Tuesday, 27 May 2025

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

Death of a Unicorn
 

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

Saturday, 24 May 2025

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

Stephen King’s The Long Walk

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.

Tuesday, 20 May 2025

Fantasy Adventure Mythica: Stormbound Arrives Digitally on 16 June

 

Mythica: Stormbound

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


Saturday, 17 May 2025

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

Tuesday, 13 May 2025

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


Thursday, 8 May 2025

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.


 

Friday, 25 April 2025

PREVIEW: Lanier (2025 Film) History Resurfaces in This Lake-Based Horror - Arrives on Digital This May

A peaceful weekend turns into a nightmare in Lanier, a tense horror thriller inspired by true events and set around Georgia’s infamous Lake Lanier. Written and directed by William Eric Bush-Anderson and Cindy Kunz-Anderson, this eerie feature debut surfaces on UK digital platforms from 5 May, courtesy of Reel 2 Reel Films.

The story follows Detective Jeff Stevenson (Ali Ashtigo), who sets off to Lake Lanier with his wife (Jamie Lee) to celebrate their daughter’s birthday. The trip soon takes a dark turn when Jeff is pulled into a suspicious drowning investigation, teaming up with local detective Daniel Wilson (Jarrett Michael Collins – Captain America: Brave New World, Johnson).

While working the case, Daniel raises unsettling theories about the lake being haunted and built over the submerged town of Oscarville, a once-thriving Black community destroyed in 1912. Jeff, however, dismisses the idea, a decision that leads to dire consequences.

As masked intruders break into his home, Jeff is forced to confront a terrifying threat to his family and question everything he thought he knew about the lake and its secrets.

Lanier explores the disturbing legacy and local legends tied to one of America’s most notorious bodies of water, offering a chilling take on a true historical tragedy.

Available on digital from 5 May via Reel 2 Reel Films.

https://apple.co/445uTLd

Monday, 21 April 2025

COMPETITION: Win The House of the Devil on Blu-ray


Ti West – one of the most prominent horror filmmakers of his generation – continues to bring the fear with his wickedly entertaining horrors that include X, Pearl, MaXXXine, The Sacrament and now his lauded 2009, Satanic scare fest – The House of the Devil is the latest cult horror to get a brand-new Second Sight Films Limited Edition makeover this April.

And to celebrate we have a copy on standard Blu-ray to give away!

Synopsis:
1983, USA, we meet skint college student Samantha Hughes (Donahue), who, desperate for money, spots an ad for a mysterious babysitting job and convinces her best friend (Gerwig) to drive her to the remote house. Unbeknownst to her the job coincides with a full lunar eclipse and on arrival it dawns on her that this is no ordinary childminding gig, there’s way more to her new employer than meets the eye.

Slowly as the tension builds it becomes apparent that true terror awaits.  As the real reason she’s been hired is revealed, Samantha is confronted with unimaginable horror beyond her darkest nightmares and it could cost her everything.


The Limited Edition is presented in a stunning rigid slipcase with new artwork by Nick Charge, along with a brilliantly informative 70-page book with brand new essays. Both formats come complete with a slew of new interviews, new audio commentaries and a Making Of featurette. Please see full list below.

Time to make a move with The House of the Devil – but enter at your own risk for a truly terrifying, but devilishly delightful collector’s edition.

Pre-Order from https://amzn.to/42SS2iJ

Enter now for a chance to win.

Who has created the new artwork for the The House of the Devil Limited Edition release?

Enter now for a chance to win.

What is the name of the character played by David Pareja in The Coffee Table?

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 05-05-25
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.

COMPETITION: Win The Coffee Table on Blu-ray


Make room for The Coffee Table (aka La mesita del comedor), a wickedly original horror from Spain, helmed by Caye Casas (Killing God) who also co-wrote with Cristina Borobia (RIP). The film certainly made a big noise and had stomachs churning on its original release and is now set for pride of place in your home, as Second Sight Films announce a fantastic new Limited Edition Blu-ray release this Spring.

The Coffee Table has been described as ‘Horror film of the year… one of the most distressing nightmares of recent horror cinema’ (El Mundo, Spain) and ‘A genre-leaping marvel, a farce, a melodrama, now a tragedy, uproariously funny until it is not at all’ (Projected Figures) and is now set for a collector’s edition makeover. The set will come complete with a new audio commentary, new interviews with the director, actors and many more as well as two of Caye Casas’ short films. The stunning set is presented in a rigid slipcase with new artwork by Luke Headland and a 120-page book with new essays. It will be released on 28 April 2025 alongside a Standard Edition Blu-ray version.


And to celebrate we have a copy on standard Blu-ray to give away!

Synopsis:

David Pareja (Amigo) and Estefanía de los Santos (Jaulas) give gobsmackingly brilliant performances as Jesus and María, a couple going through a tough time in their relationship, following the recent arrival of their newborn son. The fiery pair are struggling with the pressures that a new baby brings and their bickering only amplifies on a shopping trip to buy furniture that’s about to change their lives forever.

What begins as a simple disagreement over which coffee table to buy quickly descends into a shocking and tragic event that will rip their lives apart.

The film, co-starring Josep Maria Riera, Claudia Riera and Eduardo Antuña promises an excruciatingly uncomfortable and harrowing experience, with a darker-than-dark sense of humour.

Sit down with The Coffee Table for a fantastically horrifying feature that you’ll never forget and will certainly want to make the centre piece of your collection.


Pre-Order from https://amzn.to/3YxzXEH

Enter now for a chance to win.

What is the name of the character played by David Pareja in The Coffee Table?

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 05-05-25
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.

Tuesday, 15 April 2025

PREVIEW: It Feeds (2025 Film) - A Supernatural Nightmare Arrives This May

 

Get ready for a chilling descent into terror as It Feeds arrives on digital platforms from 12 May. This supernatural horror, rated 15 and running 102 minutes, promises a nerve-shredding experience with a stellar cast and a sinister, gripping storyline.

The film follows Jordan and her clairvoyant mother, whose quiet home psychiatry practice takes a horrifying turn when a young girl arrives, claiming she is being hunted by a malevolent entity. As they try to uncover the truth behind her torment, they realise the creature’s hunger is growing,and time is running out before it consumes her completely.

Starring Ashley Greene (Twilight), Shawn Ashmore (X-Men), Mark Taylor (Cinderella Man), and Ellie O’Brien (Designated Survivor), It Feeds blends psychological tension with supernatural terror. Directed by horror veteran Chad Archibald (I'll Take Your Dead), the film delivers an unsettling mix of dread, suspense, and shocking twists.

Distributed by Signature Entertainment, It Feeds will be available on digital platforms from 12 May, ready to haunt audiences at home. If you’re looking for a horror film that lingers long after the credits roll, this one is not to be missed, just be sure to leave the lights on.