Movies
8 American Kaiju Films Every Horror Fan Should Watch
One of the best qualities of nerd fandom is its ability to form iterations through influence. Fans foreign to Japanese kaiju culture have adopted the kaiju style, and from that we’ve gotten a handful of worthy contenders; some stronger than others. Although many American renditions of Godzilla and other Toho properties have been licensed and watered down, there are some original kaiju- type concept movies that aren’t half bad! Consider this a list of eight American-born kaijus that won’t disappoint.
According to the nerd bible, AKA Fandom Wiki, “Kaiju” is a Japanese word meaning “strange beast”. When we use the term in fandom, we are likely referring to the monsters of the giant variety who walk in the footsteps Godzilla created in 1954, and solidified by the Japanese “Tokusatu” style of cinema.
The criteria for kaiju monsters is relatively loose, but most of them are over 20 meters tall (larger than any naturally occurring animal), possess a certain immunity to human weaponry, and pose a threat to human life and society, which is commonly demonstrated by the destruction of cities and metropolitan areas.
“Monsters are tragic beings. They are born too tall, too strong, too heavy. They are not evil by choice. That is their tragedy. They do not attack people because they want to, but because of their size and strength, mankind has no other choice but to defend himself. After several stories such as this, people end up having a kind of affection for the monsters. They end up caring about them” -Ishiro Honda (Director, Godzilla 1954)
One of the best qualities of nerd fandom is its ability to form iterations through influence. Fans foreign to Japanese kaiju culture have adopted the kaiju style, and from that we’ve gotten a handful of worthy contenders; some stronger than others. Although many American renditions of Godzilla and other Toho properties have been licensed and watered down, there are some original kaiju- type concept movies that aren’t half bad! Consider this a list of eight American-born kaijus that won’t disappoint.
8 Kaiju Movies Fans of the Genre Should Watch
Cloverfield (2008)
Let’s start with the obvious here. Cloverfield, directed by Matt Reeves, might be as good as it gets when it comes to American-born kaiju monsters. With a found footage bonus, the story follows a group of friends in New York City as they try their hardest to survive the creatures and crumbling infrastructure aftermath of a giant alien invasion. If you haven’t seen this film yet, consider this your homework, due immediately. This film is bleak- and captures the true terror of survival in a kaiju attack. Japanese kaiju fans love it for a reason.
Pacific Rim (2013)
Guillermo Del Toro directing should be enough to get you interested, as the man has a seasoned history with monster movies (Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy, Mimic). Pacific Rim is pretty classic in its influences, too. The movie is considered an ode to Japanese kaiju and mecha media. In this version of reality, a horde of kaiju monsters emerge from the ocean and threaten the safety of coastal cities. Humanity responds with the use of “jaegers” which are human operated mech suits with the power to fight back. Although a little on the cult appreciation side, the film is well loved and features some seriously polished and stunning CGI.
Kong: Skull Island (2017)
King Kong may be a little too on the nose for this list, but I have no choice but to throw its sequel, Kong: Skull Island into the ring. As far as criteria goes, the movie doesn’t check all the boxes, as it doesn’t take place in a metropolitan area, but serving as the 11th movie in the King Kong IP, we already know good and well that the ape prince of destruction has earned his kaiju title. Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts, the film is set in 1973 and follows a team of Monarch (it’s like the CIA but for kaijus) experts carrying out a research mission on Skull Island to confirm any MUTO (massive unidentified terrestrial organisms) activity. Not only are they met with Kong, but through exploring his territory, the crew comes face to face with other kaiju level threats that never made it off the island.
Rampage (2018)
On the topic of giant apes, Rampage ain’t half bad either. Starring Dwayne Johnson, and directed by Brad Peyton, Rampage is a loose adaptation of the video game series first released in 1986 where players act as kaiju monsters working to destroy cities while surviving military attacks. In the movie, The Rock plays a primatologist with a close connection to an albino gorilla named George, who is the unfortunate subject of an experiment gone rogue, turning him into what we might call a “kaiju”. Is it the greatest kaiju movie you’ve ever seen? Far from it. Is it a fun, high-stakes adventure with cool monster fights? Absolutely.
The Mist (2007)
Back in 2007, Frank Darabont directed a movie that has burned the brains of horror fans for the foreseeable future. If you haven’t crossed this one off your list- tread lightly! A single location banger based on the work of Stephen King, The Mist tells the story of ordinary people in a supermarket when an “unnatural fog” hiding a variety of terrifying creatures traps them inside. One creature in particular that fans have named “The Behemoth” is sure to shock you in true lovecraftian kaiju fashion. There are two versions of this film. If you can, watch it in black and gray for some extra unease.
Underwater (2020)
Speaking of lovecraftian, Underwater has got to be one of my favorite American- born kaiju films. Released in 2020, I fear that the COVID pandemic stunted its box office potential. William Eubank directs, and Kristen Stewart stars in a modern day Cthulhu story set miles beneath the surface on a deep sea drilling rig. It’s Alien, and The Abyss wrapped tightly in its Japanese monster and mecha media influences. Need I say more?
Super 8 (2011)
Another one that flopped in numbers but stays strong in the hearts of monster fans is Super 8, directed by JJ Abrams with a sneaky Steven Spielberg credit on top. One thing about Americans; we love our nostalgia. This movie is another ode to the 80s, but who’s really complaining? The story follows a group of youths passionate about filmmaking who witness a train collision, unleashing something extra large and extraterrestrial on their hometown. Again, the criteria for a traditional kaiju are not all met, but it’s too much fun, and too much catastrophe to leave off this list.
Q (The Winged Serpent) (1982)
I’ve got to close out this list with a deep cut. New York horror legend Larry Cohen wrote and produced this extraterrestrial crime thriller that is truly one of a kind. The monster in question is called Quetzalcoatl, or Q for short. It’s a winged beast that has found a home nesting on the rooftops of New York City. Oh, and there’s a serial killer running around too, just to make things more interesting. Classic uncle Larry…
Movies
Boeing Starliner Anomalous Sounds and ‘The Antares Paradox’ (2022)
The Antares Paradox is a chamber piece like never before. It’s a cosmic gumbo of adrenaline and emotion. Alexandra is a tenacious scientist who wants nothing more than to be a part of something bigger than herself. The film’s singular set lends to the claustrophobic nature of Alexandra’s dilemma. It’s interesting to look at her predicament from the outside. When faced with the idea of life beyond our solar system, she stays in a cramped room full of computers. Her only communication with the outside world is via telephone. One of the most intriguing questions Alexandra is faced with, at the beginning of the film, is if a genie granted her the opportunity to cure cancer or give us evidence of extraterrestrials, which one would she choose? It’s the perfect Chekov’s gun to set up her entire character arc.
Not too long ago, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams boarded a Boeing Starliner. Their destination? The International Space Station. In another hit to Boeing’s reputation, the world would be rocked with frightening news. Helium leaks and thruster issues would cause Wilmore and Williams an unexpected extension to their space journey. These two intrepid explorers will now be forced to spend the next [roughly] five months in space due to Boeing’s constant failures at every turn. Adding salt to the wound, Elon Musk and SpaceX have come to the rescue. A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will come to the rescue in February 2025 to escort Wilmore and Williams safely back to solid ground.
A Strange Sound From Space
As if things couldn’t get worse, or more weird, the crew of the Starliner would report back to base with some troubling information: a mysterious sound. On August 31, 2024, Butch Wilmore reached out to Mission Control at Johnson Space Center. Wilmore reported this strange sound, and it took the internet by storm. The sound Wilmore played for Mission Control was a haunting sonar-like sound. It still seems that the origin of this sound is unidentified, but it should be noted Wilmore seemed relatively unfazed throughout this whole correspondence.
Hearing this sound made me automatically think of two things. Firstly, it made me lament the passing of Art Bell. Just picture how much fun a Coast to Coast or Dreamland broadcast of this would be! The broadcast would probably start with Linda Moulton Howe interviewing one of her experts in this field and playing the interview off of a terrible-sounding tape recorder. Art would likely use ABBA’s hit song ‘SOS’ for his bumper music. And you just know the wild card line phone calls would be off the chain! Secondly, this event made me think of one of my favorite films, The Antares Paradox.
Two years ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to catch The Antares Paradox at Fantastic Fest, and I was left breathless. Astrophysicist Alexandra Baeza (Andrea Trepat) is stuck on the overnight shift at the EART Observatory. Alexandra is set to have a life-changing night. Her father is dying in the hospital, they are about to experience the storm of the century, and EART has just received a signal from another planet that, if authenticated, could change the course of history.
The Antares Paradox is a chamber piece like never before. It’s a cosmic gumbo of adrenaline and emotion. Alexandra is a tenacious scientist who wants nothing more than to be a part of something bigger than herself. The film’s singular set lends to the claustrophobic nature of Alexandra’s dilemma. It’s interesting to look at her predicament from the outside. When faced with the idea of life beyond our solar system, she stays in a cramped room full of computers. Her only communication with the outside world is via telephone. One of the most intriguing questions Alexandra is faced with at the beginning of the film, is if a genie granted her the opportunity to cure cancer or give us evidence of extraterrestrials, which one would she choose? It’s the perfect Chekov’s gun to set up her entire character arc.
When Will The Antares Paradox Get Released?
This all brings me to the point I really wanted to talk about. While the relationship between the Boeing Starliner and The Antares Paradox is tangential, it made me think long and hard about how the smallest things make me think of this movie. I’m not exaggerating when I say this, I google The Antares Paradox once a week to see if there is any new information regarding, at the least, a VOD release. (And I’m really not exaggerating when I say I have a weekly calendar notification to remind me to google it.)
And that’s where the one frustration of film festivals comes in. The number of films I’ve seen at festivals that quickly die out and don’t go on to have a release of any kind is staggering. Even having your film run at some of the biggest festivals doesn’t necessarily mean it’s getting released for streaming or theatrical release. A film like The Antares Paradox is not only an overwhelmingly beautiful film, but it’s also poignant.
In the age of modern disclosure, a film like The Antares Paradox hits the nail on the head. People like Lue Elizondo, George Knapp, Jeremy Corbell, Brandon Fugal, and many others, probably feel like they’re the Alexandra Baeza of disclosure–stopping at nothing to get the truth out there. However, many of these people, especially Lue Elizondo, have ulterior motives that revolve around financial gain rather than disseminating the truth. Was all this just a thinly veiled excuse for me to talk about The Antares Paradox or throw a dig at Lue Elizondo? Maybe. What I think the real takeaway should be is twofold: that sonar-sounding thing aboard the Boeing Starliner is odd and creepy, and it’s a damn shame there isn’t a physical release of The Antares Paradox.
Movies
Get Your Milk and Cookies: The Terrifier 3 Trailer Just Dropped
Art the Clown is coming back to town, and everyone’s on the naughty list. The trailer for Terrifier 3 premiered on the Bloody Disgusting official YouTube account this morning and it looks like we’re in for quite a treat. The third installment of the Terrifier franchise releases to theaters on October 11th of this year, 2024.
Art the Clown is coming back to town, and everyone’s on the naughty list. The trailer for Terrifier 3 premiered on the Bloody Disgusting official YouTube account this morning and it looks like we’re in for quite a treat.
If you’ve somehow evaded all things Terrifier for the last decade, let’s have a brief refresher.
Art the Clown in Terrifier
Art the Clown, as played by David Howard Thornton, started making waves in the horror community with the film Terrifier in 2016. The film saw a mime stalking and killing on Halloween night with various creative methods.
Terrifier’s blend of comedy, dark grit, and gore fueled by Tom Savini-inspired practical effects was polarizing to horror fans. Some like myself find real delight in the films, while others take issue with multiple things including gratuitous gore and Art the Clown’s use of a gun for one of his kills.
Not to be deterred, Damien Leone doubled down on everything for Terrifier 2. He let it be known within the first 15 minutes how he felt about the criticisms of Art using a gun in Terrifier, as Terrifier 2 saw Art the Clown unload a Tommy gun on a crowd in a dream sequence right at the beginning. As far as the criticisms of Terrifier being too gory went, there’s a reason why the words “bleach and salt” are well-known in the horror community now.
If the first Terrifier caused waves, then when Terrifier 2 was released in 2022, it caused a tsunami. Reports of a moviegoer passing out while watching it in the theater are often attributed to why Terrifier 2 started receiving mainstream recognition.
To original Terrifier fans like myself though, we know that Art the Clown was born to be a horror icon. It’s no surprise that he’s gained such a following because the brutality of the character, combined with his comedic charm and edge, is unique in a way we haven’t had for a long time. We simply can’t get enough of him, so let’s get into Terrifier 3.
What We Know About Terrifier 3 So Far
The third installment of the Terrifier franchise releases to theaters on October 11th of this year, 2024.
If you follow Horror Press on Instagram or TikTok, you might have caught our Horror Trivia Tuesday about Terrifier, specifically that Damien Leone knew that Terrifier 3’s first five minutes alone will be very controversial.
The Terrifier 3 teaser trailer that was released back in May has a lot of people speculating that it’s because this time we will see Art the Clown slaughter a child.
It drew a lot of criticism, as the line in horror is typically drawn at children. Even when we see tragic child deaths, they’re typically handled gingerly as we saw with Gage Creed in Pet Sematary. However, horror has always been known to push the boundary, with Mike Flanagan’s baseball boy scene from Doctor Sleep coming immediately to mind. Damien Leone has made it known that he, too, is one not to shy away from any boundaries.
Judging from the Terrifier 3 trailer alone, I think it’s safe to say this one will make even the most hardcore horror fans squirm.
Watch the Terrifier 3 Trailer Now
The Terrifier 3 trailer picks up on the impending fifth anniversary of the events from Terrifier 2. Sienna, as played by Lauren LaVera, who beheaded Art the Clown at the end of the last film, is urged by her friends to speak out about surviving the harrowing events.
Meanwhile, Art the Clown is armed with the Christmas spirit and a chainsaw, advancing on a couple in the shower. He gives us an expression that tells us Terrifier 3 will give us the same goofy, brutal Art that we all know and love from the previous Terrifier films.
Remember when I said Damien Leone does not shy away from his vision, no matter the criticism? One scene, as Art the Clown sits in Santa’s chair at a mall event, tells me that people who were concerned about the potential grisly murder of a child will quickly find there’s way more than one in danger.
The trailer also hints at Terrifier 3 giving us more Art the Clown lore as Sienna says she has to “go back to the Terrifier” hinting that Art the Clown may be buried at the abandoned carnival from Terrifier 2.
We also see a potential new villain, or perhaps an earlier version of Art the Clown, as Sienna faces a monster blacksmith.
The trailer closes with a festive Art the Clown enjoying some milk and cookies, as he must be exhausted from all that slaying.
If Terrifier 2 didn’t teach us that Damien Leone will not back down from presenting his vision of Art the Clown no matter the criticism, Terrifier 3 most certainly will. Get your Terrifier 3 tickets now.