Macabre Mountain

Director - Anthony David (The Body, Double Down)

Starring - Xander Goldman (Camp Pleasant Lake, Human Hibachi 3: The Last Supper), Felissa Rose (The Barn Part III, The Boy from Below), and Denny Nolan (Death Count, Blood Witch)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Misery knows no bounds"

Format - Streaming (Tubi)

Rating (out of 5):

    I find some indie horror flicks from just browsing different hashtags on Instagram or checking the posts in a few horror groups on Facebook.  I've found some seriously awesome indie movies this way over the years.  A couples weeks back I was browsing Facebook when I found a post from Xander Goldman about the indie horror film Macabre Mountain hitting Tubi.  Somewhere in the post it was mentioned that the film was shot in West Virginia.  I was very interested in the film then as I'm West Virginia born and raised.  I added it to my watch list and hit play on it when I finally found the time.  

     The film follows a small town who plans on opening a haunted attraction on the site where 11, or 12, children were murdered as part of a cult ritual.  Now, a pair of paranormal podcasters and a former model are attending along with the other haunt fans and locals only to discover that the one responsible for the murders is back and his followers will do anything for him.

     I went into this one really excited to check it out.  A West Virginia horror film with my buddy Robert Mukes really had my attention.  It wasn't until I hit started watching it that I saw that it also featured Dave Sheridan as well.  Sadly, the movie just couldn't pull it all together into something enjoyable.  The acting in this one is is very uneven and not that consistent.  We have an overdramatic performance from Sleepaway Camp's Felissa Rose that feels very out of place which the same can be said for Sheridan.  His performance was funny and added a lot of humor to the scene but his character just doesn't fit the tone of the film.  Mukes does a solid job but I feel as if her was underutilized here and his character was not fully developed.  The supporting cast is just as inconsistent as these with several showing very little on screen experience.  The story for this one sounds like something straight out of my wet dreams.  A murder sometime ago, a corrupt preacher and his demented followers, and true-crime junkies looking for some unheard information about it all.  It sounds amazing on paper but what we have is a film that struggles with pacing where too much time is spent on pointless dialogue and unnecessary character development. Some of the most random, throw away characters have more screen time than those essential to the story.  Honestly, I believe that about 30 minutes could be trimmed from this one without effecting the story.  Finally, we have some blood and minor practical effects but neither stand out here.  The deaths we get are not as gruesome as most other genre titles and the effects are not creative.  Overall, Macabre Mountain had me really excited to check it out but was quick to show it just didn't have wait it takes to make it fun.  The film has a lot of inconsistencies which held it back.  I seriously wanted to like it but I'd be lying if I said I did.  Skip it.  

       

Deathgasm 2: Goremageddon

Director - Jason Lei Howden (Guns Akimbo, Deathgasm)

Starring - Milo Cawthorne (Blood Punch, Wolf Man), Kimberley Crossman (Stream, The Almighty Johnsons), and James Joshua Blake (Dangerous Game, Jackals)

Release Date - 2026

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Evil cums again"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I tend to go against the grain, so to speak, when it comes to horror movies.  I often like the no budget backyard flicks with a ton of imagination and lack of resources over the bug budget films that lack imagination. However, there is a few movies that pop up from time to time that offer up a bigger budget than I'm used to and delivers.  Over a decade ago the Milo Cawthorne lead film Deathgasm was released on the world and immediately became a hit.  I've watched this one many times since it's release and always find myself glued to the screen like it was a first time watch.  A few weeks ago I received news that a sequel was getting released very soon so I reached out to Raven Banner to see if I could review it.  They were kind enough to send me a link for Deathgasm 2: Goremageddon.  I want to thank them for being so kind as to let me review the film before it's release.

     The film picks up many years after the events of the first film.  Brodie (Cawthorne) is struggling with his music career after two members of his band died the night he saved the world.  Unemployed and an alcoholic, he finds himself living with Giles after Medina (Crossman) left him to further her music career.  He decides to use the pages from the first film to resurrect his bandmates in hopes of winning a battle of the bands competition.  His spell works but they are unpredictable and their appetite for flesh is uncontrollable forcing Brodie to once again reverse the spell while trying to get Medina back.

     Sequels rarely live up to the original but Deathgasm 2 is a fantastic follow up to a film that that I've loved for sometime.  Is this review a bit biased?  Absolutely, but I'm still going to be as honest and fair as possible.  The acting in this one is great.  Most of the cast returned for this sequel a decade later and bring the same energy that made the first film so damn fun.  Cawthorne carries the film as the metal head turned reluctant hero while Crossman was not in the film as much as the original.  I assume it was due to her rates, scheduling, or something of that nature.  The entire film features some seriously fun acting with no weak links to be seen.  The story for this one is a rehashing of the first film but it still finds a way to mix it up a little.  We have music to summon his dead bandmates only for one of them to steal the pages and then they try to raise an army of the dead to take over the world.  It's equal parts Evil Dead and Stan vs. Evil which I'm here for.  While it does rehash a lot of the original story from the first film, it adds some new things that make it just as fun as the first.  Finally, the film has just as much blood and gore as the first films.  We have some seriously fantastic practical effects and a lot of severed penises, peeni, penis's, whatever the plural of peckers are.  The deaths are a lot of fun and these effects look absolutely amazing.  Overall, Deathgasm 2: Goremageddon is a worthy sequel to a film that I absolutely adore.  Metal, blood, and the undead is all I ever wanted and this movie, along with the original, delivers.  Check it out.  

Gator Face

Director - Padraig Reynolds (The Devil's Dolls, Rites of Spring)

Starring - Tabitha Brownstone (NCIS, Domino), Amariah Dionne (Dead Souls, Saturnalia), and Nikolas Kolasinski (The Republic)

Release Date - 2026

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Real alligators.  Real teeth.  Real terror"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I refuse to pass up a slasher or zombie flick.  I don't care about the budget, who is involved, or what the film is about.  If its a slasher or zombie flick then you damn well guarantee that I will check it out.  I've reviewed a lot of slashers over the years ranging from no budget backyard films to several million dollars and I noticed a few things after watching all of these.  A budget cannot buy passion.  I've seen movies made by teenagers in their parents basement on an iPhone that had more passion and originality while the million dollar films sold in Walmart were dull.  In fact, there is how I came up with the term Walmart horror.  These films look great but are very mediocre at best.  A few weeks back I was sent a review link to check out Gator Face from Rites of Spring director Padraig Reynolds.  The trailer, which I usually avoid, pulled me in and I couldn't wait to check it out.  

     The film follows a young woman who goes into a coastal home after reading a warning of "three dead inside" on the outside of it.  She goes in with her friend and discover an alligator with a taste for human flesh and a man wearing a gator mask ready to cut them to ribbons.  She flees but her friends are struck down by the masked maniac.   She eventually crosses paths with another group of twenty-somethings and tries to warn them but they don't listen.  Soon they start to fall victim to the masked man and his gator before they learn he is part of a cult that sacrifices tourists to the gators.

       I was pretty excited going into Gator Face.  Honestly, I was hoping that this slasher was going to more of a hixploitation flick but that wasn't the case.  Instead, it was a slasher centered around a cult which is something I am all for.  I fucking love movies about cults and Gator Face seemed to be the perfect set up for a solid slasher but I found myself really struggling with it.  I wanted to like it but it clearly wasn't for me.  The acting in this one is not the worst I've seen but the cliched characters and zero chemistry between the cast makes many of the scenes a bit awkward.  We have a lot of yelling when it's unnecessary and a lot of the emotions you would expect for the scene is nowhere to be seen.  I hate to be this negative about a movie but the acting made these unlikable characters even more unlikable.  The story for this one is pretty straight forward for the most part.  A cult that worships an ancient alligator god sacrifices tourists to the gators in order to appease them.  I dig it for what it is but it would have been way more enjoyable as a short rather than a feature length film.  Too much time was spent on the cat and mouse portion of the slasher than the story building and back story.  I found myself wanting to turn it off by the mid-way point.  Some serious editing needs to be done to improve this one.  Finally, the film does boast some pretty impressive kills with some great practical effects.  The kills fit the film very well and the movie makes great use of the practical effects.  Overall, Gator Face is a missed opportunity.  It could have been a southern fried slasher that embraced the hixploitation films of yesteryear.  Instead, it's a middle of the road slasher that is only saved by it's impressive practical effects and the cult aspect.  I seriously wanted to love it but I can't.  This is Walmart horror at it's finest.  

Tahkhana

Director(s) - Shyam Ramsay (Veerana, Neighbours) and Tulsi Ramsay (Purana Mandir, Telephone)

Starring - Hemant Birje (Smart Killer, Tarzan's Daughter), Kamran Rizvi (Main Hoon Sherni, Din Dahade), and Arti Gupta (Saamri, Haadsaa)

Release Date - 1986

Genre - Horror

Format - Blu (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was bitten by the horror bug in middle school and found myself fully embracing the genre by high school.  These years really shaped my taste in horror as I found myself becoming obsessed with no budget and indie productions.  However, as I grow older, I find myself becoming surprised by just how diverse my taste in the genre has become.  Several years back I found  a copy of Mahakaal from Massacre Video.  This movie is known to genre fans as the Indian or Bollywood Freddy Krueger.  I fucking loved it and watched it many times.   This opened me up to more Bollywood horror with companies like Mondo Macabro spearheading this passion.  Sometime ago Mondo Macabro released the Hindi horror double feature with the first film being the 1986 film Tahkhana which was also known as The Dungeon.  I couldn't wait to check it out and like always I want to thank Mondo Macabro and CAV for sending this one over.

     The film follows an evil man who dabbles in black magic as he vows to end his family's lineage when his dying father leaves everything to his brother.  He tries to kidnap his niece and nephew but is unable to get them both.  We jump forward several decades and his niece, unaware of her evil uncle, sets out with some friends to investigate a local legend unaware of how close she is to it.

     There is nothing on this planet like Hindi/Bollywood horror and that is something I will stand by the rest of my life.  These movies seem to follow a formula but they are just so much fun especially when compared to their western counterparts.  Tahkhana is another solid and memorable horror outing that is almost as enjoyable as some of the others that I've fell in love with.  The acting in this one is extremely campy in the very best way.  The characters are colorful and very dramatic with the cast doing a wonderful job with their performances.  With that being said, some of the later scenes don't have the energy as the earlier scenes which does take away from the camp. I don't know if everyone was tired or directing was ore laid back but this part of the film just doesn't have what the first two thirds had.  The story for this one is exactly what I would expect from a Hindi horror flick.  We have an evil relative who does black magic, a collective of colorful characters and that wonderful 80s flare.  We do have some pacing issues and the ending not being as energized as the rest of the film but it's still very enjoyable as it is.  Finally, I love the make-up in this one.  The kills have some of the red stuff an simple practical effects but the make-up for the evil uncle just looks awesome. Overall, Tahkhana is great entry in a severally underrated regional genre that many horror fans will never experience.  I highly recommend this film and this release from Mondo Macabro.  Check it out.  

Amityville: Descendants of Darkness

Director(s) - Derek Braasch (Torture the Flesh, Christmas Revenge), Marcelo Fabani (I Slay on Christmas, Doomsday Stories), and James Panetta (Phil Herman's Unearthed, Death in the Dark)

Starring - Vernon Wells (Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, Weird Science), Jeremy London (Mallrats, Perversions of Science), and Sandy Johnson (Halloween, The Farmhouse Murder)

Release Date - 2026

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Some evils never die... they evolve"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love when the horror genre finds a trend that almost everyone fully embraces.  The Amityville Horror has always been considered a classic among genre fans and I can see why.  I enjoy the film and several of it's official sequels but I don't consider it one of my favorite films.  My favorite part about this film's legacy is all the unofficial sequels and random movies that had Amityville added to the name by distributors at the last minute.  Seriously, just take a moment and go to Tubi.  Just do a little search for Amityville and you will see dozens of films that have absolutely nothing to do with Amityville or it's original story that had the name added to it by a distribution company just to sell a few extra films.  Sometime ago, I'm talking months back, I was asked to review the horror anthology Amityville: Descendants of Darkness by producer Phil Herman.  I wasn't able to get to it right away but made sure to add it to my review list to check out as soon as I could.  I want to thank Phil for sending this one over for review.

     The film features four stories centered around the sinister Amityville house as told by a young woman.  The first tale follows some thieves that try their luck at finding some hidden fortunes in the shed on the Amityville property only to find that they are apart of something far more sinister.  The second tale follows a family that finds themselves in possession of an item from the home where something evil has attached itself to it.  The third story follows a cop tormented by someone he couldn't save.  The last segment follows a family that movies into a new home.  The husband begins to start to slip and they soon learn that their new home was built on the same ground of the original Amityville house.  

     I went into this one kind of excited to check it out.  I recently watched Amityvillnado and really enjoyed it for what it was which made me really look forward to this one.  Sadly, that excitement quickly faded as the film progressed.  I really wanted to like it but it just wasn't for me.  The acting in this one is very uneven and not very consistent.  The segment that bookends the film is probably the best acted short in the film.  The young lady delivering her dialogue is very natural in front of the camera and does a solid job in her role.  the remaining segments are solid for the most part but we have some cast with a lot of experience and some with barely any.  Some of the dialogue in these are forced which did create awkward scenes while others were a bit more natural.  The stories for these segments vary in originality but none really deliver something that pulls you in like the original film and it's official sequels.  In fact, every segment borrows heavily from previously released Amityville films.  The first segment borrows from the 2017 film Amityville Clownhouse where a group of thieves steal from the infamous home.  The second story is much like Amityville: 4: The Evil Escapes and Amityville Vibrator where something from the house, like a lamp from part 4 and a vibrator from AV, found it's way into someone's home bringing the curse with them. The final segment is basically a retelling of the original film while the third segment doesn't really have anything involved with Amityville aside from it being a ghost tale.  We have a lot to dissect in this anthology but none of the segments really stuck with me aside from the last portion of the first segment.  I liked the ending of this one but it didn't do a lot to hold my attention until then.  They were all pretty bland for the most part and extremely difficult to finish.  Finally, the film has some blood in the first segment and some visual effects scattered throughout the rest but it doesn't really offer up much in regards to fun blood and guts.  Overall, Amityville: Descendants of Darkness has some interesting ideas but doesn't come together to offer up anything enjoyable.  Maybe if some of the segments were explored further but it's difficult to finish as is.  Skip it.  

The Devil You Know

Director - Shawn Burkett (Don't Fuck in the Woods, Bludgeon)

Starring - Jason Crowe (Hellfire, The Art of Killing), Kenzie Phillips (Chinese Speaking Vampires, Ouija Blood Rituals), and Dale Miller (Stranded, Wicked Ones)

Release Date - 2026

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (Out of 5):

     I've been reviewing the films of Shawn Burkett and Concept Media for damn near fifteen years.  He's a filmmaker that I highly respect and I always look forward to checking out whatever film he sends my way for review.  He's directed some seriously underrated genre titles like Bludgeon, Don't Fuck in the Woods, and Betsy.  A few days back he messaged me and asked me to check out his newest feature, The Devil You Know starring Jason Crowe and Kenzie Phillips.  I'm very familiar with both of those names and quickly agreed to check it out.  Like always, I want to thank Shawn for sending this one over!

     The film follows a couple who rented a house deep in the woods for a little getaway.  What starts out as an innocent trip to relax and spend time with each other turns deadly when they learn that the home they are in was once owned by a man who killed his entire family in hopes of completing an occult ritual.  Now, all these years later, a cult with the same endgame in sight tries to kill them in hopes of finishing what he started all those years ago.  

     I saw that Burkett was working on a new film but I had no idea what it was about.  The title made me think it was about a serial killer living next door or something of that nature.  However, I was very wrong.  I was very surprised to see that it was a film centered around a cult which is one of my favorite genre sub-genres that doesn't get the credit it deserves.  The acting in this one is great all around.  Crowe is one of my favorite indie actors and it's a damn shame he's not cast in every indie production.  He's can tackle any character thrown at him and does a phenomenal job in front of the camera.  The same can be said for Phillips.  This is, by far, my favorite performance of hers.  She takes you down one path with her character before completing changing gears and giving viewers something they will not forget nor expect.  The supporting cast is great but it's these two that really carry the film.  The story for this one has the potential to be a franchise if handled properly.  We can have prequels, sequels, and even spin offs if enough attention was given to the writing.  We have a family being murdered in their sleep in the early 90s that inspired a cult.  We move forward to now and a young couple renting the home finds themselves fighting for their lives as the cult plans to use them to finish the ritual with a huge twist that you can kind of see coming.  It's a great story that can be taken in a number of directions giving fans years of entertainment.  Finally, the film has several deaths.  The practical effects look great and the kills fit the film very well but they are not that memorable or original.  With that being said, they were not that memorable but they did look great.  Overall, The Devil You Know is easily one of my favorite films from Concept Media.  I love the idea and the way they went about it.  You combine that with the acting and great looking kills and you have something that many genre fans will enjoy.  Check it out.    

The Screaming

Director - Jeff Leroy (Rat Scratch Fever, Dracula in a Women's Prison)

Starring - Vinnie Bilancio (Killjoy Goes to Hell, Giantess Attack vs Mecha Fembot), Wendi Winburn (Killer Cop, Satan's Menagerie), and Elizabeth Barris (Brimstone, Dead Air)

Release Date - 2000

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Come on in for a free evaluation.  We're dying to meet you!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Visual Vengeance, much like their sister label Wild Eye Releasing, is one of my favorite distribution companies.  They don't fight over rights to movies that get re-released on every format.  Movies like Evil Dead, Dawn of the Dead, American Psycho, and the like always find themselves getting re-released on whatever new format that hits the streets.  I'm ashamed to admit how many times I've bought Evil Dead II over the years.  Anyway, Visual Vengeance is a label that has been bringing forgotten and barely seen S.O.V. horror to blu for genre fans.  Honestly, they've released some seriously enjoyable films over the years.  Hell, their releases are one of the few that actually gets me excited to review a movie.  A few weeks back I was sent the 2000 horror film The Screaming to review.  The movie was directed by Jeff Leroy who I was very familiar with.  I had no seen then one yet and couldn't wait to dig into it.  Like always, I want to thank Visual Vengeance and MVD for sending this one over.

     The film follows a struggling college student who can't seem to find an answer to his money problems until he meets hot ass Crystal (Winburn).  She introduces him to Crystalnetics which he soon learns in a cult centered around her.  It seems like his prayers are temporarily answered when he joins but before long a strange German starts warning him that this cult could be dangerous.  He doesn't listen and soon learns firsthand that something sinister is going on.

     I was familiar with director Jeff Leroy prior to watching this after buying his movie Rat Scratch Fever many years ago when it was released.  I fucking loved it and decided I would review it.  This would be one of my first ever written reviews.  Since then I had watched a few of his other films but they never touched the absurdity of Rat Scratch Fever.  The Screaming, also doesn't hold a candle to it, is still an entertaining watch and was interesting to see how much he had grown as a filmmaker in the 11 years between the two films.  The acting in this one is far from perfect but it doesn't take away from the film.  The cast would go on to appear in several more films but around this time most of them were lacking experience.  The dialogue is a bit flat at times and awkward at times but it fits the film for what it is.  The story for this one really pulled me in.  I have a soft spot for horror films centered around cults and the occult.  While I would have loved it to be a bit more cult centered, it was still enjoyable as it was.  We have a few issues with pacing but the overall story was fairly enjoyable.  Finally, the film uses a lot of practical effects that look great for what it was.  We get some fun make-up effects and props that adds a lot to the look of the film.  Honestly, the film wouldn't be as fun as it is if it wasn't for them.  Overall, The Screaming is one of the more entertaining films in the Visual Vengeance catalogue.  It's not perfect but it's a lot of fun especially if you dig fun effects and campy acting.  Don't skip this release.  

Malam Satu Suro

Director - Sisworo Gautama Putra (Wolf, Sanet)

Starring - Suzzanna (The Earth Gets Hotter, Hantu Ambulance), Fendy Pradana (Valentine, Dia), and Nurnaningsih (Yoan, Cowok Komersil)

Release Date - 1988

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was excited when Severin sent me the Suzzanna: Empress of Darkness set for review.  My knowledge of Indonesian horror is damn near nonexistent but the one film I had seen previously, Satan's Slave, is one of my favorite films.  So far this set has delivered two solid films but neither are close to reaching the level of awesome that Satan's Slave is.  The third film that I decided to watch is the 1988 supernatural horror Malam Satu Suro which just happened to be directed by Sisworo Gautama Putra who also directed Satan's Slave.  This is the second film from Putra that I've seen in this set so far and easily the best film.  I hate to say it again, but it's not as good as Satan's Slave but holy fuck was it still a lot of fun.  Like always, I want to thank Severin for sending this one over!

     The film follows a power being that gives it all up to become human.  She soon falls in love and starts a family but this idylic life is cut short when an evil witch and her cult discover who she really is.  They force her back into her original form which removes her from her family.  Heartbroken and alone, she sets out to kill everyone in the cult responsible for taking her family from her.  

     I will be hard pressed to find  better film in this set.  This is the kind of film that I'm looking for when I snag a Bollywood horror title from the 80s.  While this may be an Indonesian horror release from the late 80s, it was clearly inspired by Indian films of the time.  I enjoyed it for what it was and could see myself possibly revisiting it again if I ever want something to follow up Satan's Slave with.  The acting in this one is probably the most enjoyable out of the set so far.  The characters are very outlandish and generic but the cast really had fun in their roles.  They brought a great deal of energy to the scenes but the characters lack of depth and the cast's inexperience does make some of the intentional humor miss it's mark.  The story for this one is a bit predictable and unpolished but the eccentric characters and wild moments more than makes up for it.  I went into this one expecting it to be similar to the previous two films but I was wrong.  I found myself laughing at the fun characters even though I knew exactly where the story was going.  Honestly, if more time was spent in the writing process then this film would have been untouchable.  Finally, the film has some blood and some fun make-up effects but don't expect a gory affair that will stick with you for days after watching it.  We get some minimal practical effects and some entertaining make-up but that is about the extent of it.  The deaths are rather bland and just blend into the background.  Overall, Malam Satu Suro is a seriously fun supernatural Indonesian horror tale that did make me laugh a few times.  While it's not a film that I can see myself watching over and over again, I do see myself checking it out every couple of years.  Check it out.  

CarousHELL 4

Director - Steve Rudzinski (A Meowy Halloween, Amityville Christmas Vacation)

Starring - Steve Rimpici (Shingles: The Movie, Easter Casket), B. Barnabei (I: Scream - A Minty Musical, The Survivors), and Aleen Isley (Head Case, A Cheesy Christmas)

Release Date - 2026

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "It has all led to this"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     About a decade or so ago I was asked to review the indie slasher CarousHELL by director Steve Rudzinski.  It's not a by the numbers slasher but it still did thing very well and is one  I often referenced when I would review other films of his.  Since then he has released some seriously fantastic movies ranging from family friendly holiday films to several sequels to CarousHELL.  While the sequels were solid entries, they just didn't scratch that itch like the first one did.  Steve recently hit me up to review his latest installment in the CarousHELL franchise with part 4.  I couldn't pass up this opportunity and agreed to check it out.  I want to thank Steve for sending this one over for review.

     The film once again follows Duke (Rimpici) and his son Robbie (Barnabei) who looking for a little getaway so the pair can bond.  They rent a cabin but learn on the ride to it that it has a tragic history.  They ignore the warnings and go anyway only for Robbie to read from the Nekkomeownicon in order to speak with his late mother unleashing waves of the undead with ties to Duke and his bloody rampage.  

     I knew absolutely nothing about CarousHELL 4 prior to reviewing it but I never expected it to be a damn near perfect tribute to Sam Raimi's masterpiece Evil Dead II.  I had just returned home from watching Evil Dead II at my local theater as part of their Flashback Cinema series when I decided to check it out which is kind of a coincidence in a way.  I was not prepared for what I was about to watch and while I've always said his film Captain Z and the Terror of Leviathan was my favorite film of his,  this film has surpassed it.  The acting in this one is great all around.  The voice acting is top notch.  I couldn't imagine anyone other than Rimpici voicing Duke and Barnabei will forever be Robbie.  They brought these characters to life and made them iconic.  The supporting cast is solid as well with some returning faces reprising roles from previous Silver Spotlight films.  They do a great job getting back into character which makes this one so much fun.  The story for this one does a great job at continuing the connection between several other Silver Spotlight films while furthering the story for Duke and Robbie.  It's not a return to the slasher sub-genre that I enjoyed in the first one and was hoping for but it does everything it can to surpass my expectations.  The occult angle and heavy influence of Raimi's classic really caught me off guard the first time I watched it.  The second rewatch while I wrote this was just as fun.  I loved seeing the returning characters and how they were incorporated perfectly into the story following their horrific deaths in previous films.  With that being said, the movie does get a bit repetitive with the character reveals.  We really only needed a few instances of this before moving on.  Finally, the film makes great use of some practical effects and a lot off make-up effects.  The effects are absolutely fantastic and easily the best I've seen from Steve's films.  The undead deadite things look fantastic and the deaths we do get fit the film perfectly.  While it's not the goriest film I've seen, it still looked fantastic by indie movie standards.  Overall, CarousHELL 4 is not the slasher follow up to Steve Rudzinski's CarousHELL that I was hoping for but it was so much fucking fun.  This is a loving tribute to Evil Dead II and easily my favorite indie horror release of the year.  I cannot recommend this one enough.  

Protanopia

Director - Matthew Mahler (What Jack Built, Vault)

Starring - Timothy J. Cox (Creatures of Habit, Friends Forever), Anthony Carey (The Scream of Silence), and Paula Mahler (Dark Romance)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Have you seen this girl?"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been fortunate enough to review some wild indie titles over the years here at Horror Society.  I get asked to review a lot of films and some are memorable while others are just not for me.  I hate to be negative but I can't like them all and I refuse to lie or be dishonest in my reviews.  A few weeks ago I was asked to review the indie horror film Protanopia.  I knew absolutely nothing about this one but the title did peak my interest.  I had no idea what it meant at the time which made my mind work overtime thinking about what I was about to see.  I want to thank actor Timothy J. Cox for sending this one over for review.  I truly appreciate it!

     The film follows a young man who suspects his step-sister is missing.  He files a missing person report but the police tell him that typically this sort of thing sorts itself out.  In the town over, a man has just inherited his father's home after his passing and took over as president on the council.  The other board members want to search his property and the surrounding area but he declines to let them out of fear something may happen.  That night he has a dream about his father and when he awakens he starts to suspect that something strange is going on with his home.  While he is becoming obsessed with his home, the step-brother is starting to receive visits from someone instructing him to write his next novel.  Eventually, everything is connected and revealed to the two.

     When I started writing this review for Protanopia I learned that it is the name for those that have red/green colorblindness.  Honestly, I have no idea how that really played into the story itself but it does somewhat fit considering how heaving on the colors the lighting was.  I went into this one kind of excited and was quickly ready for it to end.  It's not a bad movie per sei but it wasn't for me.  The acting in this one is solid with Timothy J. Cox doing most of the heavy lifting.  I'm not just saying that because he sent this one over for review.  I'm saying it because his performance is head and shoulders above the rest which is truly saying something considering everyone does a a solid job.  The characters are not all written equally with some having more time spent on their development.  This doesn't give everyone a lot to work with but the performances we do have are decent.  The story for this one is simple with an experimental/arthouse vibe to it.  A missing woman, a man seeing ghosts, and a stranger telling a writer to write is about the extent of this one.  We have a lot of bloated scenes that do very little to progress the story along and the beautiful lighting and cinematography is meant to enhance the film but is unable to truly do so due to the stale story.  Finally, the film doesn't have any memorable deaths and or practical effects.  It relies heavily on the on the lighting to do all the work which it is beautiful to look at but genre fans want to see the red stuff.  Overall, Protanopia is not for me.  The story didn't go anywhere and it didn't have anything to really hold the viewer's attention.  I did like the cast but that is the extent of it for me. 

The Anointed

Director(s) - Jimmy Arbugh and Travis Lander

Starring - Jimmy Arbugh, Louise Arbaugh, and Marcedel Arbaugh

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Keep the faith"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been reviewing indie horror for years now and it's absolutely my favorite thing to do.  I love watching a no budget indie flick and then typing out my thoughts regardless if I had fun with the movie or not.  It's always a fun experience to check out an indie horror flick and I refuse to turn down for review.  Back before I started reviewing the Exorcismo set from Severin Films, I was asked to review the indie horror flick The Anointed.  I had already promised Severin I would check the set out but I didn't expect the set to take me as long as it did.  In fact, it took me almost a month to check it out and I would like to apologize to Shane Taraschke for allowing myself and Horror Society the opportunity to check it out.

     The film follows a a backwoods cult that is keen on misinterpreting the bible and killing those they feel are going against their beliefs.  Lucky for them, a pair of friends exploring the beautiful country of Arkansas and a small group of friends both cross paths with them resulting in some blood shed.

     I absolutely love religious horror and feel that it doesn't get enough love especially from the indie horror community.  I grew up in Appalachia and find religion, especially fanatical Christianity, to be extremely scary.  That's why I was so excited to check out The Anointed.  It looked like an no budget nod to films like Red State and Inverted.  Inverted had it's moments and I absolutely loved Red State.  The Anointed was a decent film but had a lot working against it.  The acting in this one was not that enjoyable for me.  The film starts out with a YouTube style vlogging introduction that was extremely difficult to watch.  The dialogue is very forced and not natural during this scene with the film not really improving as it progressed.  The cast, for what I was able to find, is not very experienced but they do show dedication to their roles which not something I can say about a lot of films regardless of budget.  The story for this one has it's issues but I absolutely love the idea of a religious cult in the woods killing trespassers who sin.  With that being said, having the two friends die before moving to the group split the film up when it didn't have to.  This, along with scenes that are a bit too long for the story, took away from the pacing.  Finally, the film has plenty of blood.  While the effects we get are very limited, it is not shy with the red stuff.  We get a lot of bloody deaths and moments that fit with the film very well.  Overall, The Anointed is extremely rough around the edges but is still enjoyable especially if you are a fan of religious horror.  While I don't see myself revisiting it anytime soon, I still enjoyed it.  Check it out.    

Dead By Dawn

Director - Dawid Torrone (Opowie Ci o Zbrodni)

Starring - Sylwia Boron (Bloody Date, Hold Tight), Monika Frajczyk (Leave No Traces, Green Border), and Adam Machalica (Planet Single, Raspberries)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I never know what to expect when I check my Horror Society email.  Am I going to get an email from a fan confused by what we do at Horror Society asking if they can get a role in a film?  Is it going to be a random actress asking for us to share their OnlyFans link?  Or, is it going to be a press release for a movie that I really want to see?  My emails can be pretty weird especially when I get the random off the wall emails from people that shouldn't have access to the internet.  However, I sometimes get emails to check out a movie that has really peaked my interest.  A few weeks back I received the press release for Polland's first giallo, Dead by Dawn.  The title, which also shares a name with the alternate title for Evil Dead II, really caught my eye with it's artwork.  I replied to the email and they were kind enough to send a link over for me to check.  

     The film follows a group of aspiring stage actors who visit an old theater that was once considered prestigious.  What they don't know is that a masked maniac is stalking the property killing everyone that is unfortunate enough to cross paths with them.  

     I went into Dead by Dawn excited to see a stylish and beautifully shot giallo but what I found was an extremely slow paced slasher with a lot of scenes that need trimmed down.  I seriously wanted to like this one but it wasn't meant to be.  It was painfully slow, uninteresting, and the slasher was very disappointing.  The acting in this one is easily one of the only redeeming qualities I could find in the film.  The characters are fairly forgettable and we don't have any outstanding performances but I liked the cast.  They really get into their roles and work well with each other.  The story for this one has an interesting premise but fails to put it all together into something truly enjoyable.  The film uses long, drawn out scenes with beautiful cinematography and locations to try to capture that giallo feel but it doesn't really give viewers the Italian mystery feel.  The movie is a slasher for the most part with an occult angle that is never fully explored as much as I would have liked.  I wish this was introduced earlier in the film and the mystery portion of the story played a bigger role.  Instead, we have a slasher flick that just doesn't have the fun that many slashers before it was able to deliver.  Finally, the kills offer up a lot of blood but they don't have the best practical effects or imagination.  The masked killer's weapon of choice is a meat cleaver but the deaths are unable to deliver on the imagination and originality that other meat cleaver killers, like 100 Tear, did before it.  Also, the killer's mask is pretty lame.  It's a mask covered in bright white eyes that does nothing for the scene.  Overall, Dead by Dawn just wasn't as fun as I had hoped it was.  It doesn't feel like a giallo.  Instead, it's a standard slasher where the killer has a stupid mask.  I want to recommend this one but I can't.  Skip it.    

Morbus

Director - Ignasi P. Ferre (Sitges-Nagasaki, Sota el Signe De)

Starring - Roman Ferre (Bloody Sex, Porno: Situacion), Carmen Serret (The Gypsy), Joan Borras (Change of Sex, Teatre)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Over the years I've learned that the 80s truly was a high point in horror cinema.  I'm not saying it was the best decade for the genre, because it honestly wasn't, but there was a lot of memorable moments.  Sometime during the late 70s several genre titles were released where they tossed in so many different horror tropes.  It never really caught on with some of these films falling into obscurity while others became cult classics.  However, this trend came somewhat popular with a lot of movies, especially direct to video titles, throwing "everything including the kitchen sink" into the story.  The writers couldn't make their mind up with which way they wanted the movie to go and we were given some wild films with stories that are extremely unpredictable.  As I work my way through this Exorcismo set I'm hit with another early 80s horror title that does the same thing.  I thought Morbus was another nudie flick due to the poster but once I hit play on that disc I realized it a nudie flick with an everything horror has to offer story.

     The film follows a prostitute who is running for her life when her friend, also a prostitute, and a John are killed by zombies after a scientist has created a serum that brings the dead back to life.  She finds her way to the home of a struggling writer.  The two try to leave before they are overrun by zombies but discover that his assistant has sabotaged their ride.  They are forced to stay and fight but zombies are the least of their worries as they soon encounter a Satanic sex cult.  

     I went into Morbus completely blind and while several films in this set surprised, none shocked me like this one did.  Morbus is not what I would call a good movie.  It's campy, with stiff acting, and a story that is all over the place but I had so much fucking fun with it.  This is the kind of movie that itf it was made in the US I could see Joe Bob hosting a showing of.  The acting in this one is extremely campy.  The characters are one dimensional and we don't get a lot of emotional range but it works for the film.  We don't have any memorable characters or performances but the story more than makes up for it.  The story for this one is all over the fucking place and that is why I enjoyed it so much.  We have an evil scientist, zombies, prostitutes, aspiring horror writers, Satanic bikers in a sex cult, and so much nudity.  The film does struggle with pacing and it has no idea how to put them all together in a coherent story but the unpredictable and absurd ride makes it worth your time.  Finally, the film has some blood, some decent make-up effects, and a lot of skin.  The zombies look decent in a way but are not that memorable while the effects are minimal.  They fit the film but nothing that most of us genre fans are looking for.  Overall, Morbus is a film that has so much going on and while is struggles with it's own identity, is still delivers on an experience.  It reminds me a lot of films like Spookies and Neon Maniacs.  It's a good film but far from perfect.  Check it out. 

Mulva: Demon Ass Kicker

Director - Chris Seaver (Anal Paprika, SexSquatch)

Starring - Deana Naja (Screamwalkers, Victim No More), Katie Keating (Indiana Jones and the Legend of Bimini, Wellsville Nights), and Jason McCall (The Bleu Cheese Brothers, The Weirdsies)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "You gotta kill for your right to party!"

Format - Streaming (The B Stream)

Rating (out of 5):

       I don't know what I can say about Chris Seaver and his films that I haven't already said in previous review.  I've reviewed a lot of his movies over the years and really enjoyed most of them.  Hell, I still have fun with the few that I don't like.  His movies really is an experience that I recommend to anyone that grew up in the 80s or has the sense of humor of a teenager.  Sometime back I was surprised to learn that Seaver had wrapped on a sequel in 2023 to one of his earlier films.  The movie, Mulva: Demon Ass Kicker, was getting released through Makeflix but they seemed to be dragging their feet on it.  I started keeping an eye on Seaver's Instagram account and noted when the film was released.  At the time I wasn't able to snag a copy but kept an up with it until I could.  However, during that time the movie hit some streaming services and I was able to check it out on The B Stream.  I want to thank The B Stream for sending me a promo code so I could check them out!

     Mulva: Demon Ass Kicker follows Mulva (Naja) who is about to celebrate her birthday when she suspects that her friends are doing something special for her.  When she presses them further she learns that they are planning a Halloween party.  As she prepares for the party, two people she accidentally offended previously sets out to sabotage her.  They use an ancient book to summon a trio of sex demons who they promise can rape and kill everyone at the party.  However, that is no easy task when Mulva puts on her ass kicking boots.

     The first two Mulva films are not for everyone.  Hell, Demon Ass Kicker will not be for everyone but it's worth noting that the first two films and this one are very different in regards to look.  Seaver's films are known for making the best out of nothing.  His no budget films are meant for those that have fun with movies without needing the big budgets for effects and polish.  Not having a budget is why he masks everything with humor.  However, this sequel is leagues above the first two and may be one of my favorite films of his only second to The Weirdsies.  It was a lot of fun and easily one of the better shot films to come out of the Warlock Home Video camp.  The acting in this one is a lot of fun which is the first thing I expect from a Low Budget Pictures/Warlock Home Video/Midnight Kids Productions.  The characters always have a lot of energy and deliver some hilarious dialogue.  We have a lot of returning faces and the cast is always fun to watch regardless if they are brand new or genre legends with decades under their belts.  While on that same topic, Debbie Rochon who portrayed Mulva in the first sequel appears in the film as a different character.  She was solid as Mulva but I really enjoyed her more in her role here.  She has a lot of experience in front of the camera and easily slips into the style of characters Seaver is known for.  The story for this one is pure Warlock Home Video.  We have more sexual innuendos than you can shake your dick at while keeping the essence of Mulva there.  The sugar addicted surprisingly badass Mulva character still has all the quirky things that made her so memorable early on in Seaver's career while bringing in the trends that many of his fan has seen in his work over the last 10 or 15 years.  The set up for the story is not really that creative or imaginative but it's the characters, humor, and what happens once the party starts that makes the journey worth it.  Finally, the film has surprisingly better effects than almost every other film I've seen from Seaver.  While it's not a gory flick, the monster cocks and the gags associated with it look great.  The kills may not be the most brutal but they fit the film and are very memorable.  Overall, Mulva: Demon Ass Kicker is so much fucking fun especially if you have the mind of a teenager with a nudie mag hidden under your bed.  I know most of the horror community will turn their nose up to it but those of us not high on our own farts will truly appreciate the humor.  I highly recommend this one.  

The Mortuary Assistant

Director - Jeremiah Kipp (Slapface, The Geechee Witch: A Boo Hag Story)

Starring - Willa Holland (Legion, Arrow), John Adams (Hellbender, Where the Devil Roams), and Paul Sparks (Waco, The Lowdown)

Release Date - 2026

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Alone with the dead"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm an avid gamer and have been most of my life.  Horror as always been an obsession but I spend more time with a controller or keyboard and mouse in my hand than I do watching movies.  I've been gaming on PC for a few years now and found dozens of fantastic indie horror games through Steam.  One of those eerily creepy horror games was The Mortuary Assistant.  This game was originally released in 2022 but it wasn't until last summer that I decided to finally play it.  I loved the atmosphere, the tension, and some of the little details they added into the game to really drive in that supernatural and occult aspect.  While the jump scares didn't always work, it still delivered one of the most genuinely unnerving playthroughs that I've experienced as an adult.  A few weeks back I received a press release for the film adaptation and was very excited for it.  My mind immediately raced with the ideas of how the movie would play out and which parts of the game would be included.  A few days later I received a link to review the film and I quickly jumped on it!  I couldn't wait to check it out.

     The film follows a young woman who is recently hired as an assistant at a mortuary.  She is then asked to cover a night shift after proving to the mortician that she is more than capable of taking care of things in his absence.  He has her come in one night when several bodies are delivered.  Alone, she starts preparing the bodies as normal but things are anything but.  She starts to receive strange phone calls from her boss and other strange occurrences before realizing that something is in the mortuary with her.  

     As I stated earlier, The Mortuary Assistant is one of the creepiest indie games that I've been fortunate enough to play.  It's not a perfect game but it makes great use of the location and story.  I had high hopes for this adaptation and was surprised to see that Jeremiah Kipp had brought the film to life.  I recently reviewed Kipp's The Geechee Witch: A Boo Hag Story and enjoyed it.  This only fueled my excitement for the film.  The acting in this one is fantastic.  The film really is a one person show with Willa Holland doing most of the heavy lifting.  I'm a huge fan of the DC series Arrow and The Flash and knew she would do great in this role.  She really gets into the role and makes it her own while showcasing a wide range of emotions.  The supporting cast is effective in their roles but the movie is all eyes on Holland and she delivers.  The story for this one does make some minor changes from the game but still remains true to the game for the most part.  These changes are noticeable but it makes sense as to why they were made.  The location is very similar to the mortuary in the game and a lot of the trickets, symbols, and so on are very influenced by the game.  With that being said, the film is unable to duplicate the spine-chilling atmosphere and tension that made the game so much fun.  The film is dark and really tries to use the slow pacing to it's advantage but it just doesn't work like expected.  Finally, the film has some amazing effects.  The autopsy scenes are fucking phenomenal.  The effects for these scenes look top notch and unforgettable.  We also have some fun make-up effects on some of the characters.  Sadly, the main supernatural presence, shown on the film's artwork, is goofy.  I was hoping the film would take a more realistic look with the creature but what we get is laughable at best.  Overall, The Mortuary Assistant is a faithful adaptation to a very underrated game.  While it doesn't have the atmosphere that the game has, it is still an entertaining horror film.  Willa Holland is fantastic and the effects are a must see.  Check it out especially if you dig the game like I do.