News

Netflix Horror Series ‘Red Rose’ Releases First Images

Published

2 years ago

May 31, 2022

With the success of teen-based horror content currently in fashion, another Netflix series has emerged into their ranks. It’s called Red Rose and it comes from the same production company of The Old Guard, The Enfield Haunting, and the paranormal docu-series True Horror. It will have eight episodes.

Some of you might dismiss this as another attempt to profit off the Stranger Things blueprint. But before you do, consider that this series is being executive produced by Michael and Paul Clarkson, aka the Clarkson Twins, who have been behind such series as Apple TV’s See, Netflix’s The Haunting of Bly Manor, and HBO’s His Dark Materials. All of which have gained popularity on their respective streaming services.

No, It’s not a Stephen King Adaptation

Despite the promising although shuffled title, Red Rose is not a Stephen King adaption of his haunted house story Rose Red. Fans of the writer have long wanted a remake of that 2002 mini-series, but it seems everything else in King’s oeuvre has been picked up except that one.

Rose Red wasn’t as popular as other miniseries’ based on King’s works, but it did have moderate success. Enough to spawn the prequel The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer in 2003 which King was not a part of. As Netflix continues its “The Haunting of…” series, may some creatives will revisit Rose Red and give it a proper reboot.

Teenagers taking on horrors alone

The teenage hive mentality is definitely a hot commodity in horror these days. It can be seen in the recent release of Scream and to some extent Halloween Kills. All of these have young adults going up against forces beyond their control. And of course, there is Stranger Things which not only brought back the parent-free adventure schema but waxed poetic with 80s nostalgia. We saw it last year as well with the Mini-brands version of Ghostbusters: Afterlife.

Emo high schoolers are definitely a horror trope that has been resurrected and is at risk of oversaturation.

Why Red Rose is exciting?

As mentioned before, the executive producers behind Red Rose are the Clarkson Twins. That’s kind of a big deal. The Brits definitely know how to tell a story and given the duo’s track record, this one could be another feather in their cap. They say the acting talent is top-notch. That talent includes Harry Redding who is currently performing on stage in To Kill a Mockingbird in London’s West End.

“We are thrilled with the talented cast that we’ve assembled in ‘Red Rose,'” the twins told Variety, “They have so brilliantly captured the spirit of the North with their nuanced, devastating and hilarious performances. We can’t wait for the rest of the world to fall in love with them, just as we have. They’re doing Bolton – and us – proud.”

What is Red Rose About?

With Black Mirror having taken a four-year hiatus, the horrors of technology really haven’t had an outlet for storytelling. Although it was recently announced that Black Mirror will return for a sixth season, it’s hard to tell when those episodes will premiere given all the behind-the-scenes production drama in the last few years.

Red Rose might fill in that gap with its storyline. According to Variety, here is what it’s about:

“Set over a long hot summer following high school, the teens’ friendships are infiltrated by the Red Rose app, which blooms on their smartphones, threatening them with dangerous consequences if they don’t meet its demands. The app exposes the group to a seemingly supernatural entity and the seductive power of the dark web.”

First Images

Recently, the first images of the series were posted online. However, no concrete release date has been announced. Red Rose will premiere on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer in the U.K. and stream on Netflix for everybody else. Worldwide distribution is managed by eOne.

First look at Netflix horror series 'Red Rose,' from the producers of Sex Education.

Set over a summer, it follows a group of high school students whose friendships are infiltrated by the Red Rose app, threatening them with dangerous consequences if they don’t meet its demands. pic.twitter.com/SDaC37qmGV

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) May 30, 2022

The bottom line

As people are getting their teenage horror on over in Hawkins in Stranger Things 4 and as the world awaits another season of Black Mirror, it seems that Red Rose is taking up some of the slack and blending the two. With a powerhouse of writing, producing, and acting talent involved in this series, let’s not roll our eyes and say, “how original,” instead, let’s be somewhat optimistic about it and celebrate a post-COVID world where pretty much anything is possible.

Still no word on a release date, but our guess would be this summer.

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Editorial

Yay or Nay: What’s Good and Bad in Horror This Week

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Welcome to Yay or Nay a weekly mini post about what I think is good and bad news in the horror community written in bite-sized chunks.

Yay:

Mike Flanagan talking about directing the next chapter in the Exorcist trilogy. That might mean he saw the last one and realized there were two left and if he does anything well it’s draw out a story.

Yay:

To the announcement of a new IP-based film Mickey Vs Winnie. It’s fun to read comical hot takes from people who haven’t even seen the movie yet.

Nay:

The new Faces of Death reboot gets an R rating. It’s not really fair — Gen-Z should get an unrated version like past generations so they can question their mortality the same as the rest of us did.

Yay:

Russell Crowe is doing another possession movie. He’s quickly becoming another Nic Cage by saying yes to every script, bringing the magic back to B-movies, and more money into VOD.

Nay:

Putting The Crow back in theaters for its 30th anniversary. Re-releasing classic movies at the cinema to celebrate a milestone is perfectly fine, but doing so when the lead actor in that film was killed on set due to neglect is a cash grab of the worst kind.

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Lists

The Top-Searched Free Horror/Action Movies on Tubi This Week

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The free streaming service Tubi is a great place to scroll when you’re unsure what to watch. They are not sponsored or affiliated with iHorror. Still, we really appreciate their library because it’s so robust and has many obscure horror movies so rare you can’t find them anywhere in the wild except, if you’re lucky, in a moist cardboard box at a yard sale. Other than Tubi, where else are you going to find Nightwish (1990), Spookies (1986), or The Power (1984)?

We take a look at the most searched horror titles on the platform this week, hopefully, to save you some time in your endeavor to find something free to watch on Tubi.

Interestingly at the top of the list is one of the most polarizing sequels ever made, the female-led Ghostbusters reboot from 2016. Perhaps viewers have seen the latest sequel Frozen Empire and are curious about this franchise anomaly. They will be happy to know it’s not as bad as some think and is genuinely funny in spots.

So take a look at the list below and tell us if you are interested in any of them this weekend.

1. Ghostbusters (2016)

Ghostbusters (2016)

An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.

2. Rampage

When a group of animals becomes vicious after a genetic experiment goes awry, a primatologist must find an antidote to avert a global catastrophe.

3. The Conjuring The Devil Made Me Do It

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren uncover an occult conspiracy as they help a defendant argue that a demon forced him to commit murder.

4. Terrifier 2

After being resurrected by a sinister entity, Art the Clown returns to Miles County, where his next victims, a teenage girl and her brother, await.

5. Don’t Breathe

A group of teens breaks into a blind man’s home, thinking they’ll get away with the perfect crime but get more than they bargained for once inside.

6. The Conjuring 2

In one of their most terrifying paranormal investigations, Lorraine and Ed Warren help a single mother of four in a house plagued by sinister spirits.

7. Child’s Play (1988)

A dying serial killer uses voodoo to transfer his soul into a Chucky doll which winds up in the hands of a boy who may be the doll’s next victim.

8. Jeepers Creepers 2

When their bus breaks down on a deserted road, a team of high school athletes discovers an opponent they cannot defeat and may not survive.

9. Jeepers Creepers

After making a horrific discovery in the basement of an old church, a pair of siblings find themselves the chosen prey of an indestructible force.

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News

Morticia & Wednesday Addams Join Monster High Skullector Series

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Believe it or not, Mattel’s Monster High doll brand has an immense following with both young and not-so-young collectors.

In that same vein, the fan base for The Addams Family is also very large. Now, the two are collaborating to create a line of collectible dolls that celebrate both worlds and what they have created is a combination of fashion dolls and goth fantasy. Forget Barbie, these ladies know who they are.

The dolls are based on Morticia and Wednesday Addams from the 2019 Addams Family animated movie.

As with any niche collectibles these aren’t cheap they bring with them a $90 price tag, but it’s an investment as a lot of these toys become more valuable over time.

“There goes the neighborhood. Meet the Addams Family’s ghoulishly glamorous mother-daughter duo with a Monster High twist. Inspired by the animated movie and clad in spiderweb lace and skull prints, the Morticia and Wednesday Addams Skullector doll two-pack makes for a gift that’s so macabre, it’s downright pathological.”

If you want to pre-purchase this set check out The Monster High website.