New Jersey Horror Con March 2023

On the weekend of March 25, 2023, my friend Freddie and I headed out to the latest edition of New Jersey Horror Con. The weather was kinda shitty, and seemingly impacted the amount of fans in attendance. But, we had a great time regardless and met a bunch of cool celebs.

The first one I went up to was the lovely Nancy Loomis. Best known for playing Annie in John Carpenter's Halloween, she's also appeared in other favorites like The Fog and Assault on Precinct 13 (both also from Carpenter). She was the person, I must looked forward to meeting the most. She is, after all, my favorite of the three girls in the slasher classic. She was very sweet in person and talked to both of us for a good amount of time. We also learned that she teaches theater acting nowadays.

Next was John Dugan who played grandpa in Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and a couple of its sequels. He was awesome and an absolute riot in person! He talked to us for a good amount of time, as well, telling us about what an absolute hell it was to shoot the classic dinner scene in TCM. And, then he even broke into a song, something about me, Gio, and us drinking cheap wine. Dude is one of the coolest celebs ever!

Tom O'Connell played Darth Vader in the recent Obi-Wan Kenobi series; a show I really enjoyed. And, as some of you probably know, I am a lifelong Star Wars fan. Something I let him know. He smiled and said he was too! He was really nice, and it's great to meet someone who played the latest incarnation of one of my favorite characters (one I cosplayed as some years ago). And, before you ask, yes I did meet David Prowse, who originally played Vader, many years ago at a Fangoria Weekend of Horrors.

Mike Hughes is someone I've wanted to meet forever. He of course played Gage in the original Pet Sementary, a movie I like. But, it's really for his role as Heather Langenkamp's son in Wes Craven's New Nightmare, a movie I love. He was a really nice and friendly guy, in person.

The last person that I went up to was Eileen Dietz who was the face, in make-up, of course, of Pazuzu, in the horror masterpiece The Exorcist. She was incredibly sweet in person and talked to us for a good chunk of time. Turns out she is a fellow New Yorker! It is so rare to get anyone from William Friedkin's classic, that isn't Linda Blair, to appear at a con. And, being how much I adore that movie, that I was pumped to meet her! 

That was a way to end the con on a high note for us. After walking around for a bit more, we headed home. I didn't buy any merch, but I did get three of my movies from my collection signed:
Nancy Loomis: Halloween
Eileen Dietz: The Exorcist
John Dugan: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Next up for us, will probably be Chiller at the end of this month. Any of you going to that? Did you go to this con? What were thoughts and experiences at it? Let me know in the comments section below.

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Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on "The Exorcist" (Review)

Title: Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on "The Exorcist"
Writer/ Director: Alexandre O. Philippe 
Cast: William Friedkin
Min: 104
Year: 2019

Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on "The Exorcist" is a magnificent documentary on one of the greatest films, horror or otherwise, ever made. It is solely driven and centered on the legendary director's words. And, what words they are! This in-depth talk covers practically every aspect on the movie you could ever ask for and more. 

Of course, his youth is explored, if in quick detail, as he talks about growing up with his mother and father in Chicago, Illinois. As a matter of fact, one of my favorite moments is when he discusses about his love and desire to work in film. Fate, he says, plays such an important role in everything, movies and life, included, for him. But, the main focus is, of course, on the movie in the docu's subtitle. And, that is what vast majority of this film is about. 

The documentary opens up with Friedkin talking about the only film that influenced him when making The Exorcist, Danish drama movie Ordet. A various points in the discussion, he goes back to this film and as well as mentioning other aspects that influenced him, like art and music. The later discussion ends up leading into a great story involving Bernard Herman and a possible score for the The Exorcist.

One of my favorite parts, of what are many fascinating moments, is when his talks about the script by William Peter Blatty, who, of course based it, on his own book. Another highlight, is when he discusses casting and the film's cast like Max (Father Merin) Von Sydow's lack of faith or the wonderful stories that he has about Mercedes (Regan's demonic voice) McCambridge. 

As a both a student of film and devoted fan of The Exorcist, I was also deeply fascinated by his discussion of the more technical aspects of making this classic. For example, he talks in great detail about the film's opening, including its meanings, shots, reasons for, mood, foreshadowing, and more. It is just as interesting, if not more so, to hear about shots and moments that he didn't plan out and just happened. On top of all this, he brings up aspects related to the movie, that I have either never thought about before, ones that I have had, and others I may have, but never fully realized that I did. He even goes into what he sees as flaws in the film's ending. For a life long long fan of The Exorcist, such as myself, this is all profoundly and deeply intriguing.  

Throughout the documentary, Friedkin remains a fascinating person, one who is profoundly intelligent, never boring, and always captivating to hear. In many ways, this feels like the film theory and tech class that I which I had taken when I was in college. Equally engrossing are his profoundly deep talks about his beliefs. And, without saying anything in detail, the docu ends on a truly beautiful note, making this a wholly unforgettable viewing experience. 

Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on "The Exorcist" is a magnificent and profound talk with William Friekin. What he says and talks about here is fascinating, deep, and thought provoking. He covers faith, the movie's themes, and his techniques in the film. He is an intelligent and well spoken master of his field, and by the end of this film, I had gained even more respect and admiration for him. This is a must see for those who admire his work, in particular those of us who love and are fascinated by The Exorcist, or simply those interested in filmmaking and film theory, in general. You will be able to view it for yourself, when the documentary makes its debut and begins to stream on Shudder this Thursday, November 19, 2020.

4 out of 4 

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Shudder: November 2020 Highlights for US

NOVEMBER 2020 U.S. HIGHLIGHTS 

titles also available on Shudder Canada, UK and ANZ as noted

SHUDDER ORIGINAL/EXCLUSIVE MOVIES

 

BLOOD VESSEL — November 5

Somewhere in the North Atlantic, late 1945, a life raft adrift at sea, and in it, the survivors of a torpedoed hospital ship. With no food, water, or shelter, all seems lost until a seemingly abandoned German minesweeper drifts ominously towards them, giving them one last chance at survival—if they can survive the bloodthirsty monsters on board. Starring Nathan Phillips (Wolf Creek), Alyssa Sutherland (Vikings), Robert Taylor (Longmire), directed by Justin Dix (Crawlspace). A SHUDDER EXCLUSIVE. (Also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK) 

Trailer: https://youtu.be/wzLPDkgxRuo 

LINGERING — November 12 (a.k.a. Hotel Lake)

Seeking support as the guardian of her younger brother, Yoo-mi returns to a small hotel run by a family friend. As bizarre incidents creep up in her mother’s old room, Yoo-mi will have to unravel the supernatural mystery and discover the truth before it’s too late. Starring Lee Se-young (Memorist), Park ji-young (The Concubine), directed by Yoon Eun-kyoung. A SHUDDER ORIGINAL. (Also available on Shudder Canada, Shudder UK and Shudder ANZ) 

Trailer: https://youtu.be/us-_8VpdlLs 

 

LEAP OF FAITH: WILLIAM FRIEDKIN ON THE EXORCIST — November 19

A lyrical and spiritual cinematic essay on The Exorcist, Leap of Faith explores the uncharted depths of William Friedkin’s mind’s eye, the nuances of his filmmaking process, and the mysteries of faith and fate that have shaped his life and filmography. The film marks the sixth feature documentary from Philippe (78/52, Memory: The Origins of Alien), continuing his thoughtful analysis of iconic genre films. Starring William Friedkin. Directed by Alexandre O. Philippe. A SHUDDER ORIGINAL. (Also available on Shudder Canada, Shudder UK and Shudder ANZ) Trailer: https://youtu.be/p5FXjdKxgrA 

PORNO — November 24

When five repressed teen employees at a local movie theatre in a small Christian town discover a mysterious old film hidden in its basement, they unleash an alluring demon that is determined to give them a sex education...written in blood. Starring Robbie Tann, Katelyn Pearce, Evan Daves, Larry Saperstein (High School Musical: The Musical series), Jillian Mueller (The Last O.G.), Glen Stott (The Good Fight), directed by Keola Racela (Above the Sea). A SHUDDER EXCLUSIVE. (Also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK)
Trailer: https://youtu.be/-JiWnGQgKNk 

 

NEW COLLECTIONS FOR NOVEMBER

 

THE MARIO BAVA COLLECTION — November 23

A master of Gothic, a genius of giallo and a Godfather of Italian Horror—Shudder celebrates the legacy and influence of Mario Bava with a collection spanning his first foray into fright, Black Sunday to his final gem, Shock. 

Featuring: A Bay of Blood, Black Sabbath, Black Sunday, The Girl Who Knew Too Much, KIll Baby Kill, Lisa and the Devil, Shock and The Whip and The Body

 (Also available on Shudder Canada)

 

ALL NEW TITLES FOR NOVEMBER

 

November 2

EMELIE (Director: Michael Thelin)

As their parents head out for a date in the city, the three young Thompson children – Jacob, Christopher and Sally – immediately take to their new babysitter Anna, who seems like a dream come true: she’s sweet, fun, and lets them do things that break all of their parents’ rules. But as the night creeps along and Anna’s interactions with them take on a more sinister tone, the kids slowly realize that their caretaker may not be who she claims to be. Soon it’s up to big brother Jacob to protect his siblings from the increasingly nefarious intentions of a very disturbed woman whose weapon is trust, and whose target is innocence. Starring Sarah Bolger, Joshua Rush, Carly Adams. (Also available on Shudder Canada)

 

SALEM’S LOT (Director: Tobe Hooper)

Driven by inner forces even he cannot understand, novelist Ben Mears returns to his hometown to write about a mysterious mansion that has intrigued him since childhood. But he discovers a horrifying secret: The community is slowly becoming a village of vampires.  Starring David Soul, James Mason, Bonnie Bedelia 

 

URBAN LEGEND (Director: Jamie Blanks)

Dr. Wexler, professor of American Folklore, states that urban legends exist only to convey hidden moral lessons for all who hear them. But the students at New England's Pendleton College are finding out just how fatal these stories can really be. When a series of murders occurs at the school, student Natalie begins to notice a bizarre link between the killings. Starring Jared Leto, Alicia Witt, Rebecca Gayheart, Robert Englund 

 

November 5

BLOOD VESSEL (see above for details)

 

November 9

BLOOD & FLESH: THE REEL LIFE AND GHASTLY DEATH OF AL ADAMSON (Director: David Gregory)

“Horror Film Director Found Slain, Buried Under Floor,” screamed the 1995 headlines read ‘round the world. But the truth behind the wild life of Al Adamson—including the making of his low budget classics and his grisly death—reveals perhaps the most bizarre career in Hollywood history, as retold in this captivating documentary. Featuring Al Adamson, John 'Bud' Cardos, Robert Dix, Marilyn Joi, Gary Kent (Also available on Shudder Canada)

 

CHERRY TREE (Director: David Keating)

After learning dad’s leukemia has advanced, Faith is stunned when her teacher approaches her with a devilish deal. If Faith gets pregnant and hands the baby over for a sacrifice, the sorceress will heal poor papa. But there’s always a catch, and when Faith realizes what she’s actually agreed to, the sweet deal goes sour very fast. David Keating’s follow-up to Shudder favorite Wake Wood. Starring Anna Walton, Naomi Battrick, Sam Hazeldine. (Also available on Shudder Canada)

 

November 12

LINGERING (see above for details)

 

November 14

SATURDAY THE 14TH (Director: Howard R. Cohen)

In this horror comedy, John and Mary can't believe their good fortune when they inherit the vast estate of John's recently departed uncle. Sure, it's a fixer-upper. But there's nothing that can't be taken care of with a fresh coat of paint, a little dusting ... and maybe an exorcist! Monsters, mayhem, and mirth descend upon the house and only a mysterious book can save this everyday normal family from Saturday's paranormal activity. Starring Richard Benjamin, Paula Prentiss, Jeffrey Tambor (Also available on Shudder Canada)

 

November 16

ARE WE NOT CATS? (Director: Xander Robin)

After losing his job, girlfriend, and home in a single day, a desperate thirty-something accepts a delivery job upstate. There he stumbles upon Anya, a beguiling and mysterious young artist who shares his proclivity for eating human hair. While their shared obsession bonds these two loners together, it also takes them on a perverse and disturbing journey in one of the most exciting and singular American indies of recent years. Starring Michael Nicholson, Chelsea Lopez, Michael Godere. (Also available on Shudder Canada)

 

BLOOD OF WOLVES (Director: Kazuya Shiraishi)

Rookie detective Shuichi Hioka is assigned to the East Kurehara precinct’s Second Investigation Division, which boasts the best arrest rate in the Hiroshima Prefectural Police. He and his new partner Shogo Ogami, a veteran detective rumored to be in cahoots with the mob, are tasked with investigating the disappearance of an employee of Kurehara Finance, a front company for the Kakomura-gumi organized crime group. Starring Koji Yakusho, Tori Matsuzaka. (Also available on Shudder Canada, UK and ANZ)

 

COHERENCE (Director: James Ward Byrkit)

On the night of an astronomical anomaly, eight friends at a dinner party experience a troubling chain of reality bending events. Part cerebral sci-fi and part relationship drama, Coherence is a tightly focused, intimately shot film that quickly ratchets up with tension and mystery. Starring Emily Baldoni, Maury Sterling, Nicholas Brendon 

 

LET THE CORPSES TAN (Director: Helene Cattet, Bruno Forzani)

Belgian filmmakers Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani trade in the crushed velvet and creeping shadows of their giallo-worshiping first two films (Amer, The Strange Color of Your Body’s Tears) for blistering sun, creaking leather and raining bullets in this glorious homage to 1970s Italian crime films. Based on a classic pulp novel by Jean-Patrick Manchette and featuring vintage music cues by Ennio Morricone, Let the Corpses Tan is a deliriously stylish, cinematic fever dream that will slamfire your senses like buckshot to the brain. Starring Elina Lowensohn, Stephane Ferrara, Bernie Bonvoisin (Also available on Shudder Canada)

 

November 19

LEAP OF FAITH (see above for details)

 

November 23

THE MARIO BAVA COLLECTION:

A BAY OF BLOOD, BLACK SABBATH, BLACK SUNDAY, THE GIRL WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, KILL BABY KILL, LISA AND THE DEVIL, SHOCK and THE WHIP AND THE BODY

 

November 24

PORNO (see above for details) 

 

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ABOUT SHUDDER:

AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. To experience Shudder commitment-free for 7 days, visit ​www.shudder.com​.

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Shudder Announces a Second Season of CURSED FILMS!

Season One Was Shudder’s Second-Most-Watched Series After ‘Creepshow’ and Most-Watched Documentary Ever 

August 6, 2020 — Shudder today announced the season two pickup of hit docu-series Cursed Films, written, directed and executive produced by Jay Cheel (How to Build a TIme Machine). Cursed Films explores the facts and legends around iconic films and franchises whose casts and crews have been struck by misfortune and tragedy. The first season examined The Omen, Poltergeist, The Exorcist, The Crow and Twilight Zone: The Movie. Season two, now in production and set to premiere in 2021, will turn its focus to a new group of “cursed” films whose titles will be revealed at a later date. 

“Season one of Cursed Films captivated audiences with its thoughtful but unflinching exploration of the often tragic events surrounding some of history’s most notorious productions, becoming an instant hit for us and earning rave reviews from both critics and viewers. Since its debut, the number one question we’ve been asked is: Will there be more, and how soon? We’re delighted to say that we’re partnering with Jay once again for a second season of Cursed Films that will be even bigger and better than the first,” said Craig Engler, Shudder’s General Manager.

“Filming season one of Cursed Films was an amazing experience, so I’m thrilled to have the chance to interview a new group of talented filmmakers and film critics while exploring the stories behind five more legendarily ill-fated film productions. This time around we’ll be heading outside of North America for a few episodes, which will not only widen the scope of the series but offer an exciting collection of stories connected to a diverse group of movies,” said Cheel.

“We’re thrilled to be on board for the second season of Cursed Films and to be working with Jay and Shudder. We can’t wait to dive into the fascinating stories behind these films and see where Jay’s bold vision and creative approach takes us this season,” said executive producers Jonas Prupas and Courtney Dobbins.

Cursed Films features conversations cast and crew who were there to witness these tragedies firsthand—and bear the weight of them to this day—along with writers, scholars and experts. The show debuted in April as the second most-watched series premiere in Shudder history, behind only breakout hit Creepshow. Cursed Films also stands as the service’s most-watched documentary premiere (series or film) ever. 

Season two of Cursed Films will be written, directed and edited by Jay Cheel (How to Build a Time Machine) and executive produced by Jonas Prupas and Courtney Dobbins from Muse Entertainment, along with Jay Cheel and Brian Robertson from Low End. 

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ABOUT SHUDDER

AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland and Germany. New members can enjoy 30-days free with the promo code SHUTIN when signing up at Shudder.com.

ABOUT MUSE

Muse Entertainment is a leading film and television production company known for its well-crafted and high-quality productions. Muse Entertainment’s most recent television series are the police procedurals Coroner (CBC) and The Murders (Citytv), the horror drama Being Human (Sy Fy), as well as the miniseries The Kennedys: After Camelot (Bell). The latter is the sequel to Muse’s 8-hr. historical drama The Kennedys, which earned 10 Emmy Award nominations. Muse recently produced documentary series include: The Real Red October (National Geographic), Cara Takes Up Space (OutTv) and Collision Course (Blue Ant). The company also produces TV movies for Disney (Turkey Drop, Cyber Bully) and Hallmark (Aurora Teagarden Mysteries, Gourmet Detective Mysteries, Christmas entertainment and romantic comedies). Muse has a number of projects in production with major US networks including Discovery, CNN, CBS and Netflix.

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CURSED FILMS Is the Second Biggest Premiere Ever on Shudder!

New Show Is Shudder’s Most-Watched Series After ‘Creepshow’
And Most-Watched Documentary Ever 

April 9, 2020 — The Shudder original series Cursed Films debuted to huge numbers for the streaming service, becoming the second most-watched series premiere in Shudder history behind only breakout hit Creepshow. Cursed Films also stands as the service’s most-watched documentary premiere (series or film) ever. The series, which is part of Shudder’s “Halfway to Halloween Month” programming lineup, released its second and third episodes earlier today, focused on The Omen and Poltergeist.

“Cursed Films became an instant hit for us across every metric we have, including total number of viewers, percentage of subscribers who watched during its opening weekend, and completion rate,” said Craig Engler, Shudder’s General Manager. “Jay Cheel’s thoughtful — and at times heartbreaking  — examination of the tragic events that led people to label films like The Exorcist and The Omen ‘cursed’ has clearly resonated with audiences and critics.”

“The entire Cursed Films team is thrilled by the enthusiastic response the series has received from critics and horror fans,” said series writer/director Jay Cheel. “It was a deeply gratifying experience traveling around the US and Canada, interviewing some childhood horror heroes along with some of the most intelligent, articulate, and empathetic subjects a documentary filmmaker could ask for. We're so excited to finally be able to share the finished product with Shudder's members who we hope find the experience of watching Cursed Films as rewarding as we did making it.” 

Cursed Films explores the myths and legends behind some of Hollywood’s notoriously “cursed” horror film productions through interviews with experts, witnesses and the cast, directors and producers who experienced these events first hand. Were these movies really cursed, as many believe, or just victims of bad luck and bizarre circumstances? The Exorcist star Linda Blair, The Omen director Richard Donner, Poltergeist III director Gary Sherman, podcaster Matt Gourley, critic April Wolfe and Fangoria editor Phil Nobile Jr are among the many insiders and experts interviewed for the series.

Last week’s record-breaking premiere focused on the legend and impact of The Exorcist “curse.” Episodes two and three, premiering today, explore whether the Devil himself might have cursed The Omen, and if a curse might be connected to the tragic deaths associated with the Poltergeist franchise. The final two episodes, examining the horrific deaths on the sets of The Crow and Twilight Zone: The Movie, will premiere Thursday, April 16. 

Cursed Films is written, directed and edited by Jay Cheel (How to Build a Time Machine) and executive produced by Andrew Nicholas McCann Smith and Laura Perlmutter for First Love Films, along with Jay Cheel and Brian Robertson. 

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ABOUT FIRST LOVE FILMS

Laura Perlmutter and Andrew Nicholas McCann Smith created FIRST LOVE to create exceptional screen based content regardless of the platform. Since 2012, FIRST LOVE has played on the most prestigious screens across the world, including Sundance, TIFF, Locarno, and AFI. FIRST LOVE has taken home over dozens of top awards including a Canadian Screen Award, Grand Prix at Claremont Ferrand, and the Locarno’s Jury Prize. Most recently First Love produced COLD (New Form/Go90), WARIGAMI (CW/CBC), CURSED (AMC/Shudder), and the critically acclaimed horror film THE DARK (Dark Sky).

ABOUT SHUDDER

AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland and Germany. New members can enjoy 30-days free with the promo code SHUTIN when signing up at Shudder.com.

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April Is "Halfway to Halloween Month" on Shudder!

March 24, 2020 — April has long been celebrated by horror fans as the halfway point to Halloween, and this year Shudder makes it official with the launch of Halfway to Halloween Month. Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, will offer its biggest month of non-October programming ever, at a time when many people are turning to streaming to help entertain them while they’re social distancing and quarantining. 

Put on a costume and whip up a pumpkin spice latte, because here’s what’s in store:

• The premiere of new Shudder Original Series Cursed Films, a five-part documentary exploring the myths and legends behind some of Hollywood’s notoriously cursed horror films: The Exorcist, The Omen, Poltergeist, The Crow and Twilight Zone: The Movie
• An all-new season of The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs, with weekly hosted double features streamed live on ShudderTV
• The long-awaited second season of the hit Australian horror series Wolf Creek
• The Friday the 13th Collection: including the first eight movies in the franchise to go with the epic six-hour documentary Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13^th, Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini and To Hell and Back: The Kane Hodder Story. 
• The return of Shudder’s Halloween Hotline, with live, personalized horror movie picks from Shudder curator Samuel Zimmerman, every Friday in April  from 3-4pm ET. 
• A special Halfway to Halloween collection featuring holiday favorites like Tales of Halloween, Haunters: The Art of the Scare and Extremity (all new to Shudder) along with Hell House LLC, Haunt, Spookers, Halloween, Halloween 4, Halloween 5, Rob Zombie’s 31, the Creepshow series and fan favorite The Ghoul Log. 
• The Shudder Original supernatural thriller 0.0Mhz, starring Korean pop star Jung Eun-Ji.
• Newly added movies Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, Absentia, We Are What We Are (2013), Voice from the Stone and The Siren

See below for programming details. New members can sign up at Shudder.com with promo code SHUTIN for an extended 30-day free trial. 

APRIL “HALFWAY TO HALLOWEEN MONTH” U.S. HIGHLIGHTS

Titles also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK as noted

ORIGINAL & EXCLUSIVE SERIES

CURSED FILMS — Premieres April 2

Cursed Films is a five-part documentary series from writer/director Jay Cheel (How to Build a Time Machine) exploring the myths and legends behind some of Hollywood’s notoriously “cursed” horror film productions. From plane accidents and bombings during the making of The Omen, to the rumored use of real human skeletons on the set of Poltergeist, these stories are legendary … but what’s real and what’s myth?  

Cursed Films recounts the horrifying events that haunted these productions through interviews with experts, witnesses and the cast, directors and producers who lived through them, including Richard Donner, Linda Blair, Michael Berryman, Lloyd Kaufman, Kane Hodder, Gary Sherman, Eileen Dietz, Mitch Horowitz. Were these films really cursed, as many believe, or just the victims of bad luck and bizarre circumstances? A Shudder Original Series. Also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK. 

April 2:                  Ep. 1 “The Exorcist”

April 9:                 Ep. 2 “Poltergeist” and Ep. 3 “The Omen”  

April 16:               Ep. 4 “The Crow” and Ep. 5 “Twilight Zone: The Movie”

TRAILER: https://youtu.be/X4LZBEVlSXA 

THE LAST DRIVE IN WITH JOE BOB BRIGGS season 2— Season Premiere April 24

Each weekly double feature will premiere on the “Shudder TV” feed Fridays at 9pm ET / 6pm PT, beginning April 24 and concluding on Friday, June 26. 

Proving once again that “the drive-in will never die,” iconic horror host and exploitation movie aficionado Joe Bob Briggs is back with an all-new season of weekly Friday night double features streaming live exclusively on Shudder. Over the course of ten episodes, The Last Drive-In series will offer an eclectic selection of movies running the gamut from horror classics to obscurities and foreign cult favorites along with the occasional surprise guest. A Shudder Original Series. Also on Shudder Canada; some episodes also available on demand on Shudder UK.

WOLF CREEK season 2 — Premieres April 30 (full season binge)

In the second season of the hit horror series, a group of international tourists embark on the Outback adventure of a lifetime, but a chance encounter with trigger-happy pig hunter Mick Taylor (John Jarratt) sets them on a journey none of them could have imagined. With Tess Haubrich (Alien: Covenant), Matt Day (Rake), Ben Oxenbould (The Code), Laura Wheelwright (Animal Kingdom), Charlie Clausen (Home & Away) Stephen Hunter (The Leftovers) and Chris Haywood (Muriel’s Wedding). A Shudder Exclusive Series. Also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK.

NEW ORIGINAL MOVIE

0.0Mhz — Premieres April 23

Members of a paranormal exploration club go to an abandoned house in the remote small town to prove the existence of a ghost using radio frequency-based technology. Unfortunately, the young students unwittingly become the ghost’s host... Starring  Yoon-young Choi, Shin Joo-Hwan, Eun-ji Jung (of the K-pop group Apink) , directed by Sun-Dong Yoo. A SHUDDER ORIGINAL (Also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK)  Trailer: https://youtu.be/SXuq_sIrWIo 

FEATURED COLLECTIONS

THE ‘FRIDAY THE 13TH’ COLLECTION — available 4/1

Jason takes Shudder as we present the first eight films in one of the most beloved and successful franchises in horror history. If that’s not enough, go behind the scenes with documentaries Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th and Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini. Ki ki ki, ma ma ma…

Featuring Friday the 13th, Part 2, Part III, The Final Chapter, A New Beginning, Part VI: Jason Lives, Part VII: The New Blood, Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan, Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th, Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini and To Hell and Back: The Kane Hodder Story (April 27)

HALFWAY TO HALLOWEEN — available 4/1

Spooky season is too much fun to celebrate just once a year, so Shudder is unleashing Halloween in April with this curated collection of All Hallows Eve-themed films and series. 

Featuring The Exorcist, Halloween, Halloween 4, Halloween 5, Haunt, Hell House LLC, Rob Zombie's 31, Spookers, the Creepshow series (episode “All Hallows Eve”) and the fan-favorite streaming jack-o-lanterns The Ghoul Log and Return of the Ghoul Log, along with Haunters: The Art of the Scare and Tales of Halloween, both starting Apr. 6, and Extremity starting Apr. 20. (Select titles also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK.)

HALFWAY TO HALLOWEEN HOTLINE

EVERY FRIDAY IN APRIL FROM 3-4PM ET

Shudder has the best, hand-selected collection of horror movies around, but sometimes you need a little extra help picking exactly which great slasher, ghost story, giallo or monster movie to watch next. As a #HalfwayToHalloween treat, Shudder’s head curator, Samuel Zimmerman, will be offering callers live, personalized picks for what to watch. (Read a recap of last October’s hotline recommendations.)

Movie lovers from around the world are invited to call Sam (via a new number to be announced) every Friday in April from 3-4pm ET and tell him about their mood or taste. From that information, Sam will use his horror knowledge to pick a film from Shudder’s vast library custom-suited for them. Call volume is expected to be high, so if you get a busy signal please keep trying. We can’t promise every call will be answered, but Sam will get to as many as he can during each hour. While the recommendations are provided for free, please note that normal phone and long-distance charges may apply.

NEW MOVIES FOR APRIL

April 1

THE FRIDAY THE 13TH COLLECTION (see above for details)

THE EXORCIST (Director: William Friedkin)

When a charming 12-year-old girl takes on the characteristics and voices of others, doctors say there is nothing they can do. As people begin to die, the girl's mother realizes her daughter has been possessed by the devil—and that her daughter's only possible hope lies with two priests and the ancient rite of demonic exorcism. One of the best and most influential horror movies ever made. Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair, Jason Miller

April 2

CURSED FILMS: EP.1 ‘THE EXORCIST’ (see above for details)

April 3

HALFWAY TO HALLOWEEN HOTLINE 3-4pm ET

April 6

HAUNTERS: THE ART OF THE SCARE (Director: Jon Schnitzer)

Explore the rise of terror as entertainment by going behind-the-screams and into the lives of Shar Mayer, legendary scare actor, Donald Julson, a traditional boo-scare maze designer, and the infamous Russ McKamey, as he creates the most controversial full-contact haunt of all time in this documentary about how family-friendly haunted houses for Halloween have spawned a growing subculture of extreme horror simulation. With Jason Blum, McKenzie Westmore, the Soska Sisters, Slash (Also available on Shudder Canada) 

TALES OF HALLOWEEN (Directors: Darren Lynn Bousman, Axelle Carolyn, Adam Gierasch, Andrew Kasch, Neil Marshall, Lucky McKee, Mike Mendez, Dave Parker, Ryan Schifrin, John Skipp, and Paul Solet)

This critically acclaimed anthology weaves together ten chilling tales from top horror directors. Featuring Barry Bostwick (The Rocky Horror Picture Show), Lin Shaye (Insidious), John Savage (The Deer Hunter), Adrienne Barbeau (The Fog), Joe Dante (Director of Gremlins), Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator, We Are Still Here), Pat Healy (Cheap Thrills), Caroline Williams (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2), Kristina Klebe (Rob Zombie's Halloween), Alex Essoe (Starry Eyes), Pollyanna McIntosh (The Woman) and more.

April 9

CURSED FILMS: EP.2 ‘THE OMEN’ (see above for details)

CURSED FILMS: EP.3 ‘POLTERGEIST’ (see above for details)

April 10

HALFWAY TO HALLOWEEN HOTLINE 3-4pm ET

April 13

ABSENTIA (Director: Mike Flanagan)

As Tricia prepares to declare Daniel legally dead, she encounters a mysterious tunnel and a terrified man inside. Soon after, Daniel returns, shaken and bloodied—and scared to death of the tunnel. What happened, and what secrets does the tunnel hold? From Mike Flanagan, the director of Doctor Sleep and The Haunting of Hill House. Starring: Katie Parker, Katie Bell, Dave Levine 

ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF THE DARK (Director: Phil Rubenstein)

Upon arriving in a small town where she has inherited a rundown mansion, the famous horror hostess must battle her evil uncle and townspeople who want her burned at the stake. 

Starring: Cassandra Peterson, Phil Rubenstein, Larry Flash Jenkins (Also available on Shudder Canada) 

WE ARE WHAT WE ARE (Director: Jim Mickle)

The Parkers seem to be a wholesome family but when tragedy strikes and sisters Iris and Rose are forced to assume terrifying responsibilities, the local authorities begin to uncover clues to a horrible truth that the Parkers have hidden for years. Starring Michael Parks, Kelly McGillis and Julia Garner. 

April 16

CURSED FILMS: EP.4 ‘THE CROW’ (see above for details)

CURSED FILMS: EP.3 ‘TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE’ (see above for details)

April 17

HALFWAY TO HALLOWEEN HOTLINE 3-4pm ET

April 20

EXTREMITY (Director: Anthony DiBlasi)

Allison is an emotionally troubled young woman who believes that confronting her past trauma might be a means of exercising her demons. She signs up for a trip to Perdition, an exclusive haunt that promises absolute, unadulterated terror, but the most frightening thing on display will prove to be Allison's own twisted psyche. Starring: Chad Rook, Dana Christina, J. LaRose 

VOICE FROM THE STONE (Director: Eric D. Howell)

A haunting thriller set at an isolated castle in 1950s Tuscany. Verena (Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke) is a determined young nurse who is hired to help the mute young heir within. But the more she observes him, the more Verena becomes convinced he has fallen under the spell of a powerful and otherworldly persona trapped in the villa's stone walls, one that seems to be rapidly entwining with her own. Starring: Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones), Marton Csokas, Caterina Murino 

April 23

0.0Mhz (see above for details)

April 24

HALFWAY TO HALLOWEEN HOTLINE 3-4pm ET

THE LAST DRIVE-IN WITH JOE BOB BRIGGS 9pm ET season premiere (see above for details)

April 27

THE SIREN (Director: Perry Blackshear)

Tom rents a cabin on a secluded lake marked by a local legend of a lovelorn spirit who haunts the surrounding woods and drowns anyone she encounters. Drawn to her immediately, Tom knows he has found his soulmate in the seemingly human Nina, who must battle to repress her demonic instincts when she feels the same towards him. Starring:  Margaret Ying Drake, MacLeod Andrews, Evan Dumouchel (Also available on Shudder Canada) 

TO HELL AND BACK: THE KANE HODDER STORY (Director: Derek Dennis Herbert)

Overcoming a dehumanizing childhood and a near-death burn accident, Hodder worked his way up through Hollywood, leading to his ultimate rise as Jason Voorhees in the Friday the 13th series. After decades of watching Kane Hodder on screen, get ready to meet the man behind the mask in a gut-wrenching but inspiring story about one of cinema's most vicious monsters. Starring: Kane Hodder, Bruce Campbell, Danielle Harris, Robert Englund, Cassandra Peterson  

April 30

WOLF CREEK season 2 (see above for details)

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