Alam Nyo Ba?

Tyler

Can we please stop with the shark movies?

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love shark movies, as they always hit a certain level of dumb fun. I will randomly throw on Deep Blue Sea or Jaws: The Revenge to have a good time. There’s just the right level of campiness, humor, and violence to really hit that entertainment sweet spot. Yet, we’ve still only just gotten the one good one (do I even need to say its name?).  And that was over 50 years ago! It’s simply not a sub-genre that is to be taken seriously. Which is where the main problem lies.

It feels like every other month, we’re getting a new shark movie. Under Paris. Deep Water. Thrash. Chum. And it’s not like any of them are particularly good. But their biggest sin is the fact that they end up taking themselves so seriously that they don’t seem to understand fun. Under Paris is about sharks invading a flooded Paris during a triathlon. That’s absurd! Yet the movie tries to make points about environmentalism and just comes across as corny. Thrash is simply Crawl with Sharks, only without the whimsical tone or likable characters. Yet even more keep on coming!

It feels like every other week, I’m getting some email about a new shark film, and I can’t help but roll my eyes. It doesn’t help that they all look like the same kind of films we’ve seen time and time again. We’ve got Kathryn Newton and Lana Condor running into a shark while cave diving in The Devil’s Mouth. Then there’s Antonio Banderas as a cartel leader, in a film that looks oddly like 47 Meters Down, with Above & Below. And the more I think about it, Devil’s Mouth has a very similar plot to 47 Meters Down: Uncaged. It’s all the same bullshit, each and every time. Shark stories are so limited, and it feels like we’ve done them all.

What I find so fascinating about these shark films is that it’s getting increasingly more difficult to get a film funded these days, and it’s certainly not cheap to do something with sharks. And when they do go cheap, it ends up meaning the FX are worse, which just makes the movie worse. It’s all diminishing returns. That hasn’t stopped them from being pumped out faster than any other subgenre these days. Hell, I feel like I see less slashers than I do shark films, which is insanity. Those can be made for peanuts!

And the shark mayhem doesn’t seem to be ending either.  Under Paris 2 is currently filming and is being directed by Alexandre Aja, and a Thrash 2 is very likely after the first film’s success on Netflix. Hell, even The Black Demon got a sequel that releases next year! But it’s not like they’re all having success, as Deep Water and Chum both bombed at the box office. And when so many are being released, it’s less likely for all of them to find success. The market is just too flooded.

I’m simply warn out. I can’t watch another movie where a poorly rendered shark takes out some one-dimensional character who can’t act their way out of a paper bag. Last year’s Dangerous Animals felt like we were finally getting a new kind of shark film. One that was well-made and treated the sharks in a more realistic light. Instead, we’ve reverted back to the early 2000s, and SyFy Originals are simply being replaced with Netflix Originals.

Are you as sick of shark films as I am? Are there any good ones I’m overlooking? Let us know in the comments!

Related

Awesome Art honors legendary summer blockbusters from Jaws to Top Gun

The post Enough Already: Hollywood Has a Shark Movie Problem appeared first on JoBlo.

Chris

This weekend sees the release of Evil Dead Burn, the sixth movie in the Evil Dead franchise. What began as a micro-budget movie shot by Sam Raimi with a bunch of friends has turned into one of the longest-lasting horror franchises, and despite Burn‘s weaker-than-expected box office take, it’s still going strong, with Evil Dead Wrath due in 2028. Yesterday, we posted our rankings of the entire series, including the spin-off series Ash vs Evil Dead, but now we want to know what YOU think!

The Evil Dead was a true grassroots, word-of-mouth hit. Completed in 1981, what arguably made its reputation was that, in 1982, it was allowed to screen out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival, where none other than Stephen King happened to be in attendance. He loved it, and his enthusiastic review became a huge part of the film’s marketing when it hit theaters in 1983. Yet, its $2.4 million gross—which was still impressive for a movie that only cost $375,000—was relatively modest in the U.S. Overseas, however, it was an unexpected blockbuster, earning $27 million. While generally considered the better movie overall, the sequel, Evil Dead 2, made only a fraction of that amount, but it was seen by the right people, allowing Raimi to break through with mainstream films like Darkman. As such, his follow-up, Army of Darkness, had a healthy budget, although fans noticed it was more of a comedic adventure movie with horror elements than a full-on horror film. Yet, it was the movie that made Bruce Campbell’s Ash Williams an icon.

In the years since Army of Darkness came out in 1993, the franchise has gone through some interesting reinventions. The first film was remade in 2013, and it was surprisingly well received, but it didn’t become a franchise. Instead, the TV sequel Ash vs Evil Dead happened, allowing Campbell to reprise his classic role for three seasons. Then, Campbell and Raimi opted to produce an Evil Dead sequel—albeit one not featuring Ash—called Evil Dead Rise, which became a major hit and launched a whole new era for the franchise. But everyone has their favorites, so now it’s your turn to let us know yours. For me, I’d say it’s got to be Army of Darkness, but I have a feeling this poll will be pretty tight between the first two films.

Here’s the poll:

The post Poll: What’s the Best Evil Dead Movie? appeared first on JoBlo.

Cody

Few horror franchises have reinvented themselves as successfully as The Evil Dead. What began as Sam Raimi’s down-and-dirty independent horror film evolved into a horror comedy phenomenon, spawned sequels, a television series, and acclaimed revivals and reinventions. Whether you’re looking for the scariest Deadite nightmare or the funniest adventure starring Ash Williams, here’s our ranking of every entry in the franchise, including Ash vs. Evil Dead.

The Evil Dead Franchise at a Glance

• Original Ash Williams Saga: The Evil Dead – Evil Dead II – Army of Darkness – Ash vs. Evil Dead
• Modern Revival Line: Evil Dead (2013) – Evil Dead Rise – Evil Dead Burn
• Shared Mythology: All stories revolve around the Book of the Dead and the Deadites.

7. EVIL DEAD RISE (2023)

After the success of the 2013 Evil Dead and the end of Ash vs. Evil Dead, Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, and Rob Tapert continued expanding the franchise by giving another up-and-coming filmmaker the opportunity to tell a standalone story. Impressed by Lee Cronin’s debut feature The Hole in the Ground, they hired him to write and direct Evil Dead Rise, shifting the action from an isolated cabin to a rundown Los Angeles apartment building. The film became the highest-grossing entry in the franchise, earning widespread praise from critics and audiences while proving the Evil Dead series could thrive even without Ash Williams.

When guitar technician Beth visits her sister Ellie, an earthquake uncovers a hidden chamber beneath Ellie’s apartment building containing one of the mysterious Books of the Dead and a set of phonograph records. After Ellie’s son Danny plays recordings of ancient incantations, the Deadites are unleashed, possessing Ellie and turning the apartment complex into a nightmarish battleground. As the evil spreads, Beth must protect her sister’s children while confronting grotesque supernatural threats.

I know I’m in the minority on this one, but Evil Dead Rise simply doesn’t work for me. While I appreciate the attempt to move the series into a new setting and the film certainly has some memorable ideas, I find the extremely dark cinematography to be irritating, making it difficult to appreciate what’s happening on screen. The story goes through the Evil Dead motions but fails to keep me engaged, and the climactic Marauder creature feels more silly than satisfying because, instead of making the Deadites more dangerous, it actually makes them easier to defeat. The movie was a commercial success and has earned plenty of fans, but despite multiple viewings, it’s the only entry in the franchise that I don’t enjoy revisiting. The sequel I didn’t like wound up being the biggest hit in a franchise I love.

6. EVIL DEAD BURN (2026)

Before the release of Evil Dead Rise, franchise rights holders Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, and Rob Tapert let it be known that they were already looking forward to producing more entries in the series, with Campbell revealing they were hoping to make a new sequel or spin-off every two or three years. They proved their commitment to this idea by quickly hiring Sébastien Vaniček, who made his feature debut with the horror film Vermin (Infested), to write and direct Evil Dead Burn. Rather than simply repeating what came before, Vaniček crafted a new nightmare that returns the franchise to its isolated-location roots while connecting more directly to the mythology established in Raimi’s original films.

After the death of her husband, Alice joins his estranged family at their secluded vacation home, unaware that the property holds a terrifying secret connected to an ancient evil. When the Deadites are unleashed, the dysfunctional family finds itself trapped in a brutal fight for survival as grief, resentment, and old wounds collide with a supernatural force determined to destroy them. As the carnage escalates, Alice must become the unlikely survivor of another Evil Dead nightmare.

Evil Dead Burn doesn’t reinvent the franchise, but it doesn’t need to. It understands exactly what makes these movies work and pushes those elements to new extremes. Vaniček delivers an intensely grim and relentlessly violent entry filled with incredible practical effects, inventive kills, and an atmosphere of constant dread. While the original trilogy balanced horror and comedy in unique ways, Burn embraces a darker approach, proving the series can continue evolving while still honoring its roots. With memorable characters, shocking gore, and a direct connection to the mythology fans love, this is another strong chapter in one of horror’s most consistently entertaining franchises.

5. EVIL DEAD (2013)

After years of discussing the possibility of a new Evil Dead, Sam Raimi returned to the franchise as producer and helped hand the reins to director Fede Álvarez, whose short film Panic Attack! impressed Raimi with its ambitious visual effects. Designed as a fresh take on the original concept rather than a direct remake, the film gave a new generation of filmmakers the chance to explore the world of the Book of the Dead with a larger budget and modern effects. Álvarez co-wrote the screenplay with Rodo Sayagues, with an uncredited polish from Diablo Cody, creating a darker and more grounded version of the cabin-in-the-woods nightmare.

Five young people travel to a remote cabin to help Mia overcome her heroin addiction, unaware that the abandoned location contains the Book of the Dead and recordings that can unleash demonic forces. After one of them reads from the ancient text, the group begins falling victim to possession and horrific attacks. As the Deadites claim the members of the group one by one, Mia must fight to survive and confront both the supernatural evil surrounding her and her own personal demons.

While Evil Dead (2013) doesn’t reach the heights of Sam Raimi’s original trilogy, it succeeds as an incredibly brutal and bloody horror experience. The story and Deadites never quite match the creativity or personality of the earlier films (the Deadites are too chill, reminiscent of the average shambling flesh-eating ghoul but without the appetite), but Fede Álvarez delivers some punishing brutality and unforgettable gore, pushing the franchise into a far more intense and visceral direction. With gallons of blood, shocking practical effects, and a willingness to go places few mainstream horror films would, this version of Evil Dead is a savage nightmare that earns respect even if it doesn’t inspire the same affection as Raimi’s films.

4. ASH VS. EVIL DEAD (2015-2018)

After more than two decades of fans asking for another Evil Dead sequel, Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, and producer Rob Tapert finally brought Ash Williams back not in a movie, but in the Starz series Ash vs. Evil Dead. Set approximately 30 years after the original trilogy, the show reunited Raimi and Campbell with the character that launched their careers, expanding the franchise with a larger story, new characters, and a return to the mix of horror, comedy, and nauseating gore that made the films beloved. The series premiered with Raimi directing the first episode and immediately proved that Ash’s time away had not diminished his appeal.

Now older, heavier, and still a reckless loudmouth, Ash accidentally unleashes the Deadites once again after reading from the Book of the Dead while trying to impress a woman. Forced back into action, he reluctantly accepts his destiny as the hero known as El Jefe and sets out to stop the evil he has unleashed. Along the way, he teams up with his loyal co-worker Pablo Simon Bolivar, the tough and skeptical Kelly Maxwell, and eventually even the teenage daughter he didn’t know existed, creating a new group of Deadite fighters while Ash attempts to prevent another supernatural apocalypse. The series also expands the mythology through Ruby Knowby, played by Lucy Lawless, whose connection to the Book of the Dead creates a new threat unlike anything Ash had faced before.

Ash vs. Evil Dead was exactly what fans had been hoping for: a true continuation of the original franchise that allowed Bruce Campbell to return to the role of Ash Williams in all his arrogant, ridiculous glory. Campbell is amazing, bringing the same physical comedy and sarcastic charm that made Ash an icon, while Raimi’s influence helps the series feel like a natural extension of the movies. The show hit some bumps along the way, but it delivers plenty of memorable Deadites, creative gore, hilarious moments, and genuine affection for the franchise. Seeing Ash back in action after all those years was a joy, and Ash vs. Evil Dead stands as one of the best horror TV shows ever made.

3. ARMY OF DARKNESS (1992)

Army of Darkness expanded the Evil Dead series in every possible way, transforming the franchise from a claustrophobic horror story into a medieval fantasy adventure with horror elements. Director Sam Raimi co-wrote the screenplay with his brother Ivan Raimi, creating a much larger-scale story that sent Ash Williams back to 1300 A.D. after the events of Evil Dead II. With a bigger budget, elaborate sets, and an army of stop-motion skeleton warriors inspired by the work of Ray Harryhausen, the film became a very different kind of Evil Dead experience while still maintaining Raimi’s visual energy and Bruce Campbell’s larger-than-life performance.

After being sucked into a vortex that was meant to rid the forest of the evil forces that tormented him, Ash finds himself stranded in the Middle Ages, where he is captured by Lord Arthur’s knights and thrown into a pit filled with Deadites. Recognized by the wise man as the hero prophesied to defeat the forces of darkness, Ash reluctantly agrees to retrieve the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, the Book of the Dead, before it falls into the hands of his enemies. Armed with his chainsaw hand, a new mechanical replacement, and plenty of attitude, Ash must battle Deadites, his own evil duplicate Bad Ash, and an undead army threatening to destroy the kingdom.

Army of Darkness and I got off to a rocky start. When I first saw it after discovering the Evil Dead films, I was disappointed that it had moved so far away from the terrifying original, embracing a much broader and sillier style of comedy. But over time, repeated viewings helped me appreciate what Raimi and Campbell were doing, and I eventually joined the legion of fans who consider it one of the most entertaining movies ever made. Bruce Campbell is fantastic as Ash fully embraces his role as a wisecracking hero, the visuals are awesome, and the film’s medieval adventure tone makes it unlike anything else in the series. It may not be the scariest Evil Dead movie, but it is an incredibly fun conclusion to one of horror’s greatest trilogies.

2. EVIL DEAD II (1987)

Evil Dead II reunited writer/director Sam Raimi, producer Rob Tapert, and star Bruce Campbell for a bigger-budget follow-up to The Evil Dead. Because the filmmakers couldn’t secure the rights to footage from the original film, they opened the sequel with a newly shot seven-minute recap that simplifies the events of the first movie, a creative compromise that has led some viewers to mistakenly call Evil Dead II a remake. In reality, the film picks up exactly where its predecessor ended, while benefiting from the freedom Raimi gained with a larger production.

After surviving the nightmare at the cabin, Ash Williams is briefly possessed before dawn drives the evil from his body. Trapped in the woods, he endures another night of supernatural torment as the demonic force returns, attacking him with possessed corpses, living objects, and his own severed hand. When the daughter of Professor Knowby (the archaeologist who left the Book of the Dead and recordings of its translated passages in the cabin before Ash arrived) shows up with three companions, the group finds itself battling Deadites while trying to use the book’s remaining pages to banish the evil once and for all. Amid the chaos, Ash fully embraces his destiny as a demon-slaying hero by replacing his missing hand with a chainsaw and uttering the immortal line: “Groovy.”

One of the most purely entertaining films ever made, Evil Dead II takes the traces of dark humor found in the original and runs with them, creating a live-action horror cartoon fueled by Raimi’s love of slapstick and inventive filmmaking. Bruce Campbell delivers one of the great physical performances in horror history, balancing hysterical comedy with relentless punishment as Ash evolves into the iconic hero fans know today. The creature effects, gore, cinematography, and nonstop visual creativity are all outstanding, making this not only one of the greatest horror comedies ever made, but also one of the most endlessly rewatchable entries in the genre. It’s spookshow perfection.

1. THE EVIL DEAD (1981)

The Evil Dead was the feature debut of writer/director Sam Raimi, who was only 20 years old when production began in 1979. Raimi, producer Rob Tapert, and star Bruce Campbell raised the film’s tiny budget through friends, family, and local investors after using the short film Within the Woods to demonstrate the concept. Shot in a remote Tennessee cabin under grueling conditions, the production endured harsh weather, a shrinking crew, and years of post-production before premiering in 1981 and receiving its wider theatrical release in 1983, becoming one of horror’s defining independent success stories.

Five Michigan college students travel to an isolated cabin for a weekend getaway, only to discover the mysterious Book of the Dead and a tape recording containing ancient incantations. When the recording unleashes demonic forces lurking in the surrounding woods, the friends begin falling victim to possession one by one. As the horrors escalate into relentless violence and madness, the unlikely survivor Ash Williams must find the strength to confront the evil consuming everyone around him.

The first and the best. The Evil Dead is still my favorite film in the franchise and the one I revisit the most. It’s the only horror movie that ever truly scared me after I became a fan of the genre, thanks to its atmosphere, unnerving sound design, and the portrayal of the demonic threat. While I eventually came to love the sequels for their blend of horror and comedy, the original remains the franchise’s most troubling nightmare. Years later, learning the story behind its difficult production only deepened my appreciation for what Raimi and his collaborators accomplished, making The Evil Dead not just one of my favorite horror films, but one of the most inspiring independent productions ever made. I would love to see a biopic about the making of this movie.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Evil Dead Franchise

Unlike many horror franchises, Evil Dead does not follow one single continuous storyline. Instead, the series has developed along three different paths while remaining connected through the mythology of the Book of the Dead and the Deadites it unleashes.

The original Ash Williams saga follows Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell’s iconic hero through The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (1987), Army of Darkness (1992), and the television continuation Ash vs. Evil Dead (2015-2018). A separate revival line began with Evil Dead (2013), followed by Evil Dead Rise (2023) and Evil Dead Burn (2026), introducing new characters and new nightmares while expanding the larger Evil Dead universe.

Because the franchise combines direct sequels, standalone stories, and shared mythology, viewers can enjoy each entry individually while also seeing how they all connect through the ancient evil at the center of the series.

How many Evil Dead movies are there?

There are currently seven feature-length Evil Dead films: The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (1987), Army of Darkness (1992), Evil Dead (2013), Evil Dead Rise (2023), Evil Dead Burn (2026), and Evil Dead Wrath, which is in post-production and will be released in 2028. The franchise also includes the television series Ash vs. Evil Dead, which ran for three seasons from 2015 to 2018.

What is the correct order to watch the Evil Dead movies?

The simplest way to watch The Evil Dead franchise is in release order:

1. The Evil Dead (1981)
2. Evil Dead II (1987)
3. Army of Darkness (1992)
4. Evil Dead (2013)
5. Ash vs. Evil Dead (2015-2018)
6. Evil Dead Rise (2023)
7. Evil Dead Burn (2026)

However, fans who want to follow Ash Williams’ story specifically can watch Ash vs. Evil Dead immediately after Army of Darkness. The Starz series is a direct continuation of Ash’s adventures from the original trilogy, while Evil Dead (2013), Evil Dead Rise, and Evil Dead Burn tell separate stories within the larger Evil Dead universe.

A good Ash-focused viewing order is:

1. The Evil Dead (1981)
2. Evil Dead II (1987)
3. Army of Darkness (1992)
4. Ash vs. Evil Dead (2015-2018)

After that, viewers can explore the standalone films that expand the franchise in different directions.

Is Evil Dead II a remake or a sequel?

Evil Dead II is a sequel that directly continues the story of The Evil Dead. The confusion comes from its opening seven-minute recap, which was filmed as a replacement for footage from the original movie that the filmmakers could not use. After the recap, the movie picks up from the exact moment where The Evil Dead ended, showing what happened after Ash was attacked by the evil force in the woods.

Is Army of Darkness connected to the first two Evil Dead movies?

Yes. Army of Darkness is the third film in the original trilogy and continues directly from the ending of Evil Dead II. After Ash is pulled through a supernatural vortex, he finds himself in medieval England in 1300 A.D., where he must retrieve the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis and battle an army of Deadites.

Does Bruce Campbell appear in every Evil Dead movie?

No. Bruce Campbell is best known for playing Ash Williams in The Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, Army of Darkness, and Ash vs. Evil Dead, but he does not star as Ash in the later standalone films.

Campbell does have a small post-credits cameo in Evil Dead (2013), appearing briefly to say Ash’s iconic catchphrase, “Groovy.” He also remained closely involved with the franchise as a producer alongside Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, helping guide the series’ continuation even when he was no longer playing the lead role.

Is Evil Dead (2013) a remake of the original movie?

Not exactly. Although it shares the same basic premise of young people discovering the Book of the Dead in a cabin, the 2013 Evil Dead is better viewed as a separate story set in the same universe. Director Fede Álvarez created a new group of characters and a different take on the Deadites rather than simply retelling Ash Williams’ story.

Did Ash Williams almost appear in a Freddy vs. Jason sequel?

Yes. Before Ash vs. Evil Dead brought Bruce Campbell back as Ash Williams, New Line Cinema explored the idea of having Ash appear in a sequel to Freddy vs. Jason (2003). The proposed film, often referred to as Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash, would have brought together three iconic horror characters: Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street, Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th, and Ash from the Evil Dead franchise. However, the movie never moved forward. Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, and producer Rob Tapert ultimately decided that it made more sense to develop their own Evil Dead project rather than have Ash serve as a guest character in another studio’s crossover. Screenwriter Jeff Katz was able to get his story published as a comic book from Dynamite Entertainment and WildStorm.

Although Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash never happened on screen, the idea helped demonstrate that there was still significant fan interest in seeing Ash return. He would, years later, in Ash vs. Evil Dead.

Where does Ash vs. Evil Dead fit in the timeline?

Ash vs. Evil Dead takes place approximately 30 years after Army of Darkness and continues Ash Williams’ story from the original trilogy. The series follows an older Ash who accidentally unleashes the Deadites again and must return to fighting the forces of evil with the help of Pablo Simon Bolivar and Kelly Maxwell.

Is Evil Dead Rise connected to the original trilogy?

Yes, but it is not a direct sequel to Ash’s story. Evil Dead Rise exists within the same larger Evil Dead universe and features the Book of the Dead and the Deadites established in Sam Raimi’s films. Instead of following Ash, the movie introduces a new group of characters battling the ancient evil in a Los Angeles apartment building.

What is the difference between the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis and the Naturom Demonto?

The Necronomicon Ex-Mortis and the Naturom Demonto are two names used for the Book of the Dead in the Evil Dead franchise. In Sam Raimi’s original 1981 film, the ancient book is identified as the Naturom Demonto, a name that appears again in Evil Dead Rise (2023). Later installments, beginning with Evil Dead II, popularized the name Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, which became the term most commonly associated with the franchise’s legendary book.

Despite the different names, both refer to the same type of artifact: an ancient book containing dark passages and incantations capable of summoning the Deadites and unleashing supernatural evil. The changing terminology reflects the franchise’s evolving mythology rather than separate versions of the book.

The series has also established that multiple Books of the Dead exist (there are three volumes), allowing different stories to explore different copies of the text while remaining connected through the same mythology.

Which Evil Dead movie is the scariest?

Most fans consider The Evil Dead (1981) to be the scariest entry because of its unsettling atmosphere, relentless tension, and nightmarish portrayal of the Deadites. The 2013 Evil Dead is also known for its extreme violence and graphic practical effects, while later films lean more heavily into different combinations of horror, humor, and spectacle.

Which Evil Dead movie is the funniest?

Army of Darkness is arguably the most comedic entry, embracing fantasy adventure and Bruce Campbell’s one-liners. However, Evil Dead II is often considered the definitive horror comedy of the franchise because it combines Raimi’s terrifying visual style with slapstick humor and Campbell’s legendary physical performance.

Will Bruce Campbell return as Ash Williams?

Bruce Campbell has said he is finished playing Ash Williams in live-action, with Ash vs. Evil Dead serving as his final performance in the role. However, he has remained open to returning to the character in other formats.

Campbell has expressed interest in providing Ash’s voice for video games and has also been supportive of the possibility of an animated continuation of Ash vs. Evil Dead. While a live-action return seems unlikely, Campbell has made it clear that he still enjoys playing Ash and would be willing to revisit the character in the right medium.

The post The Evil Dead Franchise Ranked: Every Movie and Ash vs. Evil Dead appeared first on JoBlo.

Dan Trachtenberg has directed three Predator movies in a row, taking us back to 1719 with Prey, showing us Predators in multiple different time periods in the animated anthology Predator: Killer of Killers, and making a Predator the protagonist in Predator: Badlands, which was set on an alien world sometime in the distant future. 20th Century Studios has been very keen on the work he has been doing within the franchise, so we fully expected him to continue working on Predator projects after Badlands… especially since it’s been confirmed that he has had multiple meetings with Arnold Schwarzenegger to discuss Arnie’s return to the franchise.

But Trachtenberg also recently signed a three-year first-look deal with Paramount Pictures, where he will develop, direct, and produce feature projects with his producing partner, Ben Rosenblatt. Now, we know what his first Paramount project is going to be: an animated feature adaptation of the horror comedy indie comic Freddy the 13th! The movie is not expected to keep that title, which is a reference to both the Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street franchises.

UPDATE: The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Paramount will be giving Trachtenberg’s film a theatrical release on October 13th, 2028. A Friday the 13th right in the midst of Halloween season!

What is Freddy the 13th about?

Released in late 2025 and created by Yehudi Mercado, the Freddy the 13th indie comic follows the trials and tribulations of the hapless Freddy Vanwinkle, the thirteenth son of a thirteenth-born son who fails at everything in contrast to his brilliant siblings. One night, while looking after his nephew and niece Logan and Lola, he accidentally kills the legendary slasher Nighty Night and automatically inherits the mantle of the monster. With rival killers emerging out of the shadows, Freddy has thirteen nights to break the curse.

Deadline notes that the film adaptation is expected to be PG-rated so it can deliver “scares and laughs to the whole family.” Here’s the logline: A family vacation turns into a nightmare when fun Uncle Freddy accidentally kills the Boogeyman and takes on his powers.

When JoBlo’s own Tyler Nichols asked what his Paramount deal means for his Predator plans, Trachtenberg answered, “We’re in this phase now where I’m trying to figure out sort of multiple exciting (ideas) – as I was when Prey came out and trying to think of, ‘What will we do next?’ and there were multiple exciting things and we ended up making them both at the same time. Similarly, I’m there now with post-Predator: Badlands of there’s a lot of exciting things to do next. Whilst I’ll be making things at Paramount, I’ll also be cooking up what happens with future Predators.“

Are you interested in seeing a family-friendly animated horror comedy from Dan Trachtenberg? Share your thoughts on this Freddy the 13th project by leaving a comment below.

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A couple of years ago, Curry Barker wrote, directed, and starred in the found footage horror movie Milk & Serial, which is said to have had a budget of $800. Baker then released the movie through YouTube, where the free-to-watch video has racked up more than 3 million views. Even though he already made Milk & Serial, it’s his new horror movie, Obsession, that has been billed as his feature directorial debut – and it has turned out to be a massive box office success. Surpassing $248 million at the domestic box office and another $158 million internationally, Obsession has become the most successful festival acquisition ever. The film received a digital release a couple of weeks ago, and now Obsession is reportedly scheduled to start streaming on Peacock as of July 17th.

What is Obsession about?

Starring Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette, Obsession is a story about a hopeless romantic who makes a wish that his long-time crush falls in love with him. A sinister enchantment ensues. Here’s the official synopsis: After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price. Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter are also in the cast.

James Harris of Teashop Productions produced the film with Haley Nicole Johnson of Under the Shell, Christian Mercuri of Capstone Pictures, and Roman Viaris. Blum’s fellow executive producers are Leonora Darby (Teashop), Mark Lane (Teashop), David Haring (Capstone), and Ruzanna Kegeyan (Capstone Pictures).

Barker has already made another feature, he’s in post-production on a project called Anything but Ghosts, and has lined up a couple more projects: he’ll be making an original horror film for Blumhouse, Atomic Monster, and Universal, and he has been hired to write and direct a reboot of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It looks like he’ll be making the Blumhouse movie before he gets around to working with Leatherface.

Are you glad to hear that Obsession is set to receive a Peacock streaming release next week? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

The post When will Obsession get a Peacock streaming release? appeared first on JoBlo.

The Friday the 13th TV series Crystal Lake, which is coming our way from A24 and the Peacock streaming service, is scheduled to start streaming on Thursday, October 15th. The series stars Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees, mother of the legendary horror icon Jason Voorhees. It was just announced that Cardellini has earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or TV Movie for her performance in the dark dramedy crime series DTF St. Louis, and when Deadline caught up with the actress to discuss the nomination, they also took the opportunity to ask about Crystal Lake. She described the upcoming show as a “mixtape,” a blend of horror and drama, with some laughs in there as well.

What is Crystal Lake?

On Halloween of 2022, it was announced that original Friday the 13th screenwriter Victor Miller – fresh off winning the U.S. copyright to the 1980 film after a lawsuit that stretched on for years – was teaming up with his lawyer Marc Toberoff, franchise rights holder Rob Barsamian, A24, Peacock, and showrunner Bryan Fuller (whose credits include Hannibal and Pushing Daisies) to develop Crystal Lake.

Things were moving ahead at a good pace, filming was expected to begin in July 2024, but then the project hit a speed bump at the end of April 2024 with the firing of Fuller and his frequent collaborator Jim Danger Gray. Things got back on track in late August 2024 with the hiring of a new showrunner – and that person is Brad Caleb Kane, who also serves as co-showrunner and executive producer of It: Welcome to Derry, the It prequel series on HBO.

When Fuller was involved with Crystal Lake, he was planning for there to be two musical options to choose from when fans watched the show on Peacock: a classic score by Friday the 13th franchise composer Harry Manfredini and a modern score. It’s not clear if that’s still the plan, but Kane recently took to social media to reveal that he and Manfredini are “cookin’ up some fresh nightmare fuel for ya.”

In addition to showrunner, Kane will be credited as creator, writer, and executive producer of Crystal Lake. It remains to be seen if he’s using anything from the original Fuller scripts and outlines, or if he scrapped those and started over completely. When he was hired, he provided the following statement: “From the moment I watched Jason Voorhees squeeze a guy’s eyeball out of its socket (in glorious 3D!) at the tender age of 8 years old, I knew my creative path was someday destined to converge with The Man Behind The Mask. Nothing defined my childhood more than growing up in the golden age of the slasher flick, and nothing’s defined the genre more than Friday The 13th. I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to contribute a chapter to this iconic franchise, particularly with such fearless partners as Peacock and A24.“ Beyond It: Welcome to Derry, Kane’s TV credits include Fringe, Black Sails, Lodge 49, Moonhaven, Warrior, and Tokyo Vice.

According to Deadline, Crystal Lake‘s version of Pamela is believed to be a mother who had given up a singing career to raise a special needs child and takes a dark turn when she loses her son. The series is being executive produced by A24, Kane, Marc Toberoff, Victor Miller, Robert M. Barsamian, Robert P. Barsamian, Tyson Bidner, and Stuart Manashil. As Deadline notes, “The project will mark one of A24’s first major IP-driven efforts amid a recent move expand in a more commercial direction.”

Who’s in the cast?

The cast of the show includes includes Linda Cardellini (No Good Deed) as Jason Voorhees’ vengeful mother Pamela Voorhees, Nick Cordileone (Warrior) as Ralph – better known as Crazy Ralph, William Catlett (Black Lightning) as a character named Levon Brooks, who may be Crystal Lake’s chief of police; Devin Kessler (Godfather of Harlem) as Briana Brooks, Cameron Scoggins (Shades of Blue) as Dorf, and Gwendolyn Sundstrom (I’m Beginning to See the Light) as Grace. 

Friday the 13th fans will recognize the name Dorf, as he was the motorcycle cop who made a visit to Camp Crystal Lake in the original film. Kane confirmed that Dorf is “one of many” legacy characters from the original film who will be showing up in the series. 

Also confirmed to be in the cast are Nancy Nagrant (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) as Kay Christy, Victoria Russell (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) as Celeste, Natalie Shaw (Daredevil: Born Again) as Pinky, Austin Colby (Pretty Thing) as Shep, Joy Suprano (Best Foot Forward) as Rita, Danielle Kotch (Director’s Cut) as Claudette, and Phoenix Parnevik (Bel-Air) as Barry. There are more legacy characters in the mix here, as Barry and Claudette were the names of the first two victims in the original Friday the 13th. 

Callum Vinson (Chucky season 3) plays young Jason Voorhees, with Zachary Branch (Monarch: Legacy of Monsters) reportedly appearing in one episode as an adult Jason Voorhees.

Directors on the series include Michael Lennox (Derry Girls), who helms episodes 1 through 3; Celine Held and Logan George (Caddo Lake), directing episodes 4 through 6, and Quyen Tran (Sirens), directing episodes 7 and 8.

Production on Crystal Lake started in New Jersey last June and wrapped in October. It was was filming under the not-so-secret codename Mama’s Boy. Summer camp scenes were filmed in West Milford, New Jersey and lake scenes were filmed in Ringwood, New Jersey, with Blairstown, New Jersey standing in as downtown Crystal Lake, just like it did in the original movie. Some filming also took place in South Orange Village.

What did Linda Cardellini tell Deadline about Crystal Lake?

When Deadline asked Cardellini about playing Pamela Voorhees in Crystal Lake, she said, “She’s important to the [Friday the 13th franchise], but sort of unexplored. So I thought that would be really, really fun, to do something I’d never done.” She added that showrunner Brad Caleb Kane “has made sort of this mixtape of all the things that he would love to see happen for her. It goes all over the place for her character and it’s really fun.“

This isn’t the first time Cardellini has referred to the show as a “mixtape.” Just last month, she told Deadline that the show is “a mix of things. There are slasher elements and there are dramatic elements. There are funny elements. I think it’s an interesting mixtape of all the things that Brad [Caleb Kane] as a fan wanted to bring to a series, as opposed to a two-hour movie.“

As for Pamela Voorhees, “I had never played anyone like her and the idea that she is there at the beginning – in the very first movie, she is the original murderer – and the idea that we don’t know much about her, and in knowing something about her you will know more about Jason, I thought was interesting.“

The eight episodes of Crystal Lake will be streaming on Peacock in the United States. Sky and its streaming service Now will be bringing the series to the UK and Ireland. As mentioned, the show will premiere on October 15th, just in time for spooky season viewings. The fun doesn’t stop on Halloween, because November brings a Friday the 13th, so viewers can circle back and watch the show on the fitting calendar date as well.

Are you looking forward to seeing Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees in Crystal Lake? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

The post Linda Cardellini Says Crystal Lake Is More Than a Slasher: “A Mixtape” of Horror and Drama appeared first on JoBlo.

Robert De Niro quickly followed his work on the Netflix series Zero Day by signing on to star in another Netflix project, the serial killer crime thriller The Whisper Man, coming our way from AGBO and the streaming service. One year ago, it was announced that he was being joined in the cast by The White Lotus star Michelle Monaghan and Severance star Adam Scott. Now, Netflix has unveiled the first poster from the film – which is due out on August 28th. Check it out:

While we haven’t gotten a trailer yet, you can see some images from the star-packed film below. Notably, The Whisper Man reteams Robert De Niro with one of his Jackie Brown co-stars, Michael Keaton, who plays a mysterious role that Netflix hasn’t yet unveiled.

What is The Whisper Man about?

Based on Alex North’s bestselling novel of the same name, The Whisper Man is directed by James Ashcroft from a screenplay by Ben Jacoby and Chase Palmer. The story centers on a widower crime writer who, after his 8-year-old son is abducted, looks to his estranged father, a retired former police detective, for help, only to discover a connection with the decades-old case of a convicted serial killer known as “The Whisper Man.”

Also in the cast:

• Hamish Linklater (Midnight Mass, Nickel Boys)
• Owen Teague (It, You Hurt My Feelings)
• Acston Luca Porto (the upcoming Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado)
• Will Brill (The Eyes of My Mother, Not Fade Away)

Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Angela Russo-Otstot, and Michael Disco are producing the film for AGBO. The company’s Kassee Whiting serves as an executive producer alongside Marcus Viscidi.

When the project was first announced, Russo-Otstot, AGBO’s chief creative officer, provided the following statement: “AGBO is excited to be embarking on our 6th film with our incredible partners at Netflix. The Whisper Man is a gripping thriller but at its core is a poignant and complex story of father and sons. We are grateful to have one of the finest actors of his generation, Robert De Niro, anchoring that story and with the remarkable James Ashcroft directing.” Other collaborations between Netflix and AGBO include The Gray Man, The Electric State, the Extraction films, and the Extraction TV series spin-off called Mercenary.

Ashcroft has previously directed the 2021 horror thriller Coming Home in the Dark and the John Lithgow / Geoffrey Rush horror film The Rule of Jenny Pen.

When will The Whisper Man be on Netflix?

The Whisper Man is scheduled to be released on August 28th.

Are you interested in The Whisper Man? Take a look at the images, then let us know by leaving a comment below.

The post Netflix unveils the first poster for Michelle Monaghan, Adam Scott, and Robert De Niro’s serial killer thriller The Whisper Man appeared first on JoBlo.