Wednesday, 8 April 2026

PREVIEW: Hollywood Hells (2026 Film) - Starring Fernanda Romero, Brian Austin Green, Bertila Damas, Naturela and Benjamin Fisher

 

Preview by Jon Donnis

Hollywood Hells arrives with the kind of premise that feels instantly recognisable on the surface, then quietly suggests something far more unsettling beneath it. Directed by Ben Peyser, this dark horror thriller leans into the glamour of the entertainment industry while hinting at the rot that sits just behind the spotlight. It is positioned as a blend of psychological tension, satire, and slow-burning dread, the sort of film that looks ready to peel back the fantasy of fame and expose something far less comforting.

At the centre is Vega, a struggling actress in Los Angeles trying to hold everything together. She is raising her young son, dealing with pressure from her mother, and still chasing a career that never quite seems to break open. That balance alone gives the story a grounded edge, but things take a sharp turn when she receives an invitation to an ultra-exclusive Hollywood party. It is the kind of opportunity that feels impossible to ignore, especially for someone standing just outside the industry’s inner circle.

What follows sounds like a descent into a world that is as alluring as it is dangerous. The party setting, packed with elite figures and hidden agendas, looks set to become the film’s central pressure point. As Vega moves deeper into this environment, the tone shifts from opportunity to unease. The promise of success begins to carry a cost, and the film seems intent on asking just how much someone is expected to give up in exchange for a chance at recognition.

The presence of Fernanda Romero and Brian Austin Green adds a familiar edge, particularly given their connections to genre work and mainstream television. Their involvement suggests a film that is not only interested in atmosphere, but also in character dynamics within this high-stakes setting. Everything points towards a story that builds tension steadily rather than rushing towards its horror elements.

What stands out most at this stage is the film’s focus on illusion. Hollywood Hells appears less concerned with traditional scares and more with the idea that the industry itself may be the horror. The glamour, the access, the sense of being chosen, all of it feels like part of a carefully constructed trap. By the time the night reaches its conclusion, Vega is expected to face a reality that goes well beyond professional disappointment.

There is a sense that this could land somewhere between psychological thriller and industry satire, using its horror elements to underline something uncomfortably close to real fears. If it delivers on that tone, Hollywood Hells could end up being less about what lurks in the shadows and more about what is hiding in plain sight.

Coming Soon

Friday, 3 April 2026

PREVIEW: SHED (2026 Film) - Directed by Steven J. Mihaljevich


Preview by Jon Donnis

Black Mandala is set to bring SHED, a survival horror film directed by Steven J. Mihaljevich, and it already carries the feel of something intensely focused and deliberately restrained. Built around a single, confined perspective, the film centres on a young girl trapped in a situation she cannot fully understand, which immediately gives it a more intimate edge than most entries in the genre.

The story follows ten year old Mia, played by Mani Shanks, who is accidentally locked inside a farm shed on Christmas Eve. What begins as a simple accident quickly turns into something far more dangerous when a violent stranger arrives at the property. Unable to escape and with only fragments of what is happening reaching her, Mia is left to face hunger, fear, and the growing sense that something terrible has happened to her family.

Alongside Shanks is John Jarratt, a familiar face for horror audiences, known for his role in Wolf Creek. His involvement alone hints at the kind of grounded, unsettling tone the film may be aiming for, especially within such a contained setting.

From the details available, SHED appears to lean into vulnerability, isolation, and a slow build of tension rather than spectacle. The decision to keep the perspective tightly fixed on Mia suggests an experience shaped by what she can hear, sense, and piece together, rather than what is directly shown. That approach points towards a more immersive kind of horror, one that places the audience inside the situation rather than observing it from a distance.

The film has already picked up recognition, winning Best Horror Feature, with Mihaljevich awarded Best Screenplay and Shanks taking Best Actress at the UK Film Awards. It also premiered at Screamfest LA, signalling early attention within the genre space.

On the surface, SHED looks like a tightly controlled horror built around a simple but effective premise. A child, a locked space, and a threat just outside reach. If it delivers on that idea, it could be one to watch for those drawn to more contained and character driven horror stories.

Coming Soon

Monday, 30 March 2026

PREVIEW: ZombieCON Vol. 1 (2026 Film) - Stars Erin Áine and Manny Luke

ZombieCON Vol. 1
 

ZombieCON Vol. 1 arrives with a simple but chaotic hook. A group of comic convention regulars get more than they bargained for when their world suddenly shifts from playful fandom into full blown horror. What begins as celebration quickly spirals into survival, as costumes and roleplay give way to real danger in a city overrun by the undead.

Directed by Kyle Valle and co-written with its lead stars Erin Áine and Manny Luke, the film leans hard into its identity. It is not just a zombie story. It is a love letter to cosplay culture, packed with knowing humour and an obvious affection for the people who live and breathe it. The setup wastes little time. Rocket, Claire, Punkie, and Javier are riding high after winning a major cosplay prize, only for a clash with a group of bullies to push Claire into making a reckless wish that changes everything.

When that wish becomes reality, the tone flips fast. The city descends into chaos as zombies swarm the streets, forcing the group to rely on their creativity and fandom inspired skills to stay alive. Homemade weapons and pop culture instincts become their only real advantage as they fight their way across town, driven by the urgent need to rescue Rocket’s mother. It is a premise that feels both ridiculous and strangely grounded in the tight bond between the characters.

The film mixes anime influenced action with sharp satire and plenty of gore, never straying far from its playful roots even as the body count rises. There is a clear sense that this is made for fans who enjoy spotting references as much as they enjoy the carnage itself. Following a strong reception in the US, ZombieCON Vol. 1 lands on UK digital platforms on 27 April 2026 from Miracle Media, bringing its chaotic blend of humour, horror, and fandom energy with it.


Apple TV - https://apple.co/41DeU4o

Saturday, 28 March 2026

COMPETITION: Win She Killed in Ecstasy on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray

She Killed in Ecstasy


From Severin Films comes this Jess Franco follow-up to VAMPYROS LESBOS.

This is the worldwide UHD Premiere. Released on two-disc 4K UHD / Blu-ray Edition, complete with stunning packaging and a slew of special features on 30 March 2026.

And to celebrate we have a copy  to give away!

Synopsis:
In her greatest role, and one of her final performances before her tragic death, the luscious Soledad Miranda stars as a vengeful widow who seduces and murders the men and women responsible for her husband’s suicide. 

Howard Vernon (THE AWFUL DR. ORLOFF), Paul Muller (LADY FRANKENSTEIN), Ewa Strömberg (VAMPYROS LESBOS) and Jess himself co-star in this EuroCult masterwork “that truly shows what a creative genius Franco could be when he is at the top of his form” (Classic Horror), newly scanned in 4K from the original camera negative with Special Features that include an archival interview with Uncle Jess and an all-new instalment of In the Land of Franco.

Pre-Order from https://amzn.to/4s0u1jg

Enter now for a chance to win.

Who directs She Killed in Ecstasy?

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 13-04-26
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: Scream Therapy (2026 Film) - From Writer-director Cassie Keet

 

Preview By Jon Donnis

Cassie Keet’s absurdist horror feature Scream Therapy arrives on UK digital on 6 April, bringing with it a loud, chaotic mix of dark comedy and female-led horror. Following its US premiere, the film makes its UK debut through Miracle Media, setting the tone for something that leans fully into its wild premise.

Written and directed by Keet, known for Abigail Before Beatrice, the film takes a deliberately exaggerated concept and pushes it to extremes. What begins as a therapeutic escape quickly spirals into something far more dangerous, blending humour with horror in a way that keeps things unpredictable.

The story centres on Avery, played by Harley Bronwyn, who is reeling after a messy breakup with her boyfriend of seven years. Looking for some form of release, she heads into the desert with her best friends for a girls’ weekend built around scream therapy, hoping for a sense of reset.

After a day of bonding exercises and a little experimentation, the trip takes a sharp turn. The group finds themselves confronted by a demonic incel cult with a strict deadline for human sacrifice, forcing them into a brutal situation where survival becomes the only priority.

As the threat closes in, the women are pushed into a fight for their lives. The balance shifts quickly, and the cult begins to realise they have chosen the wrong targets. What follows is a fast-moving clash filled with chaos, resistance, and revenge as both sides try to outmanoeuvre each other.

With its mix of horror and dark humour, Scream Therapy positions itself as a high-energy, female-led feature that does not hold back. It invites audiences to dive into the madness, bringing together friendship, fear, and a lot of screaming along the way.

Scream Therapy is available on digital platforms in the UK from 6 April through Miracle Media.

Friday, 27 March 2026

PREVIEW: Surrender to It (2026 Film) - Starring Daemian Greaves

 

By Jon Donnis

A weekend escape into the Welsh borderlands turns into something far more unsettling in Surrender to It, a new thriller from Tim Bryn Smith, arriving on UK digital platforms on 30 March 2026 through Miracle Media.

The story follows Dani, a grieving father struggling to process the sudden loss of his son. Hoping for some kind of release, he reconnects with his old drama workshop group for a retreat at Devil’s Bridge, a location steeped in folklore and quiet unease. It feels like the perfect setting to confront the past, though that sense of calm does not last long.

The group itself is anything but straightforward. Among them are an influencer, a Michelin star restaurateur, an ex-serviceman, an A-list Hollywood actor and a recovering drug addict. It is an unpredictable mix, and as personalities begin to clash, tensions slowly rise beneath the surface.

Surrounded by the striking hills and forests of the border, what begins as a reunion quickly spirals into something darker. Strange events start to unfold, and the atmosphere shifts from reflective to deeply unnerving. Each member of the group carries their own secrets, and as those secrets begin to surface, old wounds are forced open in ways none of them expected.

At the centre of it all is Dani, whose grief shapes the emotional core of the story. The trip offers the possibility of closure, but it also threatens to pull him deeper into something far more consuming.

Blending elements of mystery, horror, comedy and the surreal, Surrender to It promises an unpredictable journey where nothing stays buried for long. With its mix of character drama and creeping menace, it looks set to deliver a tense and unusual experience when it lands on digital this March.

On digital 30 March from Miracle Media 

Apple TV - https://apple.co/3NraRFa

Thursday, 26 March 2026

PREVIEW: Itch! (2026 Film) - Starring Bari Kang

 

Bari Kang makes a striking entrance into horror with Itch!, a grim and tightly wound debut that first caught attention at Grimmfest. Now set for its digital release on 20 April 2026 via Seven Tales, the film arrives carrying strong early buzz and a premise rooted in both fear and human fragility.

Kang takes on multiple roles behind and in front of the camera, writing, directing, producing, and starring as Jay. That central performance gives the story a grounded core. Jay is a man dealing with loss, struggling through grief while the world begins to fall apart around him. It gives the film an emotional weight that runs alongside the horror.

At the centre of the story is a fast moving and deeply disturbing infection known as The Itch. It spreads rapidly, turning those affected into violent, unstable versions of themselves, driven towards destruction. As panic spreads across the city, Jay and his daughter, played by Olivia Kang, search for somewhere safe to hide.

They find temporary shelter in a convenience store, though safety quickly proves to be an illusion. The space becomes increasingly tense as more survivors gather, and suspicion begins to take hold. The threat is not just outside. It builds within the group itself, fuelled by fear and desperation.

As the infection draws closer and tensions rise, the film shifts into a more psychological space. Trust becomes fragile, and every decision carries serious consequences. The real danger begins to feel as though it lies in how people react when survival is on the line.

The relationship between Jay and his daughter remains at the heart of it all. Their bond is pushed to breaking point as they face impossible choices, forcing them to confront not just the situation around them, but each other. The story builds towards a conclusion that aims to challenge ideas of protection, sacrifice, and what people are willing to do for those they love.

With support from a cast that includes Patrick Michael Valley, Ximena Uribe, Mia Ventura Lucas, and Douglas Stirling, Itch! sets itself up as a bleak and intense addition to the outbreak horror space.

The film lands on UK digital platforms on 20 April, with a US release following on 21 April, offering a harsh and gripping experience that stays focused on both terror and the human cost behind it.