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M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Servant’ is Off to a Brilliant Start on AppleTV+

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Servant

Servant, the new series written by Tony Basgallop (To the Ends of the Earth) and executive produced by M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense), started strong last week when the first three episodes dropped on AppleTV+.

The series stars Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under) and Toby Kebbell (Warcraft) as Dorothy and Sean Turner, a couple suffering after the loss of their infant child, Jericho. Dorothy was inconsolable to the point of catatonia after Jericho’s death but thanks to a controversial therapy using a lifelike doll as a substitute she has begun taking steps into her old life.

Making the decision to go back to work, she hires Leanne Grayson (Game of Thrones’ Nell Tiger Free) who takes the job, never questioning that her charge is not a living child.

The series is a gloriously atmospheric character study, carefully paced with unexpected surprises around every turn thanks to Basgallop’s writing and the cast’s commitment to their roles.

Ambrose moves from one moment to the next across a perilous psychological landscape with the alacrity of a trained dancer, giving each moment just enough weight before moving to the next inevitable hill or valley. Her performance is especially effective in those valleys, however, as we realize with a palpable sense of dread that even at her lowest, she is still standing on the edge of a cliff.

Kebbell’s Sean, meanwhile, is caught in the equally perilous balancing act between caring for his wife while trying to heal himself. His patience is thin and he lashes out before breaking down while trying to process all of the feelings he has going on inside himself.

And then there’s Leanne. Free plays her with a cold disconnect that leaves the audience uncertain of her actions as well as the motivations behind them. There is something terrifying about Free in this role that could very well place her on nomination lists when award season rolls around.

Nell Tiger Free as Leanne in Servant

The central cast is rounded out by Rupert Grint who famously played Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise and continues to prove that he is much more than the role that made him famous with his no-nonsense portrayal of Dorothy’s brother.

It’s a dynamite mixture that keeps Servant on its slow-burn course from one episode to the next.

For his part, Shyamalan, who shares directing duties on Servant with Daniel Sackheim and Lisa Bruhlmann, brings some of his signature style and settings to the series. The man has an uncanny ability to inject dread into otherwise innocuous objects and that talent is on full display throughout the first three episodes.

Be warned, the pacing here is slow, and there are a lot of moving parts to the plot. There is nothing simple about this series at all, but despite its pace, Basgallop manages to include just enough unexpected twists and turns in each half-hour episode to keep the audience guessing.

Will that keep them watching?

That remains to be seen, and will almost completely hinge on whether they can maintain the precarious balancing act they’ve created for themselves and for their characters.

The first three episodes of Servant are currently available on AppleTV+ with new episodes debuting each week.

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A24 Creating New Action Thriller “Onslaught” From ‘The Guest’ & ‘You’re Next’ Duo

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It’s always nice to see a reunion in the world of horror. Following a competitive bidding war, A24 has secured the rights to the new action thriller film Onslaught. Adam Wingard (Godzilla vs. Kong) will be directing the film. He will be joined by his longtime creative partner Simon Barret (You’re Next) as the scriptwriter.

For those unaware, Wingard and Barret made a name for themselves while working together on films such as You’re Next and The Guest. The two creatives are card carrying horror royalty. The pair have worked on films such as V/H/S, Blair Witch, The ABC’s of Death, and A Horrible Way to Die.

An exclusive article of out Deadline gives us the limited information we have on the topic. Although we don’t have much to go on, Deadline does offer the following information.

A24

“Plot details are being kept under wraps but the film is in the vein of Wingard and Barrett’s cult classics like The Guest and You’re Next. Lyrical Media and A24 will co-finance. A24 will handle worldwide releasing. Principal photography will begin in Fall 2024.”

A24 will be producing the film alongside Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett for Ryder Picture Company, Alexander Black for Lyrical Media, Wingard and Jeremy Platt for Breakaway Civilization, and Simon Barret.

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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Director Louis Leterrier Creating New Sci-Fi Horror Film “11817”

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Louis Leterrier

According to an article from Deadline, Louis Leterrier (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) is about to shake things up with his new Sci-Fi horror film 11817. Leterrier is set to produce and direct the new Movie. 11817 is penned by the glorious Mathew Robinson (The Invention of Lying).

Rocket Science will be taking the film to Cannes in search of a buyer. While we don’t know much about what the film looks like, Deadline offers the following plot synopsis.

“The film watches as inexplicable forces trap a family of four inside their house indefinitely. As both modern luxuries and life or death essentials begin to run out, the family must learn how to be resourceful to survive and outsmart who — or what — is keeping them trapped…”

“Directing projects where the audience gets behind the characters has always been my focus. However complex, flawed, heroic, we identify with them as we live through their journey,” said Leterrier. “It’s what excites me about 11817‘s wholly original concept and the family at the heart of our story. This is an experience that movie audiences won’t forget.”

Leterrier has made a name for himself in the past for working on beloved franchises. His portfolio includes gems such as Now You See Me, The Incredible Hulk, Clash of The Titans, and The Transporter. He is currently attached to create the final Fast and the Furious film. However, it will be interesting to see what Leterrier can do working with some darker subject material.

That’s all the information we have for you at this time. As always, make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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Lists

New to Netflix (U.S.) This Month [May 2024]

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atlas movie Netflix starring Jennifer Lopez

Another month means fresh additions to Netflix. Although there aren’t many new horror titles this month, there are still some notable movies well worth your time. For instance, you can watch Karen Black try to land a 747 jet in Airport 1979, or Casper Van Dien kill giant insects in Paul Verhoeven’s bloody sci-fi opus Starship Troopers.

We are looking forward to the Jennifer Lopez sci-fi action movie Atlas. But let us know what you are going to watch. And if we have missed something, put it in the comments.

May 1:

Airport

A blizzard, a bomb, and a stowaway help create the perfect storm for the manager of a Midwestern airport and a pilot with a messy personal life.

Airport ’75

Airport ’75

When a Boeing 747 loses its pilots in a midair collision, a member of the cabin crew must take control with radio help from a flight instructor.

Airport ’77

A luxury 747 packed with VIPs and priceless art goes down in the Bermuda Triangle after being hijacked by thieves — and time for a rescue is running out.

Jumanji

Two siblings discover an enchanted board game that opens a door to a magical world — and unwittingly release a man who’s been trapped inside for years.

Hellboy

Hellboy

A half-demon paranormal investigator questions his defense of humans when a dismembered sorceress rejoins the living to wreak brutal vengeance.

Starship Troopers

When fire-spitting, brain-sucking bugs attack Earth and obliterate Buenos Aires, an infantry unit heads to the aliens’ planet for a showdown.

May 9

Bodkin

Bodkin

A ragtag crew of podcasters sets out to investigate mysterious disappearances from decades earlier in a charming Irish town with dark, dreadful secrets.

May 15

The Clovehitch Killer

The Clovehitch Killer

A teenager’s picture-perfect family is torn apart when he uncovers unnerving evidence of a serial killer close to home.

May 16

Upgrade

After a violent mugging leaves him paralyzed, a man receives a computer chip implant that allows him to control his body — and get his revenge.

Monster

Monster

After being abducted and taken to a desolate house, a girl sets out to rescue her friend and escape from their malicious kidnapper.

May 24

Atlas

Atlas

A brilliant counterterrorism analyst with a deep distrust of AI discovers it might be her only hope when a mission to capture a renegade robot goes awry.

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory

The Camp Cretaceous gang come together to unravel a mystery when they discover a global conspiracy that brings danger to dinosaurs — and to themselves.

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