Interview with Rhiannon Frater By David Kempf

Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of the As the World Dies zombie trilogy (Tor) as well as independent works such as The Last Bastion of the Living. She also co-hosted the ZCast: a Z Nation Fan Podcast, interviewing the cast and crew of the SyFy show. Born and raised in Texas, she currently resides with her husband and furry children (a.k.a pets) in South Texas. She loves scary movies, sci-fi and horror shows, playing video games, cooking, dyeing her hair weird colors, and shopping for Betsey Johnson purses and shoes.

When did you first become interested in writing?
As soon as I learned to talk, I was a storyteller. I told elaborate tales with very well-defined characters. My mother found it very entertaining. Once I discovered books, I knew I wanted to be a writer.

How did you get involved in fantasy/horror?
I write about what I fear. I thought for a long time I would be a mystery or science fiction writer, but when my muse showed up she had sharp teeth and a lust for blood.

I honestly believe I inherited my love of horror from my grandfather. I lived in Texas and he was in Ohio when I was growing up, so I rarely saw him. He passed away when I was pretty young. Yet, my mom says I’m a lot like him in my love of horror films and books. So it must be genetic!

How would you classify the genre you write about?
When I started out, I called myself a horror writer. But I noticed that reviewers and readers classified my novels as anything but horror most of the time. A reviewer defined my zombie series (with all its blood, death, and gore) as chick-lit. If you look up the definition, As The World Dies is definitely not in that genre. Horror seems to have a very narrow definition in the minds of some, so I mostly call myself a speculative fiction author. All my novels have an element of horror in them. I absolutely love supernatural and gothic horror.

Why do you think horror and fantasy books remain so popular?
Horror provides a safe way to be scared. That’s very therapeutic. We live in stressful times. Fear, anxiety, and depression are a common part of life for many. Horror allows us an outlet for those feelings.

As for fantasy, it’s a way to be a hero vicariously through the characters. We can be the savior of not only ourselves, but others. Again, very therapeutic.

What inspires your stories?
My dreams. I have very vivid dreams with full plots and well-rounded characters. Most fade when I wake up, but the ones that stick in my head have a good chance of becoming novels.

Do you like writing about vampires or zombies more?
They’re very different, but I lean toward vampires. They’re powerful, but confined by their limitations, which I find challenging to write about. I also love the trappings that come with the lore. I can explore the human condition through a monstrous being in a very exaggerated way and have fun doing it.

When I write in the zombie genre, it’s all about the people. The characters have to not only resonate with me, but the readers. You have to care about them. I was told by more than a few readers that you can swap out the apocalyptic event the characters are facing and the stories would still work. The zombies are the backdrop, the constant threat, the personification of death. It’s the characters that make the difference. I want people to read my zombie stories and feel like they’re with friends (and sometimes enemies).

What do you think the difference between American horror and British horror is?
Well, this is based on the novels I’ve read and films I’ve seen, so I might be wrong, but it seems to me that British horror is a-ok with destroying the heroes and unhappy endings. I know a few UK films have a different, happier ending when released in the USA.

American horror swerves back and forth on what is popular, usually dependent on what’s going on in the country. I do think we tend to have more “happy” endings.

What are your favorite horror books now?
My favorites I’ve read this year are:
House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall
The Cold by Rich Hawkins

What are some of your favorite horror movies now?
I really enjoyed The Nun. I just watched it for my October Moviefest. I loved the gothic atmosphere. I have a soft spot for gothic horror.

I also enjoyed the Fear Street movies on Netflix. I didn’t expect to, but they were quite good.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment as an author so far?
The first thing that comes to mind are the people who tell me that my books provide an escape from the real world and their troubles. I’ve had several cancer survivors tell me that reading or listening to my novels during chemotherapy made it more bearable. That means a lot to me. It’s why I write.

Do you have any advice for new writers?
Read a lot. Write a lot. Write some more. Write until you find your voice and your genre. Write about what you love. Keep writing until you finish a book. Don’t give up.

What is your opinion of the new self-publishing trend?
I started out self-publishing before I got my deals with Tor. It is a great responsibility to self-publish. You have to make absolutely sure it is the best book possible before you put it out. Finding a good editor is vital.

Self-publishing is also great for writers who have a great story, but can’t find a home for it. My first agent and my editor at Tor told me the same thing: a story can be fantastic, but if the publisher doesn’t believe it will sell, they won’t acquire it. Maybe it’s too niche, or the market is glutted with that type of story, or maybe a novel in that genre bombed. There are lots of reasons a publisher might pass on a good book. Self-publishing allows authors to bring that story to readers and not just sit in a dark trunk.

What are your current projects?
I am working on a ghost idea for my agent to pitch to publishers and I’m writing a zombie novel to self-publish.

Please in your own words write a paragraph about yourself & your work today.
I am a full-time writer living in South Texas with my husband. I love everything spooky. I’m goth, so I definitely look like someone who writes vampire novels. Every day is Halloween in my life.

What are you doing for Halloween this year?
It is my 14th wedding anniversary, so we’ll have a romantic dinner and enjoy the Halloween festivities in our area. It’ll be a lovely, spooky night!

You can find her online at:
Website: rhiannonfrater.com
Online Store: https://ko-fi.com/rfrater/shop
Twitter: twitter.com/rhiannonfrater
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rhiannonfraterfans/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Rhiannon-Frater/e/B0027DLFL6/
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/rhiannonfrater/
Email: rhiannonfrater at gmail.com

FULL MOVIE - Wes Craven's SHOCKER (1989)

 

Shocker (also known as Wes Craven's Shocker) is a 1989 American slasher film written and directed by Wes Craven, and starring Michael Murphy, Peter Berg, Cami Cooper, and Mitch Pileggi. The film was released by Universal Pictures on October 27, 1989, and grossed $16.6 million.

After being sent to the electric chair, a serial killer uses electricity to come back from the dead and carry out his vengeance on the football player who turned him in to the police.

Interview with Stephen Moyer

On the eve of the World premiere of LAST SURVIVORS at FrightFest Halloween, Stephen Moyer talks his role and actively challenging the stereotypical view of women in horror.

In director Drew Mylrea’s LAST SURVIVORS, Stephen Moyer plays Troy, who has been living off the grid with his son Jake (Drew Van Acker) for over twenty years. Sensing his son’s growing curiosity about the outside world, he warns him of the dangers should he ever leave their woodland utopia. Any trespassers are shown no mercy, but when Jake happens across a beautiful woman Henrietta (Alicia Silverstone), the utopia Troy has built is set to unravel.

Reflecting on his character, Moyer says, “I'm ageing into those roles where I'm playing the father of twenty-five year olds!. It's like my days are changing in terms of how I see myself and how I'm seen. So that's the kind of stuff that comes to me.” No stranger to genre, the actor admits, “I love this film because it's a psychological thriller as opposed to a straight horror. I was touched by the relationship between my character and his son, and the writing was excellent and really spare, and it’s beautifully set in this remote area.” He adds, “It’s quite a deep thinking film as well as hopefully fun and interesting.”

In spite of his passion for the project, the outbreak of Covid meant for a time that the film might never happen. “A year a half before we even shot it, Drew and I were talking about who my character was. Covid happened and it looked like the film wasn't going to happen, but then they found a window. We went off to Montana in the middle of nowhere, and shot it in the snow.”

The films drama revolves around the arrival of the disruptive stranger (Henrietta, played by Alicia Silverstone, a familiar antagonist in cinema. Speaking about the appeal of these characters, Moyer suggests, “often it's something other to us. They’re someone who has a different sense of being of exactness, or self-possession that we don't ourselves have. When somebody feels like they're different, ‘the other’, we're compelled to watch them. In some way we're all hoping that we could be like that, and have that sense of self-belief. It’s always tantalising.”

This speaks to the idea that cinema allows the audience to express their less sociable side. It’s the part of us that wants to not have to conform to social expectations and please other people in order to belong. “They exist in their own world without the same moral compass, so it definitely sets them apart.” Moyer continues, “There's definitely a primal, elemental idea of what the female represents in this story. It's early man stuff in terms of primal origin, desire and Adam and Eve. There’s also a whole other underlying story about her personal journey, which one doesn't necessarily perceive if you’re not watching closely in her moments.”

In his opinion what’s so great about these types of story is the relationship between the characters and the audience, specifically what each are privy to. “The audience get to see things that the other characters in their moments don't get to see. The tantalising mirror is if what the audience are seeing is different to what the other characters are perceiving.”

Elaborating on his observation of what the female stranger represents, Moyer believes genre cinema is actively challenging the stereotypical view of women in horror, who are often sexualised and subjected to violence. “Obviously it's not a perfect world, but how far we've come in these last few years is incredible. So to be fair that's happening, and it’s about how in any way we can empower not just female characters, but female writers, and filmmakers and crew.”

He adds, “If you look at how something like PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN flipped the idea of what we find morally agreeable, there's this fantastic role for a woman who is all things and more. It’s happening as we speak, and the closer we get to that 50/50 divide of crew and cast, writers and directors, the way that stories are told will change. It's inevitable and it's happening already.”

LAST SURVIVORS plays at Arrow Video FrightFest Halloween on Sat 30th October, 1.10pm, Cineworld Leicester SQ.  Cast and crew, including Moyer, will be attending.

Tickets: https://www.frightfest.co.uk/Halloween21/LastSurvivors.html

Horror Channel unveils an unholy host of premieres for November

Long weekends just got scarier as Horror Channel announces eleven premieres for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights across November, including five UK TV premieres, three by emerging female directors.

Being shown for the first time on the small screen are Elle Callahan’s allegorical paranormal thriller WITCH HUNT, Amelia Moses’ lyrical lycanthrope horror BLOODTHIRSTY and Coralie Fargeat’s directorial debut, the slickly gruesome REVENGE. Also getting their first showings on TV are Nicolas Pesce’s smartly sadistic PIERCING and John Berardo’s subversive slasher INITIATION.

Neil Marshall makes a welcome return with the channel premiere of DOOMSDAY, as do The Soska Sisters, with the channel premiere of their stand-out body horror hit AMERICAN MARY. Plus, there is a channel premiere for Katie Aselton’s intense battle-of-the-sexes thriller BLACK ROCK and for three remakes – the 2009 version of THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT, with Wes Craven in a producing role, the 2007 version of THE HITCHER, with Sean Bean reprising the Rutger Hauer role and the 2014 version of erotic thriller THE LOFT, again directed by Erik Van Looy and starring Karl Urban.

Full film details in transmission order:

Friday 5 November @ 21:00 – WITCH HUNT (2021) *UK TV Premiere
Witch trials have come to life in modern day America and no one is safe from persecution or execution. Claire (Gideon Adlon) and her mother (Elizabeth Mitchell) are part of an underground movement in charge of ferrying women accused of witchcraft to safety. All is well in their world until a new charge brings the witch hunters to their door. Will they escape with their lives or will they also be charged with the ungodly crime of being a witch?

Friday 5 November @ 23:00 – PIERCING (2018) *UK TV Premiere
Reed (Christopher Abbott) is going on a business trip, but in lieu of a suitcase filled with clothes, he's packed a toothbrush and a murder kit. Everything is meticulously planned: check into a hotel and kill an unsuspecting victim. Only then will he rid himself of his devious impulses and continue to be a good husband and father. But Reed gets more than he bargained for with Jackie (Mia Wasikowska), an alluring call girl who arrives at his room.

Saturday 6 November @ 22:45 – DOOMSDAY (2008) *Channel Premiere
In this action-packed thriller from writer/director Neil Marshall (The Descent), authorities brutally quarantine a country as it succumbs to fear and chaos when a virus strikes. The literal walling-off works for three decades--until the dreaded Reaper virus violently resurfaces in a major city. Starring Rhona Mitra, Bob Hoskins, and Malcolm McDowell.

Sunday 7 November @ 21:00 – BLACK ROCK (2012) *Channel Premiere
Three childhood friends set aside their personal issues and reunite for a girls' weekend on a remote island off the coast of Maine. One wrong move turns their weekend getaway into a deadly fight for survival. Stars Katie Aselton, Lake Bell and Kate Bosworth

Friday 12 November @ 23:05 – AMERICAN MARY (2012) *Channel Premiere
Medical student Mary Mason (Katharine Isabelle) becomes increasingly disenchanted by the school she studies at and the established doctors she once admired. The allure of easy money to solve her debt problems sends her into the twilight world of body modification and underground surgeries where obsessed flesh artists will pay anything to get their unusual procedures done. But Mary finds that her new ‘profession’ leaves more marks on her own psyche than on her freakish clientele. Also stars Jen and Sylvia Soska.
 

Saturday 13 November @ 22:50 – THE HITCHER (2007) *Channel Premier
When two travellers pick up a hitcher on the side of the road, they immediately discover that their worst fears have come true - this Hitcher is a murderous psychopath. However, it's only after the young couple barely escape with their lives that the real trouble begins. A new take on the 1986 classic starring Sean Bean.

Sunday 14 November @ 21:00 – THE LOFT (2014) *Channel premiere
Five married men conspire to secretly share a penthouse loft in the city - a place where they can indulge in their deepest extramarital fantasies. But the fantasy becomes a nightmare when they discover the dead body of an unknown woman in the loft, and they realise one of the group must be involved. Stars Karl Urban and James Marsden.

Friday 19 November @ 21:00 – BLOODTHIRSTY (2020) *UK TV Premiere
When an offer to record with one of the greatest music producers of all time comes along, singer Grey can’t refuse. Moving cross country to record her new album in a remote location, Grey begins to realise there’s a beastly secret lurking within her new home. Will her own humanity be the price for fame and how much blood will be shed to secure a hit?

Friday 19 November @ 22:40 – REVENGE (2017) *UK TV Premiere
Three wealthy married men get together for their annual hunting game in a desert canyon. One of them is accompanied by his young mistress, who quickly arouses the interest of the two others, and things get dramatically out of hand.

Saturday 27 November @ 22:30 – THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT (2009) *Channel Premiere
This remake brings one of the most notorious thrillers of all time to a new generation, as it explores how far two ordinary people will go to exact revenge on the sociopaths who harmed their child. As producer, Wes Craven revisits the landmark film that launched his directing career and influenced decades of horror films to follow:

Sunday 28 November @ 22:55 – INITIATION (2020) *UK TV Premiere
One night, at Whiton University, a star-athlete is murdered in the wake of a buried assault allegation, kicking off a spree of social media-linked slayings. As a masked killer targets students across campus, a trio of sorority sisters race to uncover the truth behind the school's hidden secrets - and the horrifying meaning of an exclamation point - before they become the next victims.

TV: Sky 317 / Virgin 149 / Freeview 70 / Freesat 138

COMPETITION: Win No Man of God on DVD

No Man of God  - Released from 25th October

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you 2 copies on DVD to give away.

Synopsis: 

In 1980, Ted Bundy was sentenced to death by electrocution. In the years that followed, he agreed to disclose the details of his crimes, but only to one man. No Man of God is based on the true story of the strange and complicated relationship that developed between FBI agent Bill Hagmaier (Wood) and an incarcerated Ted Bundy (Luke Kirby) in the years leading to Bundy's execution. 

Starring Elijah Wood, Luke Kirby and Robert Patrick

Also available on Special Edition Blu-ray which arrives in astunning rigid box packaging featuring newly commissioned artwork, it includes a set of art cards and fascinating extended interviews with stars Elijah Wood, Luke Kirby and Aleksa Palladino.

Pre-Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3BTMMLV

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 01-11-21
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

FULL MOVIE: Jason Rising: A Friday the 13th Fan Film (2021)

A fan tribute to Friday the 13th, JASON RISING follows Wessex County Police Officer Pete Daltry (Kyle Vahan) and his Deputy Eve Glover (Anna Campbell), along with U.S. Marshals Jed (Jason Reynolds) and Bear (Jerry Bell Jr.), hot on the trail of three escapees (Lisa Sorenson, Jennie Vaughn, Elizabeth Garrett) from the Wessex County Corrections Farm. Soon after realizing their chase has led them onto the cursed grounds of Camp Crystal Lake, Daltry quickly discovers that they are the ones being hunted by the undead mass murderers Jason Voorhees (Dan Kyle) and his deranged mother Pamela (Alyxandria McCormack).

Support the makers of the film at 

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/jason-rising-a-friday-the-13th-fan-film--6#/

Directed by James Sweet

Based on Friday the 13th By Sean S. Cunningham & Victor Miller

Starring
Kyle Vahan
Anna Campbell
Jerry Bell Jr.
Jason Reynolds
Lisa Sorenson
Kyle Vahan
Anna Campbell
Jerry Bell Jr.
Jason Reynolds
Lisa Sorenson
James Sweet
Vincente DiSanti

Featuring
Dan Kyle as Jason Voorhees and "Old Man" Daltry
Alyxandria McCormack as Pamela Voorhees
and Kristina Haddad as the evil voice of Pamela and Dispatch Sue

Full Movie - Bruiser (2000) - Directed by George A. Romero and starring Jason Flemyng, Peter Stormare and Leslie Hope

 

Bruiser is a 2000 French horror-thriller film written and directed by George A. Romero and starring Jason Flemyng, Peter Stormare and Leslie Hope.

You can also buy to keep from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3iT2hMM

The young executive of a publicity agency Henry Creedlow is a man that has repressed morbid thoughts and is walked over by most of his acquaintances: his wife is cheating on him with his boss and stealing his investments with help from his best friend; his housemaid is frequently stealing from his house and insulting him in Spanish; even his annoying poodle does not respect him. While in his daily morning routine listening to a talk show on the radio, he hears a man committing suicide live because he had been felt miserable and disrespected for a long time, and Henry feels impressed with the tragic story. The next morning, he wakes up to find his face covered by a white mask, changing his personality and letting him seek revenge against those who have humiliated him.

Interview with Romala Garai - Director of AMULET

AMULET will receive its UK premiere at FrightFest’s Halloween event. Excited or what?

So excited! It’s a great honour to have our UK premiere at such a brilliantly subversive festival. We are very grateful! 

You’re most well known as an actress but have you always wanted to write and direct films?

I’ve been writing since my teens but it wasn’t until my late 20’s that I realized I wanted to direct as well and I made my short film SCRUBBER. Now what I’d love is to write, direct and act. Never all three together though! 

What was the writing process like? Were there any major inspirations and motivations that drove you?

I was very influenced by a book I read called THE BUTCHERS TRAIL about the man hunt for Slobodan Milosevic. The book talks a lot about the rights and wrongs of punishing war crimes, the worry being that if you want peace then that has to come at the cost of justice for victims. Of course I see both sides but there was part of me that longed for a kind of greater justice that could punish all those that had used war as an opportunity to be their worst selves. 

Why did you choose the horror genre?

Of course horror has always been the space where dreams and subconscious are most comfortably incorporated into the film. This film is about dreams and deep seated longings. It was the obvious space for this story to sit. 

It’s a very powerful film and not afraid to journey into some contentiously dark places. Did you feel the horror genre gave you the freedom to do that?

When you make drama your experience of the action can always happen at a remove. I wanted the viewers to be complicit in liking this man and share his fear and dread. Horror allows you to force your audience into sharing the visceral emotions of the story. 

The themes of war, sexual violence and ancient evil are very dominant but at the heart of the narrative it appears to be a story of gender revenge, in which an evil man must pay for his crimes against women. Would you go along with that?

Pretty much! I feel that on some level  the Christian ideas of forgiveness are too often used to protect men and to prop up a patriarchy. I think that was all swirling around in there!

The casting is terrific. Tell us about the process.

The casting was an amazingly simple process! Alec was immediately mentioned to me as a possible. The list contained a lot of brilliant actors from all across the UK and Europe but I just knew that he was so sympathetic and gentle it would be impossible for the audience not to invest in his journey. At the same time he’s an incredibly smart and nice man. And a great actor! 

Carla was someone whose work I was very familiar with. I’ve always loved her acting. I didn’t know if she’d respond to doing horror but we had a meeting and had just a great connection and she understood and supported the films rage so brilliantly. It was amazing to work with her.

Imelda I know as I’ve worked with her as an actor. I didn’t think for a million years she’d say yes! It was a great day to know that we had her be part of the film. She is one of my favourite actors of all time.

You’ve been labelled: “An audacious new horror auteur on the scene”. How does that make you feel?

Great! 

Have you plans to continue to work as a director? If so, how will you balance this with your acting career?

Absolutely. I think a lot of the scripts I’ve written may take time to get made. Some of them are pretty out there! So I’m so lucky to be able to combine that long slog with another career that I also love. 

Finally, what’s next for you?

Directing-wise I have several projects in development. A 17th century period romp with a dark twist, a small scale science fiction and another horror. 

Acting wise I’m playing Mary Tudor in Becoming Elizabeth, a new series for Starz which will be out in April. And I’m in Lucile Hadzihalilovic’s new film Earwig that is playing at LFF.  

AMULET plays at Arrow Video FrightFest Halloween on Sat 30th October, 6.30pm, Cineworld Leicester SQ. Romola will be attending

Tickets: https://www.frightfest.co.uk/Halloween21/AMULET.html

COMPETITION: Win Infection on DVD

Infection - Released from 18th October

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you 3 copies on DVD to give away.

Synopsis: 

A mutated variant of the rabies virus is rampant in Venezuela. Once infected, the afflicted turn into bloodthirsty monsters who spread the disease everywhere.

In a rural town lives a recently widowed doctor, Adam, whose son is on vacation at his grandparents. As news of the epidemic reaches their small town, Adam, and his neighbour, set out on a perilous journey through the devastated country in search of his son.

Produced before the outbreak of Covid 19, INFECTION received its world premiere at Sitges and has since screened at over 20 festivals worldwide including Festival of Fear in Canada where it won Best Foreign Film and Panama Horror Film Festival where it won Best Film. Raindance hosted the UK premiere followed by screenings at Cine-Excess in Birmingham and Dublin Horrorthon in Ireland.

Pre-Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3axu7JH

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 25-10-21
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

Horror Channel presents a Classic Horror Halloween weekend on 30-31 October.

 

Famous monsters rise again! To celebrate the Halloween weekend on Sat 30 October and Sunday 31st October, Horror Channel presents CLASSIC HORROR HALLOWEEN, two diabolical daytime marathons highlighted by five channel premieres, including BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, the celebrated sequel to the 1931 classic with Boris Karloff reprising his role as the monster, FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLFMAN, featuring the original Wolfman, Lon Chaney, Jr. and Bela Lugosi as Frankenstein's monster, THE INVISIBLE MAN, in which Claude Rains delivers a remarkable performance in his screen debut, Christy Cabanne’s frightening chiller masterpiece THE MUMMY’S HAND and REVENGE OF THE CREATURE, the sequel to Universal's fabulously successful The Creature from the Black Lagoon, which is also part of the weekend’s monstrous menu.

Other immortal classics featured are Ted Browning and Karl Freund’s DRACULA, starring Bela Lugosi as the infamously seductive Count, James Whale’s genre-defining FRANKENSTEIN, starring Boris Karloff, Karl Freund’s mesmerising THE MUMMY, with Boris Karloff further establishing himself as one of the great horror stars in film history, THE WOLF MAN, with Lon Chaney, Jr. as the original werewolf and the pulp horror classic CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON.

Full film details in transmission order:

Sat 30 October @ 13:00 – DRACULA (1931)

This horror classic stands as the most famous and celebrated film version of the popular vampire story. Bela Lugosi delivers a star-making performance as the titular villain – his erudite, refined Dracula is at once alluring and terrifying. While director Tod Browning an effectively and haunting atmosphere. Also stars Edward Van Sloan as Dracula’s arch enemy, vampire-hunter Van Helsing.

Sat 30 Oct @ 14:30 – FRANKENSTEIN (1931)

Considered by many to be the greatest horror film of all time, director James Whale’s masterpiece tells the story of a maniacal scientist whose obsession with creating a living being from dead body parts leads to a tragic and shocking end. Adapted from the gothic novel by Mary Shelley, the film made Karloff a star and ushered in a new era of horror. It’s been selected by many critics as one of the top hundred films of all time.

Sat 30 Oct @ 15:55 – BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1935) *Channel Premiere

This celebrated sequel to the 1931 classic finds Mary Shelley's monster alive and well and forcing the good baron to create a mate. Horror film icon Boris Karloff reprises his role as Dr. Frankenstein's fabled creation and Elsa Lanchester co-stars as his monstrous lady love.

Sat 30 Oct @ 17:25 – THE WOLF MAN (1941)

Lon Chaney, Jr. is the original Wolf Man, forever cursed to roam the countryside as a werewolf. The atmospheric direction and moody soundtrack make "The Wolf Man" as frightening today as it was when it was released. This chilling film introduces another iconic character into the pantheon of classic horror film monsters and villains.

Sat 30 Oct @ 18:50 – FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLFMAN  (1943) *Channel Premiere

Two of the silver screen's most fearsome creatures battle it out when the Wolfman (Lon Chaney reprising his role) seeking to end his curse, looks to the notorious Dr Frankenstein for a cure. However, his mission pus him on a collision course with Frankenstein’s monster, played by Bela Lugosi.

Sun 31 Oct @ 13:00 – THE INVISIBLE MAN (1933) *Channel Premiere

Claude Rains plays a mysterious doctor who discovers a serum that makes him invisible. Covered by bandages and dark glasses, Rains arrives at a small English village and attempts to hide his amazing discovery. But the same drug that renders him invisible slowly drives him to commit acts of unspeakable terror. Based on H.G. Wells' classic novel and directed by the master of macabre James Whale, The Invisible Man not only fuelled a host of sequels, but also features some special effects that are still imitated today.

Sun 31 Oct @ 14:25 – THE MUMMY (1932)

Boris Karloff solidifies his status as one of the greatest horror stars in film history with his terrifying yet surprisingly poignant performance as high priest as Imhotep, a 3,700 year old mummy who wreaks havoc upon the members of the British field expedition that disturbed his tomb. Featuring ground-breaking innovations in make-up that are used to chilling effects, the film earns its place in the canon of classic horror cinema.

Sun 31 Oct @ 15:55 – THE MUMMY’S HAND (1940) *Channel Premiere

Two broke archaeologists, Steve Banning (Dick Foran) and Babe Jenson (Wallace Ford), head to Egypt to uncover the legendary sarcophagus of Princess Ananka. Not only is the tomb cursed, it has its own guard - an eternal mummy named Kharis! When expedition members start dying at the mummy’s hand, it’ll take wits and courage to survive the undying horror uncovered under the sands.

Sun 31 Oct @ 17:15 CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954)

American scientists get more than they bargained for on an amazon expedition when a dark tributary turns up a prehistoric man with gills. The half man/half amphibian breaks free after being captured, stealing away the only woman on the crew. This well-crafted creature feature introduces us to one of the most iconic movie monsters of all time.

Sun 31 Oct @ 18:50 REVENGE OF THE CREATURE (1954) * Channel Premiere

Two oceanographers (John Bromfield and Robert B. Williams) capture the creature and put him on display. Here the hapless Gill-Man is taught a few words of English by compassionate ichthyologists, John Agar and Lori Nelson. Eventually, however, the creature reverts to type, kills one of his captors and goes on a rampage, managing to abduct the heroine and carry her off. Intense underwater photography and practical effects make "The Revenge of the Creature" a horror classic.

TV: Sky 317 / Virgin 149 / Freeview 70 / Freesat 138

COMPETITION: Win Son on Blu-ray

Son - Released from 11th October

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you 2 copies on Blu-ray to give away.

Synopsis: 

Ivan Kavanagh’s Son delivers a gory tale of motherhood and cultism where no one can be trusted, not even your own son. A Shudder Exclusive, the film is set for its UK Blu-ray debut from Acorn Media International on 11 October 2021 and will also be available on DVD and digital.

 

Rising horror star Andi Matichak (Halloween) leads alongside Jay Sebring (Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood) and Luke David Blumm (The King of Staten Island) in his horror debut to deliver an enthralling and brutal flick that leaves nothing to the imagination.

Laura (Matichak) lives with her eight-year-old son David (Blumm)…. But her tranquil homelife is upset when one night she awakens to find strangers surrounding his bed. When the police turn up, there’s no sign of anyone breaking into their home. As Laura begins to question her sanity, her son becomes increasingly ill and repressed memories of her past life in a cult start to resurface. She descends further into perceived madness whilst David develops an insatiable hunger for humans. Will cop Paul (Hirsch) be able to help her find answers and escape the grasp of the cult or is her Son out of her reach?

This gruesome, bone-chilling horror will have you crying for a motherly hug.

Pre-Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/2Yg7yq3

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 18-10-21
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

COMPETITION: Win Monstrum on Blu-ray

Monstrum - Released from 11th October

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you 2 copies on Blu-ray to give away.

Synopsis: 

A creature feature merging martial arts madness with fantastic folklore, Monstrum is brimming with warrior action, cinematic beauty – and of course – a giant furry monster. Helmed by South Korean director and co-writer, Huh Jong-ho, Monstrum is set for its UK Blu-ray debut and on digital on 4 October and on DVD 11 October from Acorn Media International in conjunction with Shudder.

16th Century South Korea:  The plague terrorises villagers and fear runs rampant in the streets. When rumours of a fabled and ferocious beast roaming Mount Inwangsan begin to spread, fear soon turns to panic. To quell the rising terror, King Jungjong (Hee-soon Park – The Scam) brings his most trusted general, Yoon-gyeom (Myung-Min Kim – Six Flying Dragons) back from retirement to hunt the monstrous Monstrum – which threatens both palace and people.

Joined by royal court officer Heo (Woo-sik Choi – Parasite), his daughter Myeong (Hyeri Lee – Record of Youth), and loyal right-hand man Seong-han (In-kwon Kim – My Way), Yoon-gyeom embarks on a quest to find the legendary monster.

More than a simple tale of man versus beast, Monstrum considers the origins of myths and murderous monsters. Is the creature real… or a figment of mass imagination?

Pre-Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3B2aNjz

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 18-10-21
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

COMPETITION: Win The Walking Dead: World Beyond Season 1 on Blu-ray

The Walking Dead: World Beyond Season 1 - Released on Blu-ray from 11th October

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 2 Blu-rays to give away.

Synopsis: 

Cultural phenomenon The Walking Dead expands its scope with a next-generation spin-off World Beyond, a new series exploring the lives of four teenagers raised in a post-apocalyptic world. The Walking Dead: World Beyond arrives on Blu-ray, DVD and digital 11 October 2021, courtesy of Acorn Media International. 

Set in Nebraska, 10 years after the zombie apocalypse, smart high school student Iris Bennett (Aliyah Royale – The Red Line, War Paint), and her rebellious adopted sister Hope (Alexa Mansour – Unfriended: Dark Wed, Loco Love), are forced to set off on a dangerous journey, along with two friends, the intellectual Elton Ortiz (Nicolas Cantu – The Good Place, The Powerpuff Girls) and a shy transfer student with a mysterious, violent past, Silas Plaskett (Hal Cumpston – Bilched, Nine Perfect Strangers). 

Leaving the safety and comfort of home to brave dangers, known and unknown, living and undead on an important quest, the teens are pursued by both those who wish to protect them and those who wish to harm them including Elizabeth Kublek (Julia Ormond – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, My Week with Marilyn). A coming-of-age story unfurls across dangerous terrain, challenging everything they know about the world, themselves and each other. Some will become heroes. Some will become villains. But will they find the truths they seek in the World Beyond?

Pre-order from https://amzn.to/3a5NwkZ

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 18-10-21
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.