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31 Scary Story Nights: October 28th “The Mad Monk”

Published

7 years ago

October 28, 2017

Hail and hello, readers! For those just joining us, this is 31 Scary Story Nights, a sort of Halloween Advent Calendar with a different classic scary story for each night in the month of October as we count down to Halloween! Tonight’s scary story is called The Mad Monk, and it’s a classic cautionary tale.

Gather around, now, and dim those lights. This is one tale that needs the cover of near darkness…

***Writer’s Note: We here at iHorror are big proponents of responsible parenting. Some of the stories in this series may be too much for your little ones. Please read ahead and decide if your kids can handle this story! If not, find another story for tonight or simply come back to see us tomorrow. In other words, don’t blame me for your kids nightmares!***

The Mad Monk as retold by Waylon Jordan

Brother Matthias was no good monk. In fact, it was a wonder he’d somehow taken the necessary oaths to enter the brotherhood as he seemed to love money and power more than charity, humility, or God.

Those who found themselves in the confessional opposite Brother Matthias would often find themselves extorted for money to keep their hidden sins from becoming public gossip. He had no scruples in the use of violence to ensure the people’s silence in his activities however, and more than one met with a tragic accident in his time at the monastery. He even managed to poison two of his fellow monks who had stumbled upon his activities.

Time went on, and Matthias’ soul grew darker by the day. The darker his soul, the more bold he became in his schemes for he knew that he was untouchable.

It wasn’t until one young woman who had found herself pregnant outside the bonds of marriage survived the wicked man’s attempt to murder her when she refused to pay his blackmail that he was finally brought before the local court.

Brother Matthias was quickly found guilty, though he managed to spill more than a few secrets in an attempt to discredit some of the witnesses brought forth to testify for the accuser.

Justice was swift in those days and the echo of the gavel in the courtroom had hardly died out before Matthias was hanged in the public square. When the hangman cut down the lifeless body of the Mad Monk, as he had come to be known, however, his body began to morph and change.

The thing that rose from the ground was no longer Matthias, in fact he hardly looked human at all with the fur that covered his body, the sharp teeth that grew from his now pronounced snout, and the short horns that grew from his forehead.

The witnesses to his execution screamed and fled in fear and the creature escaped into the forest.

It wasn’t long before the head of the monastery was found dead in the courtyard, his throat ripped out and his body covered in bite and claw marks. Not one week later, another brother was found in the same way just outside the church door. Four more brothers fell to the unseen menace before they abandoned the monastery all together, moving to different parts of the country.

Over time, as the monastery fell to ruin, a creepy silence fell over the land that it occupied. Silence except for the howls and screeches that seemed to emanate from it’s stone walls late at night. No one would say it out loud, but the townspeople knew that it was the creature that had once been the Mad Monk Matthias.

The sounds are heard to this day, and the people who live nearby, now, warn their children to behave and not to stay outside after the sun begins to set for Matthias is always hunting for flesh to fill his stomach and that of an innocent youth is his favorite!

Do you have stories like this where you live? Matthias is just one of many boogeymen that roam the dark and shadowed places we all knew as kids. Who was yours? Thank you for joining us again for another of our favorite scary stories! We hope you’ll join us again tomorrow as our countdown reaches its final days!

Featured Image by Ferdinand Bart Alst-Pixel Your Soul Photography

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

Published

10 mins ago

May 3, 2024

Cameron McFarland

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 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

Published

1 hour ago

May 3, 2024

Cameron McFarland

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.”

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

Published

4 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Cameron McFarland

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.

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.