A new film from Glenn Danzig, an interest peaking show from Amazon and Shudder amps up the horror headlining this week's streaming guide.
Plus with month end - a handful of last chance titles fall-off, but it also comes with a nice drop of new shows and films in time for Halloween.
OUT NOW:
'VEROTIKA' (Shudder)
'VEROTIKA', the much buzzed about anthology film from Glenn Danzig (which he wrote, directed and scored) based on the comic book series 'Verotik' finally hits streaming on Shudder.
"Glenn Danzig's directorial debut is a horror anthology from Danzig's line of comic books of the same name. Stories which focus on horror content that's often sexual and violent in nature, usually featuring scantily-clad female protagonists."
Featuring Alice Haig, Ashley Wisdom, Kayden Kross, Natalia Borowsky, Rachel Alig, Scotch Hopkins, and Sean Kanan.
'Utopia' (Amazon)
So much of what is happening onscreen feels like art imitating life in the new series from Amazon. The story revolves around a virologist played by Rainn Wilson. Navigating social unrest, conspiracy freaks, and worldwide panic, he attempts to save the world from the continued spread of the virus.
The show also features John Cusack as an eccentric tech billionaire and Sasha Lane as the leader of a crew of comic book aficionados that connect online over their affinity for the comic book of the same name.
The eight-episode series follows the group as they unearth clues from the pages of the book that unfolding in reality. All this is happening while Wilson continues to work towards eradicating the impending threat of the superflu.
The series is penned by Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn and was adapted from the hit UK series created by Dennis Kelly.
Watch the red-band trailer below.
COMING THIS WEEK:
'Scare Me' (Shudder - October 1st)
The Sundance official selection film now turned Shudder Original, brings horror by way of comedy starring an unleashed Aya Cash (scene stealing in the new season of 'The Boys', previously of 'You're the Worst') in a scary story writing showdown with Josh Ruben (writer and director of the film) while trapped in a powerless cabin with Chris Redd (SNL, Popstar: Never Stop Popping) as the lone audience member of their cutthroat competition.
"The more Fred and Fanny commit to their tales, the more the stories come to life in the dark of a Catskills cabin. The horrors of reality manifest when Fred confronts his ultimate fear: Fanny may be the better storyteller."
'Se7en' (HBO - Oct 1st)
This modern masterpiece thriller, that just turned 25, was the pinnacle of the dark gritty thrillers of the 90s. Many tried pushing boundaries but always found themselves still coloring inside the lines. Se7en ripped all the pages out and made its own. The gore shown and famously not shown, was done so artistically that with the additional polished scene development, character building and incredible cinematography the impact of the payoff resonated far more than any cheap thrill.
Outside of the film itself, it would have a major long-lasting impact on the industry moving forward. It launched, now two time Oscar Nominee, David Fincher (who was close to quitting film directing prior to this) into the amazing and winding career he has gone to have (Fight Club, The Social Network, most recently - Mindhunter TV Show among so much more).
It would also kick off a relationship between Fincher and Nine Inch Nail's Trent Reznor (a "Closer" remix was famously used over Se7en's title-credits) that would lead to Reznor's now second career as a composer that all started with Fincher's 'The Social Network'. Reznor has since collaborated twice more with Fincher (The Girl with Dragon Tattoo & Gone Girl) with a third on the way in this year’s ‘Mank’, rumored to be released this fall on Netflix.
'Us' (HBO - Oct 1st)
Jordan Peele's highly anticipated follow-up to the surprise horror hit 'Get Out' massively delivered on expectations. On the surface, the filmmaking is top-notch with all the key elements firing on all cylinders, but like 'Get Out', 'Us" shines above all when you go below and dig into the many allegories that radiate throughout this film. It's there that this film sticks with you for much time afterwards.
'Hereditary' & 'Midsommar' (Amazon - Oct 1st)
Ari Aster's one-year apart films are combined here due to the similarities both have as far as pacing and vibe. These aren't your stereotypical popcorn horror slashers, but character driven explorations that burrow into the mind. Both tended to be polarizing items between critical acclaim and mainstream fan disappointment for that reason.
The scares here are slow burning with creative levels that scare deeper. The real world ramifications reflect strongly on our world and that's why these elevate in a more haunting experience.
Recently 'Hereditary' was picked by Trevor Strnad (The Black Dahlia Murder) as one of this essential horror films in a list for Knotfest.com.
Strnad - This is the last great modern horror movie I saw. It fucked me up, how a good horror movie should. The tension builds and builds and builds until you almost can’t take it anymore. By the end of this movie you’ll feel like absolute shit (in the best way possible). Truly a striking, disturbing effort. Midsommar was cool, but it’s got nothing on this.
'House of 1,000 Corpses' (Netflix, Hulu & Shudder - Oct 1st)
The cult classic Rob Zombie written and directed film really showed that metal and horror are a match made in hell. It would go on to spawn two sequels in 'The Devil's Rejects' and last year's '3 from Hell' while also kicking off Zombie's directing career that would take him into the classic Halloween series and even directing a 'CSI: Miami' episode. Zombie had long showcased by name and style that horror was prevalent in metal but this was the official tying of the knot.
The film itself is an homage to classic back roads twisted horror but with a modernistic larger appeal and a surprisingly solid comedic effort that blended classic stars like Sid Haig, Karen Black and Bill Moseley (solidifying his status as a cult hero) with up-tapped talent like pre-Dwight Schrute Rainn Wilson, just breaking into film Chris Hardwick and finding his mainstream stride Walton Goggins.
Fallen (Hulu - Oct 1st)
The 1998 Denzel Washington supernatural horror/action vehicle brought a twisted surreal approach to the trendy gritty thriller. The plot reads much like most of the films from that area but the uncovering is what makes the title note-worthy.
By the end, it will have The Rolling Stones' "Time Is on My Side" harrowingly stuck in your head for the remainder of the week. Also features John Goodman and pre-Tony Soprano James Gandolfini.
Other noteworthy releases:
HBO Max:
Oct 1st: Beavis And Butt-Head Do America, The Butterfly Effect, Constantine, Critters 2 & 4, Day of the Dead, Death Sentence, Dreamcatcher, Enter the Dragon, Frequency, Friday, Next Friday, The Friday After Next, The Haunting (1999), The Hills Have Eyes (2006), Lethal Weapon 1-4, Malcom X, The Matrix (Reloaded & Revolutions), Open Water, Open Water 2: Adrift, Scanners, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1-3, The Thing (2011),
Hulu:
Oct 1st: Blade, Blade 2, Fallen, Hostel, Hostel: Part II, House Of 1000 Corpses (Also added to Netflix), Interview With the Vampire, Wayne's World 2
Amazon Prime:
Oct 1st: 30 Days of Night, The Cabin In The Woods, The Exorcist III, Fright Night, The Grudge 3, Hereditary, Paranormal Activity 3, Pet Sematary (2019), Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Super 8, Texas Chainsaw 3D
Shudder:
2020’s New Ghoul Log (24/7 streaming jack-o’-lantern)
CONTINUED WEEKLY EPISODES:
'The Boys' Season 2 (Amazon - Fridays)
Recent news of an R-rated spinoff film gives the show a mid-season shot of Compound V (not like the explosive Season 2 needed anymore). The details (coming from Variety) thus far are that the show will focus on America’s only college exclusively for young adult superheroes or “supes.” The college is also run by Vought International.
The new season continues Butcher (Karl Urban), Hughie (Jack Quaid) and their team’s bloodshed revenge adventure to take down the Superhero super team. Adding fuel to the fire is new superhero Stormfront (Aya Cash) who is already seen raising the stakes in the new trailer.
'Raised by Wolves' (HBO Max - Thursdays) SEASON FINALE
HBO Max’s most anticipated original series yet Raised By Wolves’ promises shades of distant planets, violence, androids, mythology and more.
Ridley Scott, legendary status due to Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator and more, finally makes his TV directing debut.
‘Raised by Wolves’ “centers on two androids tasked with raising human children on a mysterious virgin planet. As the burgeoning colony of humans threatens to be torn apart by religious differences, the androids learn that controlling the beliefs of humans is a treacherous and difficult task.”
'Lovecraft Country' (HBO - Sundays)
The highly-anticipated series from Misha Green, Jordan Peele, and J.J. Abrams, based on the 2016 Matt Ruff novel of the same name, the series follows Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors) who connects with a friend and his uncle (Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Letitia and Michael K. Williams as Montrose) for a road trip across Fifties Jim Crow America in search of Freeman’s father.
Traversing the segregation and discrimination of the era, things become things become additionally terrifying as the trio undercover there are different kind of monsters among us. The teaser of the series has included an appearance by the mythical “Cthulhi,” which originated in the paperbacks of H.P. Lovecraft.
Last Chance, Leaving this Week Notables:
Netflix:
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (Sept 29th), Cult of Chucky & Truth or Dare (Oct 2nd)
HBO Max:
Apocalypse Now, Blade, The Departed, The Exorcist & War of the Worlds (all Sept 30th)
Hulu:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992), Friday the 13th Part III, Friday the 13th Part IV: The Final Chapter, Mississippi Burning, Rambo (2008) & The Devil’s Rejects. (all Sept 30th)
Shudder:
Bram Stoker's Dracula (Sept 30th)
