Where has the time gone? The year is already drawing to a close, and the time to reflect on 2021’s horror output is nearly upon us. But not just yet…
There are still a few genre titles to look forward to before the year is done. Here are five movies that we’re still looking forward to watching before 2021 comes to a close!
The Strings – November 23
After breaking up with her band, musician Catherine (Teagan Johnston) travels to her aunt’s remote cottage to work on a solo career. There, she strikes up a romance with local photographer Grace (Jenna Schaefer). Then strange supernatural occurrences begin, threatening to unravel reality. Joe Lipsett reviewed the film out of the Salem Horror Fest premiere, saying The Strings is for “patient horror fans,” who will be rewarded with several spine-tingling set pieces which, although familiar, prove surprisingly effective.” Look for this eerie slow burn on Shudder.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City – November 24
Director Johannes Roberts wasn’t exaggerating when he promised to take the popular franchise back to the horror roots of Capcom’s beloved video game series. The trailers offer up a robust Easter egg hunt alone. The plot sees a small group of survivors working together to uncover the truth behind pharmaceutical company Umbrella and make it through the night when evil gets unleashed and transforms the town of Raccoon City. Look for fan favorite characters, human and monster alike, to make an appearance when Welcome to Raccoon City arrives in theaters.
Silent Night – December 3
One cozy holiday evening unravels into something far more horrifying and unexpected. Camille Griffin’s directorial debut follows a group of friends who reunite to celebrate Christmas in the comfort of an idyllic country home. There’s more than enough gossip and tension among this bunch to distract from initially subtle clues that grow so loud that it can’t be ignored; this gathering is less about Christmas than it is something far more insidious and cynical. And it gets apocalyptically bleak. Look for this pitch-black ensemble comedy (review here) on AMC+ and in theaters, just in time for the holidays.
Achoura – December 14
Talal Selhami’s latest is being described as IT meets Babadook. In the film, four friends reconnect when one of them, who disappeared 25 years ago, suddenly comes back into their lives. Together, they will have to confront the terrifying events of their youth and fight a monstrous creature born of a horror legend. Patrick Bromley reviewed the film out of the Cinepocalypse premiere, calling Achoura “an effective and atmospheric horror film about childhood fears and facing the demons of the past.” Dark Star Pictures releases the Moroccan horror movie on DVD and Digital on December 14.
Nightmare Alley – December 17
The latest by Guillermo del Toro adapts William Lindsay Gresham’s 1946 novel, which spawned a feature adaptation a year later. The dark noir follows an ambitious young carny (Bradley Cooper) with a talent for manipulating people. When he hooks up with a female psychiatrist (Cate Blanchett), he discovers she’s even more dangerous than he. Del Toro clarified that Nightmare Alley wouldn’t be like his usual output and not to expect a straight horror movie. While that might mean no supernatural elements, the source material embraces the darkness with a unique take on noir. In other words, its genre adjacent enough to appeal to horror fans anyway. Look for it in theaters.