The Sadness is coming to Shudder- plus more horror gems to stream in May 2022!
The weather is already getting hotter, and so are the streaming services when it comes to horror programming. That means an insane selection of titles to check out this month, from rare slashers arriving in late May to under-the-radar gems you might’ve missed. Consider this month’s picks for the horror fan who has seen it all.
Here are ten must-see horror titles available this month on some of the most popular streaming services and when/where you can watch them.
Calibre – Netflix
A Scottish thriller that sees a horrific accident turn a weekend hunting trip into a nail-biting descent into paranoia for old friends Marcus and Vaughn, Calibre is a compelling and well-executed tale of suspense. The suspense of this grisly story cannot be understated. The palpable tension and brutal moments put this on the outskirts of the genre, making it a very worthwhile watch that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat.
The Lure – HBO Max, Criterion Channel
The original Hans Christian Andersen version of The Little Mermaid wasn’t the pretty uplifting story it’s been made out to be in recent decades, and Agnieszka Smoczynska’s feature debut adheres to the origin story while setting it in a 1980s Polish cabaret. Mermaid sisters Golden and Silver come to shore and fall right in with a nightclub’s house band. One falls in love, the other lusts for human flesh, but both become rising stars. It’s a genre-bender unafraid to get weird, bloody, and downright tragic.
Sauna – AMC+
This Finnish period horror follows two brothers, Knut and Eerik, on their quest to mark the border between Finland and Russia after a 25-year war between the countries has finally ended. They come upon a village set in a swamp on their journey, with a mysterious sauna that they hope to use to cleanse away their sins of war. Full confession; I still don’t know that I fully grasp everything presented in Sauna. It’s abstract and non-linear in narrative and explores the toll of guilt in a unique way. But the atmosphere is oppressive and haunting, and it offers some of the most stunning cinematography.
Thelma – Hulu
Joachim Trier’s supernatural thriller shares similarities with Carrie. The plot sees sheltered Thelma going away from home for the first time for college, only to discover she has strange powers as she falls in love for the first time. Trier asks thought-provoking questions on morality while parceling out the mystery of Thelma’s childhood, making you really feel for her struggle with self-discovery. Thelma makes for a perfect pairing with upcoming The Innocents, a chilling tale written and directed by Thelma co-writer Eskil Vogt.
The Trip – Netflix
Spouses Lisa (Noomi Rapace) and Lars (Aksel Hennie) head to a remote family cabin to reconnect, neither aware that the other is plotting murder. Just as their murder plans begin, a more significant threat arrives in the form of escaped convicts. Directed and co-written by Tommy Wirkola (Dead Snow), it’s marriage counseling in its most violent, splatstick form. Rapace is having a blast as the murderous wife who constantly outsmarts those around her. She takes as much of a beating as she doles out. In other words, The Trip is a blast. Catch it ahead of Wirkola’s upcoming holiday thriller Violent Night.
Uzumaki – Prime Video
Proving that J-horror is more than just long-haired vengeful ghosts, Uzumaki (aka Spiral) is a surreal adaptation of Junji Ito’s regarded horror manga of the same name. It’s not a film for those wanting something more linear in plot with cohesive answers, but a journey into madness. The narrative consists of four parts of a town becoming obsessed and tormented by spirals. Yup. Spirals. It’s weird, offbeat, and wholly unique. Get acquainted with this bizarre tale ahead of the upcoming animated adaptation.
The Witch: Part 1 – The Subversion – Netflix
A genre-bender written and directed by Park Hoon-jung, the screenwriter behind the excellent and disturbing I Saw the Devil. While The Witch: Subversion is nowhere near as bleak, it has a biting edge of darkness. The plot follows an amnesiac teen whose memories come back to haunt her viscerally when she enters a reality show singing competition. Dangerous people from her forgotten past hunt her, sparking an intense battle. With Part 2 finally on the way this summer, now’s the perfect time to revisit.
Popcorn – Shudder (May 9)
Horror stalwart Jill Schoelen stars as Maggie Butler, a film student with ambitions to transform her recurring nightmares into her first feature. Classmate Toby D’Amato (Tom Villard) comes up with hosting an all-night horror marathon, complete with William Castle-style gimmicks, as a fundraiser. What should’ve been a successful fundraiser instead turns into a night of terror, however, when a deranged killer with a penchant for disguises begins to pick the film class off one by one. This ‘90s slasher brings the fun, along with inventive kills set in a crowded theater full of horror fans. Don’t miss it.
The Sadness – Shudder (May 12)
A pandemic virus mutates, shattering the inhibitions of the afflicted and transforming them into sadistic killers. Kat (Regina Lei) and Jim (Berant Zhu) are at the center of a story, two lovers attempting to reunite amidst absolute depraved chaos. Nothing will prepare for the stark raving madness that ensues. Director Rob Jabbaz wastes no time unleashing the gross-out horror, smashing all the content warning buttons in the process. The Sadness is a vicious anthem that keeps you in its grip, forces you to stare into the abyss, and dares you to look away.
Girls Nite Out – ARROW (May 16)
If you’re a fan of underseen ‘80s slashers that don’t take themselves too seriously, nor do they bother much with logic, make sure this is on your May watchlist. University students embark on an all-night scavenger hunt, unaware that a killer has donned their bear mascot suit. A cuddly bear with knives for fingers goes on a killing spree in this weird and delightfully silly slasher. The cast is filled with genre notables, like Hal Holbrook (Creepshow), Rutanya Alda (Amityville II: The Possession), Julia Montgomery (The Kindred), and Lauren-Marie Taylor (Friday the 13th Part 2).
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