Tag: Gothic Horror

Spoiler-Free Review of “Raging Grace” on Demand: Twisted and Unsettling

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

“I’ve got a job…”

Raging Grace released in select theaters on December 1st 2023 and is now available to watch on demand as of December 8th 2023. The horror mystery film stars Max Eigenmann, Leanne Best, and David Hayman. It runs for approximately an hour and forty minutes.

An undocumented immigrant takes a job at a lavish home as the caretaker of a terminally ill man, but as dark secrets are revealed, she and her daughter quickly realize that they may be in terrible danger.

Here is the trailer:

Raging Grace is a unique entry to elevated horror, revealing the ugly truth lurking within humanity, executed brilliantly by some convincing performances. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Brainstorm Media

The Gothic Horror vibe works well.

From the house to the style of this film, it had a Gothic Horror feel that I absolutely loved. However, it didn’t stop there. It could have very easily just gone with that theme and we would have been presented with an average film and yet it decided to present us with so many layered themes dealing with racism, class, and the darkest parts of humanity, making this such a captivating watch.

It didn’t hold back, reminding me a little of Soft & Quiet, which is another brutal gem that lingered with me well after it was over.

I expected a slow burn going into Raging Grace and yet I was drawn in the entire time, which was a welcomed surprise. Part of that was thanks to the powerful performance by Eigenmann, who did a great job with what she was given. I thought she was very believable. Her character was flawed in a lot of ways, but you still felt for her throughout the entire film.

Images courtesy of Brainstorm Media

Insane and shocking twists!

Wow, I honestly did not see them coming. This was such a crazy watch for me in the best way possible. I thought I knew what type of movie I was getting and then it twisted the knife and then some, creating a horrifying spiral of events that were uncomfortable and unsettling to see unfold on the screen.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Brainstorm Media

The jump scares were unnecessary.

They didn’t startle me at all and I don’t think they added anything to the film. In fact, they brought down the level of this one just a touch for me because they seemed like fluff meant to build up suspense when there were already plenty of creepy and disturbing things going on. 

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Brainstorm Media

I’m in!!!

An unexpected and horrifying surprise that gave me chills!

If you’re looking for a different kind of horror movie, I’d highly recommend giving this one a shot. I thoroughly enjoyed my watch.

I hope you enjoyed the review and please feel free to share your thoughts on Raging Grace in the comments section!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

IN THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS, HER NIGHT FROM HELL HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN…

After working the night shift, Ashley becomes entangled in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a local street gang, forcing her to come up with a plan to survive the night by turning the tables on them.

Ashley must fight for her life and take them out one by one if she wants to make it to morning…

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

Make it Through the Night is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Fall of the House of Usher” on Netflix: An Enthralling and Eloquent Masterpiece

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

“Nobody gets away with anything…not really…”

The Fall of the House of Usher is a limited series from The Haunting of Hill House creator, Mike Flanagan that released on October 12th 2023. The supernatural horror series features eight episodes available to stream now on Netflix. It stars Bruce Greenwood, Carla Gugino, Mary McDonnell, Samantha Sloyan, Kate Siegel, Willa Fitzgerald, Mark Hamill, Zach Gilford, and Carl Lumbly. Each episode runs for approximately 60-65 minutes.

Siblings, Roderick and Madeline Usher, have built an empire of wealth with their prosperous, but potentially harmful company, but when their heirs all begin dying one by one, dark secrets are unlocked.

Here is the trailer:

The Fall of the House of Usher has plenty of familiar faces from The Haunting of Hill House world, but this show has a slightly different feel, shining a light on some of the most disturbing aspects of humanity. Is this series worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

A clever mix of gothic horror and whodunnit mystery.

The gothic horror elements were absolutely present in this particular series, channeling the works of Edgar Allan Poe in a modern way. The whodunnit mystery style added some charm in as well, hooking the audience completely as we watched this unfold.

By the time I got to the end of episode two, I could not stop watching this series. The episodes were on the longer side, but it never felt that way. Each one was filled with beautiful cinematography, moving performances, and welcomed nods to a classic short story that transported me back to the page. I loved that this series embraced its inspiration while still creating something chilling, thought-provoking, and shocking of its own in the process.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Exceptional performances.

Fans of The Haunting of Hill House anthology will be pleased to see several familiar faces in this entry. We also welcomed in several new actors, who did an incredible job. Overall, I was really impressed by the performances, as these characters didn’t necessarily have the heart and soul of previous ones, but they were still layered and intriguing all the same.

Stand-out performances go to the amazing Carla Gugino and Willa Fitzgerald, who dominated the screen and then some. Wow!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Jam-packs in a lot…

I really don’t have too many cons for this series. Episode one was really over-stuffed with set-up and I was slightly overwhelmed by the time jumps, but I think the series found its way with this with the remaining episodes.

This series had a different feel from the others, highlighting characters obsessed with drugs, sex, and power, but it still resonated with me by the time I got to the end, proving to be another worthy Mike Flanagan series.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 1000 percent!

Sheer perfection with a deliciously dark plot worth devouring.

The best show I’ve watched all year!

If you enjoyed Mike Flanagan’s previous series, you’ll find plenty to love in this new entry that isn’t afraid to take some risks along the way that certainly pay off.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Penny Dreadful: City of Angels” on Showtime: Evil Looks Good on Natalie Dormer

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

“Until not a soul is left…are you ready?”

The sequel spin-off of Penny Dreadful may not be connected to the original show, but it does present us with a different kind of evil in a brand new time and setting with Natalie Dormer’s Magda at the very center of it.

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels premiered on Showtime on April 26th 2020. It will feature weekly episodes (55 minutes in length). It stars Natalie Dormer, Daniel Zovatto, Nathan Lane, and Lorenza Izzo.

While the show has been long awaited by fans of the beloved Gothic horror series, Penny Dreadful, there will be no crossovers or Easter Eggs to the original series, even though it seems like this could have been done.

The show takes place in Los Angeles, 1938 and follows several groups of characters as the demon, Magda and Santa Muerte clash on their involvement in mortal affairs.

The show certainly has a lot of possibility, but can it live up to its predecessor? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Penny Dreadful COA Showtime 1
Images courtesy of Showtime

Natalie Dormer ignites the screen.

I am already a fan of the Game of Thrones alum, but I have to say that Natalie Dormer was born for a role like this. While it will certainly not be easy to live up to the breathtakingly magnetic, Eva Green in the original series, Dormer is taking on a new character and is embracing her dark side with style.

The opening scene leaves you wanting so much more and reveals just how manipulative and powerful Dormer’s character can be.

Penny Dreadful COA Showtime 2
Images courtesy of Showtime

Exceptional cast and gorgeous setting.

The sequel is set in pre World War II L.A. The setting is absolutely gorgeous and I appreciated some of these smaller moments where we got to witness dancing in the street, beautiful outfits, and serene backdrops of the bluffs, transporting us back to a different time and place seamlessly.

The rest of the cast is talented as well, which should work in their favor, as they have the potential to really light up the screen with character dynamics and relationships.

The Cons:

Penny Dreadful COA Showtime 5
Images courtesy of Showtime

A storyboard of ideas can get confusing…

After watching the premiere episode, there are already so many characters and sub-plots, which makes it difficult to keep up. I’m all for a slow burn type of reveal, but I think that some of these plots are going to get lost in the void. The premiere episode acted like a storyboard of ideas rather than a full developed plot, which could be problematic.

Penny Dreaful COA Showtime 4
Images courtesy of Showtime

Don’t bench your best player…

Natalie Dormer is the best part of this series right now and yet she is taking a back seat in the premiere episode. While I understand that the show is focusing more on her whispering in the ears of men to convince them to do evil, she honestly deserves more than this.

I love seeing her take on different characters as she hides her true identity as the demon, Magda, but it seems like we are stifling a major asset on this series and I just honestly want to see more of her. Let her shine!

Not enough supernatural elements.

The original series did a fantastic job of transporting us into a world of Gothic horror as we met familiar characters from literature with a unique and dark spin. While I understand that the show is going in a new direction, I don’t want it to lose that supernatural spark. There are a lot of elements in history to explore during this time, but let’s tell a new story filled with legend and magical possibility.

So am I in or out?

Penny Dreadful COA Showtime 3
Images courtesy of Showtime

Right now, I’m honestly about 50/50. The show has the potential to be something extraordinary. We get this interesting clash between the demon, Magda and the legend, Santa Muerte, which could really help the show find its own entertaining path, but I have a feeling that a lot of things will get lost in the midst of an over-complicated plot.

I’m going to give the show a few more episodes because Natalie Dormer honestly deserves it, but I really hope that this slow burn mystery can just start lighting things on fire already.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

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A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek comes out April 28th!

Dash and Seek is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

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!