Hi all!

Last month, I subscribed to Shudder. It’s only $6.99 a month (in Australia) and you get access to heaps of exclusive and original content, including Dragula, Titans and Resurrection. Today I want to share five Shudder Originals recommendations. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

1.) Host

Host is one of the best horror films I’ve seen this year. It’s been a while since a movie got under my skin like this one. Set during the global pandemic, a group of friends perform a seance over Zoom, as a way to pass the time in lockdown. However, things take a turn for the worse when a demon crosses over, taking them out one by one. This found-footage film takes place solely on webcam. It’s really well-made. Secondly, there are no notable actors and yet, the acting was insane. It felt so incredibly real. I think what made it so terrifying, was the blend of reality and fiction. Being forced to isolate at home is a universal feeling. With nobody else to help them, the participants fight to survive a violent entity. It definitely has a slow beginning, but I believe the pacing was intentional. The horror steadily builds, getting more and more intense. In a recent study, Host was voted the scariest movie of all time. I have to agree. If you only watch one feature on this list, let it be this one.

2.) The Boy Behind The Door 

The Boy Behind The Door really surprised me. It follows two young boys, who are also best friends. One day, whilst playing in the park, they are abducted and taken to a rural farmhouse. One child is chained up inside, whilst the other, manages to free himself from the boot of the car. He spends the rest of the film trying to save his friend and escape the evil kidnappers, who are involved in child trafficking. Despite his size and age, he shows an immense amount of resourcefulness, bravery, loyalty and strength. It’s brutal, suspenseful and full of emotion. I loved their friendship and the way they never gave up on one another. There were a couple of unrealistic scenes, but overall, I recommend it.

3.) The Sadness 

This may be highly controversial, but I really enjoyed The Sadness. As you can see by the poster below, this Taiwanese horror is described as ‘the most violent and depraved zombie movie ever made’. Do I agree? Yes! It follows a young couple, forced to survive after a disgusting and aggressive virus infects the majority of the population. The sickness itself targets a part of the brain, linked to libido and anger, thus creating monsters that butcher and rape. What I enjoyed about the film was the action. It was very fast-paced and full of shocking, bloody scenes. It’s named The Sadness because the creatures do not want to act in the way that they do. They cry as they massacre their victims. They literally cannot help it. Does this mean I endorse films with sexual violence? No, but at the same time, Reagan in The Exorcist demanded her mother lick her down there. That is the essence of a possession story. It’s committing depraved acts against your own will. You don’t have to love it, but you can accept it’s an element of horror. This film definitely isn’t for everyone, but I was a fan. Note all triggers warnings before diving in.

4.) The Cleansing Hour 

The Cleansing Hour follows childhood friends, Max and Drew, who host a popular livestream show, where “Father Max” exorcises a possessed person each episode. In reality, each possession is fake. They are carefully scripted and orchestrated, to entice viewers to fund their channel. Max is obsessed with drawing as large a crowd as possible, to gain a bigger following. Drew’s fiancée, Lane, is unhappy but supportive. She agrees to step in as the possessed person, when an actor for their current episode doesn’t show. As the stream starts, it becomes clear that Lane is actually possessed and now, it’s up to the phonies to save her soul, before it’s too late. Unfortunately, everyone watching thinks it’s all part of the show. There are twists, turns and plenty of action-packed scenes in this film. You will be glued to your screen the entire time. It’s a fantastic concept, executed perfectly. I love how the friends banded together to outwit the demon, but were also forced to confront their own dark secrets. You need to add this one to your list.

5.) Revealer 

Last, but not least, we have Revealer. A stripper and a religious protester, find themselves trapped in a peep show booth. They must set aside their obvious difference, in order to survive the apocalypse. Yes, it’s as bizarre as it sounds. It’s also set in the 1980’s, with an excellent soundtrack and theme music. There were some great conversations had, disgusting body horror and laugh-out-loud dialogue. I liked the narrative being told. Not to mention, ending was wild! It’s highly entertaining and worth a shout-out.

Thank you for reading. Please recommend more Shudder Originals. 

Peace & Love xoxo