Part 3 of our look at the Horror landscape of 2014.
Cold In July
Now I’ll be honest. I’m stretching it a bit here. This is a thriller but one with lots of horror pedigree involved. Firstly it is based on a novel by Joe Lansdale, author of Bubba Hotep and stars Dexter himself Michael C Hall in the lead role. But, probably more interestingly, it is director Jim Mickle’s follow up to We Are What We Are, one of 2013’s best horrors (still to be released in the UK).
Hall plays Richard who kills an intruder breaking into his house, an intruder who has an ex-con father, Ben, who doesn’t take to kindly to his son being killed. When Ben confronts Richard they discover that the man Richard shot was not Ben’s son. They then team up to find out where Ben’s son is and just who the hell Richard did shoot.
Mickle has the track record with We Are What We Are and Stakeland under his belt of delivering horror with a realistic slant. While this looks like a straight thriller, there maybe more horror than people expect.
Deliver Us From Evil
Scott Derrickson follows the worldwide smash hit of Sinister with what sounds like an exorcist thriller with a high calibre cast. Eric Bana plays New York police officer Ralph Sarchie who joins forces with unconventional priest played by Edgar Ramirez to investigate numerous reports of demonic possession that are plaguing the city. With Olivia Munn, Joel McHale (Community).
This looks like it has a touch of Se7en about it.
Horns
Daniel Radcliffe looks to continue to adopt a scorched earth strategy as he gains distance from the Harry Potter franchise. This film has tons going for it. Directed by Alexandre Aja (Pirahna 3D, High Tension, The Hills Have Eyes) who has filled in time between directing Pirahna 3D and Horns by writing and producing one of the standout films of 2013, Maniac. It is based on a novel by one of the hottest names in horror at the moment, Joe Hill (author of Heart Shaped Box, NOS4A2, Locke And Key) who also happens to be the son of one of the hottest horror writers of all time Stephen King.
If that isn’t a pedigree to get excited about then I don’t know what is.
Under The Skin
Another one that might not seem like a straight horror film is the return to directing of Jonathan Glazer (Sexy Beast, Birth). Scarlett Johansson is an alien who preys on hitchhikers in the bleak, desolate landscape of Scotland! Destined to divide audiences judging from some of the early reviews, this is one that we are excited about.
The Strange Colour Of Your Bodies Tears
Directors Helene Cannett and Bruno Forzani continue their 21st century deconstruction of giallo after 2009’s Amer with this tale of a man searching for his missing wife in the labyrinthine halls of his apartment building. Through his searching he comes across the strange inhabitants of the building.
Again this is not going to be for every horror fan but for fans of the beautiful and beguiling then TSCOYBT looks like another winner.
The Fringes 