Tag: horror

Film Review: Nosferatu (2024)

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The latest adaptation of Nosferatu (2024) is a stunning reimagining of the iconic 1922 silent film that has endured as one of the most influential horror movies in cinematic history. Directed by Robert Eggers, the film blends elements of gothic horror, expressionism, and modern sensibilities to create something both timeless and terrifying.

A Fresh Take on a Classic

Eggers, known for his meticulous craftsmanship in The Witch (2015) and The Lighthouse (2019), brings his signature atmospheric tension and historical precision to Nosferatu. The movie is a reworking of the classic tale of Count Orlok, a vampire whose eerie presence and insatiable thirst for blood spread fear and chaos. While the story remains rooted in the essential beats of the 1922 film, Eggers injects a fresh and chilling perspective into the narrative.

One of the film’s greatest strengths is its refusal to simply remake the original but instead, taking the essence of the 1922 film and amplifying it. It’s not just a retelling; it’s a reimagining for a new era. The movie is steeped in the atmosphere of the 19th century, but Eggers expands the world with deeper emotional stakes, giving us a story that feels both historical and contemporary in its exploration of dread.

Visual and Cinematic Brilliance

The visuals are absolutely mesmerizing. Eggers’ use of practical effects and the gorgeous cinematography by Jarin Blaschke (a frequent collaborator) take full advantage of the eerie landscapes and the haunting visage of Count Orlok, played by Bill Skarsgård. The makeup and prosthetics on Skarsgård are nothing short of mesmerizing, transforming him into a truly otherworldly and grotesque figure. His portrayal of the vampire is a combination of the original Nosferatu’s malevolence and a new level of psychological complexity that makes Orlok both more unsettling and tragically human.

The film’s color palette is steeped in muted tones, with chiaroscuro lighting that evokes the expressionist style of the 1922 film but is done in a way that feels fresh and striking. Eggers embraces modern sensibilities but also pays homage to the heavy use of shadows and visual storytelling that made the silent film so groundbreaking.

A Strong Performances Across the Board

While Skarsgård’s performance as the vampire is undeniably captivating, the supporting cast also shines. Lily-Rose Depp, playing the central character of Ellen, is emotionally vulnerable yet resilient. Her portrayal of a woman torn between the supernatural forces surrounding her and the love of her husband (played by Nicholas Hoult) brings a poignancy to the film that deepens its terror. Depp’s presence is ethereal, almost as though she’s an extension of the haunting landscapes, which enhances the film’s atmosphere.

Nicholas Hoult, known for his versatility, gives a nuanced performance as the doctor who becomes entwined in Orlok’s web. His progression from curiosity to horror is beautifully done, and his chemistry with Depp makes their relationship believable even amidst the supernatural chaos.

Themes of Isolation and Despair

Nosferatu (2024) explores more than just the fear of vampires; it delves into themes of isolation, the human psyche, and the destructive nature of obsession. Much like the original, the film touches on the profound isolation of both Orlok and his victims, but Eggers takes this further, showing how fear and longing can distort reality. The dark, oppressive atmosphere mirrors the emotional isolation of the characters, where the external threats seem to echo internal struggles.

Eggers also plays with the notion of the monstrous as both an outward and inward transformation. Orlok is not just a vampire—he’s a manifestation of our darkest fears, a creature that lurks in the shadows of the human soul. The tension between the supernatural and the human condition makes the story resonate beyond the genre of horror.

The Verdict

Ultimately, Nosferatu (2024) is a triumph of modern horror filmmaking. Eggers has crafted a visually stunning, thematically rich, and deeply unsettling film that successfully reinvents a classic while staying true to the original’s spirit. Bill Skarsgård’s portrayal of Orlok is mesmerizing, and the haunting atmosphere of the film is a testament to Eggers’ prowess as a director.

While the film takes its time to build tension, its slow-burn atmosphere pays off in a finale that is as chilling as it is thought-provoking. Fans of classic horror, as well as those who appreciate more cerebral, atmospheric films, will find much to admire in this 2024 reimagining of Nosferatu. It’s a film that lingers long after the credits roll—both terrifying and beautiful in equal measure.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

A masterful reimagining of a classic, Nosferatu (2024) reminds us why horror, when done right, can transcend the realm of pure fright to become something far more profound.

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Happy New Year & 2025 Goals

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2024 felt rather quiet in regards to publishing – but three amazing things did happen:

My short story “The Unconventional Tea Party,” won third prize for the Prose category in Killer Shorts 2024

My poem “Luna Nera” appeared in The Horror Writer’s Association Poetry Showcase Vol. XI.

L.E. Daniels’ short story, “Silk,” was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award for short stories (I had published Daniels’ story in my Women in Horror Anthology: Hush, Don’t Wake the Monster: Stories Inspired by Stephen King.

-I was super busy doing a lot of writing this year so I’m happy to announce that I will be having some releases in 2025: Into the Dread Unknown: Gothic Anthology and PANICO! Marie Antoinette’s Journey During the Reign of Terror.

2025 GOALS

-Write a horror feature screenplay

-Write a play.

-Find a publisher for my romantic thriller TEAR YOU APART.

-Find a publisher for my gothic horror novella THIS FEVER CALLED LIVING

-Find a publisher for my urban legend novella CRY ME A RIVER

-Find a home for my two lit pieces, “A SICILIAN FUNERAL” and “DADDY”

-Work on my current WIP occult thriller

-Read at least 50 books.

What are some of your goals going into the new year?

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The Fall of a Queen: Marie Antoinette’s Story Unveiled – PANICO! by Azzurra Nox

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From shy Austrian princess to vilified French queen.

“I am the venom in your veins…”

To this day, Marie Antoinette remains a very polarizing and controversial queen. Known for her extravagant fashion and luxurious lifestyle, she quickly became the hated symbol of aristocratic indulgence and depravity. The Revolutionists made her the scapegoat for all of their rage, which led her to the scaffold.


This poetry book captures Marie Antoinette’s journey from leaving Versailles in 1789 to navigating the Reign of Terror and her untimely demise in 1793. A journey compiled by despair and loss—but that ultimately forged the path for Marie Antoinette to showcase her bravery and resilience. Told in the point of view of the unfortunate Queen, you will experience the highs and lows of her years in captivity. From gilded queen to widow Capet—this book explores Marie Antoinette’s plight in a way that is both intimate and raw. Experience history like you never have before in these poems that read like confessions and leave a mark long after you’ve reached the end.

Book is available MAY 6, 2025 – but you can PRE-ORDER HERE!

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Gothic Tales: Thirteen Modern Retellings You Must Read – Into the Dread Unknown: Women in Horror Anthology

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A curse. A castle. Strange noises in the dark. What could possibly go wrong?

Thirteen authors explore the chilling theme of Gothic Literature with a modern twist. In this collection you will find fairytale retellings, folklore, and atmospheric settings bound to seduce as much as it unsettles.

Stories included:

Strega by Azzurra Nox

The Howling Places by L.E. Daniels

Moonlight Sonata by Grace R. Reynolds

Green Eyes by DW Milton

Kiss Me To Sleep by Pauline Yates

Ring of Blood, Ring of Ashes by Jasmine De La Paz

Please Serve Cold by Rachel Bolton

Thief of Dreams by Elana Gomel

The Secret of Thornwick Hall by Alyson Faye

Becoming The Deathless by Joni Chng

The Lady and the Viper by Kay Hanifen

Ladylike by TM Lunn

The Awakening of Prince Tristan by Marnie Azzarelli

You can pre-order the book HERE!!!

BOOK WILL BE OUT MARCH 11, 2025

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Fairytales and True Crime: Vanishing Daughters by Cynthia Pelayo

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She sleeps, nor dreams, but ever dwells.

PLOT SUMMARY:

A haunted woman stalked by a serial killer confronts the horrors of fairy tales and the nightmares of real life in a breathtaking novel of psychological suspense by a Bram Stoker Award–winning author.

It started the night journalist Briar Thorne’s mother died in their rambling old mansion on Chicago’s South Side.

The nightmares of a woman in white pleading to come home, music switched on in locked rooms, and the panicked fear of being swallowed by the dark…Bri has almost convinced herself that these stirrings of dread are simply manifestations of grief and not the beyond-world of ghostly impossibilities her mother believed in. And more tangible terrors still lurk outside the decaying Victorian greystone.

A serial killer has claimed the lives of fifty-one women in the Chicago area. When Bri starts researching the murders, she meets a stranger who tells her there’s more to her sleepless nights than bad dreams—they hold the key to putting ghosts to rest and stopping a killer. But the killer has caught on and is closing in, and if Bri doesn’t answer the call of the dead soon, she’ll be walking among them.

GRADE: A

REVIEW:

Briar Rose is devastated by her mother’s death. She can’t seem to focus on her work, nor can she sleep. The first few chapters are a slow fever dream of insomnia perpetuated by grief. But once we meet the serial killer and his intentions to capture and kill Briar so that he can add her to his collection of “beauties” the book really shifts to a faster gear.

I loved the intertwining of Chicago history with the fairytale of Sleeping Beauty. The prose was very dreamy-like and evocative, creating clear images in your mind, but also allowing you to feel Briar’s frequent dream sequences that interweave with the past and present. I really liked Isaac, a man she befriends on one of her walks that helps her use her dreams as a way to find out the truth about the past that can also help with the present, and help find out who the killer is. This isn’t your typical plot-driven thriller, but more a psychological supernatural character driven one. Pelayo masterfully weaves horror, fairytale, and true crime into this novel in ways that couldn’t be pulled off by a less skilled author.

The reader is quickly sucked into the mystery of trying to figure out who the killer is, why Briar has been seeing an older gentleman passing by her home for many years, and who exactly is Mary – the famous ghost known was the Vanishing Hitchhiker of Archer Avenue. There are moments when walking with Briar along the most haunted places in Chicago that the reader can’t help but feel more terror for the characters encountering live people on their trail than any ghosts – as Pelayo likes to remind us that very often it’s people who are the real monsters, and not the supernatural.

This is a must-read for those who love fairytale retellings with a modern, true-crime twist to it. If you have enjoyed Pelayo’s previous books, then you will love this one a lot, as she has truly mastered her literary brand of intertwining magical realism with the grittiness of true crime. Read this for a haunted, and unforgettable experience.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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Book Review: Evil in Me by Brom

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“The taint is upon you. You can run, but never hide. Evil will find you.”

PLOT SUMMARY:

Aspiring musician Ruby Tucker has had enough of her small rural town and dysfunctional family. But a falling out with her best friend and bandmate has killed her dreams of escaping and making it big in the Atlanta punk scene.

While helping her eccentric neighbor organize his religious artifacts, an ancient ring clamps down on her finger—possessing her with the spirit of a blood-thirsty demon. There’s no exorcizing it unless hundreds of people chant a spell to set Ruby free. And what’s worse, the ring is a beacon for evil, drawing an unimaginably wicked mob straight to Ruby, hungry for her flesh.

If Ruby can get her band back together, she has a shot at salvation. It’s time for her to face the music and put her whole soul into a song—one powerful enough to raise some Hell.

GRADE: A

REVIEW:

This was such a fun read! By fun I mean that it was adventurous (there was a road trip) and filled with awesome friendships and some incredibly scary scenes! Ruby is looking after an older gentleman when she gets caught up in the occult. The older gentleman is posed with trying to destroy a ring that causes people to be possessed by an evil entity, but when looking through the old man’s artifacts one day, Ruby becomes intrigued by a ring and the moment she puts it on, she can no longer remove it.

The only person who can help her is in Atlanta, which coincidentally is also where her best friend moved to a year ago – so Ruby decides to go. In between all of this, she is possessed but also trying to not give in to the evil that’s starting to brew in her.

And if that wasn’t enough, a serial killer is also on their trail – wanting to kill Ruby because he’s grown fixated with her.

I loved how the book explored the importance and power of music and how sometimes punk rock can truly save your soul.

This was a fast paced novel told in various POV, but my favorite was Ruby’s. She was the beating heart of this novel and as much as the novel dealt with some truly dark things, I did love the comic reliefs portions of the book too. Read this if you’re into Jewish Mysticism, occult, and a new take on possession.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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Book Review: All The Hearts You Eat by Hailey Piper

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What really happened to Cabrina Brite?

PLOT SUMMARY:



Ivory’s life changes irrevocably when she discovers the body of Cabrina Brite on the sands of Cape Morning, along with a mysterious poem. How did she die, and why does it seem she was trying to swim to Ghost Cat Island, the center of so many local mysteries?

Desperate to uncover the answers surrounding Cabrina’s death, and haunted by her discovery, Ivory begins to see the pale ghost of Cabrina, only to shake it off as a mere hallucination. But Ivory is not alone. Cabrina’s closest friends have also seen a similar apparition, and as they toy with occult possibilities, they begin to unravel the truth behind Cabrina’s death.

Because Cape Morning isn’t a ghost town, but a town filled with ghosts, and Ivory is about to discover just what happens when you let one in.

GRADE: A-

REVIEW:

This isn’t your typical vampire novel – Piper brings new lore and a fresh take to the undead and I’m here for it. It’s visceral and raw as it explores the theme of identity. Cape Morning is a small island with not many residents. Tourists flock the island during the summer months, but in the winter the island is less populated. Ivory is a trans woman who lives by the sea, and one morning after swimming sees the body of Cabrina Brite. She soon finds herself enthralled by the mystery of what exactly happened to Cabrina and what caused her to die. The mystery is well done and what kept my interest throughout the novel. I really liked the chapters from Cabrina’s diary. Ivory pushes herself to the brink, endangering herself at times in order to seek out the truth. Then there’s Cabrina’s friends, who, grief-stricken will do anything to find out the mystery that surrounds her death too, even if it means tinkering with the occult.

There’s brutal violence, but told in a way that almost comes across as poetic. I loved how the vampires in this novel were linked to cats and the island Ghost Cat Island. This is a new vibrant take on the vampire lore, and if you love Gothic literature, the gothic vibes are at an all time high in this one. The pages are filled with a brimming rage – but will also break your heart in unexpected ways. A must-read if you love well-rounded characters, diverse horror, atmospheric horror, and can’t get enough of vampires.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Titan Books for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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3 Horror Movies for the Perfect Halloween Marathon

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Strange Darling

Nothing is what it seems when a twisted one-night stand spirals into a serial killer’s vicious murder spree.

This movie is phenomenally dark and chaotically twisty. And Kyle confirms himself as the Horror King. Go in blind and enjoy the crazy ride!

Long Legs

FBI Agent Lee Harker is assigned to an unsolved serial killer case that takes an unexpected turn, revealing evidence of the occult. Harker discovers a personal connection to the killer and must stop him before he strikes again.

Oz Perkins may be one of my recent fave directors. Every movie of his has been a major hit for the horror genre, and with Long Legs you get the bonus of Nickolas Cage and Horror Queen Maika Monroe.

Oddity

After the brutal murder of her twin sister, Darcy goes after those responsible by using haunted items as her tools for revenge.

For a shoestring budget, this movie packs a brutal punch and has the best jumpscare in a long time. You may want to check out Damia McCarthy’s previous film Caveat.

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Film Review: Cuckoo

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This wasn’t your usual horror movie – it has body horror, but it’s not horrific until you begin to hear the shriek the monster emits. Hunter Schafer is seventeen-year-old Gretchen who has recently lost her mother and had to relocate with her dad and his new family. She’s not keen on this, especially when they start living in the German Alps and she’s far from her US friends and the life she had there.

Dan Stevens plays the odd, Herr Konig (her dad’s boss) who fixates on her deaf sister Alma. He also offers Gretchen a job at his resort, but insists that she doesn’t work the night shift. Obviously, since this is a horror movie, we find out why when her co-worker asks Gretchen to cover her nightshift.

The movie is a mix of 70’s giallo but as the film progresses and Gretchen acquires more and more wounds, you begin to wonder how she’s going to final girl her way out of this predicament when she looks absolutely massacred. The unease that the characters feel in the movie due to the monster can be felt by the audience. When the monster shrieks, the audience cringes too as the sound is so offputting that you want it to stop. When the characters get stuck in a time loop, the audience feels just as disorientated, trying to figure out if the loop is going to continue or it’s going to end.

Cuckoo isn’t your typical horror movie, and it may not be the type of movie one might enjoy if your flavor of horror is Blumhouse horrors. But if you enjoy weird horror movies that are doing something interesting with the genre, then this might be up your alley.

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Book Review: Dear Hanna by Zoje Stage

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Sorry. You have very small veins.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Hanna is no stranger to dark thoughts: as a young child, she tried to murder her own mother. But that was more than sixteen years ago. And extensive therapy—and writing letters to her younger brother—has since curbed those nasty tendencies.

Now twenty-four, Hanna is living an outwardly normal life of domestic content. Married to real estate agent Jacob, she’s also stepmother to his teenage daughter Joelle. They live in a beautiful home, and Hanna loves her career as a phlebotomist—a job perfectly suited to her occasional need to hurt people.

But when Joelle begins to change in ways that don’t suit Hanna’s purposes, her carefully planned existence threatens to come apart. With life slipping out of her control, Hanna reverts to old habits, determined to manipulate the events and people around her. And the only thing worse than a baby sociopath is a fully grown one.

GRADE: B-

REVIEW:

This novel is the highly anticipated sequel to Baby Teeth. When we left Hanna at the end of the first book, she was sent to an institution for troubled girls – when we meet Hanna as an adult she’s a phlebtomist, where she uses her job as a means to exact pain whenever she feels stressed on her patients. One day she meets a widowed father with a young girl and soon she marries him and becomes a stepmother. Hanna lives a very structured and mundane life, but she’s happy, until her stepdaughter becomes pregnant. This event triggers her to the point that her past sociopathic tendencies reemerge. While I found this novel very fast paced and I did like adult Hanna a lot, I kind of expected more. What I mean is that child Hanna was way more deranged than adult Hanna, and I know that adult Hanna was trying to avoid ever having to go to prison, but I kind of wished that she would’ve been more dangerous if that makes sense? I did like how the novel ended – Hanna deserved to get rid of all those terrible people in her life.

If you read the first book you might like this sequel, although this book can be read as a standalone. I don’t know if this book was much of a thriller, so if you’re into thrillers where you’re worried about any of the characters dying, this isn’t that sort of thriller. I do enjoy Stage’s novels overall, but do feel that she fills her novels with too many mundane events and details that don’t really add to the story.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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