I may never watch Gaspar Noé's Irreversible again. Not because it’s a “bad” movie, but because it is so profoundly disturbing. It is easily among the most devastating films I've ever seen.
Read MoreThe Damned (2024)
Maritime folk stories and sea-fairing tales have long been a fascination of mine, especially adventure classics like Ernest Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea,” or Jules Verne’s “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.” But Robert Egger’s 2019 nautical nightmare “The Lighthouse” has seemed to bring horror back into the ocean's shores. Here we have “The Damned,” an Irish and Icelandic period film that drips with salty terror and dread onto a fishing outpost in Iceland in the 1800s.
Read MorePeter Pan's Neverland Nightmare (2025)
Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare is a bold and macabre reimagining of J.M. Barrie’s beloved tale, directed and written by Scott Jeffrey, who continues to redefine public domain stories in the horror genre. As the third installment in The Twisted Childhood Universe, the 2025 British independent film expands the series’ trademark style with a darkly creative and unsettling take on Peter Pan. With standout performances, commendable production values, and a uniquely twisted narrative, the film delivers a compelling experience for horror fans.
Read MoreThe Tale of Texas Pool (2024)
In The Tale of Texas Pool, director Kevin Welling delivers an impressive debut with a documentary that feels as polished and confident as a veteran filmmaker's tenth project. Clocking in at 112 minutes, the film may feel a tad long at moments, but every minute is packed with captivating stories, fascinating interviews, and a deep reverence for the sport of billiards. The documentary doesn't rely on a traditional narrator; instead, Welling expertly pieces together interviews with legendary players like Buddy Hall, Jeremy Jones, Fedor Gorst, Sky Woodward, Tyler Styer, and Nick Varner.
Read MoreUnderwater (2020) #RetroReview
While it may not have the most original story, William Eubank’s Underwater is nevertheless a pretty fun flick. Featuring a distinct sense of place with incredibly detailed sets, the isolation and alien environment of the Mariana Trench is effectively conveyed, resulting in creepy claustrophobia. Since it celebrates its 5th anniversary on the 10th, let’s take a look back at this underseen gem.
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 MoreNumbered Lives (2024)
J.G. Clarke’s directorial and writing debut, Numbered Lives, is an impressive indie thriller that combines high production values with an engaging premise. The film follows Noah, a young man who, after a botched robbery, finds himself imprisoned under dubious circumstances. His story takes a dark and mysterious turn when he awakes in a sinister facility controlled by shadowy forces.
Read MoreBlind Escape (2024)
Chris Kinzie’s Blind Escape is a striking debut feature that captures the grit and moral ambiguity of a world in decay. Streaming later this month through FilmHub with worldwide distribution, this independently produced crime thriller manages to punch above its weight, despite the challenges of working with a young, unknown cast and limited resources. Ambitious in its storytelling and bold in its stylistic choices, Blind Escape is an indie gem worth discovering.
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