HORROR
Incident in a Ghostland (2018)
Jesus Christ.
It’s Rob Zombie’s house.
They came up with the following slogans for “Hereditary“: “The scariest film ever” and “A highlight in horror in the last 50 years“. Well, I wonder what they would say about “Incident in a Ghostland“? I won’t say this is the most masterful horror of all time. And no, it’s not as frightening as “The Exorcist“. That one scared me to death in those days. “Incident in a Ghostland” uses the same concept as in “The seasoning house” and “I spit on your grave“. The sexual abuse of innocent girls and the psychological damage these desperate victims suffer from. It’s not trembling and shaking all the time, but the whole movie you’ll have that uncomfortable feeling.
An eye for an eye.
Now, the concept of such movies is actually quite simple. In the first instance, they try to shock you with confrontational images so you’ll feel sick with disgust and anger. In such a way that the second part feels like a relief. Just like Jean-Claude Van Damme in his old movies where he fights back and wins, after being beaten up real bad. Or when an almost defeated underdog in a football match can turn the tide. That’s how the second part feels. You are a member of a fan club for the victims who fight back and avenge the injustice done to them. As in “I spit on your grave” where I couldn’t suppress a heartfelt, loud “Yes” with every execution of one of the perpetrators. And the way the victims take revenge should be ruthless and merciless. The more pain, the better. In short, a film that contrasts two opposing feelings frontally. The feeling of destruction, despair and physical pain, versus relief, liberation and a victory.
The twist was a surprise.
In a way, “Incident in a Ghostland” tries to break this pattern. Yes, there’s that moment of extreme violence and that moment the situation looks desperate. And just when you think it’s going smooth, the film takes a completely new path and the struggle for survival begins again. Further revealing only leads to spoiling the fun for those who haven’t seen the film yet. But the twist in the story also surprised me. To be honest, it’s not often that a film does this to me. Usually, I see it coming a mile away. But not now.
Is it something like “Martyrs”?
The film was directed by Pascal Laugier who’s best known for his controversial film “Martyrs“. A film that was proclaimed as the mother of all “torture-porn” and apparently rolls over you like a steamroller. An extremely brutal film many found disgusting. I never watched it myself. Deep inside I would like to see this movie but something tells me that the extreme violence will hit me too deeply. That’s why I avoid it. Had I known that Laugier directed this movie as well, I might have ignored it too. And now I’m on the horns of a dilemma. Is this a film where Laugier went soft? Or should I try to watch “Martyrs” anyway?
Thumbs-up for the make-up department.
Is it worth to watch this movie? Actually yes. And that because it’s beyond simply a brutal “home-invasion movie” with the torture, abuse, and humiliation of young girls. Here Laugier also brings the psychological impact of such a traumatic experience in the picture. He shows how the human psyche works from an individual who experiences something such as this barbaric invasion by two murderous maniacs. It’s not a film for sensitive souls even though the violence isn’t explicitly shown. However, the consequences of these brutal assaults are clearly visible. That’s why I give a thumbs-up for the make-up department.
Dark and oppressive.
The set-up as a whole is very successful. The house where Pauline (Mylène Farmer) and her two daughters Beth (Emilia Jones Crystal Reed) and Vera (Taylor Hickson Anastasia Phillips) move in, is a real junk house full of rarities and old dolls. Not that it plays a prominent role in the film, but it contributes to the entire oppressive and dark atmosphere. The acting of the two girls is mainly limited to screaming and anxiously waiting for the two halfwits to show up again. Except for Beth who became a successful writer of horror stories. Until she returns to the hell-house and is being confronted with the suffering. Mother Pauline behaves as a soothing and encouraging character. And then finally you have the two assailants. One crazier than the other, in terms of appearance. One is a goth-like person who you’ll only get to see briefly most of the time. The second a colossal, moronic monster who’s inhumanly strong. A drooling and groaning primate who prefers to play with dolls. And he likes it even better when those dolls are alive.
More frightening because of the realism.
All in all, “Incident in a Ghostland” is fascinating in a way. Even though the level of sadism is quite high and you can’t shake off the feeling of fear and panic during the whole movie. The entire film is an avalanche of hysteria with that constant sense of helplessness. It’s not a horror movie about possessed houses or paranormal phenomena with the familiar jump scares and creepy moments. This is a frightening film about something that can happen in reality and that we see on the news on a regular basis. The story itself seems rather simple, but Beth’s condition creates an extra dimension. In any case, it’s a lot more frightening than “Hereditary“, THE horror from 2018 (sarcastic tone).
My rating 7/10
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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