Week of May 12, 2026

Horror

Hide and Don’t Speak — Momona Tamada stars in the supernatural horror *Hide and Don’t Speak*, a film about teenagers summoning a vengeful spirit through a deadly game of hide-and-seek. The involvement of *The Beast Within* director Alexander J. Farrell and producer Range Media Partners (behind *Longlegs*) suggests this isn’t another low-budget horror throwaway — though a viral game premise in a horror film is about as original as they come.

George A. Romero’s TWILIGHT OF THE DEAD — Kate Beckinsale has signed on to star in *Twilight of the Dead*, the long-gestating final film in George A. Romero’s *Dead* series, with the Paz Brothers set to direct. The project, which Romero had only a treatment for before his death, now moves forward with a new cast and crew, though it’s unclear if it will honor his vision or simply cash in on his legacy. This isn’t a resurrection of Romero’s voice so much as a reanimation of his brand, and it’s hard to imagine it delivering anything close to the cultural impact of his original work.

‘King’s Daughters’ from ‘Red Rooms’ Director — Pascal Plante returns with King’s Daughters, a historical folk horror film about a cursed transatlantic voyage of young French virgins to New-France in 1663, featuring a star-studded cast including Sandrine Bonnaire and Laurie Babin. The film’s focus on female survival and solidarity in the face of systemic oppression and supernatural dread positions it as a timely entry in the growing wave of feminist horror reimagining of historical trauma. With production set to continue in France and a 2027 release planned, this is one folktale that promises to be both brutal and beautiful.

H.P. Lovecraft’s ‘Herbert West: Reanimator’ — A new film adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s “Herbert West: Reanimator” is set to begin shooting in Alton, Illinois this June, with production ties to the legendary *Re-Animator* director Stuart Gordon’s original 1985 film. The project, helmed by cousins Roger and Jeff Lewis, aims to root the story firmly in Alton’s real locations, with local residents cast as background performers and recognizable actors expected to appear around town. While the film won’t be the first take on Lovecraft’s tale, this version’s commitment to authentic local production and casting could offer a fresh, grounded spin on a well-worn horror concept.

Netflix’s Thriller Series ‘The God of the Woods — Ella Rubin has been cast as a camp counselor in Netflix’s forthcoming thriller series *The God of the Woods*, based on Liz Moore’s novel about a missing girl and a family’s dark secrets in the Adirondacks. The show’s pedigree, with Liz Hannah and Liz Moore as co-showrunners and a cast that includes Maya Hawke and Kerry Condon, suggests it’s aiming for something more substantive than typical genre fare — though how seriously it takes the horror elements remains to be seen. Rubin’s involvement, after *Until Dawn* and *Fear Street: Prom Queen*, positions her as a potential genre regular, even if this project’s genre depth is still unclear.

The Blair Witch Project Reboot — The Blair Witch Project reboot is officially moving forward with a new cast, crew, and director, though the plot remains frustratingly vague. Dylan Clark (Portrait of God) takes the reins, and while it’s not a remake, the lack of specifics suggests the filmmakers are banking on nostalgia rather than innovation. The $10 million budget and fall filming schedule hint at a cautious, low-risk approach that feels more like a rebrand than a reinvention.

Rebirth of the Living Dead — Rebirth of the Living Dead is an independent horror film in development as a direct sequel to John A. Russo’s 1978 novel, not the 1985 film adaptation. It marks a rare instance where a sequel is rooted in the source material rather than the cult film version, which could appeal to longtime fans of Russo’s more nuanced take on the undead. The film’s reliance on AI-generated promotional art and its crowdfunding approach suggest a niche market strategy, but its commitment to honoring Russo’s original vision is noteworthy.

Society 4K Restorations — Ignite Films and Eagle Rock Pictures have announced 4K restorations of four classic horror titles — “Society,” “Horror Express,” “Bloody Birthday,” and “The Baby” — set for release in 2027. The slate underscores a renewed interest in cult and body horror from the 1970s and 80s, with a particular emphasis on films that blend social commentary with visceral unease. It’s a welcome move for collectors and genre fans, though it’s worth noting that these aren’t exactly new discoveries — they’re the kind of overlooked gems that deserve a proper high-definition resurrection.

Pascal Laugier (Martyrs) Directs Female Vampire Horror Movie — Pascal Laugier, known for Martyrs and Incident in a Ghostland, is directing a new vampire film called Nocturnal, written by David Birke of Slender Man fame. The story follows female survivors of a Vichy France refugee crisis who end up on a cursed island, with Birke’s screenplay drawing comparisons to genre classics and a rare combination of horror and character depth. It’s a welcome return for Laugier, and his stated admiration for Birke’s female-centric approach suggests a rare chance to see something fresh in a genre oversaturated with reboots.

Victorian Psycho Rated R: GORE — ‘Victorian Psycho,’ starring Maika Monroe as a Victorian-era version of Patrick Bateman, has been rated R for “strong bloody violence” ahead of its September 25 release. The film, adapted from Virginia Feito’s novel and directed by Zachary Wigon, brings a gothic horror twist to the cult classic, with a cast including Ruth Wilson and Jason Isaacs. It’s a bold move to push the genre’s boundaries, especially with its explicit content, but it remains to be seen if the film’s ambitious premise will translate into box office success.

Industry

Exorcist II Documentary — Yellow Veil Pictures has acquired North American distribution rights to *Boorman and the Devil*, a documentary about the troubled production of *Exorcist II*, featuring interviews with John Boorman, Linda Blair, Louise Fletcher, and filmmakers like Mike Flanagan and Karyn Kusama. The film offers a rare, intimate look at one of horror’s most maligned sequels, reframing it not as a failure but as a bold, flawed artistic endeavor—something that could shift how fans view the franchise. Its theatrical rollout, beginning at Quad Cinema in August, signals a growing appetite for reconsidering cult classics through the lens of filmmaking passion rather than box office disappointment.

Dennis Rush Passed — Dennis Rush, who played young Creighton Chaney in *Man of a Thousand Faces* and Howie on *The Andy Griffith Show*, has died at 74. His career spanned the golden age of television, with appearances on *Gunsmoke*, *Perry Mason*, and *Alfred Hitchcock Presents*, making him a familiar face in mid-century genre and family programming. The loss of another veteran of that era underscores how quickly we’re losing the last links to Hollywood’s golden age—those who helped define what we now call classic genre entertainment.

Watch the Scary Movie 2026 trailer here.

Week of May 12, 2026

Watch HALLOWEEN 4 Where It Was Filmed — On Set Cinema is bringing fans back to Midvale, Utah, for a special Halloween 4 screening next to the iconic Vincent Drug Store, which appears in the film and several others. The event highlights the company’s growing trend of reviving classic horror locations, turning them into immersive fan experiences rather than just nostalgic backdrops. It’s a clever way to blend film history with community engagement, especially as these vintage storefronts are increasingly repurposed for modern use.

Actor Jack Taylor of ‘Count Dracula’, ‘Pieces’, Has Passed Away — Actor Jack Taylor, known for roles in *Count Dracula*, *Pieces*, and *The Ninth Gate*, has died at 99. His career spanned continents and genres, from early 1950s TV to European horror classics, a testament to his versatility and enduring appeal. Taylor’s legacy is a reminder of the golden age of genre cinema, when actors like him helped define the look and feel of horror and fantasy on screen.

Examining ‘Urban Legend’ — *Urban Legend*, Jamie Blanks’ 1998 slasher, emerged as a clever cultural commentary amid the *Scream* wave, using urban legends as its killer’s playbook rather than simply copying the genre’s tropes. While many dismissed it as a copycat, its box office success and stylish execution proved that audiences were hungry for a smarter, more self-aware approach to horror. Blanks’ film remains a curious artifact of 90s genre filmmaking—neither a masterpiece nor a joke, but a sharp, unsettling mirror held up to how we consume fear.

First Look at Danielle Harris & Scout Taylor-Compton’s ‘Last Chance Motel’ — Danielle Harris and Scout Taylor-Compton have assembled a star-studded cast and a crew deeply embedded in horror lore for their debut slasher film, *Last Chance Motel*. The project’s emphasis on character-driven tension and a modern psychological twist in a classic setting suggests a deliberate attempt to revitalize the genre without leaning into nostalgia. With a cast that includes veterans of the franchise and a directorial team that knows what fans want, this could be the kind of low-budget, high-conviction slasher that thrives in today’s crowded horror market.

Mark Patton’s Scream Queen — Following the release of a controversial article (read interview) containing denial statements from a prominent horror publication, viewers are encouraged to seek alternative perspectives on the legacy of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge. Mark Patton’s documentary *Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street* offers a compelling examination of the film’s cultural impact and its portrayal of homoerotic themes, providing valuable context for understanding the complex relationship between horror cinema and LGBTQ+ representation. This documentary serves as an important counterpoint to the dismissive narratives that have emerged in certain media outlets, presenting a more nuanced exploration of the film’s legacy and its significance for both horror fans and those interested in the intersection of cinema and social commentary.

‘Colony’ Poster Shows Zombie Infestation, Director’s ‘Train to Busan’ Connection — The new South Korean horror film Colony, directed by Yeon Sang-ho of *Train to Busan* fame, hits U.S. theaters in August 2026, following a mutating virus outbreak at a biotech conference. The film’s official poster is a literal infestation of zombies, and with Sang-ho returning to the horror genre after a decade, it’s unclear if he’s aiming for another genre classic or just more of the same.