Writer-director Rafael De Leon Jr.’s Momma, Don’t Go constantly keeps the viewer on edge, despite some less convincing storytelling elements.  The film opens with a black screen and piercing screams. This combination raises the following questions for the viewer: Who is screaming? Is someone being tortured? Did someone die? The ominous opening creates a sense [...]

Merger cashes in on the deadly potential of the phrase, “It’s just business.” A throwback to aesthetic of retro medical thrillers, the film follows a company researcher named Kevin (Sasha Andreev) who suspects his co-worker Andy (Ryan Sandberg) of shady business dealings. When he sneaks into Andy’s hotel room to search for clues, he finds [...]

There’s something about the cruelty of teen girls that “works” in horror. Best Friends Forever knows this and definitely leans in. Four teen girls gather for a nebulously defined party in what we’re told is 1996. Queen bee Eden (Addison Holley) opens with a scary story: Nancy (Jen Pogue), an unpopular girl from in the [...]

Pepper is a little short film with "big movie energy". Kate Felix directs a mighty strong seven minutes. There is enough story strength present in 7 minutes that could very easily be turned into a feature-length film and be just as enjoyable. There are so many details that are left to the imagination due to [...]

It’s rare for slasher and torture porn type flicks to really get to me. I’ve seen it all, and having a background in the film industry and practical effects, it’s easy for me to disassociate from the violence and gore I see in front of me. I also have always felt at a certain point [...]

Question reality with Canadian filmmaker Brad Abrahams and his short film Conspiracy Cruise, which explores the delicate balance of belief and truth. It is a satirical and sometimes surreal film that uses horror in a comedic way, and it is part of the Panic Fest 2020 lineup. Conspiracy Cruise offers dark humor, creature-feature teasing, and [...]

Meeting your significant other’s family is a stressful and scary time. Will they like me? Will they respect me? Will they judge me? Am I not good enough for them? I have had a few boyfriends in my time, and every time I’ve had to meet the family, these questions cross my mind. Nine out [...]