Lists

Best Eli Roth Movies To Watch Before, or After, ‘Thanksgiving’

Published

3 weeks ago

November 17, 2023

If you can’t get out this weekend to see the latest Eli Roth slasher, Thanksgiving, it wouldn’t be a bad time to bone up on some of his other works. Roth was once the golden boy of horror. The 51-year-old director and producer kind of changed the game in the early 2000s by re-invented the splatter film eventually creating a genre of his own called “torture porn.”

Born in Newton, Massachusetts, Roth got behind the camera at an early age, shooting parodies or homages to horror movies popular at that time. Quentin Tarantino was a huge influence in Roth’s college years while attending NYU’s film school. He was even nominated for a Student Academy Award for Restaurant Dogs, a gritty homage to Tarantino.

Roth loves horror movies. His History of Horror docuseries is one of the best in-depth looks at the genre from its beginnings to its modern-day appeal. He is also a producer of many projects including The Last Exorcism I & II, The Sacrament (2013) and Aftershock (2012).

He hasn’t directed a mainstream movie in five years so it is exciting to see his name on a movie theatre marquee once again with Thanksgiving. His next project is a movie adaptation of the popular video game Borderlands which has seen more than its fair share of production woes. Due to his commitment to Thanksgiving Roth couldn’t do any Borderlands re-shoots, but gave his blessing to director Tim Miller (Deadpool) to take over.

Below are some great Eli Roth-directed movies to catch up on if you find yourself unable to make it to the theater for Thanksgiving. Most of them are underrated and deserve a second look because one thing Roth knows more than horror movies is the fans who love them just as much as he does.

Cabin Fever (2002)

What started it all. This film will literally get under your skin. It’s a standard horror narrative: friends decide to vacation in the woods, in a cabin, partying. What they don’t know is that they have been exposed to a virus which has devastating lethal effects. Since it’s a flesh-eating virus you know things are going to be icky, and they are. The leg-shaving scene alone is a graphic reminder of how Roth makes movies; suspenseful, moody, and extremely gory. Don’t get this mixed up with the inferior 2016 remake. You can watch this free on the Roku app (with commercials) or on Starz. You can also rent or buy it on all digital platforms.

Cabin Fever

Hostel (2005)

You can’t mention Roth’s name among friends without saying Hostel. What Jaws did to swimmers, Hostel did for international travelers. Again a troupe of male teenagers gather to have some fun, but this time it’s in Slovakia. They are enamored by two young women who flirtatiously get them to spend the night at a hostel. It’s all bled and breakfast from there as each member of the friend group is dissected one-by-one by a cult of rich psychopaths. “Torture Porn” is born. You can watch this free on Roku, Amazon, Pluto, or Plex. Rent or buy it on all digital platforms.

Hostel

Hostel: Part II (2007)

More of the same as above, but this time women are the marks. Although it never reaches the terrifying levels that its predecessor did, Hostel: Part II still packs a punch. Continuing with the “torture porn” theme a group of young ladies are vacationing in Europe when they are coerced into staying at the hostel. Each of their passports is used as auction lots with the highest bidder getting to dismember them. It’s disturbing but effective. Free on Roku, Freevee, Pluto, or Plex. Rent or buy it on all digital platforms.

Hostel: Part II

The Green Inferno (2015)

This one deserves a second chance. It’s Roth’s homage to the 70s found footage splatterfest Cannibal Holocaust. Although he doesn’t use the cinéma vérité technique like the original film, it’s no less a brutally realistic look at the savagery suffered by victims of an ancient cannibalistic Amazonian tribe. Rent or buy it on all digital platforms.

The Green Inferno

Death Wish (2018)

As we mourn the acting loss of Bruce Willis as he slowly succumbs to the effects of dementia in real life, we at least can remember him in his films. Death Wish isn’t one of Roth’s best movies, but Willis is outstanding as Paul Kersey who takes justice into his own hands after his wife and daughter are brutally attacked during a home invasion. Not as gruesome as some of his other films, Roth’s Death Wish definitely has its moments and deserves a watch based on Willis’ performance alone. It is a remake of the 1974 Charles Bronson film of the same name. Subscribers to DirectTV can watch for free or rent or buy it on all digital platforms

Death Wish

The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)

One of his more recent projects, The House with a Clock in Its Walls transitions Roth from R-rated adult content to a PG one. Starring Jack Black, this fantasy movie is a fun one. Using more CGI than practical effects, Roth loses a little bit of his horror cred, but this is still a wonderful Halloween movie the whole family can watch. Free on Fubo or FXNOW or rent or buy on all digital platforms.

The House with a Clock in Its Walls

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Lists

The Best New Horror Movies Coming to Streaming Platforms This Week

Published

6 days ago

December 4, 2023

Cameron McFarland

It’s a new week and that means new horror films! This week we are in for a treat; December means Christmas horror movies are upon us. So, grab some eggnog and cookies, let’s get spooky.

There’s Something in the Barn-December 5th-VOD

I love Christmas horror. It provides such a fun juxtaposition between the goofy holiday movies we expect around Christmas and the blood and gore we get from horror. There’s Something in the Barn gives us all of this wrapped in a bow.

There’s Something in the Barn takes this theme to the next level by also adding in some culture clash. This new horror flick places an American family in Norway for the holiday. As expected, the characters don’t adapt well. This film leans a bit more on the camp side but still looks like it’s worth a watch.

Monsters of California-December 5th-VOD

Monsters of California has been getting some positive buzz recently. Not only because Blink 182‘s Tom Delonge directed and produced the film. This film gives us the suburban fantasy that we have all been dreaming of.

Monsters of California is a conspiracy theorist’s dream. It turns out monsters are real, and the government has been hiding them the entire time. This new coming of age horror flick looks like it will be a fun ride for fans, if not explicitly gory.

Everyone Will Burn-December 5th-VOD

We talked about what to expect from Everyone Will Burn recently. If you didn’t catch that one, Everyone Will Burn gives us one of my favorite themes in horror. We get to see a murderous psychic child in action.

If you enjoy that kind of thing as much as I do, then this new horror flick is for you. This is also a great choice for fans of international horror or just psychological horror. regardless of what side of horror you are on, this looks like a fun one.

Black Mold-December 7th-Tubi

It’s always a good sign when a horror flick chooses a subject material that can affect anyone. I am unlikely to need to hunt down a catholic priest because of demonic possession. But it wouldn’t surprise me if someone discovered black mold in my home.

Thinking about it, that may explain some of the things in my life. Black Mold is far from the first horror film to explore this concept but based on the awards it’s received it may be the best. If you are looking for something new on Tubi to watch this week, give Black Mold a try.

Lord of Misrule-December 8th-VOD

Speaking of the Catholics, our next new horror film centers around a Catholic priest. Lord of Misrule is our newest addition in the folk horror subgenre. I am a big fan of folk horror in general.

There’s something about pitting the old gods versus the new that scratches a special place in my brain. There’s a reason The Wicker Man is considered one of the greatest horror films ever made. If you are a fan of folk horror, give The Lord of Misrule a shot.

Raging Grace-December 8th-VOD

We also discussed Raging Grace recently. This new horror flick focuses on chasing the American dream from the perspective of an immigrant family. And it looks like it will provide this in a terrifying light.

Raging Grace will also focus on the terrors of working in the service industry. The main theme of this film seems to be unjust power hierarchies and I am here for it. If you like a little social commentary in your horror, go watch Raging Grace.

The Cello-December 8th-VOD

We have Tobin Bell (Saw) and an evil cello, do you need more? It’s a tale as old as time. A musician needs a new instrument and buys a mystical piece from a mysterious shop owner who is definitely not the devil.

The Cello looks like it’s going to be a bit on the slow burn side of the spectrum. But who doesn’t love a good physiological horror.? And it has Tobin Bell in something other than Saw, so that’s a plus.

Santa Isn’t Real-December 8th-VOD

Our newest neo slasher is Santa Isn’t Real. It isn’t clear if this is supernatural or not, but it is definitely full of cheesy goodness. Whether that was intentional or not doesn’t really matter.

This may not be the strongest looking entry on this list. But I have been surprised before. It’s important to never judge a horror flick by its trailer. If you want to give an indie film a chance this week, go watch Santa isn’t Real.

The Sacrifice Game-December 8th-Shudder

The final new horror flick this week is the Shudder original The Sacrifice Game. Luckily for us it’s another Christmas horror film. The Sacrifice Game is absolutely making the Christmas watch list this year.

Shudder is known for bringing us the best original horror flicks year after year. Not all of them are amazing but they normally get points for being different. If you want to see what kind of present Shudder came up with for us this year, go watch The Sacrifice Game.

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Lists

All of the New Horror Films Releasing This Weekend

Published

1 week ago

November 29, 2023

Cameron McFarland

It’s a new week and that means it’s time for new horror films! This week has everything a horror fan could want to see. From big budget triple-A films, right down to international and indie films. Make sure to schedule some time to get spooky this week, there are a bunch of new films to watch.

Raging Grace- December 1st-Theaters

Immigrant and service industry horror has been on the rise recently and it has created some amazing entertainment for horror fans. Films like His House and No One Gets Out Alive have shown audiences a vision of horror that they may not have considered before.

Raging Grace looks to combine these two concepts into a bone chilling horror film. This new horror flick delves into subjects like classism and just how hard it can be to chase the American dream.

Don’t Suck-December 1st-Theaters

Who doesn’t want to see a horror comedy with Jamie Kennedy (Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell)? Don’t Suck is a new horror film about a vampire who wants to be a standup comedian. Why? I assume because living forever is incredibly boring.

Sure, this film looks a little on the nose as far as the plot goes. But who knows, maybe this will be the breakout horror film of the year. If not, it will probably still be good for a few laughs, even if they weren’t intentional.

As We Know It-December 1st-VOD

This new horror flick has everything a horror fan needs. We get zombies, conflict between an ex-girlfriend and a best friend, and just watching real people try to survive the end of the world. It even focuses on the humor of the situation.

Wait, I think we may have already seen a film like this. Even if it isn’t the most original concept, As We Know It looks like it will be a funny addition to any horror watch list this weekend.

Everyone Will Burn-December 1st-Theaters

Ah, murderous psychic children, the cornerstone of all the best horror movies. Some people think that this trope has been done to death, but I disagree. If it didn’t work, then Stephen King (IT) wouldn’t keep putting it in every third story.

Everyone Will Burn is the newest addition to this list of terrifying films. And it looks like it’s going to pack a punch. If you are a fan of revenge thrillers or just creepy kids in general, make sure to add this one to your watch list.

Godzilla Minus One-December 1st-Theaters

This film doesn’t need much of an introduction. If you aren’t already familiar with this giant monster then you should clear your calendar for the next month because you have some films to catch up on.

This new version of the classic tale takes us back to the beginning. Godzilla Minus One may be giving us a movie that we more or less have seen 100 times, but let’s be honest, we all know we are going to love it anyway.

It’s a Wonderful Knife-December 1st-VOD/Shudder

I love it when a studio just says screw it, what if Jason was actually Santa Clause? Sadly, that’s not exactly what we are getting here. But honestly, it’s the closest we could all hope for. And it’s coming home just in time for Christmas!

This new Christmas flick is campy, bloody, and I love every second of it. Between this and films like Freaky and Happy Death Day, we are getting ever closer to a horror version of all of our most nostalgic films. If you didn’t catch this one in theaters, make sure to catch it at home this weekend.

Loop Track-December 1st-VOD

What do you get when you mix outdoor survival, conspiracy theories, and a monster hiding in the woods? Our last new horror flick this weekend, Loop Track. This little thriller looks like it is going to tap into one of our oldest fears, the fear of the unknown.

This looks like someone placed The Predator in Australia and just set a camera up to record. Now, as usual, this film will likely be one of those are they delusional or is the monster real type of flicks. If that’s the kind of horror you need in your life, make sure to check out Loop Track this weekend.

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Lists

Sequels & Remakes Will Dominate Horror Cinema in 2024

Published

3 weeks ago

November 21, 2023

Timothy Rawles

I hope you loved the original horror movies that came out in 2023 because 2024 looks like it’s going to be filled with many sequels and remakes.

Of the original 2023 fare, we got M3GAN, When Evil Lurks, Cobweb, Thanksgiving, Totally Killer, and Last Voyage of the Demeter (technically a prequel?). Sequels included Exorcist Believer, Evil Dead Rise, Scream VI, and Insidious: The Red Door. Not a bad mix, right?

But 2024 already looks like sequels and remakes are going to be the dominant theme, at least according to the Facebook page What to Watch. They posted a list of horror movies they see as coming out in 2024 –some confirmed, some not. Although the list is a little flawed as some of the movies aren’t even listed on IMDb yet (Arachnophobia remake) it is still an encouraging omen of what’s ahead.

They also listed mock-up movie posters, but even though they are fake, we can appreciate the artist’s concepts nonetheless.

Below are the films they list and their respective posters. We only included movies that are actually listed on IMDb, and we added The Strangers.

Keep in mind what COVID didn’t push back in production, the actors’ and writers’ strike did. So expect release dates to change, maybe even into 2025. Note that the phony Scream 7 one-sheet says 2025, but the official IMDb page says 2024.