Watching No Tears in Hell feels like flipping through the pages of a disturbingly well-written novel—one where you know the ending won’t be happy, but you can’t look away. Set in the bleak chill of an Alaskan winter and based on the horrific true story of Russian serial killer Alexander Spesivtsev, the film drips with tension, discomfort, and a grim fascination that sticks with you. Luke Baines commands the screen in a way that’s hard to shake.
Read MoreThe Mannequin (2025) #HHFF
In The Mannequin, director John Berardo returns to the horror genre with a slick, visually appealing ghost story centered around trauma, legacy, and the fashion industry. While the film starts strong and features some undeniably creepy moments, its inconsistent pacing and tonal shifts ultimately hold it back from becoming a modern horror standout. The story follows Liana Rojas, a creatively blocked stylist assistant who moves into a historic downtown Los Angeles building, one that also happens to be the site of her sister’s mysterious death.
Read MoreMMA Cop (2025)
Tamara Rothschild’s MMA Cop is the kind of movie that’s fully aware of its limitations and charges forward anyway—shirtless, sweaty, and full of absurd swagger. At a lean 90 minutes, this low-budget action thriller manages to deliver enough chaos and conviction to keep its head above water, even as it veers wildly between tones and genres. The plot is as trashy and pulpy as you'd expect: a rogue detective named Tyson Shabazz teams up with a journalist to uncover a child trafficking conspiracy, facing off against cartoonishly evil villains and their hired assassins.
Read MoreThe G (2023)
Some actors don’t need the spotlight to shine—but when they finally get it, they make the most of it. In The G, Dale Dickey—long known for stealing scenes in supporting roles—takes center stage and delivers a commanding, unforgettable performance. It’s a gritty, emotionally complex turn that proves she should have been leading films all along.
Read MoreA Murder in Oakland: Beauty Is Deadly (2025)
Marcus D. Spencer wears many hats in A Murder in Oakland: Beauty Is Deadly—actor, director, co-writer, and executive producer. While his ambition is evident throughout the film, the final product is a mixed bag: engaging in concept, but uneven in execution. The story picks up with the reopening of a cold case that once rocked Oakland—a young model named Mercedes was murdered, and new evidence brings detectives Williams and Adams together to revisit the unsolved crime.
Read MoreDead Mail (2024)
Dead Mail, directed by Joe DeBoer and Kyle McConaghy, is a gripping and unique addition to the horror-thriller genre, weaving together elements of suspense, dark comedy, and a hefty dose of '80s nostalgia. Premiering exclusively on Shudder as part of their Halfway to Halloween celebration, the film brings a chilling, analog-inspired atmosphere that immediately draws the viewer into its unsettling world. The plot begins with a blood-stained cry for help that makes its way to Jasper, a seasoned 'dead letter' investigator at a post office in rural 1980s America.
Read MoreFreaky Tales (2024)
Set in the vibrant yet gritty landscape of 1987 Oakland, Freaky Tales is an anthology film that blends nostalgia, chaos, and urban folklore into a genre-bending experience. Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, the film delivers four interconnected narratives—teen punks defending their turf against Nazi skinheads, a rap duo fighting for hip-hop immortality, a weary henchman on a quest for redemption, and an NBA All-Star seeking retribution. With its eclectic mix of action, humor, and heart, the film is as much a love letter to the Bay Area as it is a cinematic mixtape of underdog stories.
Read MoreThe North Side Killer (2024)
Khamla Savathphoune, known for Escape Room and Grey Area, makes his feature-length debut with The North Side Killer, a micro-budget thriller that blends urban tension with an intimate character-driven narrative. Clocking in at just under an hour and seventeen minutes, the film tackles heavy themes of fear, isolation, and the fragility of human connection, all against the backdrop of a killer terrorizing the north side campus and targeting vulnerable homeless drug users. The story follows Ted, a self-proclaimed ladies' man and mail carrier, and Sally, a barista of some sort navigating a new relationship amidst escalating fear and paranoia
Read More