What To Watch On Shudder This Halloween
What To Watch On Horror Streaming Service Shudder To Support Female Filmmakers
In the last year or so I've been hearing a lot about Shudder. They're one of the biggest sponsors I've started to see pop up on some of the creators I watch and I've been seeing ads for their exclusive content more and more. But what is Shudder? I hear you ask. Well, Shudder is a streaming service for people who love the darker genres. Essentially, Netflix for horror. It's a completely human-curated selection of horror classics and even has a handful of its own exclusive films and tv shows. (This post is not sponsored)
I've made many lists of recommendations of horror content on the blog for the spooky season over the past few years, so this year I thought I would dive into Shudder's collection and see whether they have any female-directed exclusives that you should check out this October to not only enjoy the spooks but support some female creators as well.
It's London, 1974 and Britain is preparing for a series of electrical blackouts scheduled to sweep the country. At the same time Val, a trainee nurse, arrives at the rundown East London Royal Infirmary and is forced to work a night shift. She now must face the dark force hiding within the walls and confront a malevolent force intent on destroying everything around her.
After having some marital problems Miriam seeks the solace of her younger sister and brother-in-law but an unexpected betrayal leaves Miriam reeling. Now believing her sister is in danger she attempts to protect her at all costs setting in motion an emotional and psychological unravelling she was not prepared for. Violation is the debut feature of director duo Madeleine Sims-Fewer and Dusty Mancinelli.
Comedy horror Slaxx details the series of events that follow the arrival of a possessed pair of jeans at a trendy clothing store. This crazy gorefest orchestrated by a pair of pants was well received by critics and audiences alike presenting a literal commentary on how our shopping habits are devouring us.
May is a self-assured self-help author that suddenly finds herself being stalked by a masked man who mysteriously reappears every night. Now May must seek help from the others around her as she fights to stay alive. But is it just paranoia or a new reality? Screenwriter Bea Grant also stars in this film directed by Natasha Kermani standing as a powerful display of what both women can do.
When Mia, a social media influencer, becomes the target of an online terror campaign, she must solve a series of games to prevent the deaths of the people she cares about. With a somewhat cliched premise, Shook is not trying anything to reinvent the wheel when it comes to social media commentary films but will satisfy your stalk-and-slash genre cravings.
A group of orphaned children with three magical wishes attempt to survive the horror of their lives living in the midst of Mexico's drug wars. This Spanish film from director Issa Lopez twists together the caution of a fairytale with the thrill of a ghost story and has been very well received by critics and audiences alike.
When Jen's romantic getaway with her wealthy boyfriend is suddenly interrupted by an unannounced hunting trip with the boys tension mounts building to an event that leaves her for dead in the middle of the desert. To the dismay of her assailants, Jen survives and reemerges with one thing on her mind; Revenge.
Chelsea and her pals are at a punk show when a run-in with the cops leaves them heading for a place to lay low. Deciding on Chelsea's abandoned family cabin in the woods the crew soon fall under the watchful eye of the park ranger who knows a secret from Chelsea's past leaving them not as safe as they might have assumed. Set to a rockin' punk soundtrack and neon colour scheme The Ranger is equal parts aesthetically pleasing and disturbingly gorey.
For more of our horror movie recommendations for spooks and feminism this October check out some of our previous blog posts: