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Brendan’s Top 5 Horror Movies of 2024

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

Brendan is an award-winning author and screenwriter rotting away in New Jersey. His hobbies include rain, slugs, and the endless search for The Mothman.

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The Best Horror You Can Stream on Shudder in April 2026

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Shudder is still being coy about its Halfway to Halloween programming. Which means none of us know the full April line-up yet. However, that is not going to stop me from telling you what to watch on the app. I  have taken it upon myself to list five of my favorite movies on the streamer. These are movies I have not had the chance to gush about, as they are not new. Most of the five titles are Shudder Exclusives and/or Originals that are the reason I committed to the app. So, if we have similar tastes in films, you might dig some of these gems almost as much as I do. Get ready to laugh, cry, and sleep with the lights on because I have curated a very weird list of bangers you can stream now.

The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)

A Jane Doe is rolled into a coroner’s office, where he and his son soon learn there is more to this murder victim than meets the eye. The Autopsy of Jane Doe is one of the scariest movies I have seen in my adult life. It is suspenseful, wicked, quiet, and unassuming. This witch is serving mystery, immaculate vibes, and the kind of chills we never get anymore. While I usually praise the acting when gushing about this creepy banger, it is the unsettling atmosphere that truly sends me to hell each watch. Do yourself a favor and hit play on Jane Doe this month while she is on Shudder. You’ve earned a nice waking nightmare, and this is the girl. Also, can Emile Hirsch please do more horror because he’s so damn good in this?

Scare Me (2020)

Two strangers tell each other stories in a secluded cabin during a power outage. Scare Me is one of the main reasons I started getting the yearly Shudder subscription. I describe it as a weird feminist love letter to theatre kids because it hit all of those parts of my brain. It is a clever way to pull off an indie anthology and was surprisingly laugh-out-loud funny. Also, Aya Cash wears an iconic sweater in this movie that will become your new personality. I love Werewolves Within and Heart Eyes. However, I am always telling the Josh Ruben stans they need to check out this gem. Scare Me is for the nerds like me and you (I am assuming if you’re reading all of this).

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The Dark and The Wicked (2020)

Two adult siblings head to their family’s secluded farmhouse because their father is dying. They soon discover their father’s impending death is the least of their worries when something evil begins tormenting them. Bryan Bertino screws with the rhythm of the scares, which amps up the creepiness of this terrifying tale. This movie also introduced most of us to Marin Ireland who is becoming a horror staple these days. This movie is a moment for so many reasons and I hope you remember to watch it with the lights off. Shudder fully snapped when they added The Dark and The Wicked to their library. There are so many disturbing moments that live rent-free in my brain, and I guess I am welcome.

Satan’s Slaves (2017)

Death is just the beginning for one mother. This Joko Anwar remake is one of the most chaotic things on Shudder. It is haunting, cool, and messy in the best ways. I take advantage of this movie and Satan’s Slaves 2: Communion being on the app and watch them back to back every year. If you somehow missed the Anwar fan wagon, you will want to have someone save you a seat for after you watch these movies. Satan’s Slaves is serving fucked up families, fuck them kids, and demons. What more could we possibly ask for in our cinema? I personally am still hoping we will get a third entry because I love this world so much.

Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017)

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A girl joins a group of street children after her mother disappears. Issa Lopez’s tragic tale is beautiful, upsetting, and so human it hurts. She wove magical realism and social commentary into what was the first Shudder film to make me cry. I was in no way ready for this devastating emotional journey, and I cannot recommend this title enough. Tigers Are Not Afraid introduced me to Lopez’s work and what a damn good way to get to know her as an artist. Brace yourselves for some crying, and thank me later.

Those are five of my favorite movies that happen to be on Shudder. They are all over the place, but excel in their lanes. They each remain some of my favorite titles on the beloved streamer, and I do not see that changing soon. Let us know your five favorite movies on Shudder in the comments.

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The Best Horror You Can Stream on Netflix in April 2026

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Netflix heard it was spring and broke out the good stuff. They are helping us throw off that winter sadness and get into that death business. Suns out, guns out…or however that saying goes. To be fair, the lineup has been pretty packed lately, which has resulted in a bottleneck in my Netflix queue. Admittedly, that is my favorite of all of my problems I have at the moment. But still, I must push forward because there is so much to catch up on. This is why most of my picks this month are titles that also have homework for me. Some are international, some are horror, and some are gangsters serving face. However, I am excited for each of them and so ready to tell you why I think they are the best bets this month.

So, hop into my mind palace and see what five Netflix goodies I am checking out this April.

The Best Movies to Stream on Netflix This Month

Death Whisperer (2023)

A man returns to his hometown and discovers his sister is suffering from a bizarre illness. This sounds like a possession film to me, and I am finally hitting play. I looked up one day and realized there were three of these films on Netflix. I am not a huge fan of franchises, but I know how most streamers treat films from Thailand. So, this one getting a whole trilogy seems like something I can get involved with. It is also set in 1972 and based on a novel, so the horror vibes will be immaculate. I also found out this was the first Thai movie to be shown in IMAX, and that is a very cool fact. Hopefully, it is as good as I need it to be.

The Green Knight (2021) 

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A24 adapted Sir Gawain and the Green Knight with Dev Patel. That is all I need to know to get me to sit at this knight’s round table. It is described as a dark fantasy, and I cannot believe I missed this when it came out. I am adding this to the list of things the pandemic took from me as I hit play. I might even have to watch this a couple of times…for research. Is that research looking at Dev Patel and bullying more friends into watching Monkey Man? Who can say?

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (2026)

Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) is pulled back into the life he left behind to end it one way or the other. I am using this movie arriving on Netflix to force me to finally finish this binge that I keep pausing. I do not enjoy being the last person to finish Peaky Blinders. So, I know I would hate not being one of the first people to hit play when it hits the streamers. Aside from thirsting over Murphy, this movie looks sick. It also gives my couch potato heart the promise of closure that I am not sure the show had the chance to give to fans who watched it in real time. So, this is one of those times being late works in my favor. Sorry to everyone who had to wait an eternity for this while I just hop into the express lane.

Re/Member: The Last Night (2025) 

Six high school students are forced to break a curse in order to escape a deadly time loop. Re/Member has been on my list since it landed on Netflix. It is a Japanese horror based on a popular manga about kids dying in a time loop. So, all those words lead me to believe this is my kind of party. However, I never got around to it and am so ashamed. Which is why I’m double-focusing on both movies this month. I hope they give me nightmares because that is the only way I will learn my lesson. I also just really miss horror movies that are actually scary.

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That Night (2026) 

A single mother gets entangled with a murder, and her sister’s attempts to help backfire. This limited series is a Spanish Netflix Original, and it looks fun. Listen! I also firmly believe in supporting women in crime, and I get the impression this group will commit at least a couple of crimes. I am ready for some murder, secrets, drama, and thrills! This winter was rough and I want to feel alive this April. I am hoping that this might be the binge to do it. Wish me luck and I will see you on the other side!

I know it is no surprise that I will be avoiding the outdoors this month. However, I appreciate Netflix for making it easy for me. Why would I go anywhere when I have these titles at home? Thanks for reading my thoughts on all these things I hope I like. Feel free to let us know what you’re watching this month in the comments.

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