REVIEW: Space / Time (2026 Film) - Starring Ashlee Lollback and Hugh Parker

 

Space / Time is a sharp and engaging science fiction thriller set in the near future of 2033. The story opens with an ambitious scientific experiment intended to bend space itself. What begins as a promising breakthrough soon turns into disaster, leaving those involved disgraced and the entire project quietly shut down. Holt, played with steady intensity by Hugh Parker, refuses to abandon the work. Convinced the experiment can still succeed, he pushes ahead with plans to rebuild the device. Alongside him is his capable assistant Liv, portrayed by Ashlee Lollback with calm intelligence and confidence. Together they step into the criminal underworld in search of the resources needed to continue the project, creating an atmosphere of tension and risk that carries through the film.

One of the film’s greatest strengths is its pace. With a running time just under ninety minutes, the story moves quickly and rarely lingers. The early scenes establish the premise efficiently before the narrative gathers momentum. When the time travel element properly comes into play, roughly an hour into the film, the plot becomes more intricate and demands careful attention. The twists that follow bring both clever ideas and moral complications. Director Michael O'Halloran makes strong use of a limited Australian budget, delivering visual effects that feel surprisingly polished while never overwhelming the story. Hugh Parker anchors the film with a performance that captures both intelligence and growing obsession, while Ashlee Lollback provides an effective counterbalance through Liv’s composure and clarity. Pacharo Mzembe adds further depth to the supporting cast, helping to round out a group of characters that hold the narrative together. The film also stands out by presenting a slightly different take on time travel, an area where genuine originality is often difficult to find.

The main weakness lies in how the film presents the threat the characters are attempting to prevent. The story suggests the possibility of a large scale disaster, perhaps connected to climate change, yet the danger itself remains somewhat vague. A clearer picture of what might happen if the experiment fails again would have strengthened the urgency of their mission and raised the dramatic stakes. Even so, the tension created by the characters and their decisions is enough to keep the story moving forward.

In the end, Space / Time proves to be a confident and well made science fiction thriller. The performances are strong, the direction keeps the narrative focused, and the visual work is impressive considering the film’s modest scale. Its approach to time travel feels inventive without becoming unnecessarily complicated, making it both an exciting and thoughtful watch. I give Space / Time a solid 8 out of 10.

Out on Digital

Apple TV - https://apple.co/4oRY4rD

COMPETITION: Win DOGTOOTH on Blu-ray

From Visions Home Video comes the release of DOGTOOTH on Blu-ray

And to celebrate we have a copy  to give away!

Synopsis:

From director Yorgos Lanthimos. A controlling, manipulative father locks his three adult offspring in a state of perpetual childhood by keeping them prisoner within the sprawling family compound.

Dogtooth is Lanthimos's third feature film. It won the Prix Un Certain Regard at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 83rd Academy Awards.

Pre-Order from https://amzn.to/4rwVIAD

Enter now for a chance to win.

Dogtooth is the 3rd film directed by Lanthimos, but can you name is first two films?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here

1. Closing date 09-03-26

2. No alternative prize is available

3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.

4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

PREVIEW: Bare Skin (2026 Film) - Written and directed by Mico Montes

Preview by Jon Donnis

Bare Skin drags trauma out into the open in a psychological horror that leaves nowhere to hide. Written and directed by Mico Montes in his feature debut, the film arrives on digital platforms on 23 February through Miracle Media. It promises something intimate and deeply uncomfortable, a story that pushes its characters to confront the damage they carry when their defences finally fall away.

Structured as a dark anthology, Bare Skin threads together six emotionally charged stories that collide over the course of one intense night. A group of strangers, each scarred by horrific experiences, gather in therapy seeking support and understanding. They are urged to revisit the moments that shattered them and take part in exercises meant to break down emotional barriers. At first it feels like catharsis. Then the mood shifts. With every confession the boundary between recovery and further harm begins to dissolve, and an unsettling truth starts to surface.

As the session deepens, it becomes clear that their shared presence is no accident. Hidden connections between their pasts slowly emerge, revealing that their suffering may be linked in ways none of them expected. What began as a search for healing transforms into a suffocating confrontation with the people and systems that shaped their trauma.

Claustrophobic and unflinching, Bare Skin strips back each layer to expose the raw nerve beneath. When it lands on digital on 23 February, courtesy of Miracle Media, audiences can expect a relentlessly tense experience that lingers long after the session ends.

Interview with David Kempf by Jon Donnis

 

I caught up with one of my favourite authors, David Kempf, for a chat about his new book Dystopia.

1. Why do you think people want to read dystopia stories in this day and age?

I think that people are full of anxiety today. They can’t make ends meet, technology keeps getting more advanced, and now AI can almost perfectly imitate human beings. I think this should appeal to both the young and old. My older readers closer to my age still remember great works of fiction like George Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm. Me, personally, I am a huge fan of Huxley’s Brave New World  and William F. Nolan’s Logan’s Run. Only the more hardcore fans probably remember that Nolan wrote that with George Clayton Johnson. Since not everyone reads, movie fans probably remember the movie version of Logan’s Run with Michael York. 

2. Are these original characters or are you borrowing from classic literature again?

Well, we both know that good artist borrow and great artist steal. Pause to laugh But seriously these are all new and original characters for this short story collection. 

3. But I'll bet there are pop culture references. Am I right?

Well, you know me very well. Guilty as charged. There are a few nods to George Orwell and other dystopian stories. And of course, my Michael Caine reference. There is a sort of AI robot probation officer and the protagonist uses a voice that sounds like Michael Caine. Of course I make references to DeathTrap and The Dark Knight. Lately I have been obsessed with another Michael Caine movie Sleuth. It’s so great and I just now discovered it. So there you have it. I wish I would have referenced that in the story. I am using imagery of the past to convey that in the near future the machines are taking over. One more thing about Sleuth, I could not believe it had the line “a jumped up pantry boy who does not know his place.” That line was made famous ten years later by The Smiths. 

4. What inspires your stories?

Observations from daily life, and of course, the books I read, the radio shows I listen to, and the movies I see. I always want to see if I can come up with something original which is really tough. The best most of us can aspire to is to be clever. Maybe to come up with two unrelated things put together to try and create something new. With this story collection I try really hard to utilize real life horrors in the world but to put the brakes on it a bit. I still want to entertain the audience more than I wish to horrify them. 

5. So you would classify this new book Dystopia as more science fiction than horror?

Yes, I would say so. There are some horrific elements for sure. The horror in this particular collection is more psychological than anything. Freedoms and freedom of thought being slowly and insidiously taken away from us when we are supposed to have that right. Other factors, too like technology becoming more advanced than we can keep up with. It is technology that takes away our freedom or at least helps to do just that. It’s also technology slowly building a police state. That is the nature of the horror of my new tales. There is also one story about a serial killer, and one about someone who hires a hit man, a professional killer. I don’t need monsters in this new book, because all of the monsters in it are human. 

6. How does this book compare to your other short story collections?

I would say it’s different but there are some similarities. Tales of Monster Madness, and Ghost Stories borrowed heavily from classic stories and myths. For this one I had to rely on my own imagination and observations. I still make references to some famous figures like H.G. Wells, but no werewolves or vampires, or ghosts. It’s not the fear of supernatural monsters in this case, it is the fear of a bleak unknown future controlled by people who are either malicious or indifferent to the struggling masses. 

7. How do readers get your new book DYSTOPIA?

It’s available on Amazon. You can either get the entire book at once, or download any of the following short stories. I actually sell each short story of the collection separately. The sthort stories of Dystopia-

1. The Pawn Lottery.

2. Bill.

3. Alfred.

4. The Evictors.

5. Talbot. 

6. The Comedians. 

7. The Department of Complaints.  

8. Trains

9. The Pearly Cloud

10. The Last Lottery 

11. A Dark World 

The Pearl Cloud was co-written with my son Andrew. All of the covers were done by my cousin Heather Slawecki from her publishing company Graylyn Press. 

8. Have you recorded an audio-book?

No. Not yet. But I am working with friends Wesley Critchfield and Matt Porter to do more and more audio dramas for The Cambridge Geek and I eventually would love to start my own podcast and YouTube channel.  Matt is someone I went to film school with and for our last production Goths, he found a musician to do original music for us. That young man’s name is Ian Meranus and I am very happy with the music he provided.

 

Eventually I am going to take stories from Tales of Monster Madness, and Ghost Stories and Dystopia for original audio drama productions.  Ironic I am working with someone I used to make short films with because my current obsession with Orson Welles had me doing some serious research. I found out that although he made Citizen Kane, considered the greatest movie ever made, he preferred radio (audio dramas) to film. The last audio production I did PUZZLE was taken from my first novel Dark Fiction. Basically, all my books have stories in them that are up for grabs to turn into audio dramas. I am very excited about that. What did you think of the narrator of PUZZLE? Yes, that was a joke. It was you Jon Donnis who read my story PUZZLE. And you did a marvelous job playing Scrooge in A Christmas Warning, one of my favorite audio dramas I produced. 

(Thank you, it was a pleasure playing Scrooge) 

Available to listen to at https://audiofiction.co.uk/tafa.php

9. What are your current projects?

Well, there are all those potential short stories to be made into audio dramas. This will be much fun, and will probably take years, but that is okay. We still got time. I am also working on a novel exploring the contradictions in the journeys of alcohol recovery groups. I do not want to talk about it too much now, and this could also be a project that takes me years to complete. And I am sure I will come back here to MastersOfHorror.co.uk. to do another interview when I finish it and publish it. 

You can count on that!

Thank you David once again, and everyone please check out the new book at the following links.

Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/4qMTlJ0

Amazon US - https://amzn.to/4kIrCaL

COMPETITION: Win The Ugly Stepsister: (Limited Edition) 4K UHD / Blu-Ray

From Second Sight Films’ comes the lauded horror film The Ugly Stepsister and it is set for a Limited Edition Dual 4K UHD/Blu-ray makeover. The Limited Edition and Standard Editions are set for release on 23 February 2026 and available to pre-order now.

And to celebrate we have a copy  to give away!

Synopsis:

Beloved fairytale Cinderella gets a blood curdling body horror transformation in Emilie Blichfeldt’s nightmarish tale –The Ugly Stepsister – that features a brutally spellbinding performance from Lea Myren as wicked stepsibling Elvira.

When recently widowed Rebekka (Ane Dahl Torp) finds herself a new husband, a widower who she believes to be rich, she drags her two daughters, Elvira (Myren) and Alma (Flo Fagerli), along for the ride, as they move in with him and his beautiful daughter Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Naess).

Then things go awry when, at their wedding breakfast, her new husband throws cake at Elvira, sparking sudden death and Rebekka is left not only to deal with her family, but also a new uppity stepdaughter and the stark realisation that her partner was the opposite of wealthy. 

Now the impressionable Elvira, who dreams of marrying the prince, must find a way to bag her beau and beat her greatest rival, her beautiful stepsister. Increasingly desperate she resorts to extreme measures in a quest for physical perfection, which she believes will win not only the prince’s heart, but some much needed financial stability for her hard to please mother. Then the gore-filled fun really starts, as she tries to become the belle of the ball in a retch worthy revamp.

Talking of transformations, the brand-new Limited Edition is guaranteed to wow with a plethora of treasures that sees the film presented in a stunning slipcase with new artwork by Ann Bembi and a 120-page book. There are features galore including new interviews, new commentaries, plus two short films and more. The film will also be released in Standard Editions. Please see full list of features on the press release attached.

All you wishes will come true when you invest in The Ugly Stepsister Limited Edition is a must-own fever dream of a release from Second Sight Films.

Pre-Order from https://amzn.to/4tERYyD

Enter now for a chance to win.

The Ugly Stepsister is a character from which beloved fairytale?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here

1. Closing date 02-03-26

2. No alternative prize is available

3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.

4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

PREVIEW: Jitters (2026 Film) - A British Horror Thriller That Will Keep You Up at Night

 

By Jon Donnis

Get ready for a horror experience that pushes you to your limits, as Jitters invites viewers into a dark and twisted game of fear. Premiering this March from Reel2Reel Films, the film promises to confront every phobia, every nightmare, and every chilling thought you’ve ever had.

Written by George Willcox and directed and produced by Marc Zammit. James Fuller and Richard Oakes co-produce alongside lead actor Fabrizio Santino, known for Captain America: The First Avenger and Hollyoaks, who plays Detective Collymore, a world-weary investigator haunted by his past. Anto Sharp returns from Witch as Detective Harding, with Daniel Jordan of Palindrome as the titular Jitters. The cast also features Boo Miller, Jess Impiazzi, Lauren Budd, Richard Wisker, Ritchi Edwards, and Chloe Hews, bringing a mix of talent from Bridgerton, Celebrity Big Brother, Cinderella’s Curse, Flatmates, Werwulf, and Jinx.

Detective Collymore thought he had seen it all, balancing work with raising his child, until a seemingly routine case shakes him to his core. The sudden, unexplained death of a young woman, ruled as “natural causes”, quickly spirals into a web of mystery and terror. His investigation leads him not only through the darkest corners of the internet but also deep into his own psyche, uncovering a disturbing video game known only as Jitters. Far from innocent, this underground simulation forces players to confront their deepest fears, weaponising them in ways no one could anticipate.

As Collymore delves further into the deadly online world, he discovers that survival depends on more than skill or courage. To save himself and his family, he must confront the horrors within the game and the darkness lurking inside himself. Jitters promises a relentless, pulse-pounding ride that blends psychological terror with high-stakes thriller, a chilling journey that guarantees no one escapes unscathed.

Jitters arrives on UK digital platforms on 16 March 2026 and in the US on 17 March 2026 from Reel2Reel Films.

COMPETITION: Win Good Boy on Blu-ray

From Visions Home Video comes the release of Good Boy on blu-ray

And to celebrate we have a copy  to give away!

Synopsis:

Our canine hero, Indy, finds himself on a new adventure with his human owner, and best friend, Todd, leaving city life for a long-vacant family home in the country. 

From the start, two things are abundantly clear: Indy is wary of the creepy old house, and his affection for Todd is unwavering. 

After moving in, Indy is immediately vexed by empty corners, tracks an invisible presence only he can see, perceives phantasmagoric warnings from a long-dead dog, and is haunted by visions of the previous occupant’s grim death. 

When Todd begins succumbing to the dark forces swirling around the house, Indy must battle a malevolence intent on dragging his beloved Todd into the afterlife.

Pre-Order from https://amzn.to/4r6zaGI

Enter now for a chance to win.

Which doctr actor plays Indy in Good Boy?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here

1. Closing date 16-02-26

2. No alternative prize is available

3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.

4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.