Tag: creepy

Spoiler-Free Review of “Smile 2” in Theaters: A Superior Sequel!

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“Do you believe in like weird stuff?”

Smile 2 premiered in theaters on October 18th 2024. The supernatural psychological horror film stars Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Dylan Gelula, Peter Jacobson, and Kyle Gallner. It runs for two hours and seven minutes.

A pop star named Skye Riley is trying to make her upcoming tour a success after battling substance abuse and surviving a car accident, but when she witnesses a horrifying event that she can’t explain, she begins to lose control of her life and sanity.

Here is the trailer:

Smile 2 is a chilling, terrifying, and unhinged trip that will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Scream QUEEN, Naomi Scott!

Wow, she was absolutely fantastic in this! I didn’t think that anyone could top Willa Fitzgerald’s performance in Strange Darling, but Naomi Scott just gave the performance of her life and I loved EVERY SECOND OF IT! She was fierce, captivating, and willing to give this film her all. She just became one of my favorite scream queens of all time with that performance and I hope she appears in more horror films in the future.

Favorite performance of the year!

Seriously, I have chills.

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

So creepy and disturbing!

Similar to the vibe of the first film, the sequel had plenty of terrifying moments. It was fun seeing this in a packed theater. There were so many moments that had people jumping. This film descended into darkness a lot quicker than the original one, which was fantastic to experience. I loved the psychological elements and that ending was jaw-dropping in the best possible way!

OK and can we talk about that music?! I loved it!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

A few unanswered questions.

This wasn’t a major con and I actually think it will create an interesting discussion among fans, but I had a little trouble piecing together what was actually happening in this film at times (which I think was the point). I was along for the ride and willing to go with it, but I had a few questions by the time I got to the end that were never fully addressed.

Maybe we’ll get a part three?

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

I’m in 100 percent!!!

Smile 2 is a frightening and trippy experience that will leave your heart pounding. Naomi Scott just gave the best performance of the year and I truly hope she’s recognized for it!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Smile 2 in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Cobweb” in Theaters: Creepy AF!

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“I heard something…”

Cobweb released in select theaters on July 21st 2023. The horror film stars Lizzy Caplan, Antony Starr, Cleopatra Coleman, and Woody Norman. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty minutes.

Peter begins to hear something inside his bedroom wall, but his parents insist that it is only in his imagination. Peter is determined to find out what lies beyond the wall, unlocking dangerous secrets in the process.

Here is the trailer:

Cobweb weaves together an unsettling story filled with plenty of disturbing and hair-raising moments. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Lionsgate Films

Unsettling from start to finish…

This movie didn’t waste any time with unnecessary fluff or set-up. We got right into the creepy stuff and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. This film was very effective at creating an eerie tone and even some of the conversations and small moments felt very unnerving, adding to the overall vibe.

In a lot of ways, this film sort of reminded me of a mix of The Black Phone and Barbarian. It explored tangible fears while keeping the audience guessing about where the real threat was.

Images courtesy of Lionsgate Films

Insane final act!

I already thought this movie was freaky enough, but then we got to the final act and my jaw dropped. It was crazy in the best way possible. I haven’t been this excited about a reveal in a horror movie in a long time. It grabbed hold of the audience and never let go, effectively giving me some new nightmares in the process!

Wow…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Lionsgate Films

The characters make some really bad decisions…

Look, I get it. We wouldn’t have a movie if they didn’t, but I was almost yelling at the screen at some points. I just don’t get it when characters decide to investigate things on their own without calling anyone…

It’s not realistic, but I’ll leave this alone because the movie was so fantastic.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Lionsgate Films

I’m in!!!

A terrifying and captivating watch that will stick with you long after it’s over!

This movie was such a fantastic surprise and an absolute must see watch for horror fans!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Cobweb in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

My young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Two Sentence Horror Stories” on The CW: An Eerie Delight

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

Sometimes less is more and Two Sentence Horror Stories delivers with its short episodes, bringing us just the right amount of unnerving moments for these compelling female protagonists.  Real life horror lurks in the shadows, seeping into our doubts, which creates a unique take on psychological horror, while touching on social concerns seamlessly.  If you are looking for some chilling fun with some terrifying twists, you are in the right place!

Two Sentence Horror Stories is a horror anthology series based on the popular fan-fiction that emerged on Reddit.  Each episode is about 30 minutes in length and follows a different creepy story, somewhat similar to the approach of Hulu’s Into the Dark and The Twilight Zone reboot on CBS All Access. 

The series will feature 8 episodes for season 1 and the first 2 episodes premiered on The CW on August 8th 2019.  While I have been underwhelmed by some of the other horror anthology series currently airing, Two Sentence Horror Stories genuinely surprised me and captured my undivided attention, but will the rest of the episodes be able to measure up?  I’m hoping so!

The Pros:

Two sentence 6
Images courtesy of The CW

Genuinely satisfying twists.

I don’t know about you, but I love playing Nancy Drew when it comes to figuring out any type of mystery and I have to say that both episodes kept me guessing.  The reveals were shocking and unsettling.

Strong female protagonists.

These interesting female characters will immediately draw you in.  I absolutely love that the majority of the episodes will feature women of color and I really thought that the performances were believable and spot on.  There are so many real life dangers that women have to face and this series has successfully brought some of these social concerns to light without hitting you over the head with them like some other series.

The episodes are the perfect length and really pay tribute to where Two Sentence Horror Stories originated.

I mean, it would probably be silly to have a series based on horror stories consisting of two sentences airing for an hour, but is 30 minutes enough time to truly make an impact?  Yes!  While I have been previously bored by some other horror anthology series, I really appreciated the short length of the episodes of Two Sentence Horror Stories.  The creepy background music and the simplicity of it all just works somehow and it doesn’t drag anything out.

I also love that each episode starts off with the first sentence of the horror story and then once the twist is revealed, it ends with the second sentence, really reminding you what this show is based on and proving that something genuinely terrifying and unique doesn’t have to be long and drawn out.

The Cons:

Two sentence 7
Images courtesy of The CW

Maybe not the type of horror you are expecting.

I honestly really can’t come up with a con for this series yet, as both episode 1 (Gentleman) and episode 2 (Squirm) deliver.  The only thing I would say is if you are expecting something supernatural or a slasher gory massacre, this is not for you.  It has more of a dark psychological vibe, but the real life terror works just as effectively in my opinion.  We’ll have to see if the remaining 6 episodes can hold up to the first 2, but I have high expectations now.

So am I in or out? 

Squirm
Images courtesy of The CW

I am in 100 percent!  I have to admit that I didn’t really expect much going into this series.  The CW added it to the summer line-up, which made me hesitate slightly, but I am so glad that I gave this series a chance because it is unique, smart, and scary!  I can’t wait to watch the next episodes and I definitely recommend it!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Two Sentence Horror Stories in the comments section below.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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**Do you love television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Once Upon a Time, Lost, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural?  Do you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery?  Then you may like my book series, Dreaming of Wonderland…available on Amazon!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I really hope you enjoy!

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Do you love horror series?  Of course you do!  Please also check out 12 Nights of Horror Series Coming Soon.  It’s your home for everything you need to know about new and returning horror television series including new trailers, premiere dates, reviews, recaps, and renewals!