Scream 7 (2026)

DIRECTED BY

Kevin Williamson

STARRING

Neve Campbell - Sidney Prescott-Evans

Isabel May - Tatum Evans

Jasmin Savoy Brown - Mindy Meeks-Martin

Mason Gooding - Chad Meeks-Martin

Anna Camp - Jessica Bowden

Mckenna Grace - Hannah Thurman

Asa Germann - Lucas Bowden

Celeste O'Connor - Chloe Parker

Sam Rechner - Ben Brown

Joel McHale - Mark Evans 

Courteney Cox - Gale Weathers

Ethan Embry - Marco Davis

Matthew Lillard - Stu Macher

Genre - Horror/Slasher

Running Time - 114 Minutes

PLOT

When a new Ghostface killer emerges in the quiet town where Sidney Prescott has built a new life, her darkest fears are realized as her daughter becomes the next target. Determined to protect her family, Sidney must face the horrors of her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all.

REVIEW

I originally wasn’t going to review SCREAM 7. I was on such a high with 2023's SCREAM VI [my second favorite of the franchise], but then it got soured by all the behind-the-scenes drama that led into the production of this seventh installment in the most successful slasher franchise of all time. The firing of Melissa Barrera over her political views [which led to Jenna Ortega leaving with her], to Spyglass’ and Paramount’s association with the current administration in the United States, to both Radio Silence and Christopher Landon leaving directorial duties due to the drama [bringing in Kevin Williamson to direct a SCREAM film for the first time since being part of the franchise as a writer since the beginning], to finally bringing back Neve Campbell and other previous cast members [alive and dead] as some sort of desperate attempt to please the fanbase - it was very distracting and left me less excited for this sequel. The use of A.I. to market this movie? Yuck. Even the trailers looked same old, same old. But I was curious in the direction of bringing back Sidney Prescott-Evans to the franchise, so here we are.

The good? The cast is solid here. Neve Campbell being back does make SCREAM 7 feel like a worthy sequel as she returns as a mother whose past is now haunting her and her oldest daughter, Tatum. Campbell can play Sidney in her sleep at this point and she’s still the same badass that many of us fell in love with back in 1996. I also appreciated that the character had stakes again, really bringing out the Final Girl protector role out of Campbell. I also liked Isabel May as Sidney’s daughter Tatum. I wasn’t sure at first, since the trailers didn’t make the character appealing to me at all. But May holds her own here, playing the total opposite of Sidney as a more naive and somewhat helpless character due to Sidney’s overprotectiveness and hiding of her past from her daughter. It’s obvious May will be the lead character in the next installment, which I’m fine with as long as the character evolves into a more self-efficient Final Girl.

Courteney Cox has one of the best intro moments in the franchise as the returning Gale Weathers. She feels more like the Gale of old rather than the Gale of recent sequels, which I actually liked. Joel McHale surprised me as Sidney’s husband Mark, as he does well in the role and has some good moments against Ghostface. He fit in better than I thought he would have. McKenna Grace, Celeste O’Connor and Asa Germann don’t get a ton to do as Tatum’s friends, but do well with what they’re given. And it’s good to see Matthew Lillard back as Stu Macher, who is clearing having a blast and gets to recite some of the best dialogue in the film. He hasn’t missed a bit as the Stu character.

I thought some of the kills were also pretty inventive. The one inside the school was pretty brutal and the major one inside a bar restaurant that involved a drink dispenser made my jaw drop in how well done it was. Both felt like they were leftovers from a TERRIFIER script, which isn’t a bad thing. This film needed more memorable moments like this.

I also didn’t mind the opening act. Unfortunately most of it was ruined by the trailers, but I liked the tension and suspense infused throughout the first 15 minutes of the film with two characters that unfortunately didn’t mean anything at all for the rest of the film. I know some had issues that the opening didn’t involve a popular actor, but I liked that it felt ordinary and not at all distracting and predictable.

It’s a shame the rest of the film is super shallow and feels like fan fiction that ChatGPT wrote. Character development is pretty much non-existent. I honestly had no idea what the names were for Tatum’s friends until I looked them up. That’s how fleshed out and memorable they were. Even Tatum’s boyfriend was as bland as a rice cake. James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick have worked on decent scripts before, which surprises me that they didn’t do more drafts to, at least, flesh some of these characters out for us to care about when Ghostface took them out. They weren’t even archetypes or caricatures. Lazy writing.

Speaking of lazy writing, what was up with that awful reveal? Hell, that entire third act was just terrible from beginning to end. From the A.I. usage, to the actual Ghostface reveals, and to the motives of the reveals were just so bad, I couldn’t believe anyone in the production thought this was a good idea. I’ve been okay with the Ghostface identities until now, as it made no sense and involved characters that were barely on the canvas to really surprise the audience in a good way. What a mess.

And how many men has Sidney dated with the name “Mark”? It’s confusing when Patrick Dempsey could have made an interesting pairing with Campbell. But I guess he wasn’t available? And why bring back the Meeks-Martin twins to have them do nothing special? Yes, you want to keep SCREAM (2022) and SCREAM VI canon, but having these two here felt like they were in the original Melissa Barrera script and the writers had no idea what to do with them once she was fired. I mean, it was nice to see them but they were just the comic relief and they weren’t really all that funny honestly.

Also, you’re telling me that Tatum has NO IDEA who her mom was? All those STAB films? The books? No one in her town, who knew who Sidney was, gave Tatum a clue as to what she went through? Google is right there, Tatum!

I also don’t need the script telling me twenty times that Sidney wasn’t in SCREAM VI and acting like it didn’t count because she wasn’t in it. It’s insulting to fans of that film, like yours truly. It was cute the first time and got grating with repeated mentions.

THE FINAL HOWL

After reading what the original SCREAM 7 could have been, it makes this version of SCREAM 7 more disappointing. There was a dark cloud over this film from the start and it lingered until the end credits concluded. Glad Neve Campbell got her bag and it was fun seeing her and some of the returning characters back again. But the script was not good and the Ghostface reveals were atrocious. It didn’t help that the killers were really obvious to begin with. Just a lazy sequel that unfortunately did so well, we’re getting another one. Hopefully they try harder with SCREAM 8 because SCREAM 7 did not make me excited for another one. Personally, I think Ghostface needs to rest for a while. But I’m not greedy Hollywood, so what does my opinion matter?

SCORE

2 Howls Outta 4

(5 out of 10)

Lunar Cycle - September 2025

Since I don’t have as much time to write longer reviews than I used to, I figured I would just post shorter reviews for horror/cult films that I feel deserve your attention.

Director: Francis Lawrence 

Starring: Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Judy Greer, Mark Hamill

Genre: Horror/Science Fiction/Thriller

Run Time: 108 Minutes

Plot: 

In a dystopian, alternate-America ruled by a totalitarian regime, 50 teenage boys take part in a deadly annual walking contest, forced to maintain a minimum pace or be executed, until only one survivor remains.

Review: 

Based on a 1979 Stephen King novel of the same name [under his pseudonym Richard Bachman], THE LONG WALK was passed around for a long time before this film adaptation was actually filmed and released. From George A. Romero in 1988, to Frank Darabont in the 2000s, to both New Line Cinema and then eventually Lionsgate for the actual release, this adaptation for such a simple story took its sweet time getting its moment in the spotlight. And it was definitely worth the wait, as THE LONG WALK is one of 2025’s best horror films.

There’s not much to say about the film without really spoiling what happens [for those who didn’t read the novel, which I’m sure is quite a few], but THE LONG WALK is very well-made visually and tightly structured from a narrative standpoint. It’s a simple story with a group of young men walking for their survival in order to gain money and a single wish. And Francis Lawrence’s direction captures that really well, as the film isn’t all that stylish or distracting with unnecessary visual effects. From what I understand, the film was shot chronologically meaning the day scenes and the night scenes were all environmentally legit - which is a great touch and convincingly showcases the characters’ struggle to keep going during each day of the walk. While the death scenes are shot well and are visceral, considering how close we get to the characters and their stories, that wouldn’t happen if Lawrence just lets the story and the actors do most of the work for him, elevating a pretty simple point-and-shoot affair.

And boy - are the actors really great here. While each of the young men contribute something to the narrative, whether we grow to love them or despise them, the film is strongly carried by the central duo of Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson. Considering his father has passed away in the story, it’s easy to see Hoffman using the pain of his own paternal loss [the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman] as a catalyst for Ray’s motivations to win the walk. And Jonsson has become a young actor I’ve been really enjoying onscreen lately, carrying himself with the charisma and confidence of someone beyond his years. And an unrecognizable Mark Hamill as The Major adds some ironic humor to a serious story, bringing much needed levity.

I wish THE LONG WALK had done better at the box office. But considering how non-flashy it is, it’s easy to see why many would probably wait until digital or streaming to check it out. And I hope audiences do when the time comes because it’s a super solid Stephen King adaptation that deserves a cult status in years to come. THE LONG WALK has the endurance to be in my Top 10 of 2025 Horror Films for sure.

SCORE

3.5 Howls Outta 4

(9 out of 10)

Director: Justin Tipping

Starring: Tyriq Withers, Marlon Fox, Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker, Jim Jefferies

Genre: Horror/Mystery/Supernatural/Sports

Run Time: 96 Minutes

Plot:

After suffering a potentially career-ending brain trauma, Cameron Cade receives a lifeline when his hero, legendary eight-time Championship quarterback and cultural megastar Isaiah White, offers to train Cam at Isaiah’s isolated compound that he shares with his celebrity influencer wife. But as Cam’s training accelerates, Isaiah’s charisma begins to curdle into something darker.

Review: 

Maybe besides TRON: ARES, no other trailer really got me hyped for a film like 2025’s HIM. For one, it was produced by Jordan Peele, who has had a great track record since joining the horror genre. Two, we rarely get horror films involving sports, making it stand out. Plus, a bonkers Marlon Wayans in a serious role? Sign me up as this couldn’t fail.

Yeah… about that. Man, talk about cinema disappointments of the year but HIM is definitely Him when it comes to that description. HIM is a film with so many ideas and so many things it wants to be and wants to say that it ends up saying not much at all. Watching this with one of my best friends who is more of a football fan than I am [even though I do watch and follow], I feel he got more of a commentary than I did. Yet, he felt the same disappointment that I did. What is this film about? CTE? Drug use in sports and how hard men have to live up to a certain status as they get older? Daddy issues and the shadow of the patriarchy? The rumors that the Illuminati controls how the sport is run with a cult-like mentality? There’s so much going on that I was pretty overwhelmed and underwhelmed at the same time watching this. 

I felt the first half of the film was the more interesting portion, as it seemed to focus on Cade’s struggle to live up to who his late father wanted him to be. He sacrifices his individuality and his own health to achieve his [and/or his father’s dream] to be a pro football player. Cade even gets to train with Isaiah, who is his hero - yet, at the same time, his rival and the man he’s supposed to replace because of Isaiah’s age catching up with him. There seems to be a slight tug-and-war in how the two interact. It looks friendly on the surface, but Isaiah obviously has nefarious plans for Cade with randomly taking blood from him, giving him mystery drugs and even strange training where other players are brutally punished for missing plays. You start to feel for Cade a bit because you realize this isn’t exactly what he signed up for.

But then it starts becoming more supernatural and the film goes into a tired direction I had expected and was really disappointed by. Let’s say it goes from grounded to BLACK SWAN or a mixture of THE SUBSTANCE with MIDSOMMAR. The film becomes so surreal that it just loses its way towards a predictable ending. What do these random images mean? Why is the pacing so weird? And is that really the answer to the mystery [which I pretty much predicted]? I was more frustrated than entertained.

What saves HIM is that Justin Tipping directs a beautiful film that makes interesting and sometimes breathtaking visual choices. A lot of the film feels like a Jordan Peele homage in terms of framing, editing and sound choices. But Tipping lacks the restraint and voice that Peele does, making the film kind of a visual mess as it goes along. With so many random images popping up, you’re just wondering what they have to do with anything. I don’t think even Peele could have saved this visually, as the script feels like a first draft that needed another edit.

The cast is probably the highlight of HIM. Tyriq Withers holds his own in the lead role, making the best of whatever’s thrown at him. Julia Fox and Jim Jefferies add some quirkiness and humor to the surrealism. But Marlon Wayans is the standout here, stealing the spotlight from Withers in every scene. I like seeing Wayans in serious roles because he obviously has range, which HIM definitely proves. He’s sympathetic. He’s manic and out-of-control. He’s sometimes terrifying. And he’s great.

If you’re a Marlon Wayans fan, then HIM may be worth checking out. He’s really the only reason to see this, despite a game cast and interesting visuals that fall apart due to a script that needed more edits and doctoring. It’s nice seeing more sports-centric horror films though, as HIM shows a lot of promise but never lives up to its Game Day potential. 

SCORE

2 Howls Outta 4

(5 out of 10)

Director: Renny Harlin

Starring: Madelaine Petsch, Richard Brake, Rachel Shelton, Gabriel Basso, Froy Gutierrez, Brooke Lena Johnson

Genre: Horror/Thriller/Slasher

Run Time: 96 Minutes

Plot:

When The Strangers learn that one of their victims, Maya, is still alive, they return to finish what they’ve started.

Review:

For those who read my review for THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 1 last year, you knew how much I hated the reboot for a franchise that didn’t even warrant one. The characters had no agency. The lead characters were two of the dumbest, most useless protagonists I’ve seen in a horror film in a very long time. And even when action happened, it wasn’t all that exciting. CHAPTER 1 felt like a weaker retread of the 2008 film. In fact, CHAPTER 1 was my Worst Film of 2024 in any genre.

So of course, I watched THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 because I was so excited for it.

Yes, that was sarcasm if you couldn’t tell.

I will say this for THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2: the trailer gave me slightly more optimism than CHAPTER 1’s trailer did. I knew CHAPTER 1 would be terrible from the trailer, but at least CHAPTER 2 seemed to have more action, stalk-and-slash and an interesting side story that hadn’t been done in the franchise yet. I wasn’t expecting greatness but even a sequel that ended up being “mid” would have been enough for me. 

Calling THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 “mid” would be extremely generous, as this sequel is just an extension of last year’s garbage. Our Final Girl still lacks a bit of agency, despite what happened to her and knowing the threat that’s coming for her. The new characters add absolutely nothing to the movie, with some not even getting more than a single scene before they’re taken out. The backstory for two of the Strangers, while welcome, still manages to be fairly generic and done better in many other movies. And the script tosses so much random and weird stuff for our leading lady that I’m wondering if anyone read the script before thinking it was okay to fund and film this. Like seriously… who are these movies for?

That being said, CHAPTER 2 at least tries to be better than CHAPTER 1. The opening hospital sequence, while not HALLOWEEN II, is at least an attempt to create tension and thrills as the Strangers chase Maya within the building. Yes, Maya still makes really dumb choices or doesn’t react to much at all at times. But at least she’s fighting back stuff and taking some control of the situation whenever the film sees it fit. 

There’s also a random scene in the middle of the film involving a CGI wild boar that attacks Maya for, like, five minutes that had the entire audience laughing at how ridiculous it all was. This scene honestly should have made me walk out of the theater and demand a refund on my AMC A-List Membership. But it was so random and so bizarre that I wish more of CHAPTER 2 was this weird. At least it would have shown that Renny Harlin and/or whoever had a say in this project was willing to take wild chances that would have given CHAPTER 2 a reason to exist and be memorable. This is, without a doubt, the thing I will take away from this movie and I can’t hate this sequel for that.

While Renny Harlin does infuse the film with more tension, action and strange CGI animals, nothing Harlin does visually can save an awful and sloppy screenplay. The film looks polished and the opening sequence has promise. But Harlin has directed so many better films than this and there’s nothing stylish about this film that makes it stand apart from any other horror film of this kind. 

The actors really try here and I feel bad that they’re in this movie. Madelaine Petsch is way better here than she was in the previous movie. But the script makes her character so dumb and frustrating that I keep wishing for the Strangers to end her journey sooner than later. Richard Brake gets nothing really to do as a shady sheriff [his role seems bigger in, sigh, CHAPTER 3] and Gabriel Bosso is creepy but it never really goes anywhere. Like, at all. These actors could have had interesting characters. But I couldn’t tell you what made any of them sign up for this besides a nice paycheck. 

Saying CHAPTER 2 is better than CHAPTER 1 is like saying that Chlamydia is better than Herpes. While just a tiny bit better, it’s still an awful sequel that only fans of this franchise or anyone who has to see every horror film ever made [like me] should give any attention to. And yes, I’ll be there to suffer through, sigh, CHAPTER 3. I’m hoping the third time’s the charm, but I’m not holding my breath.

SCORE

1 Howl Outta 4

(3 out of 10)

Director: Mercedes Bryce Morgan

Starring: Maddie Hasson, Alex Roe, Marco Pigossi, Andra Nechita

Genre: Horror/Thriller/Comedy/Mystery

Run Time: 94 Minutes

Plot: 

A couple’s romantic vacation at a secluded lakeside estate is upended when they are forced to share the mansion with a mysterious and attractive couple. In this darkly hilarious and seductive horror story, a dream getaway spirals into a nightmarish maze of sex, lies, and manipulation, bringing terrifying secrets to light and triggering a bloody battle for survival.

Review:

With a title like BONE LAKE, you’re expecting a horror film involving a lot of sex. Or at least, a film sort of making fun of sexual exploits in a horror-comedy fashion. The trailer, which would play every time during the previews for the past month or so, had me intrigued with its teases of salacious manipulation and promise of some sort of sex-thriller that we’ve haven’t really seen much of in mainstream horror since the 1990s really. Luckily, I was able to see this before its wide release date to see if the film lived up to what the trailer promised.

Unfortunately like most trailers, they swerve the audience in presenting one thing but giving you another. BONE LAKE is no exception, as it’s a film that’s not the sex-thriller romp I was expecting. While the opening scene does have both male and female nudity and there are sexual scenes once every blue moon, BONE LAKE is pretty conservative for the story it wants to visually tell, making it somewhat of a disappointment of something more interesting. It’s not unlike anything you could watch on a Lifetime or on a Tubi - a messed up game involving two random couples who just end up at the same lakeside estate due to a double booking. But as the film rolls along, one of the couples seems to be much more than they appear, making their own rules and manipulating the other couple for reasons that are revealed in the final act. The revelation, which I was indifferent to, will probably divide audiences - although I did feel like it made one of the couple’s motivations to be at the estate interesting enough.

So while the story is pretty basic and predictable, I did think Mercedes Bryce Morgan’s direction had some style to it, while the visuals popped with vibrant colors [even at night] and with, of course, some nice eye candy for everyone. The use of special effects for the horror elements and gore are done surprisingly well for an independent flick. There’s an opening kill involving an arrow through someone’s testicles as they escape [the audience popped for that one] and there are a bunch of amputations during the film’s final act involving an axe and a chainsaw [a bit of an EVIL DEAD tribute in particular moment]. Not a bad looking nor badly paced feature.

The actors are fine. Maddie Hasson looks like Florence Pugh and is quite good as the more conservative Sage. She has nice flirtatious chemistry with all of her co-stars, regardless of gender. Alex Roe plays the attractive and manipulative bad boy, Will, having the film’s more humorous moments. Andra Nechita brings sex appeal as the seductive Cin, while Marco Pigossi plays, what some may call the Beta Male, Diego perfectly. Since the film focuses on such a small cast, I thought these four actors did what they could with the simple and expected material to not make it boring. So kudos to them.

Honestly, I was expecting BONE LAKE to be more provocative and sleazy considering what the trailer teases. But it’s just a predictable and fairly conservative mystery that’s not all that sexy, scary or laughs-out funny. But it entertained me for 94 minutes and I was along the ride to see how it would all end. A theatrical watch could be a tough one, but definitely a good time on streaming.

SCORE

2.5 Howls Outta 4

(6 out of 10)

Silent Night, Deadly Night Part II (1987) w/ The DTV Connoisseur

In this Christmas themed episode, I joined Matt Poirier from DTVC Podcast to discuss the holiday horror sequel SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT PART II. Before that, we look at the year that was in theatrical releases, the winners and losers, and what we expect for next year.

Then with the film itself, we get into how much of the first film was recycled in this sequel, and then what we get that's new that's so iconic.

It's Garbage Day!

Smile 2 (2024)

DIRECTED BY

Parker Finn

STARRING

Naomi Scott - Skye Riley

Rosemarie DeWitt - Elizabeth Riley 

Lukas Gage - Lewis Fregoli

Miles Guiterrez-Riley - Joshua 

Ray Nicholson - Paul Hudson 

Dylan Gelula - Gemma 

Kyle Gallner - Joel

Genre - Horror/Supernatural 

Running Time - 127 Minutes 

PLOT

About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control. 

REVIEW

PROS

• 
  Naomi Scott. Sosie Bacon was great in the first SMILE from 2022, carrying that film and playing all the emotional beats of a psychiatrist who was struggling with her own fear of mental illness due to trauma from her childhood. You bought everything Bacon presented, making her a captivating actress and character to watch.

But Naomi Scott absolutely overshadows her in this 2024 sequel. Actresses have really brought it in the horror genre this year, but Scott’s performance has to be near the top of the list. Naomi Scott’s Skye Riley is like an onion that has so many layers to play with, allowing the actress to play so many aspects of a female pop star believably for two hours. She struggles with addiction. She’s traumatized for partly causing a car accident that not only injured her back [to the point she constantly needs pain meds], but also murdered her on-and-off boyfriend. She struggles being heard by her momager who refuses to understand the constant stress a comeback tour is putting on her daughter, feeling that Skye is selfish for wanting to delay the tour and costing her definite money due to the massive demand for the tour. She also has a bad history with her best friend, trying to find ways to make up for whatever wrong she’s done to her. And of course, Skye is also possessed by this smile curse that makes her already tarnished reputation with the media and fans much worse as the days go on - which Scott plays perfectly.

I think the best thing about Scott’s performance is how likable she makes Skye Riley, despite the fact that the character isn’t really all that sympathetic in terms of how she treats herself and the people around her. A lesser actress would have made this character so annoying, SMILE 2 would sink and be one of those sequels that should’ve never happened. But Scott elevates the material and really sinks her teeth into everything, no matter how wild the story gets. She’s charismatic and dynamic to watch from beginning to end. Just a wonderful performance in any genre, honestly.

• The soundtrack. A pop star needs some bangers and bops to make the persona work. And all the songs in SMILE 2 are just that - really great songs that don’t deserve to be this good and go so hard in terms of production and clever lyrics that foreshadow the events of the film. The filmmakers went all out making Skye Riley feel like a real persona for Naomi Scott, who sings her butt off on these songs as if she’s been doing this for years. I went to the fan screening for this film a day before the actual wide release and there was a four-minute countdown leading into the actual film, made up of music videos for these songs with Scott performing them in various stages of her character’s pop career. The time taken to really craft a character and the world she lives in should be commended. You can tell the people involved had respect for the material and use the bigger budget to make it feel like a real deal.

• Parker Finn. For the first SMILE, director/writer Parker Finn already displayed a cool style that made his horror film stand out from others at the time. Stylish editing, upside down shots to disorient the viewer and a nice use of CGI made his 2022 film a big success. But for the sequel, it seems Paramount gave Finn the keys to the car and let him go all out. Crazier editing, better special effects, more stylish angles and shots and awesome performance moments for Skye Riley. You can tell Finn finally gained some confidence from multiple people, and maybe even himself, becoming unafraid with his presentation and knowing exactly where to take his story from beginning to end. While I wouldn’t mind another SMILE installment, I would love to see Finn do something different while maintaining this level of visual creativity. I thought the direction of the sequel was superior to that of the original by a mile.

• Loved the continuation from the first film. Spoilers for the first film, but the survivor of that film, police officer Joel, returns in the opening of SMILE 2 as he’s struggling with being cursed himself and trying to pass it on to drug dealers. However things go wrong and the rest of the movie happens for our own entertainment. Kyle Gallner, having quite the year in horror prior to this, does a great job continuing where he left off in the first film, investing fans right away into the sequel. Considering how we know how this curse ends, you can guess what happens. But it’s great seeing a loose end given a fitting conclusion that leads into the rest of the movie.

• The predictable ending. I saw a lot of viewers complain about the film’s ending, with some feeling it lacked originality and came off silly. But seriously, if you watched the first trailer and understood who the main character is, you should have known there is only one conclusion to this movie. While predictable, it’s the only one that works and feels true to the story. So I liked it and I’m curious where things go in the next one because that seems like a huge task considering what goes down.

CONS

• 
  Getting difficult to decipher what’s real and what’s not. While I appreciated the storytelling and visual presentation of SMILE 2, there were moments where I felt that Parker Finn went too far in terms of letting the audience in on what’s going on. Considering this curse Skye Riley is suffering through, it makes sense that it would disorient her sense of reality and make her look more insane as the film runs along. But during the final act, it got to a point where even I was confused what was going on and how things ended up where they did. I understand a lot of what we see went on in her headspace. But it doesn’t make sense that she seems perfectly fine to others in the real world if she’s struggling with a manic mental state. I don’t think it was explained enough and just felt jarring by the film’s final minutes. I do think it was the right move to do in a narrative sense, but the execution could have been a bit smoother. For everything that Skye goes through in the final act, it makes you question how she functioned in front of others during all that. Probably the only flaw I could find in this sequel.

THE FINAL HOWL

I liked 2022’s SMILE and felt it was a cool concept that never met its full potential. But 2024’s SMILE 2 heard that and met that goal in almost every single way. Naomi Scott understood the assignment and carried the film effortlessly, crafting a fake pop star and making her feel like she’s been part of our lives for years. She hits every emotional and wild beat believably, making us feel for a character that honestly shouldn’t be sympathetic to begin with. That also extends to the incredible pop soundtrack that Scott shines on, providing us with bangers that will be an annual Halloween listen for me. Director/writer Parker Finn also improves upon what he achieved in the first film, giving us crazier and more stylish shots and edits, while using the bigger budget to create Skye’s celebrity universe and showcase better CGI for the smiling demons. And while some may complain about the predictable ending, I called it the moment I watched the first trailer and I have no issue with it. There’s no other way this film could have ended and it leads to an interesting third installment if Paramount decides to make it. I liked this way more than I did the first film and I think fans of SMILE will be smiling a lot while enjoying this sequel. One of the better horror films of 2024, without a doubt.

SCORE

3.5 Howls Outta 4

(9 out of 10)

Terrifier 3 (2024)

DIRECTED BY

Damien Leone

STARRING

David Howard Thornton - Art the Clown

Lauren LaVera - Sienna Shaw 

Elliott Fullam - Jonathan Shaw 

Samatha Scaffidi - Vicky Heyes 

Margaret Anne Florence - Jess Shaw

Bryce Johnson - Greg Shaw 

Genre - Horror/Slasher/Holiday 

Running Time - 125 Minutes

PLOT

Five years after surviving Art the Clown’s Halloween massacre, Sienna and Jonathan are still struggling to rebuild their shattered lives. As the holiday season approaches, they try to embrace the Christmas spirit and leave the horrors of the past behind. But just when they think they’re safe, Art returns, determined to turn their holiday cheer into a new nightmare. The festive season quickly unravels as Art unleashes his twisted brand of terror, proving that no holiday is safe.

REVIEW

PROS

• 
  A more focused story. While 2016’s TERRIFIER lacked a narrative and 2022’s TERRIFIER 2 may have used too much of one, 2024’s TERRIFER 3 manages to balance it out to craft a more straightforward plot that fits the 80s slasher theme better. I’ll get to the Christmas aspect in a bit [it definitely works here], but I appreciated that this sequel focused on the trauma that both Sienna and her brother Jonathan suffered in TERRIFIER 2 [which takes place five years prior to this film]. The slings try to move on with their lives separately, as Sienna has spent time at some sort of institution while Jonathan struggles to acclimate in a college environment. But both still suffer from PTSD and only have each other to vent about it, as everyone else around them either can never understand the torture they went through, or want to capitalize on their trauma for their own fame and fortune. Add in the return of Art the Clown and Vicky, who everyone other than the Shaw siblings treat as freaks or something amusing, and you have a haunting neither sibling can easily escape from. The use of trauma is nothing new in modern slasher films [Laurie Strode and Sidney Prescott anyone?] but considering how many view the TERRIFIER franchise, it’s a nice aspect to have that allows a level of grounding to a surreal series.

• A stronger confidence in direction and acting. Damien Leone really ups his filmmaking cred with TERRIFIER 3, being both subtle and over-the-top at the same time - and doing it very well. I’ll get to the death sequences in a bit, but I will say that they weren’t as extreme as they were in the second film, while still maintaining a level of uncomfortability that would make vomiting and/or people walking out the theater understandable. I also felt that Leone didn’t pad the running time with random stuff or gags, embracing the idea of giving certain information that could appear meaningless when they’re introduced but become quite important in later parts of the film. The running time, which is still quite long, flowed a bit better for me here.

As for the acting, it’s the best of the franchise so far. David Howard Thornton can play Art the Clown in his sleep at this point, balancing the silliness of the character with a level of menace that’s a bit unsettling. Samatha Scaffidi as the returning Vicky gets the most to do since the first film, creating a villain of her own that’s super memorable. Elliott Fullam does the best he can with what he’s given, while newcomer Margaret Anne Florence is a great addition to the cast as young cousin Jess. But Lauren LaVera really comes into her own as Sienna, finally becoming a true Final Girl with a strong performance from beginning to end. You hits every emotional beat needed as a traumatized survivor, while being a true badass when she has to defend herself against Art and Vicky. It’s easy to see why she’s in high demand in the genre right now, as LaVera carries the film extremely well.

• The gore. While I don’t think anything in this film beats that bedroom sequence in TERRIFIER 2, Leone sure comes close in TERRIFIER 3. The opening scene isn’t for the weak of heart, quickly letting the audience know what type of movie this is. It’s violent, bloody and even children aren’t safe. The final confrontation is also messed up visually, with mutilated body parts and even fantastical sequences that will combat your sense of disbelief. But the one memorable death sequence involves a college dorm bathroom and a chainsaw to male genitals… yeah, I felt every second of that indirectly. Fans looking for blood and guts will not be disappointed here.

• The Christmas aesthetic. I think the most exciting aspect of the film for me is that it takes place during the holidays. While Christmas horror is nothing new, it’s refreshing to see one take place within an already-established franchise that never focused on the holiday itself. The first two TERRIFIER films took place around Halloween time, so switching it to a holiday that many consider sacred is a move that works in this sequel’s favor. We get Art dressed like Santa for much of the film, as he goes to malls to disturb people, while also invading homes to deliver “presents”. There’s snow on the ground. There are Christmas lights and decorations all over the place. There’s even a scene where Art “bonds” with a fake Santa Claus in a bar. More established franchises should have taken this step and changed up the atmosphere because TERRIFIER 3 has a nice reason to memorably exist because of it.

CONS

• 
  That unseen death. I’m not going to spoil anything about the film, but this part of the film still bugs me. You can’t establish a character, make them feel important and then just eliminate them from the story offscreen without some sort of explanation visually. I hope this is the case where if you don’t see someone die on screen, that means they’re still alive to be used in a future installment. But if not, Damien Leone is a ballsy guy because this may alienate some fans of the franchise if this is not followed up upon in the fourth movie.

• Not as fun as the second film. While TERRIFIER 3 is a good time if you know what you’re getting into, I actually prefer the vibe of the second film more. The synthwave, 80s atmosphere is one that will catch and keep my attention right away and TERRIFIER 3 doesn’t really have that. Also, a lot of the characters in this film don’t really stand out like they did in the second film [Sienna’s friends, in particular]. I think it’s a case where we’ve been through this kind of film three times already, so it feels less fresh with each installment. TERRIFIER 3 is total popcorn entertainment that improves upon a lot of things from previous films. But I felt TERRIFIER 2 was a bit more carefree and exciting due to what it presented. Both films are still better than the overrated first film though.

• Art the Clown kind of being overshadowed in his own franchise. Am I the only one who felt Vicky was a more interesting antagonist than Art was in this film? Her character arc since the first film still fascinates me to the point where I want to see more of her and whatever she plans on doing on Art’s behalf. During the final act in particular, she was such a force and presence that I forgot that Art was even in the scene with her. While I like the idea of these two characters working together to create chaos, I think Art should definitely be the star and not play second-fiddle to another villain. It felt like that for a few minutes and I found it both interesting and worrying.

THE FINAL HOWL

While I found the second film to be a more fun experience overall, I do think TERRIFIER 3 does improve upon that film in a lot of ways. I like that the fantastical narrative of the second film is a bit more streamlined and grounded in this movie [besides certain things in the final act]. The use of PTSD and trauma is used very well here and it will only fuel the fire going forward. Damien Leone’s direction is more confident and focused when it comes to pacing, the death sequences [that chainsaw scene, yo] and the great use of the Christmas aesthetic. The acting is also an improvement, especially by Lauren LaVera, who gives her all as a young woman who continues to struggle with the torture Art the Clown has put her and her family through. David Howard Thornton is still wonderful as the villain, now able to play the role in his sleep at this point. 

That being said, I feel that returning character Vicky kind of overshadows Art a bit during the final act, which is fine if you’re not trying to establish one of them as the next big horror baddie. I think Art will be fine, though. I also prefer the 80s, synthwave vibe of the second film despite its longer running time. And if that unseen death for an established character is legit, I’m not a fan of that move at all.

Other than that, TERRIFIER 3 isn’t for everyone. But if you enjoy tons of gore, a fun Christmas horror aesthetic and improved acting and production, I would stick with this franchise and get excited for what the filmmakers are cooking up next. Otherwise, be prepared to be on Art’s naughty list and I don’t think your private regions will want that.

SCORE

3 Howls Outta 4

(8 out of 10)