Horror films are the sneaky chameleons of cinema, effortlessly melding psychological depths with full-throttle thrills and occasional sprinkles of comedy. As the final leaves fall and the air grows cold, prepare yourself for a November teeming with hair-raising, spine-tingling releases. Whether you’re a hardcore fan who revisits classics like The Evil Dead every Halloween or a newbie dipping your toes into the bloody waters, the next month promises to satisfy your darkest cinematic cravings.
The Sinister Symphony of Squealer (Nov. 3)
“Squealer is one such film about one of Canada’s most notorious serial killers, albeit the plot appears to have been altered quite a bit to turn it into fiction.”
Imagine a cocktail of suspense, gore, and bone-chilling terror set on a pig farm. Yes, you read that right, a pig farm. Directed by Andy Armstrong, “Squealer” ventures into the macabre world of Canada’s infamous serial killer, though it’s been twisted to fit the screen’s fiction. The plot revolves around a local cop and a social worker delving deep into missing persons cases, only to unearth a chilling truth—human butchery surpassing that of livestock.
‘Tis the Season for Horror: There’s Something in the Barn (Nov. 10)
“It has already been released at the Fantastic Film Festival on Sept. 24, 2023, and has garnered reviews as being rarely excessive and immensely entertaining.”
Holiday horror has a new name, and it’s called “There’s Something in the Barn.” Melding humor with gruesome dread, this Magnus Martens-directed flick serves up the perfect dark dish for both horror and comedy enthusiasts. The Nordheim family finds out the hard way that their inherited Norwegian cabin harbors a malicious barn elf hell-bent on killing anyone it encounters. Ho, Ho, Ho…rrific!
The Nightmarish Wish in It’s a Wonderful Knife (Nov. 10)
“As the saying goes, be careful of what you wish for, and a strange phenomenon brings Winnie to the same town, but there’s a catch—no one remembers her.”
If Scream and It’s a Wonderful Life had a wicked child, it would be “It’s a Wonderful Knife.” Imagine a Yuletide killing spree in a small town obsessed with Christmas. This slasher film, with a unique holiday seasoning, explores the tragic life of Winnie, who after a devastating event, wishes she never existed—only to find that the killer is still on the prowl and no one remembers her.
A Journey into the Abyss: Iron Lung (Nov. 12)
“Iron Lung, based on the video game of the same name, is set in the near future when an event known as ‘The Quiet Rapture’ has destroyed many stars and habitable planets.”
Stepping out of the YouTube spotlight, Mark Fischbach, better known as Markiplier, brings us “Iron Lung,” a sci-fi horror venture. Traversing a desolate moon’s ocean of blood to investigate “The Quiet Rapture,” an unnamed felon embarks on a mission of terror and revelation. Forget the scream queens; this one’s for the techno-horror geeks.
Gobble, Gobble, Slash: Thanksgiving (Nov. 17)
“After a Black Friday riot ends in tragedy, a mysterious Thanksgiving-inspired killer terrorizes Plymouth, Massachusetts – the birthplace of the holiday.”
It’s not a proper November without Thanksgiving, but this one comes with a horrific twist. Directed by Eli Roth, “Thanksgiving” reveals the dark underbelly of America’s favorite holiday. A sinister killer, inspired by the traditions of the day, stalks the birthplace of Thanksgiving, promising a feast of terror and trepidation.
So, are you ready to turn your November into a month of electrifying frights? Whether you’re into serial killer narratives, holiday horrors, or sci-fi scares, there’s something to make your skin crawl. Grab your popcorn and a buddy to clutch during the scary parts, because November 2023 is shaping up to be one hell of a nightmarish ride.
