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‘Silent Hill’ (2006): A Love Letter to Cybil Bennett

In April 2006, Silent Hill broke into theaters in the United States. I was still rather new to the world of horror gaming. With no real context or knowledge of the series, I went to see the movie anyway. Now I know that although the story of the film may change several key concepts about the plot (Rose taking the place of Harry being the biggest one and focusing hard on the whole, “Mother is God in the eyes of a child” thing). Overall, the film wasn’t necessarily a masterpiece. Still, there was something in that movie that amazed me: The incredible police officer Cybil Bennett, portrayed by the gorgeous Laurie Holden.

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The Silent Hill game franchise has been considered among players to be one of the biggest influences in the horror genre. Between its thought-provoking plots and truly unnerving monsters, complemented by the incredibly atmospheric music composed in most installments by Akira Yamaoka, it’s no wonder that the first game was chosen to be adapted into a feature film.

In April 2006, Silent Hill broke into theaters in the United States. I was still rather new to the world of horror gaming. With no real context or knowledge of the series, I went to see the movie anyway. Now I know that although the story of the film may change several key concepts about the plot (Rose taking the place of Harry being the biggest one and focusing hard on the whole, “Mother is God in the eyes of a child” thing). Overall, the film wasn’t necessarily a masterpiece. Still, there was something in that movie that amazed me: The incredible police officer Cybil Bennett, portrayed by the gorgeous Laurie Holden.

Cybil initially appears in the movie as a motorcycle-riding, no-nonsense, dedicated, driven cop. She even wears riding-appropriate attire, donning a leather jacket and a helmet! I immediately admired her for not only looking awesome but being smart. (I know wearing her sunglasses at night isn’t at all practical, but it still made her look tough and cool, okay?) However, what sealed the deal for me was in her first scene against a monster. A shambling creature approaches and spews noxious, acidic black goo all over Cybil, who stumbles away for a moment before ripping her helmet off. The rage on her face as she turns back around and fires on the monster, her short platinum blonde pixie cut mussed in this super slick and sexy way… I was taken aback at the level of unabashedly badass this character was. It might also have been one of the first times I realized I thought girls were cute. 

In a world full of horror adaptations, it seems many of them feature women with shoulder-length or longer hair (looking at you, Alice from Resident Evil), which I couldn’t identify with because I’d always kept my hair on the much shorter side. When Cybil graced the screen, it was incredibly refreshing to see that the film had shunned some of the more Hollywood-insisted “feminine” aspects that many female leads get pigeonholed into. She had short hair, she literally kicked ass, she carried confidence on her left and cunning on her right; she was a fighter that exhibited courage to the very end. 

Laurie Holden gave a performance that was moving and empowering, especially to a teenage girl looking for new role models (even if they were fictional). I had experimented with my hairstyle and color for years, but I will be damned if Holden’s short blonde pixie cut didn’t inspire me to keep my hair short and, years later, be comfortable being a blonde bombshell. Cybil’s portrayal of strength and powerful, capable femininity was a mind-blowing concept for me. I have seen some women in horror films be fearless and tough, but in the face of nightmarish abominations and the fires of misguided cults, Cybil remains at the top of my list for one of the baddest bitches in cinema.

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The movie may not be the greatest, and it definitely changes things from its source material, but Silent Hill gave me more than entertainment value. Because of Cybil, I found the ability to embrace my own strength in a way that is both powerful and feminine. I have developed an appreciation for the horror genre and its representation of women. I have gained confidence in rocking short hair. Most of all, however, I experienced a whirlwind of inspiration that has stuck with me for the last 18 years.

Bryn Wolanski lives just outside Cleveland, Ohio. She loves writing, reading, playing video games, and going for walks. She is happily married to her husband Derek and is a proud cat mom. Her goal is to leave the world a better place than when she entered it by being unapologetically authentic and hopes the words she shares inspire and encourage others to do the same.

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The Best Horror You Can Stream on Shudder in October 2025

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Shudder has officially entered the Halloween chat this year, so the other streamers can hang it up. The app is adding the entire Rec franchise and a nice chunk of Alfred Hitchcock’s work. Fans can watch Psycho, The Birds, Vertigo, and Rear Window on the same streamer this Halloween season. However, my eye is on this year’s Fangoria Chainsaw Awards. It is always a night that brings all my favorite horror people together because most of us watch it live and post about it in real-time. It is what I assume people do at other award shows, where horror is often overlooked. I do not care enough to prove that theory by watching awards where people don’t win chainsaws, though. Anyways, here are five movies I’m excited to get cozy with this October.

The Best Movies to Stream on Shudder This Month

V/H/S/Halloween (2025)

The popular franchise is unleashing a collection of Halloween-themed wicked tales this time. No matter how you feel about found footage or this series, it’s hard to not get excited every time a new installment drops. Who among us can resist the pull of six frightening stories shoved into an unsettling anthology? It also gives us the chance to speed date a handful of filmmakers who want to terrify us. So, it makes sense that it is becoming a yearly tradition. This Shudder Original is also coming hot and fresh from Fantastic Fest. So, if you missed the festival, you can still partake in some of the nightmare fuel at home.

You can watch V/H/S/Halloween on October 3rd.

When A Stranger Calls (1979)

A man terrorizes a babysitter and decides to further traumatize her seven years later. I watched a lot of horror movies as a kid, but this was the one that made me realize scary movies are supposed to be scary. The first act of this film is stressful. It is also probably the reason my phone is always on do not disturb. Carol Kane is an amazing final girl who becomes the final woman in this unsettling story. It also has amazing performances from the late Charles Durning and Tony Beckley, who tragically died way too young. I dare you to watch the first act while you’re alone with the lights off.

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You can watch When A Stranger Calls on October 6th.

Invader (2024)

A woman suspects foul play when her cousin goes missing in Chicago. However, her investigation leads to something beyond her wildest imagination. I need answers to all the questions this movie’s premise is throwing at me. Because it’s about 70 minutes long, I cannot be too mad at whatever this turns out to be. I would have given up way more time to see why what looks like a home invasion seems so mysterious. So, if you are trying to watch a bunch of horror movies this season, this is a quick one coming to an app near you. Everybody, tell Shudder thank you!

You can watch Invader on October 6th.

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OTHER (2025)

A woman returns to her childhood home after her mother’s death to find the house has extensive surveillance and an evil presence. I want to know how the sinister vibes and technology are connected because I am nosy. I also love horror movies that promise family secrets are getting uncovered. After all, nothing is scarier than families. More importantly, this movie got past me, so I did not hear anything about it until making this streaming guide. So, I need to fix that the second it lands on Shudder. It also looks good, so I’m stepping into this movie feeling like it’s going to be a great time.

You can watch Other on October 17th.

Hell House LLC: Lineage (2025)

Vanessa Shepard finds herself haunted after surviving unspeakable horrors at the Abaddon Hotel years earlier. She soon realizes that her nightmares and visions are trying to tell her something she could have never imagined. When this franchise is good, it’s very, very good. Which is why it earned five movies and is one of the franchises we think about when we think of Shudder. While I do not like this fifth and final film, I am sad it was not in theaters long enough to give Hell House LLC fans closure and to allow them to finally see a chapter on the big screen. So, I’m happy this Shudder Original is arriving on Halloween Eve. I also look forward to the discourse once it has more eyes on it because I’m messy.

You can watch Hell House LLC: Lineage on October 30th.

So, that’s why my TV will be parked on Shudder this month. There are plenty of titles that give me an excuse to stay home and mind my own business. Y’all have fun out there because I don’t need to go outside with a lineup like this. 

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Let us know what scary shenanigans you are planning to get into on the app this October. Also, Happy Halloween from the alleged lady always telling you what to watch!

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The Best Horror You Can Stream on Netflix in October 2025

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I have decided that this month is dedicated to horror shows I enjoyed binging on Netflix. Is this because I have been thinking about rewatching Marianne since I added it to August’s streaming guide? Yes. Is it also because Halloween month is the perfect time to curl up with shows about dead people and cursed things? Also, yes. So, I plucked five titles from the streamer that I do not talk about enough. I am also making that your problem, as I encourage you to watch each of these. While Netflix might not have the scariest library in the game, they do have some gems that are perfect binges for this cozy time of year. Let us dive in and find your next series, shall we?

The Best Movies to Stream on Netflix This Month

All of Us Are Dead (2022)

A zombie outbreak leaves high school students trapped in their school. If you are a horror fan, then you know that nothing hits quite like a South Korean zombie tale. Which is why these 12 episodes are a journey that I wish everyone would take. These kids who hate each other being forced to work together to survive is high-level drama. The betrayal, the death, and the tension lead to some of the most chaotic TV you might see this month. More importantly, if you dig the show, Netflix has greenlit it for a second season. So, you are not late to the party, but arriving right before the second beer run.

Dead Boy Detectives (2024)

Two spirits chose to opt out of the afterlife and stay on Earth to solve supernatural crimes. Dead Boy Detectives was everything I ever wanted in a series, and I am still salty it was cancelled. So, I hate that we do not see where these lovable characters would end up in a second season. I want more well-written intersectional horror, and I want it now. Because men are awful, I have to point out that this is based on a Neil Gaiman comic book. So, it is sticky if you are (understandably) wishing him well in hell and not wanting to engage with anything inspired by his work. I was never a fan of his stuff, which is how I know this writer’s room worked their asses off on this adaptation. These eight episodes were the main reason to keep Netflix last year, and the show deserved a longer season (and life).

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Interview with the Vampire (2022- Present)

A vampire shares his very long story with a cynical journalist. I almost skipped this show because the movie put me to sleep so many times as a kid. This series is my favorite Anne Rice adaptation, so I am glad I tuned in. It is sexy, smart, and sophisticated. It is a decadent, bloody little treat with one of the most talented casts on TV at the moment. This is the perfect time to check it out, as Netflix just added the second season in September. Now subscribers can experience the love, lust, and loss like the rest of us before the third season arrives.

Kingdom (2019-2020)

When the king goes down, the prince must take the throne and protect his subjects from a plague. If you like zombies and period-piece horror, then open Netflix and hit play now. I checked this show out because I saw Bae Doona (Sense 8) was in the cast. By the time the two seasons were over, I was a different person, and I am welcome. I do not know who we need to talk to about getting more South Korean historical horror shows, but get them on the phone ASAP. This series has drama, mess, and violence. I might need to rewatch this, too, instead of just telling other people to check it out.

Tomorrow and I (2024)

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A four-part anthology exploring the intersection of futuristic technologies and Thai culture. At first glance, this seems like Thailand’s version of Black Mirror, but Tomorrow and I is definitely her own weird thing. It became one of my favorite shows of last year, and not nearly enough people watched it. As usual, Netflix dropped an international banger in silence. So, people have to stumble upon it or hear about it from the streets. It is a shame because it is one of the better sci-fi horror anthologies we have gotten in years. This beautifully complicated show explores the human condition and examines Thailand’s political landscape. The whole season is worth watching, but the last episode is the one that dealt the most psychic damage. So, save the finale for when you want to have your entire day ruined and feel your feelings. 

Let us know if any of these Netflix binges are in your immediate future this Halloween season. You can also let us know which shows you are digging that did not make this list. We are nosy that way. Happy Halloween month!

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