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!