Horror Movie Challenge of 2026 | April Wrap-Up
Another month has come and gone, and ngl I'm excited that this past one went as fast as it did, only because that means it's May & Obsession is finally about to come out!! Yay! Anyway, this ended up being the month I watched the most movies for the challenge, so let's get right into it.
Monthly Movie Count: 10
Total So Far This Year: 29
The Movies:
1. Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (2026)
“Someone had to burn it all down."
"You are good at destroying things.”
Directed By: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett
Plot: After surviving one deadly game, Grace and her sister Faith must now outrun four rival families competing for a powerful throne - winner takes all.
Starring: Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy, Néstor Carbonell, David Cronenberg & Elijah Wood
This was the first horror movie I watched in April because ofc I had to since, for me, the original I have rated 5 stars unironically on Letterboxd because I genuinely think as a horror comedy it really works as a whole. Grace is one of my fave final girls, so naturally I was gonna be here for the sequel regardless, but the trailer is what really sold me. There was world-building going into this one, which I really appreciated. That's what made them jumping right back into where the first movie stopped work because it actually made sense, there being a bigger picture than the Le Domas family. While I think it's safe to say that they had a lot to live up to and maybe not quite totally nailed it (I did rate it a 4), I still think if you're gonna go the unnecessary sequel route, they were pretty damn successful. Honestly, this one might grow on me more with a rewatch, and that rating will bump up higher. Who knows. Either way it was still super fun. I think it just needed a moment to really settle in. I do think there were some strong casting choices here. Sarah Michelle Gellar as Ursula feels like a no-brainer, but it's Shawn Hatosy who is the pleasant surprise as our big baddie imo. Cool to see horror icon David Cronenberg making the smallest of cameos. And Elijah Wood did a nice job with what he had to work with. Ultimately though, it comes down to our co-scream queen leads Samara & Kathryn to really make this work, though, because it's the sisterly bond at the heart of the story, and I do think they managed to carry it through. Like I said, the movie itself takes a little bit to get going more smoothly, but their characters were easy to root for, obviously. Very solid sequel overall.
2. They Will Kill You (2026)
“Our offering is on the loose, be on the lookout. I just dropped her picture in the group chat.”
Directed By: Kirill Sokolov
Plot: A woman takes a job as a housekeeper in a NYC high-rise, unaware of the building's history of disappearances. She soon realizes the community is shrouded in mystery.
Starring: Zazie Beetz, Myha'la, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, Heather Graham & Patricia Arquette
I decided to watch this movie as a double feature with Ready or Not 2 because it felt like I had to. Only because while the movies are actually completely different plot-wise, the comparisons are entirely too striking to totally downplay once you realize them. That said, this movie is its own thing, and while it's not the strongest, I can't really say that I was bored. It doesn't take too long once we learn about our protagonist for the action to really kick in quick, and honestly, for most of the movie, it doesn't let up. It's full of top-notch action sequences and a killer soundtrack that makes it a wild ride from start to finish, helped with a committed and badass performance from Zazie Beetz. The rest of the cast is pretty solid as well. Though, I gotta be real here: I probably could have done without Patricia Arquette's accent choice because it was completely distracting and felt unnecessary. I will say the sister bond at the heart of the story didn't have me invested at all, unfortunately, so I'm going to chalk that up to the writing not being stronger. The final act is totally bonkers and may divide the audience. Idk. Overall, it was still fun so there's that.
3. Forbidden Fruits (2026)
“Are we still best friends?"
"You know I don't believe in hierarchy in female relationships.”
Directed By: Meredith Alloway
Plot: At a mall store, Apple leads a secret witch cult with coworkers Cherry and Fig. New hire Pumpkin questions their sisterhood, forcing them to confront inner darkness or meet violent ends.
Starring: Lili Reinhart, Lola Tung, Victoria Pedretti, Alexandra Shipp, Emma Chamberlain & Gabrielle Union
I don't care what anyone says, I enjoyed this movie for what it is. lol I feel like I knew I would the second I saw the trailer because it was very much giving campy horror fun, which I'm all for if executed right. I do think the marketing both helped and hurt it because I personally feel like they were rather clear about what they were giving the audience with the glossy aesthetics and quippy one-liners, but then there's also been the comparisons with The Craft & Jennifer's Body, so that might have affected people's expectations a bit in thinking there was going to be more of a supernatural element. That part I definitely get. Now, the humor might not appeal to everyone either, but this is another movie where, once it got settled in, I really started to dig it more. I think the cast was all really good and clearly having a blast filming this, and that's what made me excited the most maybe. Lili Reinhart is pitch perfect as leader Apple from start to finish with a truly unhinged performance with so many off-kilter quips, but I do still think it's Victoria as sweet but entirely too naive & insecure Cherry that manages to steal a good chunk of the scenes with her sincere cluelessness. And for anyone curious, I think for a film debut Emma Chamberlain does a fine job. Overall, I do think it's a unique and fresh movie, despite it maybe taking any bits and pieces of inspiration from other movies. The final act is what really brings it all together because it is quite wild with some memorable deaths. Basically, I love me some fun and mess. I dare them to make a sequel. lol
4. Thrash (2026)
“Mommy’s just gotta fight some fucking sharks.”
Directed By: Tommy Wirkola
Plot: When a Category 5 hurricane decimates a coastal town, the storm surge brings devastation, chaos and something far more frightening: hungry sharks.
Starring: Phoebe Dynevor, Whitney Peak & Djimon Hounsou
I'm not gonna lie I could tell that I wasn't going to really care for this one pretty much from the moment it was first announced. lol I know, I literally just said I enjoy mess and fun, but I guess when it comes to shark movies, I prefer when they pick a lane. The reality is when it comes to this subgenre, it's Jaws & then pretty much everything else. That said, I do rather like The Shallows for what it is. 47 Meters Down in mid-wise entertainment from what I remember. Deep Blue Sea is guilty pleasure fun that I feel like knows what it is or at least was more memorable to poke fun at. And well, I know Sharknado has an audience. lol This one already lost me as it started because the setup already had me personally annoyed at these characters. Why was Phoebe's super pregnant character in this town about to have a hurricane and being clueless about it?? Whitney Peak's cute, but what exactly was her character's plan staying home during this storm? Sit around watching TV until it passed?? They didn't do enough to sell her condition for me. And the storyline with the siblings kept taking me out of it tbh. I just didn't really care about any of the characters. Which I know isn't always necessary in a movie about killer sharks but make me feel something. I will say I did care enough that I did want Phoebe's character to have her baby safely because I'm not a monster, but I still was shaking my head at the whole thing. The way they chose to use "A Thousand Miles" playing is one of the strangest ways they could have used it (and I've seen/like White Chicks) Which is where we go back to the tone of the movie - I feel like it spends too much of its time trying to play it serious and then suddenly with that scene in the back half, it wants to come off as if it's in on the joke that it knows it's ridiculous. A little too late for me. The final act is at least entertaining enough, if not a little too easily resolved if I'm being honest. I guess they're planning a sequel?? I won't be watching. I think I'll just rewatch Crawl if I wanna watch something almost exactly if you swamp the sharks for gators but BETTER. But hey, this topped Netflix's movies charts so I guess somebody will. Still think it was a good idea after all if it not to hit theaters though because I don't think it would have done well tbh.
5. undertone (2025/2026)
“Don't be afraid of the dark. Be afraid of the silence.”
Directed By: Ian Tuason
Plot: The host of a popular paranormal podcast becomes haunted by terrifying recordings mysteriously sent her way.
Starring: Nina Kiri, Adam DiMarco & Michèle Duquet
This is one of those movies that kinda snuck up on me being hyped for me because while it wasn't on my radar for the longest, the more I kept hearing about it, I was getting more curious about it. When an A24 movie gets labeled as the "scariest movie you'll ever hear", it feels notable. Not that all their movies are winners but I do always appreciate their goal of having unique voices under their production so I figured it was going to at least feel original. Not to mention, I've seen a lot of very mixed reactions everywhere. It clearly either works for you or it doesn't. Quite honestly, while I didn't totally mind that it was a slowburner, I was a little ready to write it off as a totally average watch until the final act. That part alone is what left an impression on me and ngl unsettled me enough on a Wednesday night alone in my apartment. lol It's not even about what you see (literally, the last moment is all off-screen), it's all about what you hear. The true MVP is the sound design because that's what truly made the movie what it is. Because otherwise, you are spending the majority of the movie listening to audio files along with Evy and her co-host. Which as someone who REALLY loved Pontypool, I wasn't totally opposed to as a concept as long as there was payoff in the end like that did. The story itself is a little generic and the acting's so-so overall (I did think it was kinda funny how I managed to recognize Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen's Adam DiMarco by just his voice since he's never visibly on-screen), but it was still a little eerie. The ending is what boosted the movie for me because it caught me off-guard somehow. I respected how sudden it was. Not everyone will like that but I did. lol I enjoy when a movie can surprise me. I'm curious how a rewatch would play out though.
6. Caveat (2020)
“I don't see what the problem is. This is a job. Every job has a uniform."
"That's not a uniform. It's a leash, and I'm not putting it on.”
Directed By: Damian McCarthy
Plot: A lone drifter suffering from partial memory loss accepts a job to look after a psychologically troubled woman in an abandoned house on an isolated island.
Starring: Johnny French, Leila Sykes, Ben Caplan & Conor Dwane
After watching Oddity, and LOVING it, I'd always been curious about watching this one to see if I still liked Damian McCathy's style. Can't say that I enjoyed this one as much since it was a little too slow for my taste, but it wasn't horrible. It was certainly strange though but intentionally so. Much like Oddity, so not necessarily a negative. But I will say that's probably while I kept putting this watch off because the poster alone will throw you off. It definitely had some eerieness throughout, especially with the basement lady. I think Johnny French did a nice job. Overall, it's not nearly memorable as Oddity was for me, but I do think you can see McCathy's potential for making that next project, so I think it was important for him to have this first feature before that one to help with his growth as a director.
7. Event Horizon (1997)
“You know nothing. Hell is only a word. The reality is much, much worse.”
Directed By: Paul W.S. Anderson
Plot: A rescue crew is tasked with investigating the mysterious reappearance of a spaceship that had been lost for seven years.
Starring: Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neill, Kathleen Quinlan & Joely Richardson
I finally watched this movie!! lol I feel like I've heard bits and pieces about it (mostly from In Search of Darkness) but still tried to keep my expectations neutral because it feels like this movie could either almost be a masterpiece or a dud. I'm leaning more into I did really enjoy it and am curious if a rewatch will make me appreciate it even more. I need to see a director's cut. lol But honestly, this does end up getting pretty wild but it's definitely giving the visuals and the cast is really solid. Glad I finally checked it out.
8. Apex (2026)
“Enduring pain is a part of growing up, Sasha. It's a rite of passage.”
Directed By: Baltasar Kormákur
Plot: A mountain climber haunted by a fatal decision in Norway retreats to the Australian wilderness for isolation. Her journey turns into a desperate hunt when a deceptive local targets her as his next ritualistic prey in the bush.
Starring: Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton & Eric Bana
Certainly more action thriller than straight-up horror but including because I can and I really only watched it for the intention of includng it in the challenge. But also Taron is playing a serial killer with horrific results. That all said, this still was very mid-level entertainment. I really only decided to give it a chance though since I am a fan of both Charlize and Taron. They do the best they can with a generic script that plays beat for beat what you'd expect. Eric Bana plays her ex that (spoiler alert) dies in the first bit in a way that is completely predictable that calling it a spoiler feels generous. Either way, the first 15 minutes made me wanna skip to when we're introduced to Taron's character because I was losing my investment. lol It's not the worst thing ever but as I said, it's nothing too special.
9. Dolly (2025/2026)
“-” (I couldn't think of anything lol)
Directed By: Rod Blackhurst
Plot: A couple's hiking trip turns fatal when they stumble onto the sacred ground of Dolly, a masked, deranged figure who captures the girlfriend and forces her to live as her baby.
Starring: Fabianne Therese, Russ Tiller, Kate Cobb, Eve Blackhurst, Michalina Scorzelli, Ethan Suplee, Seann William Scott & Max the Impaler (The fact they cast a wrestler in this role. Wow. lol)
Honestly, I have no real idea what my expectations were going into this movie because it kinda didn't fully appeal to me at all, but Shudder had it so I figured why not. I'm gonna be real, this was an odd one to watch. There's one scene in particular that was unforgettable that made me feel icky. XD But as far as what it was going for, it definitely accomplished it. The story is nothing too special, but gore-wise they did a great job. Fabianne Therese was really good as the lead. The villain was definitely memorable. Kinda interesting to see Seann William Scott in such a small role but the guy clearly enjoys horror. In a way, I kinda respect that it really leans into trying to feel like how the 70's slashers were shot. There's a rawness to it that feels authentic. So I guess you could say as a slasher, it gets the job done. It's just gonna make you queasy along the way. lol
10. Lake Mungo (2008)
“I feel like something bad is going to happen to me. I feel like something bad has happened. It hasn't reached me yet but it's on its way.”
Directed By: Joel Anderson
Plot: Alice drowns while swimming and her family begins experiencing inexplicable events in their home. The family hires a parapsychologist whose investigation unveils Alice's secret double life and leads them all to Lake Mungo.
Starring: Talia Zucker, David Pledger, Rosie Traynor, Martin Sharpe & Steve Jodrell
This one actually ended up being my last watch of the month April overall since I guess I was unintentionally on a horror kick celebrating Halfway to Halloween, and this is something I've attempted to watch before multiple times but apparently was just never in the right headspace for it until now. I think one of the small problems was that it's been a little overhyped over the years, especially with horror icon director Mike Flanagan singing its praises any chance he can get. On one hand, I get it. The man appreciates a slowburn and subtlety, and I can probably see some influence from it now that I've finally seen it. As a fan of the found footage subgenre, I see the merit in it since I can tell what they were going for execution-wise. That all said, it truly is a slow tale with the super grainy footage to boot, so I think it really depends on the person if it works for them or not. I do think the argument could be made that this is a horror movie that could be shown to a non-horror fan because it's not spooky enough to give them nightmares imo (regardless what Mr. Flanagan would say lol) But it will make you uncomfortable. It plays like a mockumentary for a majority of the time with Alice's family recounting how things have been going with some found footage from her phone later on. I didn't hate that they went that way since I appreciate that they were committing to the bit, but I can understand if that was boring for some. Overall, it wasn't a bad watch at all, but I do think it wasn't totally able to live up quite to the hype all this time.
And that's it for now! The only other notable watch was me rewatching The Substance again, which remains a 5/5 star watch for me. I don't care! lol Glad I made sure to watch some older movies that weren't only released this year. I'm really gonna try to some more of that from now on.
