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iHorror Writer Spotlight: Carly Knaszak

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Here we are again as we continue this series of getting down and dirty with the faces behind iHorror! As writers, we feel like we know a lot of our regular readers by their interactions with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; So why not to get to know us a little better? Today we plunge into the beautiful and dark world of Carly Knaszak. Carly has been with iHorror for over a year now and has banged out impressive pieces for the ever growing website. Her way with words comes across as non- robotic, which makes it as though you’re speaking to just another horror fan. She’s a charming looker and down to earth gal who lives and breathes the horror genre and can give any enthusiast a challenge with her vast knowledge of the horror game. So let’s dive right into it shall we?

 

carly1

 

 How did your relationship with iHorror begin?

iHorror happened in a really random way. I was scrolling through my newsfeed on Facebook and saw a link to a horror site. I forgot what the article was but then I started stalking the site and loved the material on it. Then I saw they were looking for writers and I sent an email to Anthony and I got the gig! I was so thrilled to actually write for a website that had such an interest in horror. It was awesome meeting people that loved horror as much as me.

 

Favorite article you’ve done and favorite piece done by another writer?

My favorite article was probably one of my first articles. I wrote about a girl beheading her classmate-(you can read that here). The reaction from people were so great and it was such a creepy thing to happen. I don’t really have a favorite article done by anyone because I would be sitting here all day listing off different ones from each category on the site. But I can say the most helpful articles on iHorror are the ones saying what are the best horror movie on Netflix. My friends and I will have a movie night and we will go on iHorror and look at all the movies that the writers recommended. I know I really didn’t answer the question but everyone brings their own writing style to the site and I love what everyone posts.

 

If you could interview one horror icon, who would it be and why?

 Okay, I can’t give you just one. I have so many people I would love to interview! But my top three would be Robert Englund, Elvira and Wes Craven. I would pick Elvira because she has such a sex appeal to horror. She made horror sexy. But also I love Englund and Craven because both of them are geniuses for the Elm Street series.

 

carly2

 

What was it that started your fascination with the horror genre?

I use to be terrified of Jack Skellington and Beetlejuice when I was younger  I wanted nothing to do with horror but then I was like any teenager and went through a goth phase and became obsessed with Nightmare Before Christmas. It also started with my parents taking our family to Orlando’s Halloween Horror Night. It was like my second home. Horror just became part of my life because I was so scared of it as a child but then I became obsessed with facing my fears of blood and guts. I love being scared now.

 

In my best Ghostface voice: What’s your favorite scary movie?

My top favorite horror movie is Halloween. It was one of the first horror movies my dad showed me. I became obsessed with it because Michael Myers is literally just a guy with a knife and walking around but he is terrifying! The music was amazing to the movie. I even have the Halloween theme song as my ringtone!

 

 

Be on the lookout for more of iHorror’s spotlight on our lovely group of writers!

You can follow Carly on twitter@_CarlyxK_

All images used in this article done by Kate Drexel Photography.

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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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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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