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Tubi’s #1 Horror Movie is This Tolerable Creature Feature

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According to their own site, Tubi’s most popular movie this week is a creature feature called Cryptid. After that on the list is the reality show The Bad Girls Club, so you know their algorithm is accurate (who doesn’t love to watch women brawl?).

Taken from the cinematic schema of Jaws, Cryptid uses a similar approach to Spielberg’s early mantra: “The terror is in what you don’t see.” For this movie, that’s a good thing because a lot of what makes it good is the build-up thanks to some suitable acting and above-par cinematography.

The film follows a freelance journalist named Max Frome (Nicholas Baroudi) who while working his beat in small-town Maine, stumbles upon a string of gruesome deaths that might be connected. It looks like a bear attack, but we know it isn’t. He’s not getting any help from the local authorities either and guess what? “Now the mayor’s involved.” Derivative much?

He low-key cons his journalist friend Harriet (Ellen Adair) to help him investigate the story, one because he got an advance on it and two, it sets up the “will they or won’t they kiss” subplot.

The rural location allows the cryptid of the title just enough food to sustain itself while not alarming the locals. Instead, they ask Max in passing, “Have you seen my dog?” or “It’s awful what happened to Helen” at the local general store.

A plot development over halfway through the film is a surprise, but still derivative. And when the creature does appear it’s impressive but, practical FX-wise, sedentary.

Cryptid is best when it’s building its plot. Thanks to some alright acting and the anticipation of a creature reveal it is enough to get you through the halfway point. But once there and the monster has screen time, all suspension of disbelief is lost. The creature effects team did a terrific job. The monster looks great, but the director and editors didn’t do it justice by not hiding its technical limitations.

Overall Cryptid is an enjoyable TV-MA movie, but instead of bite, it just nibbles. If you want action, drama, and real bloodshed go to the next most popular thing on Tubi: The Bad Girls Club.

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‘Fall’ Team Finds ‘Daybreakers’ Brothers to Helm Follow-Up

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The sleeper hit Fall (2022) is getting not one, but two sequels. Written and directed by Scott Mann, Fall was slow out of the gate thanks to a crunchy CGI trailer, but thanks to the performances, writing and outstanding direction, it found its footing to pull in seven times its original $3 million budget. That cashfall was mostly thanks to word of mouth and VOD.

The Spierig Brothers, Michael and Peter, are taking over the reins for Fall 2, with Mann returning to the director’s chair for its sequel Fall 3.

The Spierig Brothers delved into horror movies starting with Undead in 2003, and after that the apocalyptic vampire action thriller Daybreakers (2009). Perhaps their biggest break was getting to add to the Saw universe in 2017 with Jigsaw which led them to Winchester (2018) starring Helen Mirren.

Variety got a statement from the directing duo, in which they said, “We’re extremely excited to helm the second installment of this franchise and bring to life another nail biting, vertigo inducing thrill ride.“

Mann said he can’t wait for Flawless (his production company) to work with the brothers on this latest installment. “I am so proud to hand over the reins to the Spierigs, two highly respected genre directors whose addition will undoubtedly make this follow-up even more of a must-see experience than we already knew it would be.”

Fall 2 is written by Mann and his co-writer of the first film, Jonathan Frank. No plot details are being released at this time, however, movie site JoBlo has said some characters from the first film will return for the sequel.

So what do you think? Will lightning strike twice for Fall 2 and Fall 3 or was the first one enough for you? Let us know.

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Alexandre Aja’s Latest ‘Never Let Go’ Drops Official Trailer

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Director Alexandre Aja (Crawl, High Tension) is sticking to form in his latest survival horror movie Never Let Go. The official trailer for it dropped this morning. Perhaps best known for his films Crawl and The Hills Have Eyes (2206), Aja has a penchant for using nature against people in his films.

This theme is further explored in Never Let Go a psychological thriller in which stars Halle Berry. “In this new psychological thriller/horror, as an evil takes over the world beyond their front doorstep, the only protection for a mother, played by Academy Award® winner Halle Berry (Actress in a Leading Role, 2001 –Monster’s Ball), and her twin sons is their house and their family’s protective bond. Needing to stay connected at all times – even tethering themselves with ropes – they cling to one another, urging each other to never let go. But when one of the boys questions if the evil is real, the ties that bind them together are severed, triggering a terrifying fight for survival.”

Never Let Go will be released only in theaters on September 27.

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‘Violent Night’ Director’s Next Project is a Shark Movie

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Sony Pictures is getting in the water with director Tommy Wirkola for his next project; a shark movie. Although no plot details have been revealed, Variety confirms that the movie will start filming in Australia this summer.

Also confirmed is that actress Phoebe Dynevor is circling the project and is in talks to star. She is probably best known for her role as Daphne in the popular Netflix soap Bridgerton.

Dead Snow (2009)

Duo Adam McKay and Kevin Messick (Don’t Look Up, Succession) will produce the new film.

Wirkola is from Norway and utilizes a lot of action in his horror films. One of his first films, Dead Snow (2009), about zombie Nazis, is a cult favorite, and his 2013 action-heavy Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters is an entertaining distraction.

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013)

But 2022’s Christmas blood fest Violent Night starring David Harbour made wider audiences familiar with Wirkola. Coupled with favorable reviews and a great CinemaScore, the film became a Yuletide hit.

Insneider first reported this new shark project.

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