Archive of Horror

Title: American Mary Year:2012 Director: Jen & Sylvia Soska IMDb Score: 6.2/10 Personal score: 5/10 Summary:  The allure of easy money sends Mary Mason, a medical student, into the world of underground surgeries which ends up leaving more marks on her than her so-called "freakish" clients One-sentence review: If you want to get into body horror, but are still a bit squeamish, then this is the movie for you.  Watch if: You're into body horror, body modification etc You prefer more thriller-flavored horror Don't watch if:  Squeamish Triggered by mentions and/or depictions of SA Review: As a disclaimer, I have to say that I didn't dislike the movie. It was quite solid. I don't understand why it's considered "horror", but I suppose that horror is subjective. Personally, I wouldn't classify pure body horror as... well, horror. And let's be honest: a person has the right to do what they want with and to their own body. So if they want bod...

Title : Noroi: The Curse Year : 2005 Director : Koji Shiraishi IMDb score : 6.8/10 Personal score : 9/10 Summary:  A prominent paranormal journalist Kobayashi goes missing shortly after completing a documentary. What begins as an investigation into strange noises soon evolves into the chilling mystery of a demonic entity named Kagutaba. One-sentence review : Unsettling, atmospheric and teeming with lore, it's an absolute treat for anyone who loves the found footage genre.  Watch if:  You love found footage and/or folk horror You enjoy an unsettling mystery You want to feel thoroughly unnerved You don't want to see any gore Don't watch if:  You don't enjoy reading subtitles?  You want something simple and action-packed Review: The beauty of found footage horror is that it ages well. What I mean by that is that even if the quality of the movie is outdated, it simply gives another layer of authenticity to it, which, in turn, can make it seem even more unnerving an...

Title: Venus Year: 2022 Director: Jaume Balagueró IMDb score: 5.5/10 Personal score: 5/10 Summary : Horror invades the concrete corridors of a cursed apartment complex on the outskirts of Madrid.  One-sentence review : A slow start that leaves you wondering where the "horror" tag comes from, leading to a finale that makes it crystal clear.  Watch if:   You're a fan of lovecraftian/eldrich horror You like slow burns You like a mixture of thriller, horror and action Don't watch if: You hate jump-scares  You want horror that escalates fast and provides constant scares You have issues with tentacles or gore You don't like endings that leave you questioning Review: I don't know what I was expecting going into this. I don't think I had any expectations, seeing as I was going in almost completely blind. All I knew was that the movie took place in an apartment building and followed a woman who was in some sort of trouble with... the mafia? The underworld? That wa...

Title: La Llorona Year: 2019 Director: Jayro Bustamante IMDb score: 6.6/10 Personal score: 7.5/10 Summary: An aging, paranoid war criminal, condemned by the public for his role in the Guatemalan genocide, is confined to his mansion with his faithful wife, daughter and granddaughter. When a new maid enters the household, the general and his family find that the ghosts of his past are reluctant to let his last moments be peaceful. Two-sentence review: A slow burn that doesn't rely on jump scares or gore to get its message across - and the message is worth it. If you're looking for a traditional "ghost story" you might be disappointed, because the supernatural elements are subtle, but the ghosts of the past are very much there.  Watch if:  You like slow burns You enjoy folk horror  You want a movie with a tense atmosphere that doesn't let up You want something a little bit different Don't watch if: You're looking for easy entertainment that doesn't stic...

Title: Killer Book Club Year: 2023 Director: Carlos Alonso Ojea IMDb score: 4.6/10 Personal score: 2/10 Genre: Slasher (?), horror, teen horror, thriller Summary:   Eight horror-loving friends fight for their lives when a killer clown who seems to know the grim secret they share begins to pick them off, one by one. One-sentence review: I want my time back. The protagonist is literally more unlikable than the killer(s).  Watch if: You want a quick, dumb flick where you don't have to think You have low blood pressure and want to feel angry (getting angry raises your blood pressure) You're having a movie night with someone you hate and you want them to suffer Don't watch if: You value your time You like it when your movies have a likable protagonist You don't like subtitles Does an animal die in this movie? Thankfully, no. There are no animals in the movie. Summary:  This movie is bad. It's unoriginal, predictable, campy and has the most unlikable protagonist I've...