HORROR
Pyewacket (2017)
I call upon you, brought by leaves and seeds.
Hear with my ears and speak with my tongue.
I invite you to come.
Pyewacket.
If you’ve already read one of my reviews, you’d know I enjoy a low-budget, independent film occasionally. A film where you already know in advance that the special effects won’t be mindblowing. And also, mostly unknown actors are summoned. That doesn’t mean these films are unwatchable because of the amateurish camerawork. Nor is it that the acting is extremely bad. On the contrary. I’ve already enjoyed such creative, non-mainstream experiments. I also enjoyed “Pyewacket“. A simple horror story (even though you can discuss whether or not it’s a horror) in which black magic and satanism are the cause of a lot of misery.
Yes. Again a cabin in the woods.
You might have second thoughts about the impulsive behavior of Leah (Nicole Muñoz) who, after yet another dispute with her mother, goes into the forest and armed with a book about occultism and a few attributes performs an ancient ritual. A ritual to summon the evil spirit Pyewacket who might ensure Leah getting rid of her annoying mother (Laurie Holden). The fact that her mother might go through a difficult emotional phase, isn’t something Leah realizes. Leah being sorry afterward and suddenly noticing that her mother isn’t so bad after all. Well, I can relate to that. Who hasn’t been mad at his parents once, after the umpteenth discussion about random insignificant things? Soon Leah realizes that something dark and threatening is wandering around their cabin in the woods.
Not scary and misleading.
The film itself isn’t really frightening. There are some apparitions, a scared friend who wants to go home after sleeping over one night and a feeling of threat at certain moments. But you have to be really patient for that. Originality is also a term that doesn’t fit with this film. Once again the teenagers in this movie prefer alternative music with the accompanying black clothes and hairstyle. Archetypes that are often used in such films. The fact that some kind of expert shows up to explain it all and gives occult advice, is also nothing new. The strength of the film is its misleading character. I do like films where you have doubts about the true nature of the event. Is the malignant spirit effectively present? Or is it just a fantasy of Leah? Or is she emotionally unstable so she sees things?
Stay away from things you’re not an expert in.
In retrospect, I found that “Pyewacket” was really worth a watch. Not only because of the subject being used. But also because of the sometimes excellent acting of Nicole Muñoz. And to a lesser extent that of Laurie Holden. Muñoz her anger and regret felt sincere. More than that of Holden. And despite the fact that the creepy content is of a low level, I thought the dynamic in this movie was extremely successful. No, it’s not an extraordinary movie. The only thing one should remember is never to engage in things one doesn’t know anything about.
My rating 5/10
Links: IMDB
Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil is wasting little time making its mark on the long-running horror franchise.
The new film earned $8.8 million from Thursday preview screenings, setting a new preview box office record for the Resident Evil film series. The strong start comes as the reboot officially arrives in theaters today, September 18.
Directed by Cregger, the filmmaker behind Barbarian and Weapons, the latest adaptation is now expected to deliver the biggest domestic opening weekend in franchise history. Current projections have the film targeting roughly $40 million to $50 million, with some estimates suggesting the strong reception could push the total even higher.
The previous franchise high for a domestic opening belonged to Resident Evil: Afterlife, which debuted with approximately $26 million in 2010.
The box office numbers aren’t the only major win for the reboot.
Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil
As of Friday, Resident Evil holds an impressive 96% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 146 critic reviews, making it easily the best-reviewed live-action movie in the franchise. The film has also opened to strong audience reception, currently holding a 91% verified audience score.
That marks a dramatic turnaround for a franchise that has historically struggled with critics despite maintaining a sizable fanbase and becoming a major box office property.
Cregger’s film introduces an original story rather than directly adapting one of the games. Austin Abrams stars as Bryan, a medical courier whose routine delivery quickly becomes a fight for survival as he finds himself caught in a night of chaos and infected creatures.
The cast also includes Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, Johnno Wilson and Paul Walter Hauser.
With franchise-record preview numbers and the strongest reviews the series has ever received, Resident Evil is entering its opening weekend with considerable momentum.
Resident Evil is now playing in theaters.
HORROR
Jason Voorhees Returns in Bloody New Crystal Lake Trailer
Set in 1971, Crystal Lake follows Pamela after Jason disappears in the waters of Crystal Lake and his body is never recovered. As Pamela continues to believe her son could still be alive, two strangers begin investigating her past, setting off a series of increasingly disturbing and violent events.
Jason Voorhees is back.
Peacock has released the bloody new trailer for Crystal Lake, A24’s upcoming Friday the 13th prequel series, and the latest footage appears to tease the early beginnings of one of horror’s most iconic killers.
The series stars Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees and takes audiences back decades before the events of the original Friday the 13th. But while much of the story will explore Pamela and the tragedy surrounding her son, the new trailer makes it clear that Jason himself will have a major presence.
Among the trailer’s most intriguing moments is a shot appearing to show a young Jason wearing a blue jumpsuit and attacking someone with a knife. Other footage further teases the character’s transformation toward the Jason Voorhees horror fans know.
Callum Vinson portrays the young Jason in the series.
Jason Voorhies, Crystal Lake [A24]
Set in 1971, Crystal Lake follows Pamela after Jason disappears in the waters of Crystal Lake and his body is never recovered. As Pamela continues to believe her son could still be alive, two strangers begin investigating her past, setting off a series of increasingly disturbing and violent events.
The series comes from creator, writer and showrunner Brad Caleb Kane, with A24 producing for Peacock.
Rather than simply recreating the original films, Crystal Lake looks to expand the mythology surrounding the Voorhees family while showing audiences a side of Jason’s story that has largely remained unexplored on screen.
And judging by the new trailer, Jason’s path toward becoming the legendary Crystal Lake killer may begin sooner than fans expected.
Crystal Lake premieres October 15 on Peacock.
The upcoming Resident Evil movie is getting one of the strangest theater collectibles we have seen yet.
Regal has revealed its official popcorn promotion for Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil, but instead of another oversized plastic popcorn bucket, the theater chain is leaning directly into the movie’s medical horror.
Fans will be able to pick up a Resident Evil Organ Transplant Popcorn Bag, designed to look like the type of medical transport container used to carry human organs.
Yes, your popcorn is apparently the organ.
The collectible comes with a large popcorn and features Resident Evil branding along with a medical inspired design. Regal joked about the promotion by telling fans that the heart is not included.
It is an appropriately bizarre piece of merchandise for Cregger’s take on the long running horror franchise, which appears ready to push the violence and gore considerably further.
Need a transplant? We recommend this popcorn bag 🫀🍿
Get your hands on the Resident Evil Organ Transplant Popcorn Bag when you see Resident Evil at Regal. Tickets are on sale now: https://t.co/vqcCWmIw27 pic.twitter.com/x8J4grtVsk
— Regal (@RegalMovies) September 1, 2026
A New Resident Evil Nightmare
The new Resident Evil stars Austin Abrams as Bryan, a medical courier who finds himself caught in a horrifying fight for survival as a seemingly routine night descends into chaos.
The cast also includes Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, Paul Walter Hauser, and Johnno Wilson.
Cregger has previously described the movie as the most violent project he has made and promised fans a brutal and bloody experience. The filmmaker is coming off Weapons and is approaching Resident Evil as a new interpretation of Capcom’s iconic survival horror franchise.
The Organ Transplant Popcorn Bag will be available at Regal theaters in conjunction with the movie’s release.
Resident Evil infects theaters September 18, 2026.
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