Happy Halloween from Road Rash Reviews!
Rejoice horror fans, our favourite time of the year has arrived! The nights grow dark, the weather grows cold and our thoughts turn to spooky tales told around a roaring campfire.
In the spirit of this most creepy of seasons, we at Road Rash have assembled a selection of our favourite horror releases of 2024, there have been some excellent offerings this year.
“Trick or Treat?!”
Our first not to be missed release of the year is the glorious 7 film box-set of Japanese horror films, J Horror Rising on Limited Edition Blu-ray.
4 stars, excellent and diverse collection of Japanese horror films.
Around the turn of the millenium, a wave of Japanese horror and mystery films were released which sparked enormous interest globally and became known as J Horror. This expertly curated box-set brings together a diverse collection of films from across the genre, offering a fascinating cross section of this period in
...moreIt’s all about the Ultra High Definition this year and there have been lots of 4K films released. Probably the most eagerly awaited release of the year is the brilliant Late Night With the Devil. There have also been plenty of remastered classics, looking sublime following their 4K restorations. These include the proper Halloween film Trick ‘r Treat, the fantastic Silence of the Lambs, gothic masterpiece Crimson Peak, Exorcist sequel The Exorcist III, Korean zombie horror Train To Busan, video nasty Madman, the innovative You’re Next and finally the absolute classic City of the Living Dead.
5 stars
What would you do for ratings?
Late Night with the Devil is a 2024 found footage horror film, written and directed by Australian brothers Cameron and Colin Cairnes (Scare Campaign, 100 Bloody Acres).
Following its successful run in UK cinemas, this eagerly awaited horror is available in the UK on Limited Edition 4K Box set as well as Standard Edition Blu-ray from 28th October 2024,
...more4 star, timely and excellent restoration of a Halloween classic.
Trick ‘r Treat is a 2007 American anthology horror comedy film, written and directed by Michael Dougherty (Krampus, Godzilla: King of the Monsters).
It has enjoyed a 4K restoration courtesy of Arrow Video and is available with original artwork, exclusively from the Arrow Video Store.
“Werewolves, zombies and demons of every variety. They’ve
...more5 stars
A glorious restoration of a timeless and disturbing classic.
The Silence of the Lambs is an American psychological horror thriller horror. It is directed by Jonathan Demme (Rachel Getting Married, Philadelphia) and has a screenplay written by Ted Tally (Red Dragon, All the Pretty Horses), adapted from the 1988 novel of the same name by Thomas Harris (Hannibal Rising, Black
...more4 star lavishly produced gothic horror.
Originally released in 2015, Crimson Peak is a gothic horror film which comes from the fertile imagination of the amazing Guillermo Del Toro (The Shape of Water, Pacific Rim), who also directs and is co-written by Matthew Robbins (Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, Vijay and I).
It is available in the UK for the first
...more4 star great restoration of an excellent sequel.
The Exorcist III is a 1990 American horror film, the third in the Exorcist franchise and sees the welcome return of original author William Peter Blatty (The Ninth Configuration), who also directs this time. It is based on his 1983 horror novel Legion, which was intended as the sequel to The Exorcist.
It is
...more4 star crisp and colourful zombie action.
Train To Busan is a 2016 South Korean action horror film co-written by Joo-Suk Park (Project Silence) and Yeon Sang-Ho (Seoul Station, The King of Pigs), who also directs.
Train To Busan Presents: Peninsula is a 2020 South Korean action horror film, the sequel to Train to Busan and the third film in the franchise
...more4 star restoration of a refreshingly different slasher film.
You’re Next is an American slasher horror film. Originally released in 2011, it is directed by Adam Wingard (V/H/S, The Guest) and written by Simon Barrett (V/H/S/94, Dead Birds).
It has enjoyed a 4K UHD restoration and will be available to own on Limited Edition 4k UHD and Blu-ray from 19th August 2024,
...more4 star restoration of a gruesome worm-riddled horror.
City of the Living Dead is an Italian supernatural horror film, written and directed by the godfather of gore Lucio Fulci (The House by the Cemetery, Don’t Torture a Duckling).
Originally released in 1980, it has enjoyed a 4K UHD restoration and is available on Limited Edition 4K UHD from 25th March 2024, courtesy
...moreFor those who enjoy setting down to a good series, there have been a couple of doozies for horror fans this year, season two of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire and the joyful Walking Dead spin off The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.
4 Star
No Honour Amongst the Undead
A new series of Anne Rice’s Interview with a Vampire. The series is set in Rice’s (Mayfair Witches, The Vampire Chronicles) Immortal Universe (AMC), a shared setting with her other novels. This second series sees the introduction of Delainey Hayles (Holby City) as Claudia. We jump from the early 1900s to the ending of World
...more4 star European twist on a horror classic.
The walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 1 is a 2024 American post-apocalyptic horror drama TV Series spin-off from the massively popular The Walking Dead and created by David Zabel. It marks a triumphant return to the franchise’s glory days of edge-of-your-seat zombie action.
It is available to own in the UK on Blu-ray and
...moreThere has also been plenty of new releases, available on various UK Digital platforms. These include the hilarious Haunted Ulster Live, raunchy and gory comedy Members Club, the creepy Lovely Dark and Deep, British folk horror The Moor, old fashioned horror Thine Ears Shall Bleed and last but most certainly not least, spooky, spidery creature feature Sting.
4 star fun and effective poltergeist film.
Haunted Ulster Live is a 2024 Belfast made independent horror film, written and directed by Dominic O’Neill in his extremely impressive feature directorial debut.
This fun and innovative found footage style horror is available on UK and Ireland Digital Platforms from 14th October 2024, courtesy of Beyond Visible Films.
“Live from a haunted house, we have
...more3 stars, brash, ballsy and very British comedy/horror.
Members Club is a 2024 British comedy horror film written and directed by Marc Coleman (Manfish).
Following its World Premiere at FrightFest 2024, Members Club will be available on Digital Download from 21st October, courtesy of Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment.
“Let’s face it lads, it’s time to call it a day. The diary is empty, you
...more4 star compelling and chilling psychological horror.
Lovely, Dark and Deep is a 2024 American horror film, written and directed by Teresa Sutherland in her impressive feature directorial debut.
It is available to stream on UK Digital Platforms from 25th March 2024, courtesy of Blue Finch Film Releasing.
“And into the forest I go. To lose my mind and find my soul.”
– John
...more4 stars, brooding and deeply atmospheric horror tale.
The Moor is a 2024 British folk horror, written by Paul Thomas and directed by Chris Cronin, both of whom make their very impressive feature debut with this film.
It will be in UK cinemas from 14th June and on Digital HD from 1st July 2024, courtesy of Bulldog Film Distribution.
“People have to know
...more4 star creepy and atmospheric folk horror.
Thine Ears Shall Bleed is a 2024 American folk horror thriller, written and directed by Ben Bigelow, in his extremely impressive directorial feature debut, which shows great promise.
It is available to stream on UK Digital Platforms from 15th July, courtesy of Miracle Media.
“You have an inner sight, my son. No-one sees the Lord better
...more4 star cleverly comedic creature feature.
Sting is a 2024 Australian comedy horror film, written and directed by Kiah Roache-Turner (Nekrotronic).
It is coming to Home Premiere from 15th July 2024, courtesy of Studio Canal.
“114 Cypress? Haven’t I talked to you before? Ain’t you that lady with the f**ked up parrot?”
Charlotte (Alyla Browne – The Secret Kingdom, True Spirit) is a rebellious
...moreSo there you have it folks, this year’s pick of blood soaked, machete wielding psychopaths. Whatever you choose to do this year , whether it is curling up in front of the telly with a hot chocolate, or heading off out for a bit of trick or treating, just remember, stay safe and above all else, have fun!
