the old ways horror movie review

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The Old Ways

Where to watch.

Watch The Old Ways with a subscription on Netflix, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

What to Know

A demonic possession movie with impressive depth, The Old Ways uses familiar genre ingredients to cast a uniquely gripping spell.

Critics Reviews

Audience reviews, cast & crew.

Christopher Alender

Brigitte Kali Canales

Andrea Cortes

The Old Ways Resurrects Exorcism Horror With a Refreshing & Bruja-Focused Tale

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There have been countless exorcism films in the horror genre, and The Old Ways refreshingly breaks free from the pack to tell an original film that's rooted in connecting to one's ancestors. Written by Marcos Gabriel and directed by Christopher Alender, The Old Ways fuses the best parts of a mystery into a demon-hunting tale while showcasing the badass rituals of a Bruja. The film welcomingly foregoes featuring the worn-out trope of Catholicism saving the day, making way for new spiritual tools and demonic lore to take center stage.

The Old Ways centers on Cristina (Brigitte Kali Canales), a journalist who grew up in Veracruz, Mexico, but moved to America after a tragic family loss. Suddenly, Cristina feels moved to return home for an assignment investigating ancient beliefs in her village that she chalks up to make-believe. However, she is quickly captured by Luz (Julia Vera), a Nahuatl shaman, and her son Javi (Sal Lopez), who believe that she ended up becoming possessed by a demon on her way to La Boca, so they chain her up against her will to expel the evil force.

RELATED: The Old Ways' Demon Addresses Two Key Social Messages

Of course, things get even trickier when it's revealed that Cristina's cousin, Miranda (Andrea Cortés), visits her and believes the duo is right. Gabriel's tight script wastes no time in setting up its premise. Mere minutes into the film, it's clear that evil is definitely real -- even if Cristina brushes off Luz and Javi as being small-minded. That approach, paired with Cristina's nativity to what the film calls "the old ways," only further drives home the film's central message: remembering our cultural ways and ancestry makes us whole.

Alender wisely frames most early shots around watching Canales' sheer terror and confusion, which helps set the tone and make the dire straits feel genuine. From the start of the film, it's clear that Cristina does not fully speak Spanish, which not only distances her from understanding what the heck is happening but from seeing just how much danger she's actually facing. Rituals aren't explained to the viewer or Cristina, a choice that adds to the seriousness that the film's approach to its religious power. Even if it's not always clear say why goat's milk is being used, The Old Ways ensures a ceremonious feeling is pumping beneath each blood splatter. From a horror fan perspective, this fairly exposition-less approach adds to the film's mystery, keeping audiences intrigued about the film's rules.

RELATED: How The Old Ways Sets Up a Sequel

The Old Ways boasts a tight cast that impressively manages to convey most of the film's tension and pace through glances. Notably, Vera's Luz excels at just this kind of communication -- given that her character does not speak any English and has to burden the weight of carrying most of this film's power. The language barrier felt by Cristina only heightens the meaning of what messages she can receive. And, without a doubt, Canales steals the show with just the right amount of bashfulness, grit, and pain. Cortés' Miranda brings the majority of the film's heartfelt core to the screen in a genuine way that also works as a softer but much-needed antagonist to Cristina's stubbornness.

Surprisingly, there's more gore than fans might expect for an exorcism film -- bloody tendrils and fingernails and teeth -- that pushes what could be an intriguing mystery fully into the realm of horror. Additionally, when its demons do show up, The Old Ways finds a clever way to locate them, draw them out and waits until just the right time to let their full form be viewed. Overall, the film is incredibly fun, moving and a welcomed addition to this Halloween's season lineup of must-see scary stories.

The Old Ways is streaming on Netflix and also available on Digital, DVD, and Blu-Ray.

KEEP READING: The Old Ways: Who is Postehki - And Why Is It Haunting Cristina?

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The Old Ways

Cristina, a journalist of Mexican origin, travels to her ancestral home in Veracruz to investigate a story of sorcery and healing. There, she is kidnapped by a group of locals who claim she'... Read all Cristina, a journalist of Mexican origin, travels to her ancestral home in Veracruz to investigate a story of sorcery and healing. There, she is kidnapped by a group of locals who claim she's the devil incarnated. Cristina, a journalist of Mexican origin, travels to her ancestral home in Veracruz to investigate a story of sorcery and healing. There, she is kidnapped by a group of locals who claim she's the devil incarnated.

Christopher Alender
Marcos Gabriel
Brigitte Kali Canales
Andrea Cortés
128 User reviews
63 Critic reviews
67 Metascore
2 wins & 1 nomination

Young Cristina

Cristina's Mother
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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User reviews 128

elhonig-902-129896
Aug 28, 2021
How long is The Old Ways? Powered by Alexa
October 2020 (United States)
United States
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Eski Ayinler
Soapbox Films
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Runtime 1 hour 30 minutes

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The old ways, common sense media reviewers.

Solid exorcism film has blood, demons, drugs, and language.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Returning to your roots can help reconnect you to

Luz, Miranda, and Javi are all good people trying

Almost entirely set in Veracruz, Mexico (although

Lots of horrific and demonic images, blood, and so

A woman in her underwear is forced to go through a

Somewhat frequent use of "f--k," "f--king," "s--t,

A woman shoots up heroin. Some scenes show her hea

Positive Messages

Returning to your roots can help reconnect you to family and cultural heritage. As a metaphor, demons hold you back and turn you into something you're not. They prey on fear, pain, and sadness.

Positive Role Models

Luz, Miranda, and Javi are all good people trying to do the right thing. They believe that Cristina is in grave danger and needs help. Cristina eventually starts believing and manages to learn a lot about demons, brujas, and exorcisms. Luz and Javi make great sacrifices to help Cristina, and in the end, Cristina pays it back completely.

Diverse Representations

Almost entirely set in Veracruz, Mexico (although mainly shot in Los Angeles and Puerto Rico), and with a cast that are all Latin American, this horror movie features strong women in three of the four main roles. Cristina, Miranda, and Luz are all heroes, overcome difficult challenges, and have strong character arcs.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

Lots of horrific and demonic images, blood, and some body horror. Some animals get pulverized into bloody messes (a rat, a chicken). Exorcisms are conducted and some feature grotesque phenomena, like pulling a bloody sack or bloody snake out of a woman's stomach, punching through demons' flesh to grab and yank out demon hearts, or a woman vomiting endlessly long bloody strands of hair. A woman's face gets slashed by a demon claw and her eye goes white because of it. Hands and feet are magically nailed to the floor when a witch hammers nails into a wooden triangle on the floor. Scary demonic faces, body contortions, and gory images, including a young boy's scarred and bloody face. A fair amount of jump scares. Women are held captive and chained. A woman is forced to drink goat's milk.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

A woman in her underwear is forced to go through an exorcism. Some journals are looked through that have hand-drawn images of naked women.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Somewhat frequent use of "f--k," "f--king," "s--t," and "goddamn."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

A woman shoots up heroin. Some scenes show her heating up a spoon that has heroin in it and then injecting it into her veins. Reaction shots also follow, and they show the woman feeling high, good, and hallucinatory.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Old Ways is a horror film in the exorcism genre. With a Latin American cast full of strong women characters, this thriller is heavily women-centered. In terms of violence, this is a very bloody film with a fair amount of body horror, but doesn't have much conventional violence. Most of the gore and grotesque stuff comes from the exorcisms, hallucinations, and weird demonic phenomena. Some animals get pulverized into bloody messes (a rat, a chicken). Scary faces, jump scares, and a generally dark and foreboding atmosphere help keep the tension and horror alive. Strong language throughout, but only "f--k," "f--king," "s--t," and "goddamn," are said. There is little sexual content beyond a few journals with drawings of naked women and a woman in her underwear getting an exorcism. Drug use (heroin) is also shown, and a woman shoots up 3-4 times. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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What's the Story?

In THE OLD WAYS, Cristina (Brigitte Kali Canales) has been making a living as a journalist, but yearns to go back to Veracruz, Mexico, to reconnect with her "family, culture, and heritage." After her mother died when she was a child, Cristina left Mexico. But her return suddenly goes wrong, and a local family imprisons her. They tell her she has a demon in her, and they need to get it out.

Is It Any Good?

This fantastical, bloody, and winsome horror movie thrills from start to finish. Except for a love it or hate it double ending, The Old Ways is a refreshingly simple and taut take on the exorcism horror genre. The film wastes no time jumping right into the drama, as Cristina is immediately imprisoned and told of the demon inside her. Over the course of a cool 90 minutes, Cristina's journey from victim to hero is compelling and fun to watch. She overcomes great hardship and even beats addiction. While there could have been more lore, flavor exposition, and context for the demons that so frequently possess people in this particular area of Veracruz, Mexico, the film still plays with the metaphor of demons and/or evil inside you as symbolic of various modern ills in peoples' lives today and the dangers of losing your culture, family, or heritage.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about exorcism films. How does The Old Ways compare to other notable exorcism movies? What makes it stand out? What makes it too similar to others?

Discuss body horror in film and as a genre. Why do you think people gravitate toward movies that feature body horror? Is it about the gore and grotesque? Is it about creativity? What do you think?

Do you believe in spirits, ghosts, demons, or monsters? Why or why not?

Movie Details

On DVD or streaming : August 25, 2021
Cast : Brigitte Kali Canales , Andrea Cortés , Julia Vera , Sal Lopez
Director : Christopher Alender
Inclusion Information : Female actors, Latino actors
Studio : Soapbox Films
Genre : Horror
Topics : Magic and Fantasy , Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
Run time : 90 minutes
MPAA rating : NR
Last updated : March 12, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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In Theaters and Digital

The old ways - movie review.

Sometimes you really shouldn’t go sniffing around for a story to report. Leave well enough alone, you know? Especially if it is witchcraft that you are after. The Old Ways is what happens when warning signs go ignored. Or was it always destined to end this way after all?

Christopher Alender 's spellbinding horror film, The Old Ways , is every bit as haunting as it sounds. Full of great atmosphere, practical effects, and a robust supernatural engine at its core, it definitely provides enough suspense and head-scratching paranoia to make you swear off every damn temptation surrounding you.

If you aren’t startled after one minute into this horror entry, then you aren’t paying close enough attention. A calming moment between a mother and her daughter is irrevocably twisted into a scene of sheer teeth-gnashing horror as Veracruz, Mexico becomes the scene of sorcery and healing. It's the beginning of a lifetime of horror for one small girl.

Welcome to The Old Ways . Your stay here is going to be interesting as one journalist discovers that she just might be the devil reborn!

With a charged atmosphere and a unique setting, this tale of exorcism at the hands of a Nahuatl bruja gets its unique taste for HORROR on and promises to be an intense film that won’t soon be forgotten this October.

In a dark room with a bag over her head, she hears that someone wants to know what she is doing in the La Boca ruins. We are just as puzzled as she is, but when the bag is pulled off, names are confirmed, and Miranda ( Andrea Cortés ), Cristina's cousin, is identified, we are automatically intrigued as the spell is cast.

It is here where she is investigating what happened to her years before, but an unfortunate accident has led her face to face with Luz ( Julia Vera ) who peers deep into her eyes and confirms that, yes, Cristina has something unnatural kicking about within her. While it may not be a devil per-say, it definitely is a devilish addiction. Heroin. And this addiction must be purified from its host.

But is there something more to this addiction?

Co-starring Weston Meredith, AJ Bowen , and Sal Lopez as Javi, The Old Ways is full of startling images as teeth are pulled from her stomach, snakes are seen slithering along the walls of her cell, and a mutilated rooster is discovered. When an ancient spirit keeps her from escaping her cell, she begins to find herself at odds with her position. Perhaps something is amiss here. Enter the black liquid as the purifying begins.

With plenty of twists and turns, The Old Ways works as metaphor and as horror as Cristina finds herself in a role reversal in order to ultimately deliver the death blow to the demon determined to keep advancing.

From Dark Star Pictures, The Old Ways is available October 12 on streaming services and on Blu-ray/DVD.

MPAA Rating: Unrated. Runtime: 90 mins Director : Christopher Alender Writer: Marcos Gabriel Cast: Brigitte Kali Canales; Andrea Cortés; Julia Vera Genre : Horror | Drama Tagline: Memorable Movie Quote: Distributor: Soapbox Films; Darkstar Films Official Site: https://www.thehustle.movie/ Release Date: May 10, 2019 DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: October 12, 2021. Synopsis : Cristina, a journalist of Mexican origin, travels to her ancestral home in Veracruz to investigate a story of sorcery and healing. There, she is kidnapped by a group of locals who claim she's the devil incarnated. Brigitte Kali Canales,Andrea Cortés,and Julia Vera star.

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Where to watch

The old ways.

Directed by Christopher Alender

It lives inside you.

Brigitte Kali Canales Andrea Cortés Julian Lerma Sal Lopez Julia Vera AJ Bowen

Director Director

Christopher Alender

Producers Producers

T. Justin Ross Christa Boarini David Grove Churchill Viste Noah Campbell Smith

Writer Writer

Marcos Gabriel

Editor Editor

Matt Blundell

Cinematography Cinematography

Executive producers exec. producers.

Christopher Alender Marcos Gabriel David A. Smith Scott G. Carr

Production Design Production Design

Bryce Perrin

Set Decoration Set Decoration

Anthony Pearce Julia Wainfan Joshua Bradeis

Visual Effects Visual Effects

Christopher Alender Marcos Gabriel Dave Jacobson Nick Lively Brian McGuire

Stunts Stunts

Mallory Thompson

Composer Composer

Sound sound.

Juan Campos Matt Davies Rich Bussey Sam Plattner Zach Goheen Jason Chiodo

Costume Design Costume Design

Jessica Torok

Makeup Makeup

Dragan Radic

Soapbox Films

Primary Language

Spoken languages.

English Spanish

Releases by Date

16 oct 2020, 04 apr 2021, 08 oct 2020, 25 aug 2021, releases by country.

Digital Netflix
Digital Sitges Film Festival
Premiere Sitges Film Festival
Digital 15 Netflix
Theatrical R

90 mins More at IMDb TMDb Report this page

Popular reviews

Review by Rafael "Parker!!" Jovine ★★★ 2

Coming into this movie, I didn't know what to expect. Due to Repo's good rating and review, I was very intrigued.

To be fair, this film does a really good job of blending the conventional tropes with some fresh twists and turns. For instance, the exocism has less of a religious connotation and adheres more to the culture. It's less about God and more about identity, about people leaving their villages and their customs and embracing them, departing from who they really are (in this case due to trauma) and how this eventually comes to haunt and literally possess you.

Having all of this taking place in one place was for the most part well used, although I felt the…

Review by Héctor ★★½ 4

It started out really good, but I wish it was longer and more detailed. I do not think the main girl was very great at acting. Her acting wasn't believable. Left loose ends.

Review by RepoJack ★★★½ 33

Who can resist a movie poster thumbnail like this one? I'd like to think no horror fan can.

Another Netflix horror flick that is frankly pretty damn good. That's about 4-5 in a row in the last month, which has to be a record for any streaming originals. This also makes me realize that I rated Demonic way too high.

The Old Ways is a solid debut from newly minted horror director Christopher Alender, whose previous claim to fame was a few Muppets shows. He delivers a compelling possession story with some decent body horror, all wrapped in Mexican-Aztec folklore. And a veteran filmmaker like Neil Blomkamp gets a chance to direct again and it's frankly dog shit in comparison…

Review by Sam 🎞🏴‍☠️ ★½ 2

Sadly pretty underwhelming possession/bruja horror; inconsistent, derivative, predictable and illogical, just too damn many distracting flaws 😐

I'd rather recommend to watch The Shrine or Impetigore: similar story, much better execution 🧐

Review by Steph_h ★★★½ 14

This was good I was surprised, felt fresh for a possession story.. It’s genuinely creepy and intriguing with some excellent effects and humorous at times too. I definitely reccomend it 👍🏼☠️😈 my negatives would be it’s a little repetitive at times, parts of the story aren’t fleshed out completely and feels too polished looking .. But I still say check it out if your interested, way more good than bad here .. and what a cool poster eh 👻

Review by cherryz ★★★★ 5

Well good. Little bit of slowness at the start, but once we all believe the show can begin, and when it does it's a beaut.

Get these girls setup with an excorcism series. They've got the book, and they've got the look, the old ways look.

Want this poster a lot.

Review by Paul Thomas ★★

I wonder if this is getting a pass and being mistaken as "elevated horror" because it's about the roots of a culture not often shown in film, and that unique representation may help some ignore that it's the same scratchy, contorting possession bullshit with lame grossout horror that the movie doesn't even have the convications to sticking with, oftentimes pulling back as a vision, that all of these painfully derivative horror movies deliver

Review by Zay ★★★ 17

Current LB poster is so damn cool! The film itself is just decent. Typical exorcism/demonic possession setup only this time its set in a small Mexican village and there's a bruja instead of a priest doing the exorcism. The small cast was solid. The practical effects were decentish. The body horror elements were efficient. The demon looked kinda cool but was barely seen. Once the demon was revealed, it was destroyed way to easily.

2021 Horror Watches(Ranked and Evolving) boxd.it/aXEbC

Review by Mister Cap ★★½

Warum mir "The Old Ways" aufgefallen ist und ich ihn dann schlussendlich auch angesehen habe? Genau, wegen dem tollen Filmposter!

Filme über Besessenheit gibt es ja wie Sand am Meer und die meisten haben nichts Neues oder Interessantes zu bieten. "The Old Ways" versucht zumindest, die Ausnahme davon zu sein und ausgehend von mexikanischer Folklore, ist der Film eine gruselige, kammerspielartige Exorzismusgeschichte, die einige solide Schrecken und gute Effekte bietet.

Der Film spielt in einem abgelegenen mexikanischen Dorf und erzählt die Geschichte von Cristina, einer Journalistin, die nach Hause gekommen ist, um über die geheimnisvollen Traditionen und den Aberglauben in ihrer Heimat zu berichten. Dinge laufen aber schief und sie wacht in einer Hütte, mit an die Wand geketteten Händen…

Review by nadine 🔪 ★★★

that goat’s milk be hitting different huh

Review by joshrowley ★★ 1

Atmospheric; familiar; short; slight; underdeveloped; underwhelming; well-made.

Review by haley ★★★

possession movies have been done to death but i don't really mind this one. it's really unique but also wtf was aj bowen doing here?? him being in this felt so random

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The Old Ways

By Michael Talbot-Haynes | October 13, 2021

NEW TO VOD! The Old Ways , directed by Christopher Alender from Marcos Gabriel’s screenplay, opens in Mexico with a little girl watching her mother being healed in an ancient ritual. The mother tells her everything will be alright, then her mouth erupts with shark teeth, and the girl starts screaming. Years later, the little girl, Cristina (Brigitte Kali Canales), all grown up, is tied to a chair with a bag over her head and a strange man (Sal Lopez) in the room.

Cristina yells in English that she is a journalist from Los Angeles who has come back to Mexico to research an article, with no answer from the man, who seems to be making preparations. Finally, he steps out of the room, and out from the shadows comes a bruja (Julia Vera), an old witch with charms, face paint, and a staring dead eye. The witch says she sees something hiding inside Cristina that needs to come out, and the man bursts back into the room to pour gallons of goat’s milk down her throat.

“… the witch and her son will be working to exorcise a demon from Cristina.”

Cristina’s cousin, Miranda (Andrea Cortés), then makes herself known and explains that the witch and her son will be working to exorcise a demon from Cristina. To do this, they’ll be using the old ways that are still followed in that part of the jungle of Mexico. When Cristina asks Miranda to please contact the authorities, she informs her that in this area, the witch and her son are the authorities. So starts a twisted ride through extreme exorcism rituals that go further through Cristina than she had ever feared.

The Old Ways is a masterpiece that shows how great horror will be done in the future: swiftly paced, engrossing and terrifying. The film could have easily worked as a dramatic movie with occult trappings like Serpent and the Rainbow , as it takes its characters and themes seriously and nurtures them throughout the story. Its pacing helps engross audiences, with everything starting when it is the most exciting. The stakes are known from the jump, which helps sell the danger of the situation Cristina faces. It is off to the races immediately, setting up the exorcism in record time and delivering what the genre fans want right away.

The Old Ways (2021)

Directed: Christopher Alender

Written: Marcos Gabriel

Starring: Brigitte Kali Canales, Sal Lopez, Julia Vera, Andrea Cortés, Elizabeth Phoenix Caro, Michelle Jubilee Gonzalez, etc.

Movie score: 9.5/10

"…easily passes the Bechdel Test."

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A new Netflix horror movie has an almost perfect Rotten Tomatoes score

The Old Ways on Netflix is scoring big on Rotten Tomatoes

A new horror movie has arrived on Netflix – and it's definitely one to get watched, as it has an almost perfect Rotten Tomatoes score.

The Old Ways hit the streamer in August following its October 2020 debut at Sitges Film Festival, and has netted an impressive 95% Critics Score on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of writing (H/T ComicBook.com ).

The film, directed by Christopher Alender and written by Marcos Gabriel, follows a reporter named Cristina (Brigitte Kali Canales) who goes back to her hometown in Veracruz, looking into witchcraft. Things take a turn for the worse when Cristina is kidnapped by a group of people, which includes a bruja (a female witch), who believe she is demonically possessed.

Only one of the 21 aggregated reviews on Rotten Tomatoes has been judged as negative, with the rest positive.

"The Old Ways is the greatest exorcism movie since The Exorcist, do not miss it," writes Michael Talbot-Haynes of Film Threat , which is high praise indeed.

Kat Hughes of THN deems the movie "an absolute must-see," while Ben Robins of HeyUGuys calls the film "a smart, slender little exorcism thriller with plenty of bang for its buck, and a lot to say about cultural and personal identity."

The film's lone rotten review, from Roger Moore of Movie Nation , calls it "a horror movie you watch but don't 'experience'" with a "bland heroine" – though Dread Central 's Michelle Swope is among those who has good things to say about the lead: "Brigitte Kali Canales gives a phenomenal performance as the tortured Cristina."

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You can check out The Old Ways on Netflix now, and if you're in the mood for a fright, see our guide to the best Netflix horror movies to fill out your watchlist.

I'm an Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering all things film and TV for the site's Total Film and SFX sections. I previously worked on the Disney magazines team at Immediate Media, and also wrote on the CBeebies, MEGA!, and Star Wars Galaxy titles after graduating with a BA in English.

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The Old Ways (Review)

by Blacktooth Nov 15, 2021, 7:09 pm 0 Comments

Director – Christopher Alender (Memorial Day, Muppets Now) Starring – Brigitte Kali Canales (Fear the Walking Dead, Baby Driver), Andera Cortes (Sins of a Call Girl, Criminal Minds), and Julia Vera (Mayans M.C., Blow) Release Date – 2020 Rating – 3/5

Several months back I received the press release for the Mexican folk horror film The Old Ways. The artwork to accompany the release did very little to spark my imagination. I shared the news on the site but quickly forgot about it until someone in a movie group I’m in on Facebook shared the poster above for the film. I was fucking mesmerized and couldn’t believe that the distribution company chose to use different artwork for the release. I quickly rushed to my email and requested a review copy. Once it arrived I quickly tossed it in to check out. It wasn’t a groundbreaking film but I did enjoy it.

**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a young journalist who is doing a piece on her hometown. Her trip there does not end well after she awakens in chains with a local witch and her son suspecting her to be possessed. She tries to fight and escape but soon realizes they may be right. She starts working with them to rid the demon that has possessed her body before it is too late. **Spoiler Alert**

The Old Ways will be a film that divides genre fans. Some will bitch and moan about the slow paced story or the lack of blood and gore while others, like myself, will enjoy the story along with the atmosphere the film is able to produce.

The acting in this one is very well done. The characters don’t really stand out but the cast delivers great performances with some of the scenes calling for some intense moments from the cast. It’s the cast that makes the film so enjoyable and the darker scenes only work because of the cast’s dedication to the film.

The story for this one is very simple, somewhat predictable, and very enjoyable. I have a soft spot for modern horror films that have witches and even though The Old Ways delivers a “witch” in a the loosest sense of the word I still very much enjoyed it. I loved the set up, the possession angle, and the overall look of the film. However, the predictability did impact the film’s pay off but not enough to ruin it. Also, I wasn’t much of a fan of how these scenes played out throughout much of the film. It was quickly evident that some of the scenes were left unedited and long so the film would hit the feature length run time. Some editing would have went a long way with this one.

Finally, the film has several instances of some fairly decent visual effects. They do stand out but they don’t look that bad. I appreciate what they were going for and it almost works. However, don’t expect a lot of blood and gore because you will be disappointed. Overall, The Old Ways was a surprisingly well put together possession tale that I think works very well as a late night watch. The characters are fairly generic but the story does enough to help the viewer overlook their shortcomings. I liked and recommend checking it out.

(Staff Writer) Lover of all things horror and metal. Also likes boobs and booze.

The Old Ways – Movie Review (4/5)

Posted by Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard | Oct 16, 2020 | 3 minutes

THE OLD WAYS is a new horror movie that premiered at the Sitges Film Festival 2020 in Spain – later it will be out in Netflix. The plot features a new take on exorcism that really works for me. Somehow, it just feels more down to earth and realistic – and creepy! Read our full The Old Ways movie review here!

THE OLD WAYS is a new horror movie about exorcism. With this movie, we get a story that feels more grounded and realistic to me. And that makes it all the more creepy. Also, I loved the way effects were used in this movie. Never too much or over the top. Again, something that helps the movie come across better for me.

We screened this movie for its world premiere at the iconic film festival Sitges in Spain.

Read our full The Old Ways movie review below.

A clean-cut exorcism story

While I love The Exorcist as much as the next horror fan, I really don’t need more subpar copies of that movie. And that’s exactly where The Old Ways manages to become a movie that wins me over; It goes in a completely different direction. We encounter a woman who seems completely fine. Also, she feels absolutely fine.

However, some people have the gift of spotting when a demon is trying to take over. The woman in The Old Ways is now trapped in the house of one such person. While the woman insists she’s fine and doesn’t even believe in these things, she just might begin to change her mind as the possession takes hold.

Also, I should mention that before we ever get that far, we see an awesome opening scene. This alone should make you sit back and expect good things from The Old Ways . And it will deliver!

A new generation of exorcism stories

We recently reviewed another exorcism movie that we also really enjoyed. It was called The Cleansing Hour (2020) it’s out on Shudder now. Watching The Old Ways so soon after, certainly makes it feel like we’re moving into a new era of exorcism stories.

You might like: Our review of the Shudder horror movie The Cleansing Hour here >

We’ve watched some amazing exorcism movies over the years but we’ve also watched way too many truly sloppy movies in this subgenre. Among the best is The Taking of Deborah Logan which is a highly underrated movie. If you haven’t watched it yet, then please do check it out.

You’ll have to wait a while for The Old Ways to come out since it just premiered at Sitges Film Festival 2020. However, when it does in 2021, be sure to watch it!

Watch The Old Ways on Netflix!

The Old Ways was directed by Christopher Alender who most recently worked as a director on the Muppets Now series Disney+ so I don’t think that’s very relevant. Also, he worked on music videos over the years.

He did, however, also work on the Crypt TV Kinderfänger episode , which is certainly horror. In fact, it was even released on Halloween back in 2017 and I feel like I should make sure to watch it now.

The screenplay was written by Marcos Gabriel who hasn’t written anything else I’ve seen. Most recently, he also worked on the Muppets Now series. However, his next project is writing the screenplay for Construct . A sci-fi movie based on the short film by Kevin Margo , who directs this feature film version.

While neither director Christopher Alender nor screenwriter Marcos Gabriel appear to have much experience with feature films or the horror genre, they managed to make a truly stellar horror movie about exorcism. Please, don’t stop now, guys. We’re ready for a lot more from you. Here’s hoping they both continue making horror movies in the future!

The Old Ways premiered at the Sitges International Film Festival in Spain on October 16, 2020. It will be released on Netflix in most countries on August 25, 2021.

Director: Christopher Alender Screenwriter: Marcos Gabriel Stars: Brigitte Kali Canales, Andrea Cortés, Julia Vera, Sal Lopez, AJ Bowen

When Cristina Lopez – a Mexican American reporter – returns to her ancestral homeland of Veracruz chasing a story on witchcraft and faith healers, she becomes the subject of her own story. Kidnapped by a local “bruja” and her son, she’s held against her will for a terrifying reason: they believe she has a demon within her, and won’t let her free until they exorcise the malevolent force … no matter what it takes. As she struggles to make her escape, she slowly comes to believe they may be telling the truth after all. Along with her captors – and estranged cousin Miranda – Cristina’s fight for survival turns into a fight for her soul.

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About The Author

Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard

I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!

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The Old Ways (FrightFest) review – a possession horror with character of its own

Seen one film about demon possession and you think you’ve seen them all? Not so fast. The Possession of Michael King is as far removed from The Taking of Deborah Logan as it is from The Exorcist , and all three great quality in their own way. Now we have The Old Ways , set in Mexico, but with not a word about Christ compelling anyone: this tale is grounded in ancient witchcraft instead of any tradition that Westerners like me might be familiar with, almost verging on folk horror.

The central character in The Old Ways is Cristina Lopez (Brigitte Kali Canales), Mexican by birth, but raised American since the loss of her mother as a young child. Now an investigative reporter, she visits the place of her family’s past, seeking out a story about “forgotten cultures”. Having wandered into La Boca, a cave that Cristina had been warned was dangerous, she finds herself held captive by the local “bruja” (witch) and her assistant son: did Cristina become host to a demon residing in that cave, or are these local characters too superstitious for everyone’s good?

There you have it: imprisonment, rituals, and enforced exorcism. Oh and “psychic surgery”, snakes, body horror… and heroin withdrawal. For a while, it’s impossible to know whether Cristina is imagining things and being sucked into the indigenous mentality by chemical influence or if she genuinely does start to believe there is something nasty inside her. The special effects (especially when the bruja draws awful-looking things out of Christina’s abdomen) are remarkable, not Night of the Demons -naff in the slightest; but that section of the film is certainly ambiguous enough to make one pay attention.

As well as the effects, what also works really well is the sense of place. I’ve never been to deepest Mexico, but I certainly felt like I was there while watching The Old Ways . The bruja (Julia Vera) and her son (Sal Lopez), who conducted the rituals certainly helped with that: their manner, their make-up, dances, clothing, and absolute sincerity pulled me right along. Perhaps that’s how things worked on their subject, Cristina, too. The other person present, Cristina’s cousin Miranda (Andrea Cortés), bridged the gap between Cristina’s modern world and her cultural background (tight jeans, and books about demons), keeping the whole group grounded together in the present situation.

The Old Ways was written by Marcos Gabriel, from Puerto Rican ancestry himself; and directed by Christopher Alender, who has immigration firmly in his family’s history. When I started watching the film, I had worried that it was going to smell of cultural appropriation, with a clearly South American story told by a USA team: were they going to look down on the traditional customs (as I’d seen in Death of Me ), laugh at them, or make money from them? That worry faded pretty soon, fortunately. Cristina’s story, and that of the people she was confronted by, was very clearly used to express what it can feel like to be separated from one’s own history and heritage, to feel called back to it, and how these feelings may not necessarily be comfortable. It was also very interesting to see a film in which there was a single token white person (AJ Bowen, as Cristina’s editor, Carson), in complete contrast to a more familiar viewing experience.

The Old Ways is a very well-made film, written with understanding and presented with care. It’s creepy, gruesome in parts, has an intriguing story and fascinating basis in lore. The only snag (for me, anyway) is that it is neither exciting nor scary, and I had been led to expect it would be at least one of those. But that’s fine: I appreciated the film in unexpected ways, and enjoyed it for what it was; a strong diversion from a familiar subgenre, with good representation of people and fears from another land.

The Old Ways enjoys its UK premiere at Glasgow FrightFest, 5 March 2021.

Article by Alix Turner

Alix joined Ready Steady Cut back in 2017, bringing their love for horror movies and nasty gory films. Unsurprisingly, they are Rotten Tomatoes Approved, bringing vast experience in film critiquing. You will likely see Alix enjoying a bloody horror movie or attending a genre festival.

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The Old Ways Review: Folk Elements Keep Horror Film Interesting

October 16, 2020

The Old Ways continues a trend of horror films taking inspiration from local folklore to craft an engaging film with strong performances.

Since the beginning of time, humanity has come up with stories and legends to explain what we don’t understand . Most of these myths have burrowed their way into pop culture and have now become easily recognized plots and characters, from Thor’s appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the never-ending stream of big-budget action films based around a pantheon of gods. These stories are popular because they appeal to our sense of imagination. While we now know how lightning forms in clouds, it is fun to suspend your disbelief for two hours and chose to buy the explanation that weather is caused by a bunch of suspiciously attractive Scandinavians running around in ornate outfits.

But, as of late, there has been a trend of horror and thriller films that focus on the more sinister aspects of those myths . Skyrocketing to fame with Robert Eggers’ The Witch , we’ve seen an increasing number of films that focus on the evil aspects of the supernatural, usually demons or witches that wreak havoc on an unsuspecting group of individuals somehow cut off from society. These films work because they prey on our fear of the unknown, frequently keeping the antagonist hidden and letting the viewer’s imaginations fill in the gaps to thrilling effect. The latest in this line of folk horror is Christopher Alender’s The Old Ways , which draws from Latin American folklore for a film that is frequently thrilling but somewhat forgettable.

With a runtime under 90 minutes, The Old Ways wastes no time in getting the plot moving. Christina Lopez (Brigitte Kali Canales), a Mexican-American reporter, returns to her homeland of Veracruz to research a story on local myths about faith healers and witchcraft . Christina has already had an experience with the supernatural, as shown through a prologue and various flashbacks of her ill mother and the healers who attempted to exercise what they thought was a demon from her body. But the Christina we see now holds little stock in the traditions she was raised around and refuses to engage with the folklore outside of academic fields. Alender does a great job at keeping the natural landscape simultaneously gorgeous and foreboding, thanks to Adam Lee’s lush cinematography and immersive sound design from Sam Plattner that help the jungle brim with possibilities of the wonderous and sinister.

Unfortunately for Christina, her assignment quickly derails when she visits a forbidden cave known to host evil spirits and is attacked, falling unconscious. She awakes in a cramped room somewhere in the wilderness, where The Old Ways will stay for the rest of the runtime. She is subject to various rituals, ranging from chugging goats’ milk to sage burning by an older woman (Julia Vera) and her son (Sal Lopez). The language barrier serves to keep both Christina and the audience in the dark as to their motives and to further accentuate Christina’s separation from the culture she was raised in, a neat storytelling choice by Alender.

Just when things seem to be hopeless, she receives a visit from her cousin Miranda (Andrea Cortés), whom she has not seen in many years. At this point, we leave the setup and move into the bulk of the plot. The two locals have kidnapped Christina on suspicion that she has been possessed by a demon, and they won’t let her leave until it has been exorcised from her. Now the question turns to the validity of the claims made by the two locals: Christina was definitely attacked by something in that cave, and her previous experience with her mother’s supposed possession lends credibility to the story the locals believe while Christina’s heroin addiction allows us to question her reliability as a protagonist.

Unfortunately, the last two acts of the film are not as engaging as the first 30 minutes. The mother and son try a myriad of different techniques to exercise the supposed demon inside Christina, while Alender struggles to figure out what type of horror film he wants the film to be. The first thirty minutes are an eclectic mix of sudden jump scares and slow-burn anxiety that don’t quite work together, but don’t take away from the viewing experience. The second act keeps the jump scares and tension and also adds in moments of stomach-churning gore and light body horror that make for a profoundly uncomfortable viewing experience. The inability to be consistent in the type of horror utilized turns the rest of the film into a series of jarring moments rather than a cohesive narrative that slowly builds in terror and anxiety. This does allow the film do go by at a relatively quick pace, but prevents it from forming a satisfying narrative, so, when the finale arrives, we find ourselves too exhausted to be invested.

While the inconsistency in the approach to horror is a glaring issue, the rest of the film is good enough to make it worth watching . Each cast member imbues their role with personalities and complexities that make them feel like real people while giving them different motivations that allow for authentic interpersonal conflicts in addition to the supernatural threat. Alender’s interpretation of Marcos Gabriel’s script keeps the emotional beats intact and allows for themes of past trauma and the authenticity of myth to be explored in a satisfying way. With time and a little bit of luck, The Old Ways could earn itself a spot as one of the cult classic horror films of the new decade, and it’s more than deserving of the title.

The Old Ways had its world premiere on Friday, October 16 at the SITGES Film Festival in Sitges, Spain.

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Premiering this weekend at the 2020 Sitges Film Festival, The Old Ways , from director Christopher Alender , is a horror film that takes you below the equator and into the jungle of forgotten traditions. Cleverly balancing the elements of horror with its deeply relevant and urgent themes, The Old Ways is sure to satisfy both viewer and horror fanatic alike.

The Old Ways

The Old Ways dives right into the action, opening with a young girl witnessing what appears to be a ritual performed on her mother. There is a terror in what is to come and what could happen to the young girl and the inhabitants of the room, and the film does not delay in delivering both jump scares and securing your intrigue. From this introduction, you will understand this is not your typical horror film.

The Old Ways wastes no time either in moving the story along. Immediately, viewers are introduced to Cristina ( Brigitte Kali Canales ), bound and hooded, terrified as a man slowly and pensively lights the candles in the room. There is no introduction of who she is or why she is held captive, bypassing the standard introduction and capturing of a horror genre’s main character. It bridges the tension of our opening scene to the present, tethering viewers to the film with curiosity and terror.

As viewers try to understand what is going on, and how Cristina has found herself in this predicament, it is revealed her confinement is for her protection – and for the protection of those around her. Cristina has a demon inside of her, a demon both the local bruja (witch) and her son are determined to remove at all costs.

Crafting a Horror

The Old Ways is a brilliant piece of cinema. Though not without its flaws, it manages to bring to life a horrific portrayal of addiction and recovery. It follows a now growing list of films that are tackling relevant social themes through the context of the horror genre. While sometimes a little too on the nose with its examinations and portrayal, The Old Ways is a film that utilizes rituals, culture, and denial to present a tumultuous road extending beyond the celluloid.

The film is full of jump scares and uncertainty, many times leaving viewers unsure of whether they are actually viewing a demon or if they are watching the resolution of mind in the character of Cristina. Gore liters the film as well, though tactfully and full of intent. It is never used for the sake of use, each time it is present for a purpose.

Brigitte Kali Canales brings the deniability of Cristina to life with perfection, the terror she exhibits buried deep, much like the memories her character struggles to forget. There is a strong front she is able to create for her character while managing the fragility of her broken self just below the surface. While at first Canales seems unsure of her setting and place – both inhibiting the film yet creating an out of place context all the same – she eases into her role, fully encompassing her character and the journey. Andrea Cortes too rises to the horror challenge of her character. There is a devout loyalty that shines through her character, and an emotional balance that speaks to the peace of her life and the confidence she embraces both with her culture and her family. She knows who she is and where she comes from, Cortes using this to shine in the darkest corners of the film.

Speaking of the darkest corners, The Old Ways presents a very limited set to its audience. While there are shots of caves and the jungle beyond, the film is mostly limited to two rooms in the house, the kitchen common area, and the room that Cristina is held in. Small votive candles provide limited lighting, illuminating small portions of the room while throwing deep shadows in the corners, the darkness almost reaching out to Cristina. Beyond the candles, painted icons on the wall immerse the narrative, our main character, and the audience into culture and ritual, further compounded by the lack of understanding each is initially given.

The Tumultuous road to recovery

At its core, The Old Ways is about addiction and recovery. The communication gap between the bruja and her son with Cristina was a clever storytelling device. Not only did it widen the fissure of understanding, but it also encapsulated the commutation between an addict and those attempting to help. There is a lack of understanding and the means of communication have not become developed yet. There is a desire to help, but also an inability is for both to start the conversation.

The demon within Cristina is the addiction, brought about by past trauma she has been avoiding and unwilling to speak about. There is a loneliness in carrying this burden, and also loneliness in the feeling that if she is to fight back, she will have to do it alone. From this, there is denial. Denial she has a demon or that she is an addict, there is a denial that she needs help – this denial and continued acceptance changing her as a person. “You still don’t believe”, her cousin Miranda tells her.

Platitudes come willingly and freely, and understanding of the lack of control Cristina truly has when it comes to behaviors associated with her “demon” – “This isn’t you”. Though no matter what help is extended or kind words were spoken, at the end of the day, it is Cristina who must come to accept the state she is in, and want the help. Until then, those around her who care have to keep reaching out to her no matter what.

Final Thoughts

There are horror films that call to an audience through imagery and content. The Old Ways is one of those films. And it lives up to its hype. It is engaging and horrific, keeping relevant themes in the foreground while entertaining with solid and gruesome scares.

Watch The Old Ways

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Review: The Old Ways

Available on Netflix from today is the horror movie, The Old Ways . Directed by Christopher Alender, the movie stars Brigitte Kali Canales, Andrea Cortés, Julie Vera, Sal Lopez and AJ Bowen, and tells the tale of a reporter who finds herself in a worrying situation when she returns to her hometown to cover a story.

In the movie, Cristina Lopez heads to Veracruz, Mexico on an assignment. She is here to investigate the local culture, but while exploring a cave (a location she was told to steer clear of), Cristina is kidnapped and taken to a holding cell.

A short while later, Cristina discovers that one of her captors is a witch who specialises in performing exorcisms. The witch is keeping Cristina captive as she believes Cristina is possessed by a demon.

Keen to remove the darkness from insider her, the witch begins an exorcism, leading to a spiritual battle for Cristina’s soul. But it’s not just a demonic presence that Cristina must face, she also has to deal with some emotional demons that could get the better of her.

OK, so let’s begin this review with a confession. I liked The Old Ways . I didn’t love it; but I liked it and believe it has plenty to offer an audience who is receptive to this type of movie.

The Old Ways is a low-budget horror film, which utilises a handful of characters, limited locations, and a simple premise to tell its story. It doesn’t get bogged down in huge set pieces, and instead chooses to deliver its scares through an effective soundtrack, an uncomfortable-looking setting, and some creepy imagery.

Does this sound like something you can get on board? If you said ‘yes’, then this movie is probably aimed at you.

Most of the horror in the movie is familiar stuff – snakes, blood, things that lurk in the shadows etc. It’s nothing particularly new, but if this is what you want to see in a film, then this is what you get in spades.

In terms of the story, it is intimate stuff, and feels very reminiscent of old episode of The X-Files . Of course, it’s missing Mulder and Scully, but if you’re a fan of that particular show then watching this movie will make you feel as if you are treading very familiar territory.

However, I appreciate that not everyone will find enjoyment in this film. I believe this is largely due to how much you like stories about possession and exorcism, or whether you want a little more from your horror movies.

If you are expecting large scale spectacle or wondrous innovation, you won’t find it here. The Old Ways does exactly what it says on the tin – nothing more.

The good thing about The Old Ways is that it jumps into the story straight off the bat – it doesn’t mess around with an extensive build up and dives headfirst into the action. This film clocks in at around the 90-minute mark and is keen not to waste an ounce of its running time.

The not-so good thing about The Old Ways is that it had the potential to push itself further than it decided to go. More blood and far more gore could have really taken this film to a different level, and this feels like a missed opportunity.

I believe the film also missed a trick when it came to a subplot about drug addiction. The suggestion here is that maybe this possession is about something more than a demonic presence, however, this plot thread comes across as a little underdeveloped.

Room for improvement? Yes. But certainly on the right track for the majority of the film.

If you’re not a fan of movies about exorcism, then The Old Ways is a film you should probably skip, as it is unlikely to convert you into this sub-genre of horror. But for those who like small-scale horror movies, or simply find fascination in stories about possession, The Old Ways will give you something to enjoy.

Director Christopher Alender crafts a dark tale, which looks good and has some strong performances. It is atmospheric when it needs to be, contains a good dash of heart, and delivered just the right amount of entertainment for me.

GAMES, BRRRAAAINS & A HEAD-BANGING LIFE

Horror Movie Review: The Old Ways (2020)

The Old Ways is a 2020 American horror film directed by Christopher Alender. It stars Brigitte Kali Canales as Cristina Lopez, a Mexican-American reporter who returns to her hometown near Veracruz in search of a story on witchcraft.

A young Cristina watches as her mother undergoes an exorcism. When her mother beckons Cristina to her bedside, the demon controlling her lunges at Cristina and leaves scratches on her arm.

It is revealed that Cristina is a Los Angeles journalist who returned to her hometown to investigate the La Boca ruins. She is addicted to heroin and continues to inject the drug with her remaining syringes while chained to her bed. She insists that she does not have a demon inside of her. Luz and Javi perform a ritual to exorcise the demon. Though Cristina remains skeptical, she accepts she is possessed after disturbing events occur. Snakes enter her room, she finds a rooster inexplicably mangled in her cell, and sees candles burn out and lead to a dark corner in the room. During another ritual, Luz seems to pull animal teeth out of her abdomen. And unsuccessfully tries to extract a snake, which escapes back into her body.

Can the bruja cast out the demon or will Cristina succumb to it? Watch and find out.

Exorcism is a tired horror movie subgenre, at this point we’ve seen it all. However, The Old Ways was something different due to the cultural aspects depicted in the film.

Character development was sorely lacking. Cristina desperately needed some flashback scenes to show the reasons behind her emotional turmoil and her struggle since her mother’s death. Additonally, I have no clue what the deal was with her relationship with her cousin. They hadn’t seen each other or spoke in 20 years but were so close?

I did enjoy Cristina’s comeback and taking on the demon but it all felt very rushed. It was satisfying seeing the notion of a witch be reclaimed as the helpful healer, instead of an evil being though.

Although there is dodgy CGI in places, the demon looks great. It definitely has the right the creep factor.

Overall, The Old Ways isn’t anything particularly groundbreaking but it mixes up the traditional Catholic exorcism mould just enough to intrigue me more than usual.

Editor/Writer - Stay at home mum educating the horror minds of tomorrow. If it's got vampires or Nicolas Cage in it, I'm sold. Found cleaning bums or kicking ass in an RPG. (And occasionally here reviewing all things horror and gaming related!)

The Old Ways

The Final Score - 7/10 7/10

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‘In a Violent Nature’ Is Sick, Unsettling, and Once-in-a-Generation Slasher Flick

By David Fear

Imagine the Dardenne brothers got very high one night on some primo hash, then directed a slasher flick.

It starts, as so many great, grisly excursions into the underbelly of cinema do, with dumbass youngsters and a curse. Traipsing around in a forest, two guys come across a graveyard. One of them pockets a locket he finds hanging on a stick. Seconds after they walk off, someone, or perhaps some thing, rises from beneath the earth. Courtesy of a clever riff on the ol’ campfire ghost-story chestnut — and an extremely clunky bit of magic-mirror flashback exposition — we eventually find out that this freshly awakened corpse is named Johnny (Ry Barrett). Once upon a time, he was a “slow kid” who became the victim of a prank gone very wrong. Cut to a week later, and those bullies and most of a nearby lumberjack camp have been mysteriously slaughtered. As for the locket, it belonged to Johnny’s mother, and was the only thing that kept his soul at rest. Remove that jewelry and, well …you can guess what comes next.

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Already infamous, uniquely conceived, capable of causing guffaws and barfing in equal measure, In a Violent Nature ‘s extraordinary, pièce de résistance isn’t the first onscreen death we witness in all of its gory glory. (A shout-out to the gentleman who loses half his cranium, which is then used to bust into a museum so Johnny can procure old-school firefighter’s mask and weaponry. Waste not, want not!) It’s the one you’ll remember, though. A young woman (Charlotte Creaghan) is doing yoga on a cliffside perch, taking in the picturesque scenery. Johnny approaches. She screams. Turning to run, she realizes she has nowhere to go but down a 100-foot drop. Johnny punches his hand through her stomach, plunges a chained hook into her head… and pulls until she’s formed the equivalent of an uppercase letter P. Horror nerds, you may begin your Rudy-clapping . Apologies to everyone else if you just got sick on your phone or laptop.

There’s nothing “elevated” about that moment, and the fact that In a Violent Nature sets up a storytelling style that utilizes highbrow aesthetics while still keeping one foot firmly planted in the genre gutter is what makes this feel like a once-in-generation slasher flick. Some may grouse that it concludes not with a big bang but a quiet whimper, yet even that’s a purposeful feint and parry away from what we’ve been led to expect from the usual final-girl conclusions. There’s closure, certainly, but also a palpable sense of unending dread — as if the walking dead never really, truly come to a standstill. As for the creators of this grotty, surprisingly graceful horror movie, let’s hope they don’t stop doing what they do, either.

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Jump scares? That's yesterday's stale gore. Two new horror films break the rules

A masked murderer trudges through the woods, Jason Voorhees-like, but instead of springing out at us like a surprise, we permanently stay by his side, a companion to his lonely blood-soaked quest for vengeance. A decomposing zombie boy returns home to his grieving mother and religious grandfather, but instead of screaming in terror, his relatives care for him with tenderness.

A pair of new horror films opening in Los Angeles over the next two weeks cleverly disrupt the tried-and-tested ways of their respective subgenres.

Told from the point of view of the killer, Canadian filmmaker Chris Nash’s feature debut “In a Violent Nature” is a slasher movie that patiently follows a mute, burly revenant named Johnny (Ry Barrett) from one kill to the next, as if in a first-person shooter game. Though he includes some gruesome showstoppers, Nash intentionally avoids a traditional catharsis.

The other one, “Handling the Undead” by Norwegian director Thea Hvistendahl, is a sorrowful, moody twist on the zombie film starring Renate Reinsve and Anders Danielsen Lie from “The Worst Person in the World.” Here, the groggy undead aren’t after people’s brains nor do they infect anyone else with a virus. They simply come back to their loved ones, confused. Grief-stricken, the living take care of these sentient corpses, hoping to find signs of who they once were.

“It's much less of a rollercoaster and more of a tour bus,” says Nash, 42, on a video call about “In a Violent Nature.” Similarly, “Handling the Undead” is meditative in tone. Hvistendahl, 35, refers to it over Zoom as “a drama with a horror premise” and “a melancholic horror.”

They both exude an unassuming playfulness. And if you look through their filmmaking backgrounds, neither explains the thoughtful concepts that have emerged in their breakthroughs, both of which premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival in January.

Nash grew up infatuated with the VHS cover art for horror titles and reading Fangoria magazine as he dabbled in amateur makeup effects. Hvistendahl, for her part, didn’t envision a path in horror until she directed the 2019 short film “Children of Satan,” actually about two girls at a Christian summer camp.

“I set out then to make a poetic thriller and when it was done, people called it a horror,” Hvistendahl says. “It was when I was making that film that I found that I really enjoyed using genre in my films.”

Nash cites some unusual influences for a midnight moviemaker, primarily Gus Van Sant’s methodical, early-2000s “death trilogy” — “Gerry,” “Elephant,” and “Last Days” — respectively, about a pair of friends lost in a desert; a school shooting inspired by the incident at Columbine; and Kurt Cobain’s suicide. Those movies address tough subject matter with a stark pragmatism.

In all of them, the camera prowls behind the characters, a seemingly objective witness. Nash believes that, by doing so, Van Sant relinquishes ownership of the narratives, opening them up to interpretation.

“I liked the fact that I never felt pushed by him as a filmmaker,” says Nash. “I felt very much like I was being carried by the characters.”

The concept of a slasher in the wilderness was the ideal format for Nash to replicate that formula, affording long stretches of silence.

“There is a slight documentary feel to it that fools you into feeling there’s some authenticity to what you're watching, even if it’s a zombie monster walking through the woods,” he says.

For Hvistendahl, her main source of inspiration was a book, “Handling the Undead,” the 2005 Swedish novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist, best known for writing the vampire drama “Let the Right One In.”

The singularity of Lindqvist’s universe — somehow both grounded and otherworldly — inspired the filmmaker to make her “Children of Satan,” and when the rights for “Handling the Undead” became available, she jumped at them.

“What I really enjoy about a lot of his work,” the director says, “is how instead of treating it as purely supernatural, it's treated a bit more like magical realism.”

Inheriting a screenplay by the author, Hvistendahl rewrote it, keeping its mournful essence but removing most of the bureaucratic elements detailing how the government, quite literally, handles the undead by isolating them in a housing complex.

To break the rules of their cinematic predecessors, both Nash and Hvistendahl devised new parameters to adhere to in the making of their projects.

In direct defiance of so many slashers of the past (all the way back to John Carpenter’s “Halloween”), Nash opted for no score and instead let environmental sounds take its place. Additionally, he tried to include Johnny in every shot, whether just his hand, a foot or a piece of his clothing.

“It was important that Johnny’s presence was felt in every frame until the pivotal moment in the climax,” Nash explains.

From Hvistendahl’s perspective, her most daunting concern was to avoid humor, despite the example of “Shaun of the Dead” and so many successful zom-coms. While doing her research, she realized that zombies could trigger laughs when attacking or moving fast — a no-no.

“For the atmosphere that I wanted to create, where we have to care for the undead and understand how the living feel for them, I thought that making them funny would be taking the film to a different place,” Hvistendahl says, also elaborating on her reason to cut the novel’s sparing use of zombie dialogue. “It would have been hard to have them talk without making them silly.”

Another challenge for Hvistendahl was to find the correct look for the undead. The intent was for them to appear unalive while still getting across a sense of the person they used to be.

“We did a lot of research on dead people and what it looks like when they start to rot,” she adds. “But those details are also very difficult to find because no one has really dug up a two-week-old body.”

Worried about the physicality of her undead, Hvistendahl worked with a movement coach who developed theories about bodily separation in the afterlife. Now back in their mortal bodies, zombies would move differently since they were used to walking through walls weightlessly.

Inconsistent on-screen movement was one of the key reasons Nash decided to reshoot his film from scratch after completing nearly 80% of principal photography during the fall of 2021 in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, the director’s hometown eight hours northwest of Toronto.

Within the first week of shooting, Nash had to recast the actor playing Johnny after the original performer had an unexpected medical issue. Upon receiving the assembly cut, the director noticed the subtle difference between the two actors he used to embody the monster.

“With a character that doesn't speak, everything is about how he moves, so you pick up on all the minute differences between the two performances,” Nash says. “It became really clear that, ‘Oh, this isn't the same person.’”

Modestly, Nash ultimately attributes his do-over to a lack of confidence and communication skills after mostly working in special effects and makeup for several years. “The real reason it had to be shot twice was because it had been too long since I directed any bit of fictional narrative,” he admits. “I got way too rusty with being able to convey how I wanted something portrayed.”

In the end, the two movies feel like formal gambles that succeed in throwing the viewer off balance. For Nash, his contemplative approach to “In a Violent Nature” gives the audience space to thoughtfully consider what they're looking at, and why the artist would want to point their gaze there.

Hvistendahl was interested in articulating the human desire to hold on to those we love even after they are gone. Horror served as the vehicle to create a singular metaphor out of tropes most are familiar with.

“Death is the one thing we as humans have yet to fully understand,” she says. “It's so hard for the brain to understand that they will not come back.”

Both filmmakers expect polarized reactions from audiences for their unconventional horror outings.

Hvistendahl knows hers is a tricky sell. “If I say it's a horror film to some people, they'll say, ‘I don't want to see that,’” she says. “For others, if I say it's horror, they are expecting more gore or jump scares.”

Nash believes there will be two audiences for “In a Violent Nature.” The first is the one that is deeply familiar with the genre, made up of those who will appreciate that the story takes the killer’s point of view for a change.

“There's also going to be an audience that is expecting a very straightforward ‘Friday the 13th’ clone,” says Nash. “And I could see them being either pleasantly surprised or incredibly disappointed with the speed at which my movie runs. Hopefully everybody gives it a chance and either likes or dislikes it for the movie that it is and not the movie that it isn't.”

And no matter where you may fall along that spectrum, you can’t fault him for trying something different.

“Genre is an open playground,” Nash notes. “It’s the one area of culture where there are no hard and fast rules. You can make a genre film that has zero scares in it, but it's still a genre film and I find that immensely interesting.”

He’s not talking about his own movie, though. “In a Violent Nature” isn’t devoid of scares, nor is “Handling the Undead.” But both challenge the way we’ve been conditioned to expect our shocks.

Watching them, we must surrender to their uniquely unnerving pace — as good a definition of horror as any.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times .

10 Best Modern Horror Movies Set in the '80s

The '80s were undeniably an incredible decade for horror, so much so that modern horror filmmakers keep returning to the decade.

Undeniably, the '80s was an incredible decade for the horror genre. It is the decade that popularized slasher movies , started or continued the most beloved horror franchises, and experimented with different subgenres. The '80s have influenced every horror movie made in the decades since. Plenty of revered horror films have been released since the '80s, from '90s classics such as Scream to newer gems such as Hereditary . Nevertheless, to many horror fans, the genre was in its prime during the '80s.

Since the decade is held near and dear to horror fans, numerous filmmakers have chosen to set their horror films in what is arguably the best decade for the genre. Over the past decade or so, there has been an uptick in movies that take place during horror's heyday. These films are both creative and unique while still paying homage to the period that continues to inspire horror films decades later. Without further ado, here are ten of the best modern horror movies that take place in the '80s.

10 The Final Girls (2015)

A shameless tribute to the multitude of slasher movies released in the 1980s, The Final Girls revolves around a young woman named Max (Taissa Farmiga), who is grieving the loss of her mother. Her mother, Nancy (Malin Akerman), was a former '80s scream queen. When Max and her friends reluctantly attend a tribute screening of her most famous slasher film, they are sucked into the silver screen. Once there, Max and her friends must team up with the ill-fated Camp Bloodbath counselors to stop the movie's machete-wielding maniac.

Related: 10 Overlooked Indie Horror Movies from the '80s

Modern Slasher Meets the Iconic Slashers of the Past

The film quite literally transports viewers back in time by placing its characters in the most iconic time for slashers. It blends modern sarcastic humor with the campy humor that '80s horror is known for, while forcing the characters to learn from both decades. The movie features just about every classic horror trope one could think of and makes it work in the story's favor. It's a perfect slasher comedy to watch with friends on a summer night.

9 Totally Killer (2023)

Totally killer.

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Similarly to The Final Girls , Totally Killer also sees its protagonist transported back in time to the '80s. The movie follows 17-year-old Jamie (Kiernan Shipka) after she is accidentally transported back to 1987 when the infamous "Sweet 16" killer returns 35 years after he claimed his first three victims. Determined to stop the killings from happening in the first place, Jamie teams up with her then-teenage mom Pam (Olivia Holt) to catch the killer and navigate the wild culture of the 1980s.

A Blast From Slashers Past

Totally Killer certainly leans more on the comedic aspects than the horror aspects, but it is nevertheless a good time. The humor of today and the humor of back then clash throughout the film, which at times can be grating, but is overall entertaining. The '80s aesthetics are to die for (pun intended), from the big hair and leg warmers to the neon colors and shoulder pads. The movie captures much of the campiness slashers had at the time and emphasizes the humor embedded within it.

8 Summer of 84 (2018)

Summer of 84.

As the title suggests, the film takes place in the summer of 1984 and follows a teenage boy named Davey Armstrong (Graham Verchere) who suspects his police officer neighbor might actually be a serial killer. He gathers his friends and together they spend the summer gathering evidence against Officer Mackey (Rich Sommer). As the group discovers more evidence that could implicate Mackey, their summer of fun turns dangerous.

'80s Nostalgia Takes a Dangerous Turn

Summer of 84 does an excellent job of tricking its audience into thinking they are watching a fun '80s nostalgic mystery before switching gears completely. At first, the film seems more akin to something like The Goonies or Stand By Me , but it is far from that. There is undoubtedly a sinister presence lurking in this idyllic suburban neighborhood that a few boys on bikes are not equipped to handle.

7 The House of the Devil (2009)

The house of the devil.

Over a decade before he directed Mia Goth in the slasher hit X , Ti West tried his hand at a much more subdued, slow-burn horror film. The House of the Devil follows struggling college student Samantha Hughes (Jocelin Donahue) who takes an anonymous babysitting gig posted on her campus job board on the night of a full lunar eclipse. Her clients are eccentric and strange, but Samantha decides to go through with the job for the money.

Slow-burn, Bonkers '80s Nostalgia

Ti West went all out to give this film a true '80s look and feel to it. From the grainy film texture to the music choices to the editing style, it would be easy to believe that the movie was made in the '80s. The costumes and even the font on the title card fit right in with '80s filmmaking. THOTD takes its time building suspense and tension, but once the evil lurking within that house is finallly revealed, it goes off the walls.

Stream The House of the Devil on Shudder

6 WNUF Halloween Special (2013)

Before Late Night With the Devil gave us a horror movie set within the confines of a late night show's Halloween special, Chris LaMartina gave horror fans a movie set within the confines of a commercial television station's Halloween special.

The movie follows local TV personality Frank Stewart as he leads a group of paranormal investigators through a haunted house where infamous murders took place. Live in front of the cameras, the group sets out to prove or deny the existence of demonic entities in the Webber House on Halloween night in 1987.

A VHS Recording of a Fake Broadcast

WNUF Halloween Special was filmed on old video cameras to give the movie the effect of being a real VHS recording of the TV stations' taping. Complete with fake news and commercial breaks, the movie effectively comes across as a nearly 30-year-old recording. Nothing about the film feels modern in any capacity.

5 IT (2017)

The second film adaptation of the famous Stephen King novel, Andres Muschetti's IT tells the story of the Losers Club and their battle with the deranged clown Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard) in the summer of 1989. When local kids start disappearing in the small Maine town of Derry, the seven members of the Losers Club investigate. In a place called The Barrens, the kids must come face to face with their terrifying encounters with Pennywise.

Adventure and Killer Clowns in the '80s

This iteration of the novel truly captures the childhood freedom of running around and biking outdoors all summer that the '80s allowed kids. When the Losers Club aren't actively trying to end Pennywise's reign of terror, they're just regular kids who want to fit in and have fun. Even in the scenes where they are battling with the shapeshifting clown, it encapsulates the adventurous, rebellious nature that kids in many '80s movies had.

4 Lisa Frankenstein (2024)

Lisa frankenstein (2024).

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The directorial debut of Robin Williams daughter, Zelda Williams, Lisa Frankenstein is a bloody horror comedy from Jennifer's Body writer, Diablo Cody. The film follows Lisa (Kathryn Newton), a high schooler who finds herself at a new school during her senior year in 1989 after an unspeakable tragedy occurs. Lisa struggles to fit in, despite having a popular cheerleader for a sister.

When a freak accident happens in the cemetery where she was hanging out, a handsome corpse is reanimated, leaving Lisa to decide how much she wants to help him, and at what cost.

'80s Camp Mixed With Classic Monster Horror

With Williams' smooth direction, Cody's unique writing, and Newtown's on-point acting, the three women created both an ode to '80s horror and put a completely new spin on the classic Frankenstein tale. It is a perfectly humorous and gory mix of '80s camp and iconic monster horror. The costumes and set design make the viewer feel as though it's actually '89.

3 The Lure (2015)

Set in '80s Warsaw, Polish director Agnieszka Smoczynska's The Lure follows two mermaid sisters, Silver and Golden, who are taken in by a family of musicians. They are recruited to be part of the Figs and Dates rock band at a neon-lit dance club. Soon, the sisters become their own act with the band backing them.

When Silver (Marta Mazurek) falls for the bassist, the more cunning Golden (Michalina Olszanska) cannot escape her bloodlust and worries Silver will destroy their dreams of swimming to a new life in America together.

A Neon-lit '80s Musical Horror

Horror has been mixed with many genres before, but horror musicals are one of the rarer combinations fans of the genre come across. The Lure is exactly that, and given that it's about two mermaids, it's as bizarre as it sounds. This is a compliment, as it is completely unique and original despite loosely being based on the Little Mermaid fable.

The '80s were a wild, fun-loving, party-driven decade that saw the clubbing scene at its prime in most countries, and The Lure delivers on that aspect while also satiating any horror fans' need for blood and gore.

2 V/H/S/85 (2023)

The sixth installment of the found footage horror anthology franchise, V/H/S/85 features five video-recorded tales of terror unveiled through a made-for-TV documentary.

These forgotten nightmares from the '80s take viewers through these five stories, which include a disaster recovery crew unleashing the wrath of an ancient god; a lake that brings the dead back to life; a performance artist who makes contact with a creature from beyond; an all-out undead bloodbath, and a disturbing vision of videotaped murders.

'80s Home Video Nightmares

Found footage films inherently have a nostalgic feeling to them in today's world, considering most people record on their smartphones now rather than legitimate cameras. V/H/S/85 has that nostalgic factor going for it, plus it truly looks, sounds, and feels like it was video-taped in 1985. The found-footage subgenre may be wearing thin for some, but it's worth it for fans of '80s horror and fans of Scott Derrickson's work in particular.

1 Mandy (2018)

The late-stage career resurgence that Nicolas Cage has found himself in has certainly had its ups and downs, but Panos Cosmatos' hallucinogenic horror thriller may be one of Cage's best recent performances. Mandy is in 1983 in the Shadow Mountains of the Mojave Desert in eastern California.

It follows quiet lumberjack Red Miller (Cage) and his artist girlfriend Mandy (Andrea Riseborough) as they live and work in the secluded woods of the mountain range. Mandy catches the eye of religious cult leader Jeremiah Sand (Linus Roache), who conjures up a band of motorcycle-riding demons to capture her. Red, armed with a crossbow and custom-made axe, will stop at nothing to avenge her, leaving a bloody pile of bodies in his wake.

Related: Best Underrated Movies About Cults

A Trippy, Surrealist '80s Nightmare

Mandy is a trippy, out-of-this-world genre-bending horror film that isn't for everyone, but is undoubtedly for fans of gory, surrealist, psychological horror. Watching this film is like having a religious or out-of-body experience. It always keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat and utterly engrossed from start to finish. It's unsettling and strange in all the best ways. Plus, it has the neon-drenched color palette audiences have come to associate with the '80s.

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COMMENTS

The Old Ways
Rated: 6/10 Nov 21, 2021 Full Review Alejandro Turdo Hoy Sale Cine The Old Ways is a slow burn supernatural Horror tale that goes from psychological Thriller to full monster showdown. A story ...
The Old Ways (2020)
Filter by Rating: 5/10. Not a bad film, but not really a good one either. darkreignn 26 August 2021. "The Old Ways" is, in many ways, your run of the mill horror flick. In other ways, however, it manages to pull its own weight and elevate itself beyond what you would typically expect from a film in this genre.
The Old Ways Movie Review
The Old Ways boasts a tight cast that impressively manages to convey most of the film's tension and pace through glances. Notably, Vera's Luz excels at just this kind of communication -- given that her character does not speak any English and has to burden the weight of carrying most of this film's power. The language barrier felt by Cristina ...
The Old Ways (2020)
The Old Ways: Directed by Christopher Alender. With Brigitte Kali Canales, Andrea Cortés, Julia Vera, Sal Lopez. Cristina, a journalist of Mexican origin, travels to her ancestral home in Veracruz to investigate a story of sorcery and healing. There, she is kidnapped by a group of locals who claim she's the devil incarnated.
The Old Ways Movie Review
Our review: Parents say Not yet rated Rate movie. Kids say ( 1 ): This fantastical, bloody, and winsome horror movie thrills from start to finish. Except for a love it or hate it double ending, The Old Ways is a refreshingly simple and taut take on the exorcism horror genre.
The Old Ways
With plenty of twists and turns, The Old Ways works as metaphor and as horror as Cristina finds herself in a role reversal in order to ultimately deliver the death blow to the demon determined to keep advancing. From Dark Star Pictures, The Old Ways is available October 12 on streaming services and on Blu-ray/DVD. MPAA Rating: Unrated.
The Old Ways
The Old Ways is a 2020 American folk horror film directed by Christopher Alender. It stars Brigitte Kali Canales as Cristina Lopez, a Mexican-American reporter who returns to her hometown near Veracruz in search of a story on witchcraft. There, she is kidnapped by a group of locals, including a bruja (a female practitioner of witchcraft), who believe her to be possessed by a demon.
‎The Old Ways (2020) directed by Christopher Alender • Reviews, film
Brigitte Kali Canales Andrea Cortés Julian Lerma Sal Lopez Julia Vera AJ Bowen. 90 mins More at IMDb TMDb. Sign in to log, rate or review. Share. Ratings. 15 fans 2.7. ★. 292 half-★ ratings (2%) 612 ★ ratings (5%)
The Old Ways Reviews Film Threat
The Old Ways is a masterpiece that shows how great horror will be done in the future: swiftly paced, engrossing and terrifying. The film could have easily worked as a dramatic movie with occult trappings like Serpent and the Rainbow, as it takes its characters and themes seriously and nurtures them throughout the story. Its pacing helps engross ...
The Old Ways
Oct 15, 2021. The Old Ways might have continued along a path of deception and naïve beliefs and have survived on its bleak and irreverent humour, but director Alender steers the film from dark to darker. It's not quite an about-face, as the film never reaches a point where it can be taken too seriously, but it does churn out a few unexpected ...
A new Netflix horror movie has an almost perfect Rotten ...
A new horror movie has arrived on Netflix - and it's definitely one to get watched, as it has an almost perfect Rotten Tomatoes score. The Old Ways hit the streamer in August following its ...
The Old Ways (Review)
The Old Ways (Review) by Blacktooth Nov 15, 2021, 7:09 pm 0. Director - Christopher Alender (Memorial Day, Muppets Now) Starring - Brigitte Kali Canales (Fear the Walking Dead, Baby Driver), Andera Cortes (Sins of a Call Girl, Criminal Minds), and Julia Vera (Mayans M.C., Blow) Release Date - 2020. Rating - 3/5.
The Old Ways
THE OLD WAYS is a new horror movie that premiered at the Sitges Film Festival 2020 in Spain - later it will be out in Netflix. The plot features a new take on exorcism that really works for me. Somehow, it just feels more down to earth and realistic - and creepy! Read our full The Old Ways movie review here!
The Old Ways (FrightFest) review
The Old Ways (FrightFest) review - Lush and gruesome horror set in the Mexican jungle, about inner demons and cultural identity. Really. Join the Ready Steady Cut Newsletter. ... Alix joined Ready Steady Cut back in 2017, bringing their love for horror movies and nasty gory films. Unsurprisingly, they are Rotten Tomatoes Approved, bringing ...
The Old Ways Review: Folk elements in horror film
The latest in this line of folk horror is Christopher Alender's The Old Ways, which draws from Latin American folklore for a film that is frequently thrilling but somewhat forgettable. With a runtime under 90 minutes, The Old Ways wastes no time in getting the plot moving. Christina Lopez (Brigitte Kali Canales), a Mexican-American reporter ...
THE OLD WAYS: The Horror In Addiction And Recovery
Premiering this weekend at the 2020 Sitges Film Festival, The Old Ways, from director Christopher Alender, is a horror film that takes you below the equator and into the jungle of forgotten traditions. Cleverly balancing the elements of horror with its deeply relevant and urgent themes, The Old Ways is sure to satisfy both viewer and horror ...
'The Old Ways' Review: A horror Film in a Forest of Forgotten
The film The Old Ways is a masterpiece. It manages to bring to life a devastating representation of addiction and recovery, despite its shortcomings. It joins a growing list of horror films that tackle critical societal issues via the lens of the horror genre. The Old Ways is a film that uses rituals, culture, and denial to present a rough road ...
Review: The Old Ways
The Old Ways is a low-budget horror film, which utilises a handful of characters, limited locations, and a simple premise to tell its story. It doesn't get bogged down in huge set pieces, and instead chooses to deliver its scares through an effective soundtrack, an uncomfortable-looking setting, and some creepy imagery.
Stop What You're Doing and Check Out the Best Folk Horror Movie on Netflix
Returning to her roots to explore folklore and witchcraft, a reporter finds herself imprisoned by a group convinced she's under demonic influence. Trapped and facing ancient cleansing rituals, she ...
Horror Movie Review: The Old Ways (2020)
Horror Movie Review: The Old Ways (2020) 24/10/2021 Sally Powell 2 min read The Old Ways is a 2020 American horror film directed by Christopher Alender. It stars Brigitte Kali Canales as Cristina Lopez, a Mexican-American reporter who returns to her hometown near Veracruz in search of a story on witchcraft.
The Old Ways, Brigitte Kali Canales, Andrea Cortes, (Horror Movie Review)
Still, for a low-budget horror import and a sophomore effort made 20 years after the director's first film, THE OLD WAYS is fresh and ferocious enough to give a look when it drops on VOD October ...
'In a Violent Nature' Review: A Sick, Unsettling, Singular Slasher Flick
A new take on an old horror-movie genre is part arthouse, part grindhouse — and all heads-being-pulled-through-bloody,-punctured-torsos. See it ASAP! 'In a Violent Nature' Review: A Sick ...
'Kidnapped' review: A Jewish boy is forced to convert in a ...
Edgardo Mortara was just 6 years old when Italian authorities took him away from his family in 1858. Kidnapped is a true story steeped in Roman Catholic antisemitism.
Jump scares? That's yesterday's stale gore. Two new horror films break
A pair of new horror films opening in Los Angeles over the next two weeks cleverly disrupt the tried-and-tested ways of their respective subgenres. Told from the point of view of the killer ...
This Must-See Horror Movie Just Surprise Dropped on Netflix
Experience the unique blend of horror and psychological drama in Miike's latest film on Netflix, a must-watch for fans and newcomers alike. Takashi Miike's Lumberjack the Monster has just landed ...
Best Modern Horror Movies Set in the '80s
The movie follows 17-year-old Jamie (Kiernan Shipka) after she is accidentally transported back to 1987 when the infamous "Sweet 16" killer returns 35 years after he claimed his first three victims.
'In a Violent Nature' Review: Eat Your Heart Out, Jason Voorhees
In a Violent Nature is a unique and gruesome horror film. The film's formal approach and creative kills set it apart, with a focus on the killer and visceral moments. While it may be exhausting ...
How to Watch The Conjuring Movies in Chronological Order
1. The Nun (2018) Prequel frightfest The Nun takes place in 1952 Romania, and stars Demián Bichir and Taissa Farmiga (sister of franchise star Vera Farmiga) as a Roman Catholic priest and a nun ...
Netflix Developing Horror-Inspired Sequel to Rom-Com Isn't It Romantic
By Russ Burlingame - May 31, 2024 11:15 am EDT. New Line Cinema is following up its 2019 hit Isn't It Romantic with a horror-themed follow up titled Isn't It Scary. The movie, like Rebel Wilson's ...

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