‘Speak No Evil’
A still from “Do Not Speak Evil.”
Erik Molberg/Nordisk Film
“Speak No Evil” by Christian Tadfrup may not be one of the most visually stunning horror films of 2022, but it is undoubtedly one of the darkest. It follows Bjrn (Morten Burian) and Louise (Sisel Siem Koch), a Danish couple who find themselves at conflict with another couple after being invited to stay in their vacation house.
The vile ulterior motivation behind the invitation is just disturbing, particularly for parents in the audience. Despite the lack of jump scares, the horror is long-lasting. It’s safe to say that the ending of “Speak No Evil” will stay with you for a very long time. To say more would be to reveal Tadfrup’s eerie twist, but it’s safe to say that the ending will stay with you for a very long time. —Earl Jacobs
“Speak No Evil” is presently available for viewing on Shudder and for purchase on Apple TV.
Mia Goth stars in “Pearl”
A24
This gruesome but elegant period drama focuses on the origin tale of the octogenarian villain from “X.” Pearl (Mia Goth) desires a luxurious existence and a shot at fame, but her family thwarts her at every point. She therefore takes matters into her own hands and, using a pitchfork and an axe, creates a new reality for herself. “Pearl” is deeply unpleasant and a must-watch for fans of “X” by Ti West. – Livia Torres
Pearl is presently available for purchase on Amazon, Google, Apple TV, and Vudu.
‘Deadstream’ A still from “Deadstream.”
Shudder
“Deadstream” is a clever, terrifying parody of social media livestreaming that follows a discredited internet personality attempting to regain his footing after getting cancelled. Shawn, an obnoxious gamer and livestreamer, gets more than he bargained for while camping in a haunted house.
The film is replete with truly humorous moments (Shawn’s admirers, for example, urge him to participate in increasingly dangerous actions via livestream comments), but the humor never overshadows the malevolent presence in Shawn’s house, which is gradually showing itself. – Livia Torres
Deadstream is currently available to stream on Shudder.
‘Hatching’ Siiri Solalinna in “Hatching.”
Sundance Institute photo courtesy of IFC Midnight
Who is the true villain in “Hatching”? Is it Tinja’s frigid, demanding, perfection-obsessed influencer mother, or the creature that hatches from an egg that Tinja finds in the woods and raises?
“Hatching” is set to become a new classic of body horror. However, it is also a delightfully twisted coming-of-age film, with a sense of impending doom propelling the film to a startling conclusion. —Caralynn Matassa
“Hatching” is presently available to stream on Hulu.
‘Resurrection’
Rebecca Hall is featured in “Resurrection.”
Sundance Institute photograph by Wyatt Garfield.
“Resurrection,” starring underappreciated modern horror hero Rebecca Hall, ranks quite high on the “unsettling” scale. This is what makes it one of the year’s most memorable events.
The film, which also stars Tim Roth, follows Margaret (Hall), a successful but stressed single business woman who is dreading her 18-year-old daughter’s departure for college. When David (Roth), a strange figure from Margaret’s past, resurfaces, the situation escalates (and becomes increasingly mind-boggling).
“Resurrection” is a profound examination of motherhood, worry, and the extremes to which a parent will go to safeguard their kid. —Caralynn Matassa
“Resurrection” is presently available for streaming on Shudder and for purchase on Amazon, Google, Apple TV, Vudu, and YouTube.
‘Hellbender’ Zelda Adams in “Hellbender.”
Shudder
“Hellbender” demonstrates that there are still original tales to be told within the overused “young woman realizes she is a witch” subgenre. The independent instant classic was written and directed by the real-life pair John Adams and Toby Poser and their daughter, Zelda Adams, and also stars Toby and Zelda as the mother-daughter metal band at the film’s center.
Izzy (Zelda Adams) and her mother live a quiet, secluded life (Toby Poser). When Izzy has a run-in with a few teenagers and reveals her actual nature, the situation begins to unravel. From there, things become gloriously horrible, culminating in a spectacular and genuinely surprising ending. —Caralynn Matassa
“Hellbender” is currently available to stream on Shudder.
Alice Krige appears in “She Will”
IFC Late Night
In “She Will,” an older actress (Alice Krige) travels to a secluded region of Scotland with her nurse (Kota Eberhardt) in order to heal after a double mastectomy. It turns out that hundreds of years ago, witches were burned on the land where the retreat lies.
However, “Hocus Pocus” this is not. What ultimately transpires is an affecting and poignant tale of trauma, female power, and vengeance. —Caralynn Matassa
She Will is currently available to stream on Shudder.