Movies
Brendan’s Top 5 Horror Movies of 2024
2024 was a year chock full of excellent horror films from all across the globe. On top of the great films that premiered in 2024, some of the best films of 2023 saw physical releases from myriad boutique labels. It’s never been a better time to be a horror fan. Out of the hundreds of films I’ve watched this year, five have stuck out as my favorite. What are they? Let’s take a look.
The Top 5 Best Horror Films of 2024
5. Cuckoo Written and Directed by Tilman Singer
Gretchen (Hunter Schafer) finds her life turned upside down when the death of her mother turns her life upside down. She is forced to move to the German Alps with her father Luis (Marton Csokas), stepmother Beth (Jessica Henwick), and her half-sister Alma (Mila Lieu). Luis finds himself making this move as he oversees the creation of a new hotel deep in the woods. Shortly into her new move, Gretchen meets the oddly charismatic, and deeply unsettling, Herr König (Dan Stevens). Things quickly turn insidious when Gretchen starts to notice strange happenings around the mountain-side resort.
As a huge fan of Luz, I was excited to see whatever Singer created next. His sophomore feature blends a murder/mystery story with oddball supernatural occurrences. Cuckoo throws viewers into a tailspin of craziness and succeeds on almost every front. Hunter Schaefer and Dan Stevens excel in their respective roles, cementing two characters firmly in the annals of horror history. I had the opportunity to catch this film at Fantastic Fest as did our very own Eli BadCritic. Check out Eli’s review for a more in-depth look at this fascinating feature.
You can stream Cuckoo on Hulu starting December 17th.
4. Who’s Watching Written and Directed by Tim Kasher
Who’s Watching follows Caleb (Zachary Ray Sherman), a weird, creepy, and downright off-putting, self-obsessed loner. Caleb finds himself creating a “documentary” at his uncle’s business. The “documentary” quickly reveals itself to be centered around his coworker Krista (Gracie Gillam), turning from oddly quirky to insidiously dangerous. The narration around Caleb’s film gets murky when one of his band’s friends, Tawnia (Olivia Luccardi), enters the picture. Who is filming who? And who, exactly, is watching?
Coming in at my number four spot is a film I had the opportunity to see at Brooklyn Horror Film Festival. Following the film was a fun Q&A with leads Gracie Gillam and Olivia Luccardi, where curator of everything Horror Press, James-Michael Fleites, learned that Olivia Luccardi was the clamshell eReader girl from It Follows! Nevertheless, Who’s Watching is a unique hybrid-found footage film that blends multiple perspectives into one thrilling feature. While Gillam and Luccardi are excellent leads, the film’s antagonist, Zachary Ray Sherman, is a well-crafted antagonist who sticks with you long after the credits roll. If you’re tired of the typical found footage fare, then Who’s Watching will be that fresh cup of lemonade on a hot summer day.
Check out my Brooklyn Horror Film Festival review here for a more in-depth look into my thoughts.
3. Bakemono Written and Directed by Doug Roos
Bakemono tells the fragmented tales of multiple poor souls who find their demise in an Airbnb. Friends, philanderers, forlorn souls, relatives, everyone is fair game in this horrific hostel. The Airbnb is owned by the mysterious Mitsuo (Takashi Irie), an unstable man who may be more involved than he seems. Will anyone survive the wrath of this transforming creature?
If it weren’t for my number two and one picks, Bakemono would easily be my top film of 2024. I saw Bakemono during Tokyo Horror Film Festival and was left in shock. Many horror filmmakers are harkening back to the time of practical effects over digital. Doug Roos does so with exhilarating, stomach-churning gusto. Bakemono is a tour de force of practical effects. On top of how fantastic the creature and kills look, Roos tells a non-linear story that sets it apart from typical creature feature fare. It takes some time for the non-linear angle to work itself out, but if you stick with it and accept it for what it is, you won’t be disappointed.
For a more in-depth look into my thoughts, check out my full Tokyo Horror Film Festival review here.
2. The Soul Eater Written and Directed by Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury
Franck de Rolan (Paul Hamy) finds himself in a small mountain town as he looks into the mystery of disappearing children. On his way to town, he meets Commander Elizabeth Guardiano (Virginie Ledoyen), who is also on her way to investigate the brutal murder of a family. They soon realize they’re both investigating the same crimes. Local legend speaks of a creature called the Soul Eater, and it starts to look more and more like the Soul Eater has descended upon this town to wreak havoc.
Bustillo and Maury blend the line between New French Extremity and “normal” horror filmmaking with their 2024 feature, The Soul Eater. Casual horror fans will be able to stomach their extreme style while still getting a glimpse at their insatiable taste for blood. Extreme horror fans can revel in the grotesque nature of this film and still enjoy the well-written, engaging story behind it all. These two filmmakers have proven time and time again that they are some of the most influential filmmakers in horror, and The Soul Eater shows that they still got it!
For a more in-depth look into my thoughts, check out my full Fantastia Fest review here.
1. Jimmy & Stiggs Written and Directed by Joe Begos
When out-of-work filmmaker Jimmy (Joe Begos) embarks on his latest bender, he’s thrust into a world of terror he is far from prepared for. After experiencing aliens in his Los Angeles apartment, Jimmy calls his friend/former collaborator Stiggs (Matt Mercer) or help. Jimmy and Stiggs soon find themselves in a fight for their lives and also…humanity.
I’m a sucker for Joe Begos. From his debut feature, Almost Human, to his Christmas slasher, Christmas Bloody Christmas, there hasn’t been a Begos film I haven’t liked. Jimmy & Stiggs exists as Begos’s COVID project. Shot over nearly four years in his OWN apartment, living in the neon-soaked set all throughout the Christmas Bloody Christmasproduction, Jimmy & Stiggs is nothing more than a drug-fueled, 80-minute balls-to-the-wall feature that doesn’t let up for a second.
I saw this film in a packed theater at Brooklyn Horror Film Festival and had no clue what I was in for. After a few beers, I stumbled into the theater and witnessed Joe Begos introduce the feature. I had no clue what I was about to watch. To say I was captivated until the final second is an understatement. This fully practical, alien-centric film feels like something I’ve never had the opportunity to witness in theaters before. If you get the chance to see this film, run, don’t walk.
For a more in-depth look, check out our very own Samantha McLaren’s Brooklyn Horror Film Festival coverage here.
Looks like another July will be spent getting cozy with Shudder in this house. Between all the new (to me) international titles and the conclusion of Hell Motel on July 29th, the app has filled my calendar for the month. Hold my texts, keep your emails in the draft folder, and don’t look for me outside. My TV and I are on a mission, and we’re prioritizing the five titles below. I hope they grab your attention and make it into your Shudder viewings this summer as well. However, I’ll be too busy watching them to know what anyone else is doing, so happy streaming whatever you decide to get into.
While we have you here, you should consider joining us for Bloody Brunches! Every Sunday at 11 AM CST / 12 PM EST, we’ll be livestreaming a new episode of Hell Motel. Who know’s who you’ll see, sometimes Ian Carpenter and crew stop by!
The Best Movies to Stream on Shudder This Month
Lake Placid (1999)
A small group of people try to capture a gigantic crocodile terrorizing the people of Black Lake, Maine. I am not an aquatic horror girl, and I am usually unimpressed with 90s action horror titles. I make a special exception for Lake Placid though. Sure, it stars Bridget Fonda, Bill Pullman, and Oliver Platt. However, real film buffs know that it’s really the late Betty White who carries this movie. Her foul-mouthed character stood on business and is the reason most of us revisit this title during the summer.
You can watch Lake Placid on July 1st.
Nyi Blorong (1982)
The South Sea Queen’s daughter rises to take a human lover. I have a long history of disliking snakes and movies about snakes. However, I’m leaning into this 1982 film because I deserve a retro Indonesian horror fantasy moment. I am also excited because it stars the late Suzzanna, the queen of Indonesian horror. I only learned about her a few years ago and wanted to spend some time with her work. As usual, Shudder is making it too easy to become a better cinephile.
You can watch Nyi Blorong on July 7th.
The Housemaid (2018)
An orphaned girl is hired as a housemaid at a haunted rubber plantation in 1953 French Indochina. Once there, she falls in love with the landowner, which sends the ghost of his dead wife into a jealous rage. I was excited to watch this just because it sounds chaotic, and I do not see enough Vietnamese horror for my liking. However, I recently discovered it is also an IFC Midnight title, so now my expectations are through the roof. IFC has been the home of upsetting, weird, and unique horror since 2010. I have a date with Shudder on July 14th, because I want this movie in my eyeballs the second it becomes available.
You can watch The Housemaid on July 14th.
Swallow (2020)
A pregnant housewife is compelled to eat dangerous objects, leading her husband and in-laws to become more controlling. Swallow had the misfortune of debuting during the top of the pandemic, so many people missed it. I found it on accident during Thanksgiving back when Showtime still had its own app. It’s quiet chaos that surprised me in a good way. I have been trying to make everyone I know watch it, and Shudder is making that so much easier this month. I am overdue for a rewatch myself, so I will also be hitting play while it’s available this July.
You can watch Swallow on July 21st.
Monster Island (2024)
A Japanese ship transporting prisoners of war and a British POW are stranded on an island where a mythical creator hunts them. Can they work together now that their very survival depends on it? I was bummed I missed this movie at Overlook Film Fest this year because all my friends loved it. So, obviously, I am thrilled Monster Island (also known as Orang Ikan) is hitting the Shudders streets so soon. I do not know what the other monster movies are doing this July because my heart belongs to this baby.
You can watch Monster Island on July 25th.
So, as usual, I will be hiding in my apartment and trying to make Shudder Saturdays my personality. I’m running at their international titles like it’s my job and revisiting a few movies I never spend enough time with. I hope your Shudder watches spark as much joy for you as I expect mine will this July.
In the 90 years since its release, The Bride of Frankenstein is still the Universal Monsters franchise’s strongest film.
I first watched The Bride of Frankenstein on cable around 15 years ago. Director James Whale’s fable of a misunderstood creature’s quest for a bride really stayed with me after subsequent viewings. Speaking of The Bride, she’s the Universal Monster with the most potential for a gripping and modern reimagining that hasn’t been fully tapped into yet. Universal’s newest theme park Epic Universe, opening back in May, inspired a deeper dive into The Bride of Frankenstein, the titular role and its legacy.
Unveiling The Bride: The Plot and Power of the 1935 Classic
Immediately following 1931’s Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein centers on Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) as the sinister Dr. Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger) urges him to collaborate on creating a mate for The Monster (Boris Karloff). In the meantime, The Monster travels across the countryside, learns to speak, and meets Pretorius. When both scientists complete and unveil The Bride (Elsa Lanchester), she rejects The Monster, motivating him to pull a lever and famously say, “We belong dead.” Pulling the lever ignites an explosion, killing The Monster, The Bride, and Pretorius.
Just as it took two scientists’ minds to create her onscreen, two individuals gave life to The Bride’s characterization and look: Lanchester and makeup master Jack Pierce, who designed nearly all the original Universal Monsters.
The Bride’s Hiss: How Lanchester Stole the Show with Limited Screentime
The Bride not being the film’s main protagonist is ironic since she’s the title character. Making the most of her brief performance, Lanchester’s swan-like mannerisms as The Bride sharply contrast with the humanity Karloff brings out of The Monster. After her dual role as The Bride and author Mary Shelley herself in the film, Lanchester took on more horror film roles like Henrietta Stiles in Willard (1971). It’s not hard to imagine what could’ve been for her career if she reprised her role in The Bride of Frankenstein’s sequels Son of Frankenstein and Ghost of Frankenstein. If a lab explosion couldn’t kill The Monster, wouldn’t it be the same for The Bride?
Besides the white streaks, Lanchester surprisingly didn’t wear a wig to portray The Bride since Pierce shaped her red hair to look the way it does. Pierce’s work on The Bride is just as iconic if not more so than Lanchester’s performance, ensuring the character became inseparable from her intended suitor in pop culture’s eyes. Case in point: There’s so much officially licensed merchandise playing up a romance between the two characters, even though The Bride can’t stand her intended mate. Beyond Lanchester and Pierce, there is one man responsible for how the film itself would come out.
James Whale’s Masterpiece: Directing The Bride of Frankenstein
Whale stitched great set designs, fantastic performances and composer Franz Waxman’s eerie score together to create a masterpiece.
Having Frankenstein, The Old Dark House and The Invisible Man under his belt by the mid-‘30s, it’s clear Whale creatively peaked while working on The Bride of Frankenstein. Although so much about Whale’s talents has been said, there’s a reason why his work on the film stands out across his filmography: He really went wild when directing it. Every character is practically cartoony, the sets are more elaborate and the plot is thematically richer than the original’s. Being an openly gay filmmaker, he cranked up The Bride of Frankenstein’s camp to legendary heights.
The Bride of Frankenstein is the final horror movie Whale directed. The novel Father of Frankenstein and its film adaptation Gods and Monsters, starring actor Ian McKellen as Whale, dramatize his life after directing the film. According to the reference book Universal Horrors by Tom Weaver, Michael Brunas and John Brunas, he initially didn’t want to direct his horror work’s apex. Just like Henry Frankenstein’s relationship with the monster he created, The Bride of Frankenstein’s production is a case of life imitating art. The Monster’s in-universe infamy further parallels Whale’s Frankenstein duology’s lasting popularity.
How The Bride of Frankenstein Shaped Horror Sequels and Adaptations
The Bride of Frankenstein’s influence can be seen across other horror films and Frankenstein adaptations.
Having “Bride of” in a horror sequel’s title is synonymous with including the main character’s female counterpart, leading to Bride of Re-Animator, Bride of Chucky, etc. The similarities go further than the titles, with The Bride of Frankenstein inspiring the former’s plot and furthering Tiffany’s arc in the latter. The Bride of Frankenstein inevitably shaped Frankenstein’s future adaptations as well.
Directed by Kenneth Branagh, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein from 1994 closely follows the original novel. Breaking away from the novel’s narrative, its third act pays homage to The Bride of Frankenstein when Victor brings Elizabeth back to life with similarly brief screentime. Mia Goth’s seemingly red hair on the set of Guillermo Del Toro’s upcoming Frankenstein may hint at her character similarly becoming The Bride.
The Bride’s Untapped Potential for a Modern Horror Remake
With Warner Bros. releasing its own take on the character with The Bride! in 2026, it makes Universal’s reluctance to make a new remake downright egregious.
The Bride is still the literally redheaded stepchild among the Universal Monsters. When it comes to being neglected by Universal, The Creature From the Black Lagoon is the only character who rivals The Bride, but that’s another story. Universal did plan a remake directed by Bill Condon, who helmed Gods and Monsters, for its aborted Dark Universe film franchise.
The Bride’s Absence in Epic Universe’s Monsters Unchained Ride
Looking at Epic Universe, the Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment ride apparently leaves The Bride out, even though she makes more sense to be in it than The Phantom of the Opera. However, The Bride does make meet-and-greet appearances across Dark Universe’s grounds.
Several ideas can be incredible for when Universal finally releases a remake of The Bride of Frankenstein someday. Based on what I’ve heard about 2023’s Poor Things, it’s exploration of a mad scientist’s creation’s experiences in a restrictive society is closer to what a modern reimagining should be. Having a woman behind the camera can lead to a feminist vision, delving into The Bride questioning her life’s purpose.
Until the day a proper remake debuts, the original 1935 film remains The Bride of Frankenstein’s definitive incarnation.
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