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Gizmodo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
James Wan's Ventriloquist Horror Flick Is Ready to Be Rediscovered
It's not the frightfest it was intended to be, but 'Dead Silence' is an entertaining foreshadowing of the director's later successes. In 2007, James Wan was a horror up-and-comer who'd scored a huge hit with 2004's Saw, which had by then already released its first two sequels with a third on the way. But before Insidious and The Conjuring he made a couple of one-offs: the Kevin Bacon vigilante thriller Death Sentence, and the ventriloquist horror tale Dead Silence. The latter was just added to Shudder, and though it was a bust 18 years ago, it's now a fun one to revisit—especially taking into account all that Wan and his frequent collaborator Leigh Whannell, who scripted Dead Silence, have accomplished since then. Though they were still just the Saw guys at the time, you can easily pick out certain narrative choices and imagery that would later become touchstones of their work. Saw's game-obsessed Jigsaw puppet was already entered into the record ahead of Dead Silence, and it's echoed here in Billy, the main ventriloquist dummy in a movie that gives him a lot of evil toy back-ups. The white face, the ghoulishly hinged jaw, and the fondness for bow ties are all shared characteristics, though Billy has luminous blue eyes that peer around in sinister ways the audience notices far before the characters do. Wan is notably a huge fan of cursed objects; the Conjuring cinematic universe is built around them. It can't be a coincidence that Annabelle—a doll even more ghastly than Billy—is the most charismatic escapee from Ed and Lorraine Warren's stash of occult treasures. (Wan's Instagram handle? 'Creepypuppet'.) Dead Silence also hints at stylistic elements that would enter Wan's later work, with eerie sound design that plays up silence as much as shrieks, as well as jump scares that predate the furious old-lady entity in Insidious, as well as the Nun's fondness for dramatically emerging from the shadows… then contorting her face to bring out her demonic side. You also can't ignore the fact that Saw mainstay Donnie Wahlberg is also in Dead Silence, playing a familiar sort of scruffy police detective. This version of the character is more skeptical than the corrupt cop in Saw; he's fond of issuing warnings like 'You don't want to make me chase you!' as he races after the protagonist into an abandoned theater full of haunted dolls. He also has a weird obsession with his battery-operated razor, a tic that leads nowhere despite being foregrounded as a key personality trait. Dead Silence's set-up also hints at Wan supernatural stories to come, with a malevolent figure in the past poking its way across generations to make sure a curse never dies. Unfortunately the main character, Jamie—Ryan Kwanten, just prior to True Blood—isn't as compelling as the central figures in Insidious or The Conjuring. He's just sort of an unmemorable dude, though he is a determined one. When his wife dies in an absolutely hideous way—the very night a ventriloquist dummy is delivered to their apartment from an unknown sender—he heads straight to his hometown, where his estranged father (Bob Gunton) lives with his suspiciously young and glamorous new wife (Amber Valletta). Though Dead Silence takes place in 2007, it's set in a reality seemingly devoid of cell phones and Google searches. There are land lines galore, and historical exposition comes courtesy of a mortician's extended flashback as well as a literal scrapbook that Jamie happens to come across. There's also a nursery rhyme that references the town's boogeyman figure: a theater performer named Mary Shaw so obsessed with the dolls in her act she insisted they be buried with her… each with their own tiny coffin and grave marker. There's even more to the backstory that surfaces as Jamie digs deeper—including a decades-old cold case involving a missing child, and an extended bit about tongues being ripped out that seems like it should tie into the 'throwing your voice' part of ventriloquism, but the details don't quite come together there. Still, 'Be careful! If you go looking for answers, you just might find them' is the advice the mortician passes on to Jamie (naturally, he never even considers abiding by that), and Dead Silence agreeably ties up most of its plot threads by the end. It also has an absolute scream of a twist ending that makes you think perhaps, just maybe, Wan and Whannell had campier ambitions for this story. As it plays out onscreen, Dead Silence skews a little too much toward taking itself too seriously, especially considering the sheer amount of dolls involved. It's also filmed with a relentlessly dour blue-tinged filter, which is maybe the greatest sin committed here, as well as what marks it so clearly as a mid-2000s relic. If you don't mind turning up the brightness to ease that gloom, though, you can have a jolly good time watching this one. Don't be surprised if you have the urge to watch a few more Wan flicks once you're done. Dead Silence is now streaming on Shudder.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
New on Shudder: Full List of Movies, Shows Hitting Platform June 2025
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Looking for what's on Shudder in June 2025? You're in the right place. The AMC Networks-owned streamer that specialises in horror has announced all of the titles releasing for the month, which includes a mix of terrifying classics, must-see series, and Shudder exclusives. Insidious is the most well-known upcoming addition. The first in this now iconic horror film franchise which spawned four sequels follows a married couple investigating paranormal goings-on. Patrick Wilson, Ty Simpkins, Rose Byrne, and Angus Sampson star. Patrick Wilson stars in Insidious Patrick Wilson stars in Insidious FilmDistrict There's also a new series of cult favourite Shudder original series The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs, in which hosts Briggs and Darcy the Mail Girl present frightening double features. Halfway through the month come more Shudder originals, this time films, in the form of Ash and Best Wishes To All. Read on for the complete Shudder June 2025 releases. What's Coming to Shudder in June 2025? June 1 Dead Silence Insidious June 6 The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs (9pm ET on Shudder TV; available on demand beginning Sunday, June 8) June 13 Best Wishes to All June 17 Hell Motel (two-episode season premiere; new episodes weekly) June 20 Ash June 22 The Strain – Seasons 1-4 premiere Shudder Watch Party Schedule June 2025 June 13 Family Secrets Watch Party – Best Wishes To All and Impetigore June 20 Modern Master: Flying Lotus Watch Party – Ash and Kuso June 27
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
MOVIE REVIEW: We decide if you should feel compelled to watch exorcism-themed horror 'Shadow of God'
Wastes its genre-flipping premise and several actors we've seen do much better work. Exorcism-flavoured movies are a dime a multitude of dozens and while Shadow of God attempts to flip some of the genre tropes on their swivelled heads, it largely fails miserably. Mark O'Brien stars as Mason Harper, an elite exorcist with a troubled childhood who suspects the entity he is doing battle with might be a holy being rather than something demonic. If that sounds like an interesting take on the genre then you'll be even more disappointed by director Michael Peterson (Knuckleball) and writer Tim Cairo's execution of the material. Much of what they present to us, particularly during the final third, makes little sense. There's some sort of group-wide conspiracy at play but it's never clear exactly why they are doing what they are up to - or who is leading the show. O'Brien (Ready or Not) tries his best to embody his character with mistrust and grit on a downtrodden path but his lack of passion sometimes comes across as boredom and you are never fully behind his quest for answers. Speaking of bored, Shaun Johnston feels like he is sleepwalking his way through his turn as Mason's dad Angus. Jacqueline Byers (Tanis), who starred in her own religious horror, 2022's Prey for the Devil, is given such short story shrift, she could be cut from the film altogether and it wouldn't make much of a difference. Josh Cruddas is no stranger to offbeat roles but his presence here enters unintentionally hilarious territory. Peterson's visuals are very hit-and-miss; some are creative and interesting while others are bizarre and quite cheap looking. He should have made greater use of the well-rendered practical effects over the distinctly dismal CGI. Bungling an intriguing main central premise and wasting several actors we've seen do much better work, Shadow of God should've been doused in holy water before its creative team felt compelled to get their hands on it. ● Do you have any favourite exorcism-themed horror flicks? Pop me an email at and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers. ● Shadow of God is available to stream now on Shudder. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Metro
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Reboot of cult 00s horror set in the London underground gets promising update
A new wave of terror is preparing to rise from beneath the streets of London. Shudder has officially acquired the North American distribution rights to The Creep, a highly anticipated reboot of the 2004 cult horror Creep. Marking a return to the eerie labyrinth of the London Underground, The Creep reunites original director Christopher Smith with key creative collaborators from the first film, including cinematographer Danny Cohen and production designer John Frankish. Smith, best known for his chilling 2009 film Triangle, is set to reinvent his breakout horror more than two decades after it first hit screens. Leading the cast is Jasmine Jobson, acclaimed for her role in Top Boy, alongside British horror veteran Andy Nyman (Ghost Stories) and UK rapper Aitch, who will be making his film debut, Deadline reports. According to the film's official logline, the story will once again plunge into the shadowy tunnels of London's iconic tube system, where a sinister figure known only as Creep unleashes a new reign of terror. Jobson stars as a struggling artist pulled back into her dark criminal past. Nyman plays a captive with intimate knowledge of Creep's horrifying legacy, while Aitch takes on the role of Natter G, a high-profile drill rapper whose street smarts may prove vital to survival. Behind the scenes, producers Julie Baines and Jason Newmark return from the original Creep, now producing under Dan Films and Newscope Films alongside Jonathan Taylor (Something in the Water) and Laurie Cook (Consecration). Worldwide sales are being handled by HanWay Films, with True Brit Entertainment overseeing the UK and Ireland release. The film is slated for a 2026 release, with principal photography scheduled to begin this fall. For Smith, the reboot is deeply personal. In a statement, he wrote, 'Ever since I finished Creep and released it to the world, I've wanted to return to that story. More Trending 'I've always felt there was unfinished business.' He noted that, despite a successful career spanning decades, it's Creep that continues to resonate most with fans. 'No matter what I've done since, it's always Creep that people know me by – and want to talk about.' He promises a more evolved version of the original nightmare: 'I've worked passionately on the script to retain the dread of the original, while enhancing the characters, deepening the humour, and amplifying the action… with a modern twist for a new Gen Z audience.' The Creep looks set to deliver a terrifying new chapter. Fans are hoping it will terrify a whole new generation while satisfying longtime fans of the original. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Completely free streaming service adds iconic 90s horror before remake hits cinemas MORE: Here's what we know about the new horror movie leaving people 'fainting in cinemas' MORE: This cult classic horror would work perfectly as a TV show
Geek Vibes Nation
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Blood Quantum' Blu-Ray Review - Zombie Genre Gets A Fresh Perspective With Indigenous Tale
The dead are coming back to life outside. But in the isolated Mi'gmaq reserve of Red Crow, the indigenous inhabitants are immune to the zombie plague. Traylor, the tribal sheriff, must protect his son's pregnant girlfriend, apocalyptic refugees and reserve riffraff from the hordes of walking white corpses. For thoughts on Blood Quantum, please check out our review from its original Blu-Ray release here. Video Quality Blood Quantum returns to Blu-Ray via Shudder with a formidable AVC encoded 1080p transfer that really brings this film to life in a great way. The film was previously released on Blu-Ray in 2020 courtesy of RLJ Entertainment, and this new Blu-Ray does not appear to differ in any significant way outside of the supplements. The cinematography has a slightly desaturated aesthetic with everything appearing a bit drained of color to go with the overall helpless tone. There may not be big, bright colors throughout, but there is a depth to certain hues that this transfer honors. The picture is primarily clear with only brief instances of murkiness during a few of the darkest settings. The transfer maintains an impressive level of detail both in the dimly lit interior sequences and more stark environmental shots. Everything from the smallest facial details to the texture in the production design is quite impressive. Skin tones are natural throughout with some strong details present in certain shots. This is a transfer that delivers a great presentation all around. Audio Quality The film comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that effectively executes the reserved soundscape. There are certainly moments when the infected bring some intensity to the track, but this narrative takes a much more character-based approach which distinguishes it a bit. Activity in the low end delivers some nice texture during the appropriate moments. Environmental effects play a significant role in the film, and this track brings these elements to life quite capably. The rear channels help the sound design feel more three-dimensional. Directionality is quite precise so sounds always present as natural when coming from their respective points. Dialogue comes through crisp and clear without being overwhelmed by any of the other sounds. Shudder has kept up its good work in the sound department. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for those who desire them. Special Features Audio Commentary: Film critic Scout Tafoya provides a commentary track in which he discusses the production of the film, tidbits about various performers, the groundbreaking nature of the feature, and more that is worth a listen. Behind The Scenes Featurette: A 13-minute piece featuring interviews with the cast and creative team that explores the creation of the script, crafting the world, and much more. File Under Miscellaneous – A Short Film by Jeff Barnaby: A seven-minute dystopian short film about genetic modification. Photo Gallery Green Band Trailer (1:44) Red Band Trailer (1:44) Booklet: A multi-page booklet featuring an essay from film critic Mo Moshaty is provided here. Final Thoughts Blood Quantum is one of the better zombie-adjacent films to come out in recent years. While the refreshing point of view is a big reason why, an even larger reason is the care put into the storytelling to give the audience something to care about. The loss of director Jeff Barnaby is a huge blow for cinema as a whole, but we do have terrific movies such as this one that we can appreciate as a part of his legacy. Shudder has released a Blu-Ray with an excellent A/V presentation and some terrific new special features. There is so much working in favor of this film that it would be misguided to pass this one up. Recommended Blood Quantum is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: Shudder and OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
