Filmmaker Matt Reeves referred to The Batman as “almost a horror movie.” Drawing from David Fincher’s Seven or even Christine, Reeves’ vision of Gotham and its denizens presents a darker take that heavily overlaps with the genre. Throw in a monstrous Joker, too, and it’s another example of why horror lends so well to so many genres, including superhero fare.
The Batman is now available to stream on HBO Max, so this week’s streaming picks embrace the movie’s horror twist to the comic character. These five movies venture into horror, pitting their heroes against monstrous foes, human or otherwise.
Here’s where to stream them this week.
For more Stay Home, Watch Horror picks, click here.
Another WolfCop – Plex
Alcoholic werewolf cop Lou Garou has settled into his new furry life as a lycanthrope. When an eccentric businessman arrives in town with a new team and brewery, it’s up to Lou, his partner Tina, and a few unexpected allies to save the day. Lowell Dean’s follow-up to the raucous horror-comedy WolfCop is bigger, better, sillier, and more monster-filled. With central character introductions out of the way, Dean wastes no time getting straight to the zany werewolf crime-fighting mayhem, Canadian style. You can also catch up with WolfCop on AMC+, Shudder, and Tubi.
Blade – Netflix
Written by David S. Goyer and directed by Stephen Norrington, Blade sets the action-horror tone straight away by introducing its lead via blood rave. Wesley Snipes’ half-vampire, half-mortal character silently slays his way through a blood-drenched crowd of vampires and never stops. Blade’s stoic, unrelenting pursuit of ridding the world of vampires makes for an infectious blend of horror and comic book movie filled with memorable characters. The entire superhero horror trilogy is currently available on Netflix, making now the perfect time to catch up before Marvel’s upcoming reboot.
Constantine – Tubi
Keanu Reeves stars as supernatural exorcist and demonologist John Constantine, a man atoning for the sin of suicide by keeping the peace on Earth between Heaven and Hell. Police Detective Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) ropes him into investigating her sister’s suicide, which proves part of an apocalyptic conspiracy. It’s action-horror at its most fun, with an insanely stacked cast. Tilda Swinton shines as archangel Gabriel, but Peter Stormare’s rendition of Lucifer is scene-stealing gold. This loose adaptation of DC Comics’ Hellblazer series may not win over purists, but it’s fun superhero horror action nonetheless.
Chronicle – Prime Video
By way of found footage, the dark superhero film tells of three high school pals who encounter a mysterious object in the woods that grants them supernatural abilities. Their friendships get tested when exploring their new powers leads to a loss of control, and one gives into darker impulses. An original superhero story not based on a comic, with an effective villain turn by Dane DeHaan. Michael B. Jordan and Alex Russell round out the superpowered teen trio.
The Fury – Starz
Based on the 1976 novel of the same name, The Fury follows a former CIA agent (Kirk Douglas) on his quest to save his kidnapped son from terrorists that wish to use his telekinetic powers for evil. Amy Irving plays a young psychic with a telepathic link to the son, and John Cassavetes is the film’s big bad. Brian De Palma’s immediate follow-up to Carrie tends to be overlooked by comparison, and it likely doesn’t help that both revolve around telekinesis. Conspiracy thriller meets psychological sci-fi horror, and it all culminates in one memorable finale. Pair this one with Scanners (on HBO Max) for an epic superpowered sci-fi horror double feature.
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