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Horror Short Sunday: ‘Intruders’

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December’s icy grip is already taking hold, and what better way to welcome the cold this Horror Short Sunday than with writer/director Santiago Menghini’s melancholy short film Intruders (2014). This chilling piece stars Joshua Young, Charles Sirard Blouin, Sarianne Cormier, Alain Gendreau, Lynda Lapierre, and Tristan Gabriel Chaput. The film was produced by Katerine Lefrançois.

Here is the official synopsis:

“In the aftermath of a deadly haunting in a small suburban home, a sinister omnipresent entity proceeds to cause havoc in the private lives of a young boy, an unsuspecting teen, and an absent minded inspector.”

Intruders plays out like an episodic horror story told in three parts. The first two segments of the film are adapted from short comics titled 5:45 A.M. by Al Columbia and Jacov by Uno Moralez, while the final segment titled Inspector is an original creation.

Here is a breakdown of Intruders’ three segments:

5:45 A.M.

We open on a suburban home now still and quieted in the aftermath of something terrible that occurred. The interior is left in disarray, as an older woman’s lifeless body sits with eyes wide open on the living room couch. But there is someone else with her. We hear a ruckus outside as eggs pelt the windows, and two young vandals are seen making a run for it into the cold night.

Jacov

One of the vandals now sits alone in the bedroom of his high-rise apartment drawing at his desk. As the snow falls softly outside, Jacov suddenly pauses sensing a strange presence. Something has followed the boys home from the sleepy suburban house they antagonized.

Inspector

An inspector wanders into the disheveled home seen in the first segment to investigate what occurred. He makes his way from room to room, snapping photos of the scene. As he continues searching for clues, he suddenly feels he’s not alone.

Intruders is a unnerving experience, as we drift in and out of each ambiguous segment like a bad dream. Jacov’s story is terrifying in such a surreal way. The monstrous woman inexplicably spots Jacov from the window, makes her way to him at impossible speed, and somehow knows exactly where he is in a large building. The pacing and tone feels like it was pulled directly from someone’s nightmares. It’s a horrifying call-back to Hitchcock’s Rear Window that absolutely stands on its own.

Director of photography Ray Lavers does a gorgeous job bringing the panels from the comics to life. The disheveled interior of the suburban home sits undisturbed and bathed in shadow like a mausoleum, with outside streetlights and headlights revealing the horrors within. The short has rich visuals with many stunningly lit shots resembling classic chiaroscuro paintings. The visual storytelling in Intruders is so strong you may not even realize until after you watched it that there is no actual dialogue.

Intruders has an eerie peacefulness to its snowy winter aesthetic. The sound department lends a delicate subtlety to the cold atmosphere with soft wind blowing outside, and no stinging jump scares breaking the mood. The score by Hugo Mayrand is subdued, creeping in and out of the silence during key moments.

Santiago Menghini’s Intruders is a dark force to be reckoned with that will keep you unsettled long after it’s over. This ominous film would pair well with the heavy atmosphere of Ju-On and Let the Right One In. Check out the full short film below!

Be sure to curl up on the couch and take a look at some of our other Horror Short Sunday picks! We’ll be back next week with another great short film for you to enjoy!

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1994’s ‘The Crow’ Coming Back to Theaters for A New Special Engagement

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The Crow

Cinemark recently announced that they will be bringing The Crow back from the dead once again. This announcement comes just in time for the film’s 30th anniversary. Cinemark will be playing The Crow in select theaters on May 29th and 30th.

For those unaware, The Crow is a fantastic film based on the gritty graphic novel by James O’Barr. Widely considered one of the best films of the 90s, The Crow’s lifespan was cut short when Brandon Lee died of an accidental on set shooting.

The official synapsis of the film is as follows. “The modern-gothic original that entranced audiences and critics alike, The Crow tells the tale of a young musician brutally murdered alongside his beloved fiancée, only to be risen from the grave by a mysterious crow. Seeking revenge, he battles a criminal underground that must answer for its crimes. Adapted from the comic book saga of the same name, this action-packed thriller from director Alex Proyas (Dark City) features hypnotic style, dazzling visuals, and a soulful performance by the late Brandon Lee.”

The Crow

The timing of this release couldn’t be better. As a new generation of fans eagerly awaits the release of The Crow remake, they can now see the classic film in all of its glory. As much as we love Bill Skarsgard (IT), there is something timeless in Brandon Lee’s performance in the film.

This theatrical release is part of the Scream Greats series. This is a collaboration between Paramount Scares and Fangoria to bring audiences some of the best classic horror films. So far, they are doing a fantastic job.

That’s all the information we have at this time. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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Hugh Jackman & Jodie Comer Team Up for a New Dark Robin Hood Adaptation

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A report from Deadline details director Michal Sarnoski’s (A Quiet Place: Day One) newest project, The Death of Robin Hood. The film is set to feature Hugh Jackman (Logan) and Jodie Comer (The End We Start From).

Michael Sarnoski will write and direct the new Robin Hood adaptation. Jackman will be reunited with Aaron Ryder (The Prestige), who is producing the film. The Death of Robin Hood is expected to be a hot item at the upcoming Cannes film market.

Hugh Jackman, The Death of Robin Hood
Hugh Jackman

Deadline describes the films as the following. “The film is a darker reimagining of the classic Robin Hood tale. Set of its time, the film will see the title character grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder, a battleworn loner who finds himself gravely injured and in the hands of a mysterious woman, who offers him a chance at salvation.”

Lyrical Media will be financing the film. Alexander Black will produce the film alongside Ryder and Andrew Sweet. Black gave Deadline the following information about the project. “We are thrilled to be part of this very special project and to be working with a visionary director in Michael, a phenomenal cast in Hugh and Jodie, and producing with our frequent collaborators, Ryder and Swett at RPC.”

“This is not the story of Robin Hood we’ve all come to know,” Ryder and Swett stated to Deadline “Instead, Michael has crafted something far more grounded and visceral. Thanks to Alexander Black and our friends at Lyrical along with Rama and Michael, the world is going to love seeing Hugh and Jodie together in this epic.”

Jodie Comer

Sarnoski seems to be excited by the project as well. He offered Deadline the following information about the film.

“It has been an incredible opportunity to reinvent and freshly innovate the story we all know of Robin Hood. Securing the perfect cast to transform the script to screen was essential. I could not be more thrilled and trusting in Hugh and Jodie to bring this story to life in a powerful and meaningful way.”

We are still a long way away from seeing this Robin Hood tale. Production is expected to begin in February of 2025. However, it does sound like it will be a fun entry into the Robin Hood canon.

That’s all the information we have at this time.

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Mike Flanagan In Talks to Direct New Exorcist Movie for Blumhouse

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Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House) is a national treasure that must be protected at all costs. Not only has he created some of the best horror series to ever exist, but he also managed to make a Ouija Board movie genuinely terrifying.

A report from Deadline yesterday indicates that we may be seeing even more from this legendary storysmith. According to Deadline sources, Flanagan is in talks with Blumhouse and Universal Pictures to direct the next Exorcist film. However, Universal Pictures and Blumhouse have declined to comment on this collaboration at this time.

Mike Flanagan
Mike Flanagan

This change comes after The Exorcist: Believer failed to meet Blumhouse’s expectations. Initially, David Gordon Green (Halloween)was hired to create three Exorcist films for the production company, but he has left the project to focus on his production of The Nutcrackers.

If the deal goes through, Flanagan will take over the franchise. Looking at his track record, this could be the right move for the Exorcist franchise. Flanagan consistently delivers amazing horror media that leave audiences clamoring for more.

It would also be perfect timing for Flanagan, as he just wrapped up filming the Stephen King adaptation, The Life of Chuck. This isn’t the first time he has worked on a King product. Flanagan also adapted Doctor Strange and Gerald’s Game.

He has also created some amazing Netflix originals. These include The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Midnight Club, and most recently, The Fall of the House of Usher.

If Flanagan does take over, I think the Exorcist franchise will be in good hands.

That’s all the information we have at this time. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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