Sinners, Screamboat, and Chainsaws

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Hello, fellow horror fans! Delve into the chilling world of Horror Explorer, your one-stop destination for discovering this month’s top movies, series, books, and all things eerie that are a must-see. I am William Earl, editor of EbMaster.com, and the resident aficionado of all things horror. Feel free to share your spooky suggestions with me at [wearl@variety.com](mailto:wearl@variety.com) for next month’s issue!

    Marquee Madness

    A Fierce Summer” (Set to release on April 4 by Neon) – Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk take on dual roles as writers, directors, and actors in this nostalgic slasher flick. The story unfolds at a summer camp, where a mysterious murderer begins his rampage. To survive the terrifying night, the counselors, played by Fred Hechinger, Abby Quinn, and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, must band together and outwit the masked assailant.

    Vampire Period Drama” (Set to hit theaters on April 18 from Warner Bros.) – This supernatural film boasts some notable names behind and in front of the camera, as it was penned and helmed by Ryan Coogler, with Michael B. Jordan portraying a pair of characters. Moreover, it’s an uncommon high-budget horror flick that doesn’t stem from previously established intellectual property. Now, isn’t that refreshing!

    “Until Dawn” (Set to release in theaters on April 25 by Sony Pictures) — The widely acclaimed video game is making its way onto the silver screen under the guidance of David F. Sandberg, known for directing “Lights Out” and “Annabelle: Creation”. The movie’s intricate time loop murder plot promises to be challenging, but given Sandberg’s track record, it seems feasible that he can bring this concept to life.

    Off the Beaten Path

    Screamboat” (Hitting theaters on April 2 from Iconic Events Releasing) – Following Disney’s classic character “Steamboat Willie” entering the public domain, it was only a matter of time before we saw a chilling twist featuring Mickey Mouse in the horror genre, inspired by offbeat gruesome tales like “Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey” and “Bambi: The Reckoning.” However, unlike those titles, “Screamboat” leans more towards humor, with David Howard Thornton from the film “Terrifier” taking on the role of the menacing mouse.

    The Desperate Stepsister” (Opens in theaters on April 18 from IFC) – This unique adaptation of the classic Cinderella story draws heavily from the unexpectedly grim Grimm Brothers’ version. The narrative centers around one of the stepsisters, Elvira, who is portrayed as a desperate character ready to undergo any beauty regimen popular in the 1800s to capture the prince’s affection. Consider pairing this body horror cautionary tale with “The Substance” for a compelling double feature. (Click here to read EbMaster‘s review.)

    Killer Series

    The Bondsman” (Premiering on Amazon Prime Video on April 3) – In this lively and gruesome reimagining of classic ‘monster-of-the-week’ series like “Ash vs Evil Dead” and “Stan Against Evil”, Kevin Bacon assumes the role of a demon-hunting bounty hunter, who happens to be undead.

    “Black Mirror” (Set to premiere on Netflix on April 10) – The seventh season of this anthology series that explores technology’s dark side boasts several notable guest stars such as Issa Rae, Rashida Jones, Paul Giamatti, and Tracee Ellis Ross. This season also includes a full-length continuation of one of the show’s most popular episodes: “USS Callister.” The storyline titled “Eulogy” by Giamatti is generating buzz for its blend of heartfelt nostalgia with cold AI technology.

    On April 13, “The Last of Us” (previously aired) makes its grand return for season two on HBO, leaving fans curious about how closely it will adhere to the storyline from the second installment of the video game. Joining the cast are Kaitlyn Dever, Danny Ramirez and Jeffrey Wright.

    In this new chapter starting on April 24th, the fifth and concluding season of the thrilling serial killer series finds Joe Goldberg (portrayed by Penn Badgley), back in New York City, going to great lengths to preserve his matrimony – and as history has shown, this may include some lethal actions.

    Bloodcurdling Books

    As a cinephile and literary enthusiast, I eagerly anticipate the upcoming release on April 29th of “Mapping the Interior” by Stephen Graham Jones, published by Tor Nightfire. This reissue of Jones’ spine-tingling novella about a boy haunted by his deceased father, who mysteriously returns, is adorned with fresh cover art that promises to breathe new life into this 2017 Bram Stoker Award winner for Long Fiction. I can hardly wait to dive in and immerse myself in the chilling tale that lies within its pages!

    Frightening Festivals

    Attending the electrifying Panic Fest (running through April 6th, Kansas City; click here for tickets) was an exhilarating experience! As a movie enthusiast, I had the privilege to witness the world premieres of captivating titles such as “It Feeds,” “Marshmallow,” “The Hedonist,” and “Don’t Let The Cat Out.” These films, along with the buzzworthy screenings of festival favorites like “Clown in a Cornfield” and “The Surfer,” truly showcased the best that genre cinema has to offer. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable cinematic journey!

    The Overlook Film Festival (held from April 3rd to 6th in New Orleans; buy your tickets here) offers a diverse range of horror-themed films, spanning over four days and hailing from 15 different countries. It caters to a wide spectrum of horror enthusiasts, featuring documentaries such as “Chain Reactions” and “Predators,” buzzworthy independent productions like “Touch Me” and “Good Boy,” and works by esteemed directors like David Cronenberg and David Lynch.

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2025-04-02 18:50