Frightening Strikes

April signals the return of Spring, but we horror fans know that fear has no off-season. and next month brings a host of new thrills in the form of supernatural nightmares, new takes on classic themes and post-apocalyptic survival. I’ve put in the hard yards and researched the available information, making my these picks based on what looks the most spine-chilling, intriguing, or just plain fun. So, here are five horror films to look out for in April 2025 plus some honourable mentions that didn't quite make the list. 825 Forest Road  Chuck Wilson relocates to the town of Ashland Falls with his wife and sister, following a family tragedy. They soon discover that the town harbours a dark secret: a ghost that has terrorised residents for decades. To end the hauntings, Chuck must locate Helen's former home at 825 Forest Road before it's too late. With Stephen Cognetti, (Hell House LLC franchise) as writer/director, this looks like a chilling supernatural offering with an intrig...

Longlegs opens with a bleak,1970s-inspired 8mm aesthetic that immediately establishes an ominous tone. It wastes no time in introducing the titular Longlegs, who appears at the home of a young girl and confronts her in a deeply unsettling encounter, setting the stage for the creeping tension that follows. Serial Killer Cold Case Fast-forward a number of years and we're introduced to Lee Harker, a rookie FBI agent whose strained relationship with her mother (Alicia Witt) adds another layer of mystery. Harker is thrust into a cold case involving a serial killer, with her unerring intuition or psychic ability - you choose - viewed as a valuable asset by her superiors. As Harker delves deeper into the mystery with the help of her boss, Carter (Blair Underwood), she uncovers a history of shocking inter-family violence with overtones of the occult and alarmingly, a possible link to her own past. Audience vs Critics Longlegs was received favourably by critics with a more mixed reception...

Rachel: Teresa Palmer Anthony: Steven Cree Elliot: Tristan Ruggeri Helen: Barbara Marten Director: Taneli Mustonen Writer:  Taneli Mustonen and Aleksi Hyvärinen Released: 2022 Something Otherworldly at Play The Twin is a psychological horror film that follows Rachel and her husband Anthony as they relocate to a remote Scandinavian town with their son Elliot after the tragic death of his twin brother, Nathan. However, Rachel soon begins to suspect that something otherworldly is at play, as Elliot's behaviour changes in disturbing ways that seem to be linked to his deceased twin. At first, Elliot's change in attitude seems to stem from his own grief. In response, Rachel becomes more protective than usual, while Anthony takes a hands-off approach, believing it isn't healthy for Elliot to have every whim indulged. As a result, the couple couple become separated by their shared grief. The English Eccentric Rachel struggles to fit in to the lo the community, particularly as ...

Reina: Simone Policano Cory: Jeff Ayars Zeke: Drew Beckas Director: Omri Dorani Writers: Omri Dorani & Rob Harmon Release: 2019 "This is Our Home" explores the dynamics of a fractured relationship, against a backdrop of mystery and emotional discord. As the story of Reyna and Cory unfolds, we are met with flashes of their past interwoven with a present bedevilled by unresolved issues and an unsettling encounter with a boy who claims he is their son. It kicks off with Reyna (Rey) and Cory heading out to her childhood home for some space to try and repair their relationship, with just a hint as to what lies behind their current struggles. They seem to be genuinely in love but vacillate between displays of affection and vicious bickering so clearly, there is work to be done. We are given glimpses of happier times but it's clear that they harbour a traumatic secret creating a tension that lingers throughout the film. On their first night at the property, after a plea...

  Beth Parchin: Rebecca Hall Owen Parchin: Evan Jonigkeit Claire: Sarah Goldberg. Mel: Vondie Curtis-Hall Madelyne: Stacy Martin Becky: Samantha Buck Director: David Bruckner Writers: Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski Release: 2021 Opening with a post-funerial scene introducing Beth, a grieving widow who is in deep shock following the sudden death of her beloved husband, "The Night House" draws the audience into the eerie corridors of psychological horror, taking us on a journey through grief, when it collides with the spectral unknown. From its beautiful cinematography to the stellar performances, the elements of this film converge to create an atmospheric experience that resonates after the credits roll. Following her husband's death, Beth drags herself through a haze of grief as she struggles to maintain a sense of normality while grappling with the shocking reality of what has occurred. It's not long before she experiences a series of unsettling events that, a...

  Kate: Lora Burke Beth: Tessa Kozma Hal: Colin Paradine Mary: Kristen MacCulloch Lewis: Nick Smyth Director: Craig Wallace Writer:  Craig Wallace & Ian Malone Release:  2021 From the opening scene this is an intriguing tale where nothing is as it seems to be. And "seems to be" is a theme running through the story which is the beauty of "Motherly", weaving a narrative through a labyrinth of secrets managing to be both intriguing and entertaining. Kate and her 9 year old daughter Beth have escaped a traumatic past and now find themselves hiding in isolation in a rural area. From the start, it's evident that there's tension between them, with Beth displaying defiance and a longing to be with her dad and Kate, who is protective but somewhat controlling and prone to outbursts of frustrated anger.  They are not entirely alone as help is on hand in the form of Hal who is there to keep an eye on them and ensure their safety, especially when Kate suspects that a...