Operated by AMC Networks, Shudder is a streaming service specializing in horror and dark thrillers. Since its 2015 debut, Shudder has racked up an impressive list of original films and shows. To celebrate the new year, the streaming platform revealed a compilation of its "Best of 2020." The following five films are Shudder originals, earning four skulls or more, so for horror fans interested in checking out the best of last year, these films are still available on Shudder.
Directed by Rob Savage, Host is a horror movie shot during the pandemic. In lockdown, six friends decide to hold a séance over Zoom with a medium's help. When the medium gets dropped from the call, the group must contend with the dark spirit they've awoken. Earning a Certified Fresh badge on Rotten Tomatoes, Host is a unique entry into the found footage subgenre that is sure to delight horror fans.
Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street is a documentary following Mark Patton, the star of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge. The film details Patton's experience in Freddy's Revenge as gay man facing the homophobia and AIDS-phobia of 1985. Ironically, Freddy's Revenge has been dubbed the "gayest horror movie ever made" thanks to its campy, queer subtext. Although the sequel's status as a "queer film" is often debated in the community, Patton's documentary brilliantly showcases the intersectionality of queerness and horror. From drag queens to academics, Scream, Queen! offers a variety of interviews and perspectives while touching on other queer, cult classics.
Anything for Jackson is a supernatural mash-up that demonstrates how far grieving people will go for love. Directed by Justin Dyck, the film features a bereaved elderly couple who kidnap a pregnant woman. Their plan is to perform a reverse exorcism to bring their dead grandson, Jackson, back to life, but it doesn't take long for the amateur Satanists to realize Jackson's spirit isn't the only ghost they've invited into their home. The film's genuine chills and ability to deconstruct the standard supernatural tropes has led to its success on Shudder. With seniors in the lead roles, Anything for Jackson has a Rosemary's Baby vibe that is perfect for satanic horror fans.
Although both films tackle the same folklore, La Llorona is a Shudder original that should not be confused with The Curse of La Llorona from The Conjuring universe. From Guatemalan director Jayro Bustamante, La Llorona begins with a retired general, Enrique, trapped in his home by protesters who accuse him for the Mayan genocide. As Enrique is forced to face the consequences of his horrific actions, a supernatural force targets his family. Based on critic reception, this indie flick remains a more successful adaption of the Latin American fable than its mainstream competition.
Directed by Ryan Spindell, The Mortuary Collection has an impressive five out of five skulls on Shudder. A young girl enters a decrepit mortuary where she encounters an eccentric undertaker, Montgomery Dark. Here, Montgomery tells her four terrifying tales, detailing his experience in the town of Raven's End. Revered for its twist ending, The Mortuary Collection is a horror anthology not for the faint of heart.
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