Horror is dominating the media landscape right now. At the movies,M3GANrang in the new year with a bang (and a few kills), whileKnock at the CabinandScream 6have been #1 hits. Recently, the latestEvil Deadmovie,Evil Dead Rise, premiered to better-than-expected grosses and critical notices.
Streaming is now different, withSkinamarinkmaking waves for its quiet, creepy atmosphere and Hulu’sClockgetting widespread attention for its unique approach to horror. What better way to celebrate the genre than with Shudder, the most recognizable horror streamer around? In May 2023, their programming includes some French horror classics, new episodes of its original seriesSlasher: Ripper, and the debuts of the 2023 filmsConsecrationand the Sundance hitInfluencer. Summer may be upon us, but it’s always time for a good horror movie.
High Tension
Slasher: Ripperepisode 6
The Last Drive-In season 3(week 3 on Shudder TV)
Poison for the Fairies
Darker than the Night
Slasher: Ripperepisode 7
Huesera: The Bone Woman
The Last Drive-In season 3(week 4 on Shudder TV)
The Babadook
The Devil’s Doorway
Consecration
Here’s an excerpt from DT”s review of the film: “What you’re left with is a confused climax that wastes all of the goodwill that was built up at the beginning. Smith clearly is influenced byhorror moviesof the past, and it’s not too much of a stretch to believe thatConsecrationcould have joinedThe Wicker ManandMidsommaras classics in the ‘isolated community horror’ subgenre.
But the story lets all involved down by being unfocused and unsure of what it wants to be. What was initially promised as a deep exploration of the violent nature of faith, or even a high-class copy ofThe Omen, turns out to be a whole lot of hokum. I’m usually fine with that, but it has to be backed by a confidence in what the movie is trying to do. That’s what is missing inConsecration, and that’s a sin even God can’t forgive.”
