Welcome to Horror Explorer, a curated column showcasing the month’s best movies, series, books and everything else spooky worth checking out. I’m William Earl, the editor of Variety.com and the publication’s resident horror enthusiast. Please drop me a line at [email protected] if there’s something I should check out for next month’s missive.
Marquee Madness
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection “Heretic” (In theaters on Nov. 8 from A24) — Hugh Grant goes sinister in this film about two Mormon missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who knock on the wrong door. Filled with riveting discussions about faith as well as bold performances from the central trio, “Heretic” is miles away from the other films writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods have worked on before, including “A Quiet Place” and “65.” Brace yourself for a nerve-shredding, thoughtful and beautifully shot tale of terror. (Read Variety’s full review here.)
Off the Beaten Path
Image Credit: ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection “Doc of Chucky” (Streaming on Shudder on Nov. 1) — The “Child’s Play” franchise gets its own massive documentary directed by one of the producers behind “Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy” and “Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th.” Clocking in at five hours, it’s sure to bring Chucky diehards all the info they could want about their favorite killer doll.
“He Never Left” (In theaters on Nov. 1 from Dread) — This indie slasher goes old school with the introduction of the Pale Face Killer. When a wanted fugitive hears strange noises coming from the motel room next door, he becomes convinced that the notorious serial killer is back. Colin Cunningham is solid as the troubled lead, and there’s enough pizazz to imagine that “He Never Left” could be a franchise starter.
“Cellar Door” (In theaters on Nov. 1 from Lionsgate) — In this mystery, a rich man (Laurence Fishburne) offers a couple (Scott Speedman and Jordana Brewster) an expensive house for free … if they agree to never open the eponymous cellar door. From there the guessing game begins: What’s in there? Will the couple’s curiosity force them to open it? Will someone ever offer me a free mansion? (Read Variety’s full review here.)
“Black Cab” (Streaming on Shudder on Nov. 8) — Nick Frost plays a cab driver from hell in this contained yet kinetic ghost story. With sympathetic performances from Synnøve Karlsen and Luke Norris as his kidnapped couple, director Bruce Goodison has a steady hand doling out twists and secrets.
Killer Series
Image Credit: Courtesy of Shudder “The Creep Tapes” (Streaming on Shudder on Nov. 15) — A series spinoff of Patrick Brice and Mark Duplass’ found footage serial killer films, “The Creep Tapes” gathers six more of the nightmares from Peachfuzz’s VHS collection. These long-awaited chapters are a sweet treat for fans and make the time since 2017’s “Creep 2” worth the wait.
Frightening Festivals
Image Credit: ©Artisan Entertainment/Courtesy Soho Horror Film Festival (Nov. 22-24 in London) — The British fest is celebrating the 25th anniversary of “The Blair Witch Project” by showcasing some international debuts of ambitious found footage films, including Tim Kasher’s “Who’s Watching,” Stuart Ortiz’s “Strange Harvest: Occult Murder in the Inland Empire” and Koji Shiraishi’s “House Of Sayuri.”
