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Dark Irony: Real Life Scream Inspired Killings

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This past year we celebrated a full twenty years since the release of Wes Craven’s blockbuster hit Scream.  This horror film not only redefined the genre with its quick and witty dialogue and innovative script, it also added a new monster to an industry that was in desperate need of new blood.  However unlike in its predecessors, this movie’s monster was not the boogeyman under your bed or the possessed toy in your closet, this villain was as human as you and I.  The new monster was the horror fan.
The film takes place in Woodsboro, a sleepy California town tucked into the foothills of the Golden State.  Woodsboro is far away from the big city lights and everyday big city crime.  Life in Woodsboro is simple, filled with football games, tests, and young love for its high school students focused upon in the plot.  Yet all of that is about to change when a rash of killings breaks out among the young student body of Woodsboro High.

Scream from Dimension Films

As the co-eds are picked off in extremely gory and graphic fashion, the cops scramble helplessly in their clueless quest to catch the perpetrator.  Little do they know their killer is not one individual, but two.  Two high school students began this rampage together, and it all started with their infatuation with horror films.

The success of Scream spawned three sequels, Halloween costumes, countless toys, and a television series that is currently in its second season.  However, its influence has reached far beyond the world of entertainment.  The ghost face killer has inspired at least three real life killings.

In a world where movie writers love to make films “inspired by true events” the tables have been reversed in these real life crimes.  In fact, when one of these assailant’s went to trial and explained he was motivated by the Wes Craven movie, the judge responded by saying the movie is “a very good source to learn how to kill someone.”  Chilling.

Scream from Dimension Films

Perhaps the most well-known Scream inspired killing involves two sixteen year old killers: Brian Lee Draper and Torey Michael Adamcik.

The boys were just high school students themselves when they murdered their classmate Cassie Jo Stoddart ten years after the film’s initial release.

On September 22, 2006 the two Idaho teenagers stalked Stoddart.  She was house sitting for her aunt at the time.  After patiently waiting for Stoddart’s boyfriend to leave the home Draper and Adamcik cut the power to the dwelling and entered.  While it is unclear who did what once the boys were inside, their actions resulted in the horrific killing of Stoddart who suffered 29 knife wounds.

Later under police interrogation Adamcik revealed he was inspired to commit the crime by the movie Scream.  Furthermore, both boys were motivated by the thought of potential fame they would acquire after the murder.

Brian Lee Draper and Torey Michael Adamcik

Another Scream motivated killing occurred in 2001 when 15 year old Allison Cambier exchanged some videotapes with her 24 year old neighbor, Thierry Jaradin.  Inside Jaradin’s residence the two were friendly and chatted for a while.

Soon into the conversation Jaradin made advances towards the young girl.  When Cambier rejected his advances he excused himself from the room.  When he returned Jaradin was dressed in the iconic black tunic and ghost face mask from the movie.  He then preceded to stab the 15 year old 30 times, taking her life.

Thierry Jaradin in court

A third Scream inspired killing is the murder of Gina Castillo.  Castillo was killed by her 16 year old son and 15 year old nephew.  If the act of matricide isn’t bone chilling enough, the boys confessed they were going to use the proceeds of the murder to fund their killing spree that would replicate the first two Scream movies.

In a world where four little words, “inspired by true events,” has so much power when drawing audiences to theaters, movie makers probably don’t stop to consider what would happen if their fiction inspired real life horrific events.  Do these movies cause violence?  Would perpetrators cause crimes if such movies didn’t exist?  We are left to wonder if horror movies really do create killers, or as Billy Loomis from Scream states “Movies don’t create psychos; movies make psychos more creative.”  We would love to know what you think in your comments!

To read about movies inspired by true life events check out fellow iHorror writer Craig Mapp’s article about 25 horror films based on true stories! 

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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