Movies
It Came From Shudder: August Edition
Tell ‘em it’s my birthday when I binge-watch like that! Yeah, I’m appropriating Selena Gomez lyrics because it’s my birthday and I wanna celebrate some stuff I like on Shudder. The August roster is packed, and a few recent watches also made my shortlist. Shall we gaze into the void together?
Vicious Fun (2020)
Aside from its declarative title, which it lives up to, what truly caught my eye is that the main character is a horror critic who must navigate his escape from a group of serial killers attending a “self-help” meeting. Talk about art imitating life! Just kidding … everyone at Horror Press is an upstanding citizen. Absolutely no one is a serial killer … I think (I hope no one at HP actually reads this).
But I digress. The movie’s a blast and features some great actors who have a marvelously meta time dissecting slasher villain archetypes. Oh, and it’s set in the ’80s! How fun.
One Cut of the Dead (2019)
I’d heard good things, so I skimmed some reviews beforehand, as one does. It seemed the consensus was, “the less you know, the better,” and I couldn’t agree more. What I can tell you is we watch as a sadistic director makes a low-budget zombie flick and continues to film after his cast and crew experience an attack by the actual undead. I was initially underwhelmed but stick with it. You’ll be in for a surprise that ends up being a love letter to the art of filmmaking.
The Convent (2000)
The type of movie you put on at 1 am with some Taco Bell after getting home from a night out. It’s full-throttle grungy Y2K mayhem: A group of Greek life douchebags finds themselves the unwitting hosts for a flock of demonic nuns after they decide to make a late-night visit to a condemned convent with a dark past. The makeup and special effects are Day-Glo Buffy the Vampire Slayer perfection. The cast includes a young Kelly Mantle of Drag Race fame and horror vet Adrienne Barbeau, former wife and frequent collaborator of John Carpenter. It’s loud and messy, and it would probably be canceled if made today. Sometimes that’s just what you need.
Watcher (2022)
A Shudder original from Chloe Okuno, the director who made Raatma a mascot of the horror community with her V/H/S/94 segment “Storm Drain.” If that doesn’t pique your interest (Hail Raatma!), how’s this? It’s a Hitchcockian thriller starring horror darling Maika Monroe, who plays an American ex-pat in Bucharest convinced she’s become prey to a serial killer fond of beheading. It had a brief stint in theaters earlier this summer – which I missed out on – and I can’t wait to hit play when it makes its Shudder premiere on August 26th.
The Innocents (2021)
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Eskil Vogt wrote and directed this Norwegian supernatural thriller that examines purity and morality when a group of children discover and abuse dark powers hidden within. The trailer is instantly compelling, and the whole thing gives me X-Men meets Goodnight Mommy vibes. I’ll certainly be checking in when it arrives on Shudder, August 18th.
Special Edition: The George A. Romero and Stephen King Collection
August is starting with a shriek! On the 1st, the original Creepshow (1982), directed by Romero and written by King, makes its triumphant return to Shudder accompanied by a collection of the duo’s greatest hits. From the OG versions of Carrie, The Crazies, Firestarter, and Salem’s Lot to unconventional gems like Monkey Shines and Misery, this collection will fill out your watchlist nicely. It’s been ages since I’ve seen some of these, and it’s important to know your horror history!
That about sums up my recommendations for the month. I hope my particular blend of oddities has enticed you. And if not, don’t worry about it. At least you don’t work with a bunch of possible serial killers.
As always, all these movies can be found on Shudder, so make sure to check them out!
Movies
The Best Horror You Can Stream on Netflix in February
It’s still too cold to seriously consider going outside, so I am still in my couch potato era. Cozy, comfort, and Netflix are the three words people will hear me chanting under my breath this month. I also recently finished a group rewatch of Slasher: Solstice and have been looking at the other TV shows currently living on Netflix. Which is why I am looking for the warmth of my next quick binge. That’s right! I’m here with a few shows that could be taken down in one frosty February weekend. Most of them have been on my radar forever, and one of them I want to revisit because it screams lazy Stephen King Sunday. However, what I find most appealing about each of them is that I am guaranteed to lose at least a whole day if it’s a match made in hell.
Without further ado, here are the five titles I have my evil eye on this month. Check out my five Netflix picks for this February below! Happy binging to all my fellow couch potatoes!
The Best Movies to Stream on Netflix This Month
Archive 81 (2022)
An archivist finds himself reconstructing the work of a filmmaker and her investigation into a dangerous cult. I missed Archive 81, but have only heard good things about it. Which is why it’s weird it was cancelled after only one season, consisting of eight episodes. The popular show was created by Rebecca Sonnenshine and starred talent like Mamoudou Athie and Matt McGorry. So, I’m long overdue for this Netflix watch and am excited to finally see what all of the fuss is about.
Castle Rock (2018 – 2019)
A series set in the town of Castle Rock and inhabited by characters from some of Stephen King’s most infamous works. This is the only show on this streaming guide that I have already seen. However, it’s very cozy, and I want to go back in. While this divisive series wasn’t for everyone, it scratched my King itch better than most of his adaptations. Also, this cast was ridiculously stacked. Where else can you see André Holland, Melanie Lynskey, Bill Skarsgård, Jane Levy, Sissy Spacek, and Lizzy Caplan all play together? I will definitely be revisiting these twenty episodes that make up these two seasons of what the fuckery.
NOS4A2 (2019-2020)
An immortal who feeds on children is threatened by a young woman with a mysterious gift. This show has circled my list forever, and it’s high time I cross it off my list. I also need to know what Zachary Quinto and Ebon Moss-Bachrach were doing during this era of genre TV for research. I’m ready to run through these twenty episodes and report back on my findings. More importantly, I love to see a show with big “fuck them kids” energy. So, fingers crossed, he eats a few kids to keep me leaned in. I need this to be good for so many reasons.
Peaky Blinders (2013 – 2022)
A mob family in 1900s England sews razor blades in their caps and causes a ruckus. I am so ready to find out how this alleged crime drama collected so many horror fans. Is it just because it stars Cillian Murphy? Or is it very bloody and violent due to the razor blades being a key factor? Whatever the case, I’m excited to see all six seasons on Netflix. I plan to take these thirty-six episodes down like it is my job. I also cannot get over how lucky I have been to avoid all spoilers for the show, and I need to jump on it before someone ruins it for me already.
Reality Z (2020)
When a zombie apocalypse breaks out, a TV studio becomes a shelter for a small band of survivors in Rio de Janeiro. Because of the pandemic, I missed this Brazilian horror show. However, this seems like the kind of international gory zombie situation that I would like to make my new personality. I’m looking forward to seeing if these 10 episodes are one of the few reasons to keep talking to Netflix this year. Fingers crossed it is a scary good time, because we deserve some scares this February.
So, that’s where you can find me this February. Under a weighted blanket, in front of a TV, and eagerly taking advantage of the shows Netflix has collected. Let me know if any of these titles on my list will be your excuse to stay in this winter, too. Although, I am sure many of you will be revisiting your favorite Mike Flanagan Netflix Originals. Meanwhile, I am trying to get into some new (to me) stuff because the winter of our discontent is upon us. I plan to beat the winter of our discontent by being unreasonably comfortable and drowning in genre shows. I advise you to do the same because the weather outside is frightful and we have no place to go.
Movies
The Best Horror You Can Stream on Shudder in February 2026
Shudder is making February a little more frightening with this month of programming. The streamer is adding indie horror that has been stuck in festival purgatory for a couple of years. The app is also getting a few international movies I need to see, a couple of classics, and one of my favorite overlooked Blaxploitation horror gems. So, it should go without saying that I will be very busy this month.
That is why I am sharing my notes with the class now so I can live every day in February like it is Shudder Saturday. Check out my five picks for the month below now and be prepared to see some weird stuff!
The Best Movies to Stream on Shudder This Month
J.D.’s Revenge (1976)
A murdered 1940s gangster possesses a young law student 30 years later to get revenge on his killer. This overlooked piece of cinema stars Glynn Turman and Louis Gossett Jr. I caught it last year, and will still argue that it is at the intersection of Blaxploitation and Shakespearean theatre. The plot is plotting, the drama is over the top, and the players are diabolical. Come to laugh at the outfits and stay for the betrayal and outstanding performances. I am especially grateful that Shudder is getting J.D.’s Revenge this month, so people can see a cleaner copy without ad breaks. It is truly a Black History Month miracle. Get into it while you still can.
You can watch J.D.’s Revenge on February 1st.
Nina Forever (2015)
A suicidal man starts dating a co-worker. However, whenever they have sex his dead girlfriend appears. That premise has my attention, and I will be hitting play on this immediately. I want to watch this dead woman heckle this man and his new girlfriend almost as much as I want anything else in life at the moment. This British horror comedy has my attention, and I hope it is even half as good as I have built it up to be in my head. This is the kind of chaos I expect from Shudder, and I am glad they are one of the few things that I can depend on these days.
You can watch Nina Forever on February 9th.
Kill Your Lover (2024)
A couple’s relationship becomes so toxic that it leads to an acidic battle to the death. Kill Your Lover is a movie that understands the horrors of a bad romance. This movie is sick, this apartment gets dank, and it will remind you that being single is usually for the best. I’m beyond excited to make people watch this now that it is finally on Shudder. After all, how many indie body horror breakup movies will we get in this lifetime? I highly recommend that you watch it with your friends, who should separate and see if it starts an overdue conversation.
You can watch Kill Your Lover on February 9th.
Hood Witch (2024)
A single mother who smuggles exotic animals and illegal goods develops an app that connects users with spiritual healers. However, when someone uses her app and gets deadly results, her community turns on her. Hood Witch is a lot of anxiety seasoned with some “good for her” moments. They take a witch hunt virtual with the use of apps, cellphones, and internet outrage over misinformation. The thought of your internet ops meeting up to hunt you down is enough to make us break out in a cold sweat. This movie was a fine time when I caught it a couple of years ago. I imagine it has only gotten even more timely as it finally makes its way to Shudder.
You can watch Hood Witch on February 16th.
The Last Sacrifice (2024)
The Last Sacrifice examines the real-life 1945 murder that inspired The Wicker Man (1973) and jump-started folk horror as we know it. The alarming witchcraft killing of Charles Walton shook its small community, and this true-crime documentary is here to remind us that this popular cult movie is based on a true unsolved murder. The doc also looks into society’s rabid fascination with true crime. How often do we sensationalize something grizzly to the point of losing the humanity of the subject? This documentary has eluded me for months, and I am looking forward to catching it while it’s on Shudder this month. What a time to be a subscriber!
You can watch The Last Sacrifice on February 16th.
Shudder really has something for every day of the month, and I am living. They really thought of every good little ghoul, and that’s why they’re kinda the best. So, it is only polite that we smash the play button on these wicked goodies and tell our friends to do the same.


