Hi there horror lovers. If you’re anything like me in quarantine, you’re trying to process hundreds of thousands of deaths across the globe, the closure of beloved small businesses, the random dummies storming your home state government buildings armed with weapons but curiously devoid of COVID-19 defenses, and all the ways our everyday lives may be forever changed by this crazy pandemic. But again, if you’re anything like me, in your lighter moments you might also be dying your hair bright pink while mourning the loss of several highly-anticipated terrorific theatrical releases this spring, from Antebellum (release delayed until August 21) to Run (release TBD). But fear not, fear-lovers, for I’ve scraped the bottom of the streaming and new-release barrels (yes, there ARE still new releases, and in fact, the resurgence of the drive-in movie theater may be the best thing to come of contagion-ridden 2020) for some new and hidden horrorific gems, which I will now share in this SpecialK summary judgment.
The Wretched – A Stephen King-style throwback to the horror films of decades past, The Wretched involves a troubled young teen simply trying to find some peace in northern Michigan with his dad while he figures life out. Dealing with the split of his parents, a broken arm, and a habit of doing the wrong thing, he starts to wonder if he’s just seeing things, or if there really is something weird going on with the family next door. A horror film for anyone who loves witches, bodysnatchers, and/or creepy monsters, this film is well-made, with effective creeptastic moments sprinkled throughout, characters you’ll want to root for, and even a fun twist you won’t see coming. It tr
ends a bit closer to the cheesy and traditional side of the horror spectrum than I usually prefer, but at a time when we are all yearning for something that reminds us of how things used to be, this film really hits the spot.
The Wretched opens Friday, May 1 at select drive-in theaters across the country, and on streaming services as well.
Sea Fever – A slow burn, this film relies on strong characters and the eerie unknown of the deep to deliver a film centered on the sort of public health dilemmas we can all relate to in this time of individual sacrifice for the greater good. As a young, brilliant, awkward, red-haired researcher joins a fishing trawler off the coast of Ireland in search of biological abnormalities at sea, she finds a bit more than she bargained for – a life force that threatens everyone on board. Lilting Irish accents, foggy seascapes, a few familiar faces, and just enough gruesome pathogen-driven gore make Sea Fever a quarantine-appropriate horror film you simply shouldn’t miss.
Sea Fever premiered in 2019 and became available to rent on demand on Thursday, April 9, 2020.
The Other Lamb – If The Handmaid’s Tale wasn’t quite “Black Philip” enough for you, you might want to try The Other Lamb. As a young girl reaches puberty within a creepy cult that lives life simply in the rugged wilderness, she starts to question how she’s been raised, and especially the leadership and guidance of cult leader Shepherd. Hats off to the producers and art directors for a visually enthralling film, but in the end, the plot on this one simply wasn’t original enough to merit a robust SpecialK recommendation. Then again, maybe I’m just not a fan of the recent swell of “young-girl-coming-of-age” films—full disclosure, I didn’t think Lady Bird lived up to the hype either. If you’re dying for more realistic, nuanced cult horror, you might want to check out Waco on Netflix instead, which I highly recommend and binged eagerly during quarantine (marry me Tim Riggins!) But if you’re looking for new horror that’s artsy, striking, and decent enough to pass the time, you might want to give The Other Lamb a shot.
The Other Lamb opened on demand and on digital cable on Friday, April 3.
Bacurau – Looking for a way to support your favorite arthouse theater? Try KinoNow, where you can “buy” a ticket via your local favorite spot, and stream the film live from home. Consider checking out Bacurau, a Brazilian film that seamlessly blends torture-style horror, classic Wild West themes, and more insider Brazilian political nods than this American probably managed to catch. Often compared to the genre-bending brilliance of Parasite, Bacurau keeps you wondering exactly what type of film you’re watching. With strong performances by familiar faces like Udo Kier, and the captivating emotional subtleties of newbies like Bárbara Colen, this film is centered on the heart and soul of one small town in rural Brazil, where the only defenses the townspeople have are sheer determination and a shared past. Root for the underdog, get lost in another world, and get ready for some extravagant gore in Bacurau.
Bacurau is playing virtually through shuttered Indie theaters across the U.S. thanks to KinoNow’s Marquee program. Learn more here.
SpecialK Verdict: Don’t miss Sea Fever, Bacurau, or The Wretched while quarantined on your couch, and if you’re a cult fanatic, consider The Other Lamb. Don’t forget to get creative and find ways to support your local theaters through KinoNow’s Marquee program, and dig into the many ways you can continue to support the film industry by streaming away while in quarantine. Stay safe, horror lovers!
Never miss a review — sign up for email updates to the right, follow us on Twitter, or like The Parsing Haus on Facebook!