PREVIEW: Saint Clare (2025 Film) - A Blood-Soaked Thriller Arrives in the UK

By Jon Donnis

London's FrightFest 2024 certainly had a highlight last year with the premiere of Saint Clare. This blood-soaked thriller didn't just have critics singing its praises; it had audience's blood pressure practically rising in real time. Now, this much-anticipated film is set for its UK release on July 21, 2025, courtesy of 101 Films.

Bella Thorne, known for her roles in Blended and Midnight Sun, really delivers here. She plays the titular lead with an intensity that's caught everyone's attention in this spiritually charged, small-town story, a blend that's been called a powerful mix, like "American Psycho meets Joan of Arc." The film itself is based on a novel by Don Roff and was expertly brought to life by award-winning Italian director Mitzi Peirone, who you might know from Braid. Peirone also teamed up with Guinevere Turner, a writer on American Psycho, to pen the screenplay. And what a cast! We're talking about Ryan Philippe from Crash, Rebecca DeMornay of Risky Business fame, Frank Whaley from Pulp Fiction, and even Bart Johnson from High School Musical. Plus, the film features an original soundtrack by Zola Jesus.

So, what's Saint Clare about? In a quiet town, a solitary young woman starts hearing voices. These voices lead her down a dark path: assassinating people with bad intentions who think they can get away with anything. But her last kill changes everything. It sucks her right down a rabbit hole, one riddled with corruption, trafficking, and twisted visions from beyond. Can Saint Clare escape unimaginable terror as her quest for retribution takes a dangerous turn, pulling her deep into an unknown hell? You'll have to watch to find out.

The buzz is real, and the reviews speak for themselves. The Good, The Bad and The Verdict called it "a highly entertaining slice of genre cinema" and raved that "Thorne’s performance is super." My Bloody Reviews noted the film "continually surprises throughout," describing it as "complex and dark," adding that Bella Thorne was "terrific as feisty, focused, kick-ass Clare." Halloween Horror and Home simply called it a "wonderful thriller" and "one of the highlights of the festival," even praising it as "an incredibly beautiful movie" and "top of my recommendations." And Mr Mayfield’s Madness went as far as saying "Bella Thorne deserves all the award consideration for the powerhouse performance," comparing the film to "one part Dexter and one part American Psycho." They even called Mitzi Peirone’s direction "a masterclass in setup and execution." 

Saint Clare arrives on UK digital platforms on July 21, 2025. Don't miss it!

REVIEW: Death of a Unicorn (2025 Film) Starring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega

 

A Bizarre, Mythical Collision of Satire and Fantasy

Death of a Unicorn is a rare breed in modern cinema. It presents a completely original story that blends absurd comedy, biting satire and eerie folklore into a surprisingly emotional experience. Written and directed by Alex Scharfman in his feature debut, the film takes a concept that sounds absurd and transforms it into something oddly grounded and occasionally profound.

The plot follows Elliot Kintner (Paul Rudd) and his daughter Ridley (Jenna Ortega) as they travel to the countryside estate of Elliot’s boss. During the drive, they accidentally hit a unicorn. What starts as a freak accident quickly spirals into a strange and dangerous situation. The unicorn’s mystical properties spark a frenzy among a wealthy and powerful family, who see it not as a creature of wonder but as an opportunity to exploit. As the situation escalates, Elliot and Ridley find themselves hunted by two vengeful parent unicorns while trapped in a house full of increasingly unhinged humans.

The performances are one of the film’s strongest assets. Paul Rudd delivers his usual likeable charm but with a weariness that grounds the character. Jenna Ortega brings intensity and emotional clarity, capturing both teenage scepticism and wide-eyed wonder. Richard E. Grant plays the sinister Odell Leopold with a quiet menace, while Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, Stephen Park and Sunita Mani round out the supporting cast with memorable turns that balance absurdity with threat.

Visually, the film shows ambition. While some of the CGI falls short in high-motion scenes, the practical effects and design choices are bold and effective. There is a recurring visual motif where the unicorns change colour based on their emotions. This, combined with Ridley’s psychedelic visions and the estate’s dreamlike atmosphere, gives the film an otherworldly feel. These flourishes help create a tone that sits somewhere between fairy tale and psychological thriller.

Tonally, the film is all over the place. It swings between heartfelt moments and grotesque satire. One scene presents a magical healing miracle, the next features graphic violence. This unpredictability can be disorienting. The constant shift between themes of reverence and ridicule might alienate viewers looking for a clearer narrative lane. However, the chaos feels deliberate, even if the execution is uneven.

The greatest strength of Death of a Unicorn is its commitment to being strange. It doesn’t follow familiar paths or copy trends. The film draws on real mythology, including medieval views of unicorns as symbols of purity and divine power. These ideas are explored through Ridley, who sees the unicorns as sacred and untainted. Her journey becomes a philosophical one, wrestling with what should be preserved and what should be consumed.

Despite its flaws, the film leaves a lasting impression. The final act brings together absurd humour, horror and tragedy in a way that should not work but somehow does. It may not appeal to mainstream audiences, but it is likely to gain a cult following.

Death of a Unicorn is messy and ambitious. It may stumble at times, but it stands out in a landscape of safe, familiar stories. Scharfman's debut shows real vision and offers a rare kind of cinematic originality.

Rating: 8 out of 10.

Out Now on Digital

https://amzn.to/4k065cM

Stephen King’s The Long Walk Hits UK and Irish Cinemas on 12 September 2025

Lionsgate UK has confirmed that The Long Walk, directed by Francis Lawrence, will arrive in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on 12 September 2025. To accompany the announcement, a new trailer and official poster have been released, offering a first look at the upcoming adaptation.

Based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name, the film is scripted by JT Mollner and presented by Lionsgate in association with Media Capital Technologies. It is produced by Vertigo Entertainment and about:blank.

Francis Lawrence, known for directing several entries in The Hunger Games series, leads the project. The production team includes Roy Lee, Steven Schneider, Francis Lawrence and Cameron MacConomy.

The cast features Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Ben Wang, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Roman Griffin Davis, Jordan Gonzalez, Joshua Odjick and Josh Hamilton, with supporting roles from Judy Greer and Mark Hamill.

The newly released trailer suggests the film remains faithful to King’s original story, depicting a brutal endurance challenge in which teenage boys must keep walking or face deadly consequences. While full plot details are still under wraps, the footage hints at a tense and emotionally charged adaptation.

The Long Walk opens in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on 12 September 2025.

Fantasy Adventure Mythica: Stormbound Arrives Digitally on 16 June

 

The Mythica saga returns with its long-awaited sixth chapter, Mythica: Stormbound, set to release on digital platforms from 16 June via Signature Entertainment. Picking up several years after the events of the previous films, the story follows a world left shattered by sacrifice.

Although Marek and the Redthorns succeeded in defeating the dark necromancer Szorlok, the cost was devastating. The gods have fallen, the land lies in ruin, and the people are struggling to rebuild after the loss of their heroes.

As the realm begins to recover, a new danger emerges. Mythica: Stormbound introduces a new protagonist who must face a rising darkness threatening to plunge the world back into chaos.

The cast includes Nate Morley, Will Kemp (Reign), Paul Cartwright (Six Days in August), Dave Martinez (The Chosen), Joe Abraham (UnREAL), and Matthew Mercer (Critical Role). The screenplay is by Jason Faller, Kynan Griffin and Justin Partridge, with direction from Jake Stormoen (The Outpost).

Mythica: Stormbound will be available to stream on digital platforms in the UK from 16 June.

Watch on Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3EEBj9W

Eyes of the Abyss, a Supernatural Survival Thriller from Argentina's Daniel de la Vega

 

Black Mandala and Del Toro Films have unveiled the first trailer for Eyes of the Abyss, a tense and visually striking thriller from Argentine director Daniel de la Vega (On The 3rd Day, White Coffin, Jennifer's Shadow). Set aboard a warship drifting in the South Atlantic, the film weaves supernatural elements into a harrowing tale of survival.

The story follows a soldier who awakens alone among the dead, her memory fractured and her surroundings steeped in mystery. As she fends off an approaching enemy force, the boundaries between the real and the unreal begin to dissolve. The ship transforms into a haunted battleground, echoing with unresolved horrors of war.

De la Vega describes the film as a meditation on anguish and liminality. “On a warship laden with corpses and threatening to sink, the film explores the suffering of those caught between life and death,” he said. “It defies genre conventions with bold visuals and a non-linear structure.”

Eyes of the Abyss is a co-production between Furia Films and Del Toro Films, continuing a successful collaboration that has previously delivered genre titles now streaming on platforms such as Shudder. The new film is set to premiere at Cannes 2025 during the Marché du Film, under the Fantastic Galas banner curated by Fantastic Pavilion.

Uncork’d Entertainment has secured distribution rights across North America, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

Cast: Verónica Intile, Carolina Alfonsín, Kevin Schiele, Raymond Lee, Cristian Mariani, Pablo Turturiello, Gustavo Pardi

Writers: Luciano Saracino, Gonzalo Ventura, Daniel de la Vega

Director: Daniel de la Vega

Reality Fractures in Dimension Slip, a Tense Sci-Fi Mystery Out Now on Digital

 

Prepare to question everything in Dimension Slip, a gripping new science fiction mystery out now on UK digital platforms via Miracle Media.

Directed by Barbara Toschi (Chunks of Horror), the film stars Sophie Craig (The Adventures of Maid Marion, The Bay) as Kate, a struggling dreamer whose life is unravelling. Beset by mental health challenges and disturbing seizures, she begins to experience vivid visions of a woman who looks exactly like her.

Kate’s world is upended when she wakes in a bathroom she doesn’t recognise, surrounded by strangers who call her Hannah. Though everything appears normal to those around her, Kate is certain something is wrong. As she pieces together the unsettling reality, she realises she has slipped into a parallel dimension, one where a killer is at large, and where Hannah has seemingly taken Kate’s place in the original world.

Trapped in a life that isn’t hers, Kate must assume Hannah’s identity and navigate an unfamiliar existence filled with secrets, suspicion and mounting danger. If she hopes to survive and return to her own reality, she must uncover the truth about Hannah, and confront a deadly threat before time runs out.

Blending psychological suspense with a smart sci-fi twist, Dimension Slip explores identity, perception and the fragile boundaries between alternate realities. With strong performances and a sharp, fast-moving narrative, it offers a chilling and original take on the mystery thriller.

Dimension Slip will be available digitally in the UK from 28 April via Miracle Media.

Watch on Apple TV: https://apple.co/3RvzWNw

Preview: Bone Keeper (2025 Film) – New Horror from Howard J. Ford

 

By Jon Donnis

Howard J. Ford has completed production on Bone Keeper, his latest horror film, which follows six friends who enter a remote cave system in search of the legend of the ‘Bone Keeper’. As they explore further, they encounter a mysterious creature that may have lived there for thousands of years.

The film was produced through Ford’s company Latitude Films. His previous directing credits include The Dead, The Dead 2, Never Let Go, and Darkgame.

The cast is led by John Rhys-Davies, known for his roles in The Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones franchises. Also featured are Sarah Alexandra Marks, Louis James, Tiffany Hannam-Daniels, Sophia Eleni, Danny Rahim, Tyler Winchcombe and Sarah T. Cohen. Giordano Aita serves as the film’s visual effects supervisor.

REinvent is handling international sales and is expected to present the first footage at the Cannes Film Festival.

In a statement, Ford said: “I’ve always been intrigued with caves and caverns and imagined if something lurked down there in the depths, so I am very excited to be making a creature-feature and reuniting with the REinvent team and not least working with the legendary Mr. John Rhys-Davies, who has been an absolute blast.”

A release date has not yet been announced.