design that expands the film’s scale in visually arresting and immersive ways. It turns out an affluent, world-renowned pop star comes armed with bold, dramatic penthouse suites and gorgeous arena stages to mine new fear tactics from.

It’s only when beholden to some of Smile‘s rules that this sequel falters. It makes it easier to predict certain story elements, even if thematically fitting. It’s offset by Finn’s dedicated ambition to going bigger, bolder, and scarier right down to a showstopper finale. Special effects legend Alec Gillis and his crew are back to bring especially inspired new twists to the entity’s machinations, culminating in a jaw-dropping climax that’s every bit as ambitious as it looks.

As someone who found the first film solid yet ultimately familiar in its influences, Smile 2 makes for one of the year’s biggest horror surprises. Scott delivers a career-defining performance, tackling so many layers to her character and with seemingly effortless ease. The scale is grander, and the scares are far more visceral and violent. But Finn’s mounting confidence and ingenuity are what’s most exciting; this filmmaker has only honed his scare-crafting chops to the sharpest of edges and is having a blast doing it. It makes for a satisfying thrill ride of jaw-dropping horror and unrelenting dread; a perfect Halloween treat for those in need of a good scare — or twenty.

Smile 2 opens wide in theaters on October 18, 2024.

The post ‘Smile 2’ Review – Parker Finn’s Confident Sequel Goes Bigger and Scarier appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

This particular trailer features a bunch of new footage along with the first rave reviews for the horror sequel, which label it “nightmare fuel” as well as “a terrifying masterpiece.”

Watch the Final Trailer below and get your tickets now.

In Smile 2, “About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events.

“Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.”

The cast for Smile 2 also includes Kyle Gallner (Smile), Rosemarie DeWitt (“The Staircase”), Lukas Gage (“The White Lotus”), and Dylan Gelula (Dream Scenario), alongside Raúl Castillo (Army of the Dead) and Miles Gutierrez-Riley (The Wilds).

The official trailer also revealed that Drew Barrymore will appear in the upcoming sequel.

Stay tuned for more on Smile 2. The first film scared up $217 million back in 2022.

The post Final Trailer for ‘Smile 2’ Loads Up On Unhinged Madness and Rave Reviews appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Festival Director & Programmer Guy Lavallee says audiences are in for Edmonton’s biggest celebration of horror, thriller, dark comedy, and retro genre favourites. “With so much local support for our first 2, I’m pretty stoked to finally be able to announce the full 2024 lineup,” Lavallee announced. “Starting with our phenomenal Opening Night Film, SMILE 2, our whole team is excited about this year’s movies, and I hope local genre enthusiasts will be as pumped as we are.

Lavallee continues, “As a transplanted Winnipegger, I’m also really excited about the special Phantom of the Paradise 50th Anniversary screening we’ve got booked to close out the festival on October 22nd. Academy Award® and Grammy Award®-winning legend and star of Phantom – Paul Williams – will join us for an extended post-screening Q&A to discuss the legacy of this beloved cult classic and its impact on his life and career. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many movie fans, myself included!”

Below, you can peruse the full lineup. Secure your passes now!

SMILE 2 – Directed by Parker Finn | October 16 at 6:45pm

About to embark on a world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events, in this eagerly awaited follow-up to 2022’s sleeper hit.

MEMBERS CLUB – Directed by Marc Coleman | October 16 at 9:30pm

Marc Coleman’s outrageous, splattery, wildly entertaining horror comedy is an unholy meeting of The Full Monty and Green Room, filled with winning performances and big laughs, as only the British can do!

FESTIVALS: FrightFest UK 2024

THE BIRTHDAY Fully restored 20th Anniversary – Directed by Eugenio Mira | October 17 at 7:00pm

Corey Feldman nabbed the role of a lifetime in this truly one-of-a-kind comedic thriller that premiered at Fantastic Fest and Sitges… and then promptly disappeared, presumably forever. Luckily, Drafthouse Films has lovingly restored this odd (but undeniably mesmerizing) cult oddity, featuring an impeccably unconventional performance by Mr. Feldman. See it once. Remember it forever!

FESTIVALS: 2024 Fantastic Fest

HUSH – The SHUSH CUT – Directed by Mike Flanagan | October 18 at 7:00pm

Mike Flanagan’s brilliant 2016 thriller has been reimagined in black & white, with an all-new audio mix stripping the film of the original score, further immersing audiences in an incredible sensory experience!

FESTIVALS: BeyondFest 2024

MOM – Directed by Adam O’Brien | October 19 at 12:00pm

Canada’s own Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek) delivers one of the year’s best performances, in this terrifying story of a new mom trying to cope with a sinister entity that’s invaded the family home. This is one of the most nerve-wracking and disturbing films of 2024, one that will stick with audiences long after the credits have rolled! NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE!

THE SEVERED SUN – Directed by Dean Puckett | October 19 at 2:15pm

The great Toby Stephensis utterly chilling in this atmospheric chiller set in an isolated rural church community / cult. For fans of folk horror, this knockout is an absolute must-see.

FESTIVALS: Fantastic Fest 2024

THE SOUL EATER – Directed by Alexandre Bustillo, Julien Maury | October 19 at 4:30pm

When a series of gruesome deaths start plaguing a small mountain village, an old legend about a malevolent creature resurfaces in this latest chiller from dynamic French filmmaking duo Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury. Part police procedural, part folk horror, part supernatural thriller, the pieces of this puzzle add up to one of the most captivating, compelling, and suspenseful films of 2024.

FESTIVALS: 2024 Fantasia Film Festival, 2024 International Film Festival Rotterdam

DEAD MAIL – Directed by Joe DeBoer, Kyle McConaghy | October 19 at 7:00pm

An ominous help note finds its way to a 1980s post office, connecting a dead letter investigator to a kidnapped keyboard technician, in this brilliant throwback thriller that wowed audiences at this year’s SXSW and Toronto International Film Festivals.

FESTIVALS: SXSW 2024, TIFF Midnight Madness 2024

CHAINSAWS WERE SINGING – Directed by Sander Maran | October 19 at 9:30pm

An absolutely bonkers action-horror-musical-comedy B-movie epic from Estonia. This love letter to crowd-pleasing exploitation cinema is equal parts Monty Python and early Peter Jackson (think Meet the Feebles or Dead Alive).

FESTIVALS: 2024 Fantasia Film Festival, Fantastic Fest

HEAVIER TRIP – Directed by Juuso Laatio, Jukka Vidgren | October 20 at 2:00pm + 4:15pm

This long-awaited follow-up to the beloved 2018 cult hit sees the return of Finland’s heaviest band, Impaled Rektum, as they must escape prison to help save the family business. Filled with just as much humour, heart, and heavy metal as the original, this crowd-pleasing delight will screen as a double-bill with 2018’s HEAVY TRIP!

FESTIVALS: Fantastic Fest 2024

SCARED SHITLESS – Directed by Vivieno Caldinelli | October 20 at 6:30pm

This outrageously entertaining Canadian creature feature, featuring stellar effects work from the great Steven Konstanski (Psycho Goreman, The Void), is a film best seen with a big, boisterous, crowd!

FESTIVALS: 2024 Fantasia Film Festival, FrightFest UK

In addition to the 50th Anniversary PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE screening, NorthwestFEARFest is excited to present a number of retrospective screenings, including:

A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET – 40th Anniversary | October 17 at 9:15pm

FRIDAY THE 13th: THE FINAL CHAPTER – 40th Anniversary | October 18 at 9:15pm

CRITTERS – Gateway to Horror screening | October 20 at 12:00pm

KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE – 35th Anniversary | October 20 at 8:45pm

PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE – 50th Anniversary with Special Guest Paul Williams | October 22 at 7:00pm

NorthwestFEARFest 2024 will feature over 30 films, including Feature and Short Films, all screening exclusively at Metro Cinema. All-Access Passes & individual tickets are on sale now at https://www.northwestfest.ca/nwfearfest. NWFF 2024 takes place from October 16-22.

Follow us on Facebook, or on Twitter & Instagram @NWFEARFEST – and just keep repeating…”It’s Only a Movie…It’s Only a Movie…”

The post NorthwestFEARFest 2024 Lineup Includes ‘Smile 2’, ‘Hush’, ‘Phantom of the Paradise’ and More appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Smile 2 opens wide in theaters October 18, 2024. Now active on Twitter, our giveaway is for TWO FREE FANDANGO CODES, with ONE WINNER RECEIVING BOTH CODES.

Each code is worth $25 ($50 for the pair) and they both will expire on 12/31/2024. United States only. Re-tweet the tweet below to enter. Good luck and don’t forget to SMILE…

In Smile 2, “About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events.

“Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.”

The cast for Smile 2 also includes Kyle Gallner (Smile), Rosemarie DeWitt (“The Staircase”), Lukas Gage (“The White Lotus”), and Dylan Gelula (Dream Scenario), alongside Raúl Castillo (Army of the Dead) and Miles Gutierrez-Riley (The Wilds).

GIVEAWAY – Tickets for #Smile2 are now on sale and we’ve got TWO FREE TICKET CODES to giveaway, with one winner receiving both ticket codes.

Each code is worth $25 ($50 for the pair) and will expire on 12/31/2024. US only. RT TO ENTER. Good luck! pic.twitter.com/LgJRYvmBXm

— Bloody Disgusting (@BDisgusting) October 1, 2024

The post ‘Smile 2’ Tickets Are Now On Sale and We’re Giving Away Two Free Fandango Codes! appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

This Tracer Pack comes with two Operator Skins, three Weapon Blueprints (“Sam’s Lollipop”, “Sweet Tooth”, and “Seasons Greetings”), the “Lollipopped” Finishing Move, plus the “Boo!” Weapon Charm, “His Night. His Rules” Emblem, and a Loading Screen.

The Trick ‘r Treat tracer pack joins the Daryl Dixon Operator Bundle and Terrifier Operator Bundle, which feature Daryl Dixon from The Walking Dead and Art the Clown, respectively.

The Haunting 2024 event brings new maps, returning modes such as Mutation and Hordepoint, as well as plenty of cosmetics across Modern Warfare III and Warzone. That also includes Halloween‘s Michael Myers as an Operator, along with the above-mentioned Sam, Daryl and Art. Still to come are Operator skins inspired by Smile 2, featuring Possessed Valeria and Possessed Makarov. You can read up on all of the goodies coming from the official Call of Duty blog.

Speaking of which, Parker Finn‘s follow-up to 2022’s Smile will be out in theatres on October 18, starring Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kyle Gallner, Lukas Gage, Peter Jacobson, Raúl Castillo, Dylan Gelula, Ray Nicholson and Drew Barrymore.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III is available on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series.

The post Sam From ‘Trick ‘r Treat’ Stalks in “The Haunting 2024” Event for ‘Modern Warfare III’ and ‘Warzone’ [Trailer] appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Smile 2 opens wide in theaters October 18, 2024. Find the new poster below, which features an image of a familiar-looking face. No, that’s not Jack Torrance from The Shining. But why does this guy look so familiar? That’s Ray Nicholson, the son of Jack Nicholson!

In Smile 2, “About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events.

“Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.”

The cast for Smile 2 also includes Kyle Gallner (Smile), Rosemarie DeWitt (“The Staircase”), Lukas Gage (“The White Lotus”), and Dylan Gelula (Dream Scenario), alongside Raúl Castillo (Army of the Dead) and Miles Gutierrez-Riley (The Wilds).

The new trailer also reveals that Drew Barrymore will appear in the upcoming sequel.

Stay tuned for more on Smile 2. The first film scared up $217 million back in 2022.

The post Official ‘Smile 2’ Poster Channels the Sadistic Spirit of Jack Torrance appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Smile 2 is rated “R” for…

“Strong bloody violent content, grisly images, language throughout and drug use.”

Smile 2 opens wide in theaters October 18, 2024. Watch the trailer below.

In Smile 2, “About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events.

“Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.”

The cast for Smile 2 also includes Kyle Gallner (Smile), Rosemarie DeWitt (“The Staircase”), Lukas Gage (“The White Lotus”), and Dylan Gelula (Dream Scenario), alongside Raúl Castillo (Army of the Dead) and Miles Gutierrez-Riley (The Wilds).

The new trailer also reveals that Drew Barrymore will appear in the upcoming sequel.

Stay tuned for more on Smile 2. The first film scared up $217 million back in 2022.

The post ‘Smile 2’ Rated “R” for “Strong Bloody Violent Content” & “Grisly Images” appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Smile 2 opens wide in theaters October 18, 2024. Watch the new trailer below.

In Smile 2, “About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events.

“Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.”

The cast for Smile 2 also includes Kyle Gallner (Smile), Rosemarie DeWitt (“The Staircase”), Lukas Gage (“The White Lotus”), and Dylan Gelula (Dream Scenario), alongside Raúl Castillo (Army of the Dead) and Miles Gutierrez-Riley (The Wilds).

The new trailer also reveals that Drew Barrymore will appear in the upcoming sequel.

Stay tuned for more on Smile 2. The first film scared up $217 million back in 2022.

The post ‘Smile 2’ – Open Wide and Watch the Official Trailer for Paramount’s Horror Sequel appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Bloody Disgusting has checked in this afternoon and learned that the final runtime for Smile 2 is actually 2 hours, 1 minute + credits, a bit longer than the first film’s 1 hour, 55 minutes.

Check out a brand new exclusive image from the sequel above.

Naomi Scott leads the cast of Smile 2, which arrives in theaters October 18, 2024.

In Smile 2, “About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.”

The announced cast for Smile 2 also includes Kyle Gallner (Smile), Rosemarie DeWitt (“The Staircase”), Lukas Gage (“The White Lotus”), and Dylan Gelula (Dream Scenario), alongside Raúl Castillo (Army of the Dead) and Miles Gutierrez-Riley (The Wilds).

Stay tuned for more on Smile 2 as we learn it. The first film scared up a whopping $217 million worldwide in 2022, all but ensuring that a sequel wouldn’t be too far behind.

The post ‘Smile 2’ – Official Runtime for October’s Horror Sequel Is Just Over 2 Hours appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

That means it’s Fall Horror Preview time.

It’s no surprise that this year offers another densely packed slate for the Halloween season; and trust us, there’s more horror on the way. Expect plenty of surprise release announcements in store as more streaming services debut their seasonal releases, schedules, and beyond.

Here’s Bloody Disgusting’s Fall Horror Preview 2024 to help with your Halloween watchlists.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice – September 6 (Theaters)

The long-awaited sequel is nearly here, almost 40 years after the original classic arrived in theaters. A family tragedy brings three generations of the Deetz family home, where the Ghost with the Most is summoned, causing trouble in the realms of the living and the dead. Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega, Catherine O’Hara, Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe and Monica Bellucci star in director Tim Burton’s sequel to the comedy-horror classic.

The Front Room – September 6 (Theaters)

Brandy Norwood (I Still Know What You Did Last Summer) makes her return to horror with A24 movie The Front Room, directed by Max and Sam Eggers, brothers of Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Northman). The adaptation of Susan Hill’s short story follows a young, newly pregnant couple forced to take in an ailing stepmother who has long been estranged from the family.

The Demon Disorder – September 6 (Shudder)

SFX master Steven Boyle’s effects work has been seen in 2005’s King Kong, Love and Monsters, Bait, What We Do in the Shadows, The Matrix trilogy, and so much more. Now, Boyle is set to make his feature directorial debut with a film starring John Noble. A demonic family drama sees a brother dealing with the estrangement of his other brothers and potential possession. 

Red Rooms – September 6 (Limited Theaters)

A serial killer obsession spirals out of control in this new psychological thriller from writer/director Pascal Plante, inspired by the fans who inexplicably flock to serial killers throughout modern history and further motivated by the current state of cybersecurity and tech crimes. The film is named after the highly disputed violent dark web spaces known as “red rooms” in online urban legends and stars Juliette Gariépy.

Creeping Death – September 10 (SCREAMBOX) 

This SCREAMBOX Exclusive supernatural slasher from Matt Sampere adapts his short film of the same title. “Halloween was always Tim’s favorite holiday – until his mother was diagnosed with cancer. Now, all he wants is a quiet night in. That is quickly disrupted when his friends pay him an unwanted visit after stealing a mysterious sack from the doorstep of a local crazy. This sacrilegious act unleashes the Aos Si, a Celtic spirit that walks the earth on Halloween. They must band together and survive the night or make the ultimate offering… their lives.”

Believer – September 13 (Theaters, VOD)

In writer/director Sheldon Wilson’s cult sci-fi thriller, “A young writer is attacked by a notorious cult leader and mass murderer, a man who exerts inexplicable control over his followers. When she claims no memory of the attack, her family begins to question her motives.” Lauren Lee Smith, Ella Ballentine, Peter Mooney, Martin Roach, Ilan O’Driscoll, Jonathan Potts, and Kris Holden-Ried star.

Speak No Evil – September 13 (Theaters)

An American family is invited to spend the weekend at the idyllic country estate of a charming British family they befriended on vacation, but a holiday getaway quickly spirals into a harrowing nightmare. James Watkins (The Woman in Black, Eden Lake) directs this remake of the Danish horror nightmare, with Mackenzie Davis (Terminator: Dark Fate, Happiest Season) and James McAvoy (Split, Glass) starring in the fresh take on the horrifying events.

Subservience – September 13 (Digital and VOD)

Till Death (2021) director S.K. Dale and star Megan Fox reteam on a new thriller, this time with Fox playing a lifelike artificially intelligent android, Alice, who has the ability to take care of any family and home. When Alice suddenly becomes self-aware, she finds herself willing to kill for the affections of her owner.

Last Straw – September 20 (Theaters, VOD, Digital)

A night shift in a rural, roadside diner transforms into a harrowing, rage-fueled siege in Last Straw, the feature directorial debut by Alan Scott Neal. In the film, “A young waitress working the overnight shift alone at a rural, roadside diner finds herself in a fight for her life when she’s terrorized by a group of masked assailants. With no one to turn to, she will do everything she can to survive the night, even if it means striking back.”

Never Let Go – September 20 (Theaters)

Director Alexandre Aja (High Tension, The Hills Have Eyes, Piranha 3D, Crawl) teams with Academy Award® winner Halle Berry on an intense psychological horror movie set in a world overrun by evil. Berry stars as a mother of twins that must stay tethered at all times, until one of the boys questions whether the lurking evil is even real. It triggers a harrowing bid for survival. If you missed the trailer, which you can watch here, you might’ve missed some rather eerie snake imagery.

The Substance – September 20 (Theaters)

Director Coralie Fargeat (Revenge) is back this year with a brand new body horror movie. The Substance stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid and centers around a mysterious new beauty product promising a regenerative, youthful effect. Considering the insanely bloody finale of Revenge, we can likely expect a goopy, wild time with her latest.

Apartment 7A – September 27 (Paramount+)

Remember the young dancer, Terry Gionoffrio, that Rosemary Woodhouse befriends shortly after moving into the Bramford apartment building in Rosemary’s Baby? This is her story, a new prequel to Roman Polanski’s horror classic. Directed by Relic filmmaker Natalie Erika James, the film stars Julia Garner (Ozark, Wolf Man), Dianne Wiest (Mayor of Kingstown), Jim Sturgess (Across the Universe), and Kevin McNally (Pirates of the Caribbean film series).

Azrael – September 27 (Theaters)

The high concept action-horror film directed by E.L. Katz (Channel Zero, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Cheap Thrills) from an original script by Simon Barrett (The Guest, You’re Next, Godzilla x Kong) stars Samara Weaving. In a world in which no one speaks, a devout female-led community hunts down a young woman (Weaving) who has escaped her imprisonment. She’ll stop at nothing to avoid being sacrificed and survive.

Bagman – September 27 (Theaters)

Up next from The Girl with All the Gifts and Outcast (2010) director Colm McCarthy is Lionsgate’s supernatural thriller Bagman, starring Sam Claflin (Last Night in Soho) and Antonia Thomas (“The Good Doctor”). A family finds themselves ensnared in a nightmare as they are hunted by a malevolent, mythical creature in this horror film penned by John Hulme.

Sleep – September 27 (Theaters)

The feature film debut of South Korean filmmaker, Jason Yu, tells the story of a newlywed couple expecting their first child. Parental anxieties and every day stresses triggers an unnerving sleepwalking habit in Hyun-su, and as it escalates into aggression, his wife, Soo-jin, begins to worry for their baby’s safety. Expect a new variation of possession horror here. Sleep marks one of the final on screen appearances by late actor Lee Sun-kyun (Parasite).

Carved – October 2024 (Hulu)

Carved is based on the 2018 short of the same name, written and directed by Justin Harding for Hulu’s Bite Size Halloween. It follows a heartbroken teenage playwright, her younger brother, and a group of survivors who become trapped in a historical reenactment village on Halloween night and must band together to survive a relentless attack by a sentient and vengeful pumpkin.

Mr. Crocket – October 2024 (Hulu)

Director Brandon Espy’s feature debut is based on his popular short featured in Hulu’s Bite Size Halloween series with Huluween . It stars Elvis Nolasco as a diabolical children’s TV show host and Jerrika Hinton as a mother who will stop at nothing to protect her son. The new slasher arrives just in time for Halloween.

Salem’s Lot – October 2024 (Max)

The long-awaited adaptation of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot from director Gary Dauberman (Annabelle Comes Home) is finally seeing release after a lengthy delay. The plot sees an author return to his hometown, only to find it under the sway of a bloodthirsty vampire. Originally set for theatrical release on September 9, 2022, the new take on the vampire classic gets a streaming release instead this Halloween season.

Hold Your Breath – October 3 (Hulu)

Sarah Paulson, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Amiah Miller and Annaleigh Ashford lead the cast of the Hulu horror-thriller from directors Karrie Crouse and William Joines. “The film takes place amid the horrific dust storms of 1930s Oklahoma, watching as a woman (Paulson) is convinced that a sinister presence is threatening her family.”

House of Spoils – October 3 (Prime Video)

The Blumhouse horror movie follows “an ambitious chef (Ariana DeBose) as she opens a restaurant on a remote estate where she battles kitchen chaos, crushing self doubts… and a haunting presence who threatens to sabotage her at every turn.” Barbie Ferreira co-stars in the film, written and directed by Bridget Savage Cole & Danielle Krudy.

Frankie Freako – October 4 (Select Theaters)

Director Steven Kostanski (The Void, Psycho Goreman) is back with another genre rewind to the ’90s, this time to pay tribute to the puppet horror of yesteryear. After calling a late-night party hotline that promises out-of-this-world fun, uptight yuppie Conor Sweeney must battle the pint-sized forces of evil unleashed through his phone line, led by a maniacal rock n’ roll goblin.

It’s What’s Inside – October 4 (Netflix)

The feature directorial debut of writer/director Greg Jardin aims to bring the fun this Halloween season with a twisty sci-fi romp. Chaos ensues at a lavish weekend pre-wedding party when an old friend arrives with a mysterious suitcase and proposes a unique party game. The gathering descends into an existential nightmare that awakens long-hidden secrets, desires, and grudges.

The Platform 2 – October 4 (Netflix)

Director Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia’s 2020 film The Platform introduced a vertical prison system, where inmates are assigned to a level and forced to ration food from a platform that moves between the floors. Inmates on high floors eat better than those below, and one man tries to effect change so everyone gets enough. A mysterious figure has managed to establish a new law in the sequel, and we can likely expect things to get violence and grim.

Things Will Be Different – October 4 (Theaters, VOD)

Writer/Director/Editor Michael Felker’s feature directorial debut introduces a twisty sci-fi thriller produced by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (Spring, The Endless). Adam David Thompson and Riley Dandy star as estranged siblings who, after a robbery, escape to a rural safe house hidden in time and discover they’re not the only occupants. Family bonds get tested as time distorts.

V/H/S/Beyond – October 4 (Shudder)

The V/H/S franchise returns to Shudder with the seventh installment of the series, this one drawing inspiration from sci-fi horror. Expect six blood curdling tapes of terror, with an exciting lineup of filmmakers that includes Justin Long, Mike Flanagan, Kate Siegel and more.

Daddy’s Head – October 11 (Shudder)

Director Benjamin Barfoot’s horror movie follows a boy and his young, recently widowed stepmother who find themselves in fear for their lives after they are visited by a strange and unexplainable creature – something that appears to mimic a horrifying version of the boy’s recently deceased father. Based on the image above, the creature might be one of the more unnerving designs to come along in a while.

Mads – October 11 (Shudder)

A new Shudder original from writer/director David Moreau. In the film, “Eighteen year old Romain has just graduated and makes a stop at his dealer’s place to try a new pill. As he heads off to a party, he sees an injured woman on the side of the road and decides to help her, but when she gets in his car, she suddenly smashes her own head against the dashboard, bleeding out until she dies. Is this a bad trip? Or is it something else? One thing is for sure, it’s only the beginning of the night.”

Terrifier 3 – October 11 (Theaters)

Only writer/director Damien Leone and Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton) could get horror fans excited about Christmas in October. The horror icon is back in theaters just in time for Halloween, set to unleash another round of chaos on the unsuspecting residents of Miles County as they peacefully drift off to sleep on Christmas Eve. Returning cast includes Lauren LaVera (Sienna), Samantha Scaffidi (Victoria Heyes), Elliot Fullam (Jonathan Shaw) and AEW superstar Chris Jericho (Burke), with Daniel Roebuck set to debut as Santa Claus.

Die Alone – October 18 (Theaters, VOD, Digital)

Lowell Dean, the director behind horror-comedies WolfCop, Another WolfCop, and the upcoming Dark Match, is back this Halloween with Die Alone. Frank Grillo and Carrie-Anne Moss star in the film that sees a young man with amnesia team up with an eccentric survivalist to find his missing girlfriend in a world overrun by creatures.

Smile 2 – October 18 (Theaters)

Writer/Director Parker Finn’s contagious curse takes aim at a new victim in the upcoming big screen sequel. In Smile 2, “About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.”

Don’t Move – October 25 (Netflix)

Up next from producer Sam Raimi‘s Raimi Productions and Hammerstone Studios (Barbarian) is Don’t Move. Adam Schindler and Brian Netto (Quibi’s series “50 States of Fright”) directed the film, wherein “A grieving woman hoping to find solace deep in an isolated forest encounters a stranger who injects her with a paralytic agent. As the agent gradually takes over her body, she must run, hide, and fight for her life before her entire nervous system shuts down.”

Venom: The Last Dance – October 25 (Theaters)

Tom Hardy is back as Venom in Sony’s third installment in the smash hit Venom film franchise this Halloween season, with the antihero and his symbiote being hunted by both worlds. No, it’s not horror, but this sequel seems to go even bigger on the creatures in the final bow for this campy comic book trilogy. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans, Peggy Lu, Alanna Ubach and Stephen Graham also star. The film is directed by Kelly Marcel from a screenplay she wrote.

Your Monster  – October 25 (Theaters)

Melissa Barrera (Abigail, Scream VI) stars as soft-spoken actress Laura Franco, who finds her voice again when she meets a gruff but charming monster living in her closet. Caroline Lindy’s feature debut gives a comedic, musical spin on the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast.

Black Cab – November 8 (Shudder)

Nick Frost stars in this horror movie from director Bruce Goodison. In the film, “When Anne and Patrick hail a black cab after a night out their driver is chatty, jovial even, but they are in no mood to talk. In fact, the couple is barely on speaking terms. That is, until they realize the driver has no intention of taking them home. Locked in the cab with no means of escape, the driver transports the couple to a stretch of deserted and supposedly haunted road. But what is his purpose? Is he mad or just plain evil? And why has he selected Anne and Patrick as his victims?”

Meanwhile on Earth – November 8 (Theaters)

Writer/Director Jérémy Clapin, whose 2019 animated debut I Lost My Body earned an Academy Award nomination, makes the jump to live-action with the sci-fi thriller Meanwhile on Earth. A women reconnects with her astronaut brother after his disappearance, but their happy reunion is short lived when she discovers dark forces at play.

Heretic – November 15 (Theaters)

Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (A Quiet Place, 65) write and direct the latest A24 horror movie, which sees two young missionaries trapped and forced to test their faith when they knock on the wrong door. Hugh Grant (D&D: Honor Among Thieves), Chloe East (The Fabelmans) and Sophie Thatcher (“Yellowjackets”) lead the cast. Grant’s sinister villain promises in the trailer, “You will witness a miracle.”

Rita – November 22 (Shudder)

The writer/director behind the 2019 Golden Globe-nominated La Llorona, Jayro Bustamante, is back with another historical-based genre fable. Based on the true story behind one of Guatemala’s most harrowing tragedies — the orphanage fire of 2017, which took the lives of 41 girls — Rita shines a light on the brave orphans whose fight for survival inspired a nationwide outcry for justice and reform.

Werewolves – December 6 (Theaters)

Frank Grillo stars in this action horror movie from Steven C. Miller, described as The Purge with werewolves. In Werewolves, “a Supermoon event triggers a latent gene in every human on the planet, turning anyone who entered the moonlight into a werewolf for that one night. Chaos ensued and close to a billion people died. Now, a year later, the Supermoon is back.”

Y2K – December 6 (Theaters)

The millennium bug that induced widespread fear over the possibility of a worldwide infrastructure crash once 2000 arrived becomes infectious fodder for a teen comedy infused with horror and nostalgia. Comedian and actor Kyle Mooney, who co-wrote the script with writer/producer Evan Winter, makes his directorial debut here. Playing like Maximum Overdrive for millennials, Weta Workshop brings great practical effects to this apocalyptic comedy-horror movie.

Kraven the Hunter – December 13 (Theaters)

Sony returns to their own Marvel universe with the upcoming Kraven the Hunter, which is rated “R” for “strong bloody violence.” Aaron Taylor-Johnson stars as one of Marvel’s most notorious villains, with Marvel promising a visceral origin story. Here’s hoping it lives up to those promises.

The post Bloody Disgusting’s Fall 2024 Preview: 40 Horror Movies to Watch This Halloween appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Naomi Scott leads the cast of Smile 2, which arrives in theaters on October 18, 2024.

Scott is playing a fictional pop star named Skye Riley in the upcoming horror sequel, and in addition to the Smile 2 trailer, Skye’s single “Blood on White Satin” has been released today.

In Smile 2, “About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.”

The announced cast for Smile 2 also includes Kyle Gallner (Smile), Rosemarie DeWitt (“The Staircase”), Lukas Gage (“The White Lotus”), and Dylan Gelula (Dream Scenario), alongside Raúl Castillo (Army of the Dead) and Miles Gutierrez-Riley (The Wilds).

Stay tuned for more on Smile 2 as we learn it. The first film scared up a whopping $217 million worldwide in 2022, all but ensuring that a sequel wouldn’t be too far behind.

The post ‘Smile 2’ Trailer – The Sinister Curse Targets a Pop Star This Halloween appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Naomi Scott leads the cast of Smile 2, which arrives in theaters on October 18, 2024. We’ve been waiting for the marketing campaign to begin… but maybe it already has…

Bloody Disgusting has spotted a billboard on Sunset Blvd. this week promoting a new album from the musician Skye Riley, with the words “Skye is limitless” plastered across an image of a woman’s lower face. We’re not aware of any actual musician who goes by that name, so we did a little sleuthing and it seems the billboard is part of a viral marketing campaign.

Our detective work led us to the Instagram account @SkyeRileyNation, which became active just five days ago. Various posts on the page are promoting the drop of Skye Riley’s latest single “Blood on White Satin” on Tuesday, June 18, and fleeting glimpses of the fictional musician sure as hell look a lot like, well, Smile 2 star Naomi Scott.

Of particular note, a lyric video posted earlier today (check it out below) is inter-cut with quick flashes that could be our very first glimpses of this year’s hotly anticipated sequel.

Is Skye Riley the character Naomi Scott is playing in Smile 2? And if so, does that mean the first official trailer is releasing on Tuesday, June 18? We’ll continue digging in the coming days…

The announced cast for Smile 2 also includes Kyle Gallner (Smile), Rosemarie DeWitt (“The Staircase”), Lukas Gage (“The White Lotus”), and Dylan Gelula (Dream Scenario), alongside Raúl Castillo (Army of the Dead) and Miles Gutierrez-Riley (The Wilds).

Stay tuned for more on Smile 2 as we learn it. The first film scared up a whopping $217 million worldwide in 2022, all but ensuring that a sequel wouldn’t be too far behind.

 

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The post Viral Marketing Campaign for ‘Smile 2’ Already Underway? appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

The good news? A whole bunch of websites including Slash Film were on hand at CinemaCon this week, so we’ve at least got a Smile 2 footage description to work with for now.

Slash Film recaps what they saw, “The teaser footage for Smile 2 that played at CinemaCon 2024 was focused on the new character played by Naomi Scott — a music celeb whose glamorous world is about to get dragged to hell. After a few glimpses of her pop star performances, the footage showed Scott’s character getting a shock when a man (played by Lukas Gage) breaks into her dressing room and smiles creepily at her.”

“Elsewhere in the footage,” the website’s description of the CinemaCon footage continues, “she is confronted by a kid with braces who flashes her a similar malevolent smile.”

The announced cast for Smile 2 also includes Kyle Gallner (Smile), Rosemarie DeWitt (“The Staircase”), Lukas Gage (“The White Lotus”), and Dylan Gelula (Dream Scenario), alongside Raúl Castillo (Army of the Dead) and Miles Gutierrez-Riley (The Wilds).

Smile 2 is scheduled to hit theaters on October 18, 2024.

Parker Finn signed a multi-year, first-look deal with Paramount Pictures in the wake of Smile striking it big at the box office, and a sequel to the film was the first order of business.

Stay tuned for more on Smile 2 as we learn it. The first film scared up a whopping $217 million worldwide in 2022, all but ensuring that a sequel wouldn’t be too far behind.

The post ‘Smile 2’ Plot Details: Horror Sequel Will Follow a Popstar Afflicted by the Smile Curse appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Kyle Gallner (Smile), Rosemarie DeWitt (“The Staircase”), Lukas Gage (“The White Lotus”), Dylan Gelula (Dream Scenario), and Naomi Scott (Power Rangers) also star.

Smile 2 is scheduled to hit theaters on October 18, 2024.

Parker Finn signed a multi-year, first-look deal with Paramount Pictures in the wake of Smile striking it big at the box office, and a sequel to the film was the first order of business.

“Smile’s breakthrough success is a testament to Parker’s unique and fresh filmmaking, and we are thrilled that he will make Paramount his home,” said Paramount CEO Brian Robbins.

“Parker knows how to keep people on the edge of their seat and we’re happy that we get to keep scaring audiences together,” Paramount’s Michael Ireland and Daria Cercek added.

Stay tuned for more on Smile 2 as we learn it. The first film scared up a whopping $217 million worldwide in 2022, all but ensuring that a sequel wouldn’t be too far behind.

Parker Finn is both writing and directing this year’s sequel.

The post ‘Smile 2’ – Raúl Castillo & Miles Gutierrez-Riley Join Horror Sequel appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Kyle Gallner (Smile), Rosemarie DeWitt (“The Staircase”), Lukas Gage (“The White Lotus”) and Naomi Scott (Power Rangers) will also star in the Smile sequel.

Smile 2 is scheduled to hit theaters on October 18, 2024.

Parker Finn signed a multi-year, first-look deal with Paramount Pictures in the wake of Smile striking it big at the box office, and a sequel to the film was the first order of business.

“Smile’s breakthrough success is a testament to Parker’s unique and fresh filmmaking, and we are thrilled that he will make Paramount his home,” said Paramount CEO Brian Robbins.

“Parker knows how to keep people on the edge of their seat and we’re happy that we get to keep scaring audiences together,” Paramount’s Michael Ireland and Daria Cercek added.

Stay tuned for more on Smile 2 as we learn it. The first film scared up a whopping $217 million worldwide in 2022, all but ensuring that a sequel wouldn’t be too far behind.

Parker Finn is both writing and directing this year’s sequel.

The post ‘Dream Scenario’ Actor Dylan Gelula Joins the Cast of ‘Smile’ Sequel appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

From the spectral spirits of the Ghostbusters franchise to the masked maniacs who call themselves The Strangers, this year is going to be home to several new installments in iconic horror franchises. Here are 10 horror franchises being reanimated in 2024.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – March 22

The firehouse freezes over in director Gil Kenan’s new installment in the classic franchise, which brings back the original Ghostbusters and the brand new characters from Ghostbusters: Afterlife for a chilly sequel that returns the franchise to its most iconic location: NYC.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire – March 29

The fifth installment in Legendary’s Monsterverse should get a nice box office boost from the ongoing success of Toho’s Godzilla Minus One, and this time around the King of the Monsters and the King of Kong are teaming up to face a common enemy. Let them fight unite!

The First Omen – April 5

It’s been 18 years since The Omen franchise was last seen on the big screen, but that box office dry spell is broken this year with The First Omen. This one’s a prequel to the original classic, presumably giving us a front row seat to the birth of evil incarnate.

The Strangers: Chapter 1 – May 17

The Man in the Mask, Dollface and Pinup Girl are back in 2024 with the new release of The Strangers: Chapter 1, the first installment in a new reboot trilogy from director Renny Harlin. This one is set at a secluded Airbnb, with the sequels possibly coming this year as well.

A Quiet Place: Day One – June 28

After two installments in the Quiet Place saga, this summer’s A Quiet Place: Day One will be the first spinoff tale set in the universe. In other words, it’s not centered on the Abbott family, and it’s expected to be a prequel tale seemingly set in NYC. Lupita Nyong’o leads the cast.

Untitled Alien Event Movie – August 16

It’s likely that the marketing campaign for director Fede Alvarez’s untitled Alien movie will be kicking off soon, and all we know at the moment is that it’s set to return the franchise to its smaller scale 1979 roots. The untitled movie is reportedly set between the first two films.

Beetlejuice 2 – September 6

Tim Burton is back, Michael Keaton is back, Winona Ryder is back, and Jenna Ortega is Lydia’s daughter in the long-long-long-awaited sequel to Beetlejuice from Tim Burton that’s likely to be a smash hit at the box office. Stay tuned for that first trailer, coming soon!

Saw XI – September 27

Last year’s Saw X brought Jigsaw and Amanda back and successfully revived the franchise, so it’s no surprise that Saw XI is already in the works. We expect Jigsaw will return once more in the eleventh movie, which could very well serve as a direct sequel to Saw X.

Smile 2 – October 18

Parker Finn’s box office hit Smile becomes a franchise with Smile 2 this Halloween, with Finn returning to write and direct and Lukas Gage and Naomi Scott on board to star. Not much is known about the sequel at this time, but it’s expected to go bigger than the first film.

Terrifier 3 – October 25

A true modern horror icon, Art the Clown is back in Terrifier 3 this Halloween, though don’t let the release date fool you: the new sequel is a Christmas movie! Lauren LaVera will return as badass final girl Sienna, and Art will surely decorate the halls with chunks of bodies.

Wolf Man – October 25

Following in the wake of his bold new take on The Invisible Man, Leigh Whannell returns to the Universal Monsters arena with Wolf Man, a fresh spin on the classic werewolf tale that’s being led by Christopher Abbott and Julia Garner. With Whannell in charge, we’re in good hands.

Nosferatu – December 25

The genre’s Christmas gift to all fans this year is Nosferatu, a new version of the original classic that’s being directed by Robert Eggers. Bill Skarsgård stars as iconic vampire Count Orlok, and the film is set in 19th century Germany. Expect a classic horror feast for the senses.

MaXXXine – ?

Ti West and Mia Goth are back this year with A24’s MaXXXine, a sequel to X and Pearl that will continue the twisted adventures of Goth’s “final girl” character from X. The final film in the trilogy is set in the 1980s, once again giving this franchise a whole new twist.

Salem’s Lot – ?

Director Gary Dauberman’s re-adaptation of the classic Stephen King horror novel has been pushed off the release calendar completely, leaving us to wonder what the hell is going on with this one. But we hear it’s expected this year, likely going to straight to Max. Stay tuned.

Friday the 13th – ?

Another project without a release date, Jason Voorhees and Mrs. Voorhees will FINALLY return in “Crystal Lake,” a television series from A24, Peacock and “Hannibal” creator Bryan Fuller that might be coming this year. It’s said to be a prequel tale for the Voorhees family.

The Toxic Avenger – ?

One of the most bizarre horror movies of the year is likely to be director Macon Blair’s new twist on Troma classic The Toxic Avenger, with Peter Dinklage starring alongside Kevin Bacon and Elijah Wood. And don’t worry. It’s rated “R” for violence and extreme gore.

Witchboard – ?

The last horror franchise return on our radar this year (so far) is Witchboard, with the 1986 horror movie getting a remake from director Chuck Russell (Dream Warriors, The Blob). Madison Iseman stars, and you can check out a first-look image above.

The post These 17 Horror Movie Franchises Are Coming Back to Life in 2024 appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Additionally, Rosemarie DeWitt (“The Staircase”) has joined the sequel’s cast, alongside the previously announced Lukas Gage (“The White Lotus”) and Naomi Scott (Power Rangers).

Smile 2 is scheduled to hit theaters on October 18, 2024.

Parker Finn signed a multi-year, first-look deal with Paramount Pictures in the wake of Smile striking it big at the box office, and a sequel to the film was the first order of business.

“Smile’s breakthrough success is a testament to Parker’s unique and fresh filmmaking, and we are thrilled that he will make Paramount his home,” said Paramount CEO Brian Robbins.

“Parker knows how to keep people on the edge of their seat and we’re happy that we get to keep scaring audiences together,” Paramount’s Michael Ireland and Daria Cercek added.

Stay tuned for more on Smile 2 as we learn it. The first film scared up a whopping $217 million worldwide in 2022, all but ensuring that a sequel wouldn’t be too far behind.

Parker Finn is both writing and directing this year’s sequel.

The post Kyle Gallner and Rosemarie DeWitt Join the Cast of ‘Smile’ Sequel from Director Parker Finn appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Smile 2 is scheduled to hit theaters on October 18, 2024.

Parker Finn signed a multi-year, first-look deal with Paramount Pictures in the wake of Smile striking it big at the box office, and a sequel to the film was the first order of business.

“Smile’s breakthrough success is a testament to Parker’s unique and fresh filmmaking, and we are thrilled that he will make Paramount his home,” said Paramount CEO Brian Robbins.

“Parker knows how to keep people on the edge of their seat and we’re happy that we get to keep scaring audiences together,” Paramount’s Michael Ireland and Daria Cercek added.

Stay tuned for more on Smile 2 as we learn it. The first film scared up a whopping $217 million worldwide in 2022, all but ensuring that a sequel wouldn’t be too far behind.

Parker Finn is both writing and directing this year’s sequel.

The post ‘Smile 2’ – Lukas Gage Joins the Cast of Horror Sequel appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Smile 2 will hit theaters on October 18, 2024.

Plot details, of course, are under wraps at this time. In the first film, “After witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can’t explain. As an overwhelming terror begins taking over her life, Rose must confront her troubling past in order to survive and escape her horrifying new reality.”

While we can expect the mysterious affliction haunting Rose in Smile will return, the bigger question now is whether Kyle Gallner will return.

I wrote in my review of Finn’s debut, “There’s a familiarity to the curse’s nature and formula, drawing easy comparisons to several beloved horror films. Even still, it’s well crafted and introduces a fresh feeling mythology, with some genuine scares along the way. Smile makes for a solid enough crowd pleaser heading into the Halloween season.”

Parker Finn signed a multi-year, first-look deal with Paramount Pictures in the wake of Smile striking it big at the box office, and a sequel to the film was the first order of business.

“Smile’s breakthrough success is a testament to Parker’s unique and fresh filmmaking, and we are thrilled that he will make Paramount his home,” said Paramount CEO Brian Robbins.

“Parker knows how to keep people on the edge of their seat and we’re happy that we get to keep scaring audiences together,” Paramount’s Michael Ireland and Daria Cercek added.

Stay tuned for more on Smile 2 as we learn it. The first film scared up a whopping $217 million worldwide last year, all but ensuring that a sequel wouldn’t be too far behind.

The post ‘Smile 2’ – Horror Sequel Finds Its Lead in Naomi Scott appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

We’ve learned tonight that Smile 2 will hit theaters on October 18, 2024.

Parker Finn signed a multi-year, first-look deal with Paramount Pictures in the wake of Smile striking it big at the box office, and a sequel to the film was the first order of business.

“Smile’s breakthrough success is a testament to Parker’s unique and fresh filmmaking, and we are thrilled that he will make Paramount his home,” said Paramount CEO Brian Robbins.

“Parker knows how to keep people on the edge of their seat and we’re happy that we get to keep scaring audiences together,” Paramount’s Michael Ireland and Daria Cercek added.

Stay tuned for more on Smile 2 as we learn it. The first film scared up a whopping $217 million worldwide last year, all but ensuring that a sequel wouldn’t be too far behind.

The post ‘Smile 2’ Headed to Theaters for Halloween 2024 appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

The Hollywood Reporter brings word this afternoon that Parker Finn has signed a multi-year, first-look deal with Paramount Pictures; “a Smile sequel is one of the priorities.”

THR notes, “Lips are sealed as far as deal details go, but Parker is expected to write, produce and direct features in the horror genre.”

“Smile’s breakthrough success is a testament to Parker’s unique and fresh filmmaking, and we are thrilled that he will make Paramount his home,” said Paramount CEO Brian Robbins.

“Parker knows how to keep people on the edge of their seat and we’re happy that we get to keep scaring audiences together,” Paramount’s Michael Ireland and Daria Cercek added.

Stay tuned for more on Smile 2 as we learn it. The first film scared up a whopping $217 million worldwide last year, all but ensuring that a sequel wouldn’t be too far behind.

In Smile, “After witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can’t explain.

“As an overwhelming terror begins taking over her life, Rose must confront her troubling past in order to survive and escape her horrifying new reality.”

Smile also stars Jesse T Usher (“The Boys”), Kal Penn, Rob Morgan (“Stranger Things”), Kyle Gallner (Scream 2022), and Caitlin Stasey (All Cheerleaders Die).

Meagan wrote in her Smile review for BD, “There’s a familiarity to the curse’s nature and formula, drawing easy comparisons to several beloved horror films. Even still, it’s well crafted and introduces a fresh feeling mythology, with some genuine scares along the way. Smile makes for a solid enough crowd pleaser heading into the Halloween season.”

The post ‘Smile 2’ – Parker Finn Just Inked a First-Look Deal With Paramount appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.