You may recall that a couple of blog posts back I talked about horror games and how some of them can be really impactful. I mentioned not only games I’ve played and loved, but also a few I’m itching to dive into, plus some sitting patiently on my wishlist.
This is Episode 1 of an episodic psychological horror game developed by indie studio Rayll Studios. In the first episode, you play as 14-year-old Miles, whose parents are out of town on business, leaving him home alone. This seems a little weird to me, I don’t think my folks would have left me home alone for a few days all by myself! Anyway…
Right off the bat, I absolutely loved the gritty VHS aesthetic. The sound design combined with the dark, empty spaces really amps up the tension. I played this with headphones on and the volume turned up, and there were moments where my pulse quickened.
Who knew that sitting down and eating some lasagne your mum made could have you thinking, “Holy shit… did I just see that? Should I check?” and immediately set your heart racing.
I don’t want to give too much away in case you want to play it yourself, but for a short game (around 15–20 minutes), this one really packs a punch. There was a moment where I knew I had to make Miles leave his bedroom, and I was genuinely giggling nervously while saying, “I don’t want to!”
Gameplay is simple point-and-click with standard WASD movement, so you should pick up the mechanics quickly enough, even if you’re new to PC gaming.
Who knew eating Mum’s lasagne could be so terrifying?
I know some of you might be put off by the runtime, but the first episode is free to play. And, from what I can gather, the episodes that follow are longer and more involved. You can buy them individually (ranging between £4.29 – £8.50) or you can save 10% by grabbing them all as a bundle on Steam. Each episode tells a short story narrated by the person who survived it, so the characters and situations are all different!
If the first episode is anything to go by, this series is scarily fun to play alone or with friends watching your every terrified reaction. My husband had the pleasure of witnessing mine, and I think he was surprised by just how much it spooked me.
Short but engaging, smart and impactful, this is a great game for horror fans. I cannot wait to download and play the rest. My husband actually bought me the second episode to play (thanks love). It’s further proof that with the right talent, care and vision, indie studios can create something with more substance and heart than some of the bigger AAA titles!
Have you played this series? If so, I’d love to hear from you. If not, I highly recommend at least giving the first episode a go.
I finally got round to watching Hell House LLC: Lineage and, oh boy, was I disappointed by just how little I enjoyed this one. I absolutely loved Hell House LLC from 2015. It was one of the first found-footage films I’d seen in a long while that genuinely gripped me and properly creeped me out. I went on to watch the rest of the series too, and after somewhat enjoying Carmichael Manor, I was really hoping this would tie everything up nicely.
But… that was not meant to be.
For starters, it ditches the found-footage style that defined most of the previous entries, and instead asks far too much of the audience. “What do you mean?” I hear you asking. Well, without going back and rewatching the entire series, can you honestly remember every single thing that happened in each film? Because I can’t, and I’d only recently rewatched the first one.
The story centres on Vanessa Shepherd, still living with the trauma of her experiences at the Abaddon Hotel in Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire. When people connected to Abaddon start mysteriously dying, she begins uncovering links between the hotel and Carmichael Manor. In theory, fine. In execution? Not so much. The writing is weak and relies heavily on the audience remembering every tiny, minute detail from the previous instalments which feels like a big ask.
Vanessa Shepherd played by Elizabeth Vermilyea.
Then there’s the clowns. And honestly? I hated what they did with them. Part of what made the clowns so terrifying in earlier films was their stillness, that subtle head turn that made your stomach drop. Turning them into fully mobile entities completely strips away that tension.
Hell House LLC, 2015 – The best in the series.
Also, I’m fairly certain it’s against the laws of being a therapist to openly discuss other clients’ issues and experiences, but hey, what do I know? Vanessa’s therapist just chats about other clients’ problems willy-nilly. Fuck the rules. Fuck patient confidentiality.
Combine that with a lack of scares or tension, dull dialogue, and a rushed attempt to both flesh out the story and wrap up lingering questions from previous films, and you’re left with what is easily the weakest entry in the series. To make matters worse, it doesn’t even really end, it just… stops. The last scene played, the credits rolled, and I genuinely said out loud, “Oh. So that’s it?”
It was so deeply underwhelming.
I’m giving this 2 skulls out of 5, and that’s me being generous, possibly still riding the goodwill of the first film. The lack of a solid script really let this one down, as did moving away from the found-footage format entirely.
Disagree with me? Think I’ve been too harsh? Drop a comment below and tell me why. I’m genuinely curious to know if I’ve misjudged this one.
Does anyone remember back in 2016 when it felt like the world was experiencing some kind of full-blown clown pandemic? Sinister looking clowns were being spotted across the globe, there were reports of attacks, and in some American states, people caught dressed as clowns were being arrested on the spot due to the sheer panic it was causing amongst local parents.
At the time, it was widely speculated that this was all part of a viral marketing campaign for the 2016 remake of IT something the studio vehemently denied.
This 2020 documentary follows the story of Wrinkles, a mysterious figure who could be “hired” to scare misbehaving children (because apparently that’s a normal parenting choice).
The sticker that was appearing all over Florida.
Through articles, stock footage, and interviews with parents and children, not to mention an interview with the man behind the mask (whose true identity remains hidden) we see how his notoriety exploded. What began in Florida quickly spread across the States, along with a healthy dose of childhood terror.
I didn’t really know what to expect going into this, but I ended up enjoying it far more than anticipated. It’s fascinating to watch how a freaky social experiment spiralled out of control and seeped into the collective psyche.
The documentary also explores the power of modern folklore, think Slenderman or Bloody Mary, and how these stories evolve, spread, and take on a life of their own. It even raises some uncomfortable questions around developmental psychology, and the long-term impact something as simple as phoning the number to scare children into being better behaved can have.
If you suffer from coulrophobia, this one probably isn’t for you. But if you don’t mind a bit of face painted nightmare fuel, it’s a solid documentary worth checking out. I’m giving it 3 out of 5 skulls.
Looking at him now does nothing, but as a kid he terrified me!
Out of curiosity, do you have a favourite clown from cinema or TV? I was utterly terrified of Jack Nicholson’s Joker as a kid (he doesn’t bother me now), but I absolutely adored Tim Curry’s interpretation of Pennywise in the 90s TV mini-series It.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, so why not drop a comment below?
Those of you who have been following the blog for a while might remember a post I made about some of my favourite podcasts and YouTube channels. Well, this is something similar only with even more suggestions for you spooky lot. So, let’s not delay any longer! I’ll kick off with a few that are perhaps already well-known, but that I love nonetheless.
This is an anthology series of original horror stories, narrated by talented voice actors with fantastic use of music and sound effects. It’s perfect for consuming horror while driving, commuting, or, in my case, washing up. Some stories are stronger than others, but it’s a great way to support lesser-known authors. If you want a recommendation, start with “Whitefall” (Season 12, Episode 25). Written by C.K. Walker, it’s brilliantly performed and one my husband and I have listened to multiple times. Give it a listen and fall in love with horror fiction in audio form.
Available both as a podcast and with two series on BBC iPlayer, Uncanny focuses on real-life paranormal experiences. Danny Robins presents with such passion that it’s easy to get hooked. Each week, someone represents Team Skeptic and someone represents Team Believer, sharing their thoughts and expertise on each story. A standout episode is the “Shadow Man” episode from Season 2, Episode 3 of the TV series. It’s genuinely creepy and unnerving, a must-watch.
Presented by Dr. Rebekah McKendry and Elric Kane, both professors, writer-directors, and filmmakers in the horror genre, this podcast is perfect for fans of horror. They explore thematic elements, review the latest films, and often feature notable guests from the industry.
Hosted by the iconic Boulet Brothers, this podcast complements their TV series The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula while also diving into horror movie reviews, famous hauntings, and celebrity interviews. It’s a bit niche, but as someone who’s watched all the Dragula series, I adore these two and think other horror fans will too, for bringing horror into drag.
Hosted by Kainan Becker, this channel is all about horror. From recommendations to reviews, it’s perfect if you’re looking for films without spoilers or overexposed trailers. Kainan gives honest, thoughtful opinions, often championing lesser-known titles. As he himself says, “I highly, highly recommend” checking this channel out.
Run by Grimm and Jessica, this YouTube channel documents the couple’s travels as they visit real-life horror film locations, famous graves, and true crime sites. They always provide solid historical detail about the places they explore, and if you’re a horror fan it’ll give you plenty of inspiration. From Whitby and its historical links to Dracula, to a full tour of Tom Savini’s school and home, these two are well worth a watch.
Presented by former church minister, author, and Fortean Times columnist Peter Laws, this podcast is a must for lovers of the supernatural. Through chilling true-life storytelling, Peter delves into real tales of hauntings, cryptids, and much more. With immersive sound design and compelling narration, this is one you’ll definitely want to check out.
Are there any I’ve missed? Any spooky sounds or channels I should check out? Leave a comment below—I’d love to hear your recommendations!
I’m back again with another film review. This time we’ll be looking at 1988 Slasher film “American Gothic” I mean, look at this poster.
The tagline for the film was “The family that slays together stays together.” Incredible!
After the trauma of losing her baby, Cynthia decides to take a vacation with five of her friends: Jeff, Rob, Lynn, Paul, and Terri. They charter a plane from Seattle, but engine trouble forces them to make an emergency landing on an island in Puget Sound.
At first, they believe they’re completely alone. After spending the night and realising there’s no way to fix the plane, they decide to explore the island further and stumble across a large cottage hidden deep in the woods.After fooling around inside (as everyone seems to do in ’80s films, playing with shit that isn’t theirs), in walk Ma and Pa, the cottage’s owners. They seem pretty chill at first, but you instantly get those inbred, cut-off-from-civilisation, “no room for any of this newfangled nonsense” vibes. And those vibes only intensify.
Not gonna lie, it felt a bit shitty of the group to sit down and share a meal with Ma and Pa while completely forgetting about Paul, who they left behind at their makeshift camp to watch the plane. Guess he’ll just crack open some beans or something.
Just beans for you, Paul lad!
Believing Ma and Pa are the only ones living there, you can hardly blame the group for being shocked when they’re slowly introduced to their “children.” Enter Fanny, Woody, and Teddy all seemingly in their late 40s or early 50s, yet dressed and behaving like children. Albeit children with deeply unsettling habits and facial expressions.
I won’t go into too much detail, but needless to say, the bodies start piling up. It’s campy, and some of the acting is undeniably cringey at times, but there’s still something weirdly enjoyable about this one. It low-key gave me Tourist Trap vibes.
Some of the best moments come whenever Yvonne De Carlo (Ma) is on screen, and the same goes for Rod Steiger (Pa). You can tell they took the material seriously, which makes their delivery feel genuinely creepy rather than unintentionally funny. Cynthia is also an interesting protagonist she’s already a bit unhinged, so what unfolds with her feels… inevitable.
Yvonne De Carlo as Ma.
It’s not the best slasher I’ve ever seen, but as a huge lover of ’80s slashers, this one didn’t disappoint. I’m giving American Gothic3.5 skulls out of 5.
Have you seen this one? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so drop a comment below.
I’m always on the lookout for horror films to watch. I recently reinstated my Shudder membership because I was finding other streaming platforms seriously lacking in choice. Having subscribed before, I know Shudder can hide some real gems, not to mention those glorious periods when they unleash a huge catalogue of ’80s slashers and horror classics. For me, that era boasts some of the best practical effects ever put on screen.
As you may have guessed from my Reel Evil review, I’ve been on a bit of a found-footage kick lately. I’m desperate to watch the latest instalment of the Hell House series, Hell House LLC: Lineage, but I’m saving it for a film night with my husband. Despite growing up with a horror-loving mum (shout-out to my MIL for being an absolute gem), he really doesn’t like horror films. Still, he indulges me and his running commentary is often unintentionally hilarious.
Cool poster…The film? Not so much!
Instead, I put on Deadware (2021), written and directed by Isaac Rodriguez and starring Sarah Froelich as Rachel and Ali Alkhafaji as Jay. The film centres on two friends who’ve lost touch over the years but reconnect via webcam thanks to “modern” technology. (Although I’m not entirely convinced screen sharing was a thing in 1999, which is when the film is set.) They begin talking about a mutual friend, Amy who is mentioned frequently but never seen.
When a mysterious browser appears, revealing a game called House of Hunger, the pair decide to play it. This comes after what feels like an overly long stretch of Rachel being really annoying and teasing Jay, while he’s equally irritating, repeatedly saying, “I have work tomorrow.” Okay, man we get it. Chill.
As they play, “creepy” found-footage clips begin popping up, escalating the tension and hinting that Amy may be behind the disturbing game. I won’t spoil the ending—though anyone with a working brain will probably see it coming a mile off.
One moment that truly pissed me off: after a painting featured in the game has been on screen for at least ten minutes, and Rachel has been staring at it the whole time, she doesn’t react until Jay physically picks it up and asks, “Look familiar?” Rachel then responds, completely flatly, “Holy shit, that’s from the game.”
I probably should’ve turned it off at that point, but there were only about five minutes left.
The painting, that later on is staring Rachel in her face for like ten minutes.
I’m giving Deadware2 skulls out of 5 and that’s mainly because I have huge respect for anyone who manages to make a horror film on a small budget and with limited resources. It’s not the worst found-footage film I’ve seen, but it’s definitely not one that’ll stick with me.
If you decide to watch it, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Here’s hoping the next viewing choice is a better one.
I’m back with another review. I decided to give found-footage horror film Reel Evil (2012) a go, which, for reasons known only to the streaming gods, also shows up as Specters on Amazon Prime.
The basic setup: three friends (Kennedy, Cory and James) are aspiring filmmakers who realise pretty quickly that dreams don’t fund themselves. To get the cash and make some contacts, they take on a “shitty job” and land a gig filming a behind-the-scenes documentary for an upcoming horror movie produced by a major studio. Naturally, it’s set in an old lunatic asylum. Because of course it is.
I have a lot of admiration for independent filmmakers, especially those working with tiny budgets but fuck me, this was a hard watch. Even the scrappiest low-budget horrors usually have something to redeem them or make them enjoyable. This absolutely did not.
Every single character was an asshole. And I don’t mean “flawed but interesting” just straight-up insufferable. There was no one I wanted to survive. I was actively rooting for all of them to be taken out by the asylum’s spirits. Spirits which, by the way, never really go anywhere. Aside from a couple of still images and maybe half a scene involving old patient files, there’s almost zero exploration of the location’s history. A massive missed opportunity in my opinion.
At one point, Kennedy, our supposed protagonist, asks James (who is mostly off-camera, something the “actor” was probably very thankful for after seeing the final cut of this dog shit), “Is everyone a dick on this movie?”
Uh… YES.
Kennedy, who somehow fails to clock that she and her mates are, in fact, massive dicks.
I’m no stranger to a pair of tits, I’ve had my own for well over 25 years but the amount of boobs and sex scenes here felt completely unnecessary. They’re clearly shoved in to keep people watching, which, honestly, was a real struggle anyway. This is exactly how I looked when I checked the runtime and realised there were still another 30 minutes to sit through.
Me thinking, please make it end!
There’s zero atmosphere and no real tension-building. Even the moments that are clearly framed to try and do that fall completely flat. There was nothing remotely enjoyable about this film. It’s genuinely one of the worst horror movies I’ve seen. Watch it if you want but don’t say I didn’t warn you.
This one gets 1 skull out of 5, and that’s only because the practical effects (pictured below) slightly redeemed it.
As a side note: I’ve worked on TV shows, and I have never known a catering table to consist of unripe bananas and a single fucking stalk of celery to feed a crew. Honestly… what the hell?!
Did I miss something? Have you seen this and loved it? If so, hit me up in the comments below.
Greetings from my crypt… aka my sofa, where I am currently burritoed inside a cosy blanket with a fresh cup of coffee by my side (thank you, hubby). One of the things I want to focus on today is horror gaming.
It’s something many of you will already be familiar with, with titles such as Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Dead Space having firmly lodged themselves not only in the gaming world, but in the psyches of those who play them.
Surprisingly (and oddly for me), Resident Evil and Silent Hill are games I’ve only ever watched being played rather than played myself. Maybe that needs to change? I have, however, played Dead Space, albeit quite a few years ago now.I remember playing it on the Xbox 360 and having the first alien leap out at me, causing me to yell in surprise and attack frantically. This panic somehow resulted in me earning the “Marksman” achievement (dismember 20 limbs). It was thrilling to play something that made me feel so immersed in its world.
From there, I moved on to BioShock (which I know some people argue isn’t horror, but I’d strongly disagree it absolutely has horror elements) and then became utterly obsessed with Left 4 Dead 2.
I couldn’t get enough of it. I was constantly hounding my friends to come online and work through campaigns with me. I was working at GAME at the time and became good enough that new players were often pointed in my direction. I lost so much sleep playing until the early hours, and I still think Dark Carnival is one of the most enjoyable campaigns ever created.
I did try Back 4 Blood a while back with my husband and some of his friends, and despite realising that men don’t watch their backs, it just couldn’t replicate the same enjoyment or challenge that L4D2 delivered. Maybe I’m waxing nostalgic, but I truly believe the Left 4 Dead games are among the finest zombie survival horror titles ever made.
Eventually, I got a gaming laptop, a decision I’m very glad my husband talked me into, as I can’t imagine going back to console-only gaming. For me, gameplay feels far more enjoyable and immersive on PC.
My husband and I attempted a playthrough of DayZ (a game he still plays and enjoys to this day across various PvP servers), but I personally found the mechanics a little too complex. I understand the goal was realism, but the crafting system felt overly fiddly for my tastes.
He then suggested 7 Days to Die, and I can confidently say it’s a game we’ve been playing together, and still enjoying, since 2021. Thanks to the ongoing updates from The Fun Pimps, we’ve been absolutely hammering the 2.5 version recently.
For those unfamiliar with the game, you start as a survivor with nothing. You must scavenge materials to craft clothing, weapons, and shelter but you only have seven days to prepare. When the Blood Moon arrives, you’ll be attacked by a relentless horde of zombies, and your only goal is to survive the night.
Repent? Nah, I’ll survive
Horde Night runs from 22:00 to 04:00 in-game and includes bloated zombie cops who spit corrosive green acid, zombified dogs and vultures, spider zombies that leap impossibly high, and demolition zombies who will explode if you hit the bombs attached to them, destroying your base and possibly you along with it.
As each day passes, your level increases, and there are five distinct biomes to explore: the Pine Forest (where you begin), Burnt Forest, Desert, Wasteland, and Snow Biome. Each presents its own climate and challenges, often making gameplay incredibly tense. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve cycled into the Burnt Forest or Wasteland to scavenge for supplies, only to be caught in a storm or attacked by Dire Wolves.
Every seven days brings another Blood Moon, and as your level and experience increase, so does the size and difficulty of the horde. Radiated zombies become more common, ammo becomes precious, and survival is never guaranteed. I once had to resort to using an iron spear with a burning shaft mod needless to say, it didn’t end well.
7 Days to Die is an incredibly enjoyable game packed with thrills, challenge, and re-playability. It’s a fantastic choice for horror fans, especially when you factor in the extensive modding community.
I’m particularly looking forward to The Asylum Overhaul, which promises an astonishing 600 custom entities, including some familiar faces for horror fans. Sadly, we’ll have to wait until it’s updated to run on version 2.5 but when it does drop, I’ll be diving in immediately and will, of course, share a full and honest review.
I’m so excited to try this one!
Horror gaming is such a thrill, yet it doesn’t always get the love it deserves. There are so many brilliant titles to lose yourself in 7 Days to Die being just one of them.
Other horror games I’ve enjoyed include Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead series, The Quarry, Little Hope (the second entry in The Dark Pictures Anthology), and Alan Wake. I’d love to revisit some of these to see how the different choices I make will impact their endings.
There are also titles I’ve only briefly dipped into but need to explore further, such as The Mortuary Assistant and Phasmophobia. That’s not even mentioning the many games currently sitting on my Steam Wishlist – Blair Witch, Song of Horror, Fears to Fathom, No, I’m Not Human, and Demonologist, to name a few.
There are plenty more due for release in Q2 2026, but I won’t tempt fate by listing them, delays happen. Needless to say, horror fans are spoiled for choice, with games that are even more fun when played with others as you feed off one another’s fear… and inevitably laugh after screaming like a slasher victim being chased by a masked killer.
So, why not show horror gaming some love and play something spooky tonight?!
Is there a horror title you adore, or one I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Well, it’s certainly been a while. I think they’re churning out Five Nights at Freddy’s and 28 Years Later films faster than I’ve been updating this blog, and for that, I do apologise for my silence.
I’ve had a rough time and sadly lost not one, but four members of my family in the space of less than two years. As you can imagine, that would impact anyone. I’m not looking for sympathy, but I hope it helps explain my absence.
Without sounding like one of those “New Year, New Me” people for the first few weeks of January, I do fully intend to update this blog a lot more in the coming year. It’ll be much of the same: all things spooky and horror-related.
Expect film, book, and game reviews, with the first of what will hopefully be many posts landing this Friday. If there’s anything you’d like me to check out and review, feel free to leave a comment.
Me returning to my blog after a long time.
In the meantime, I wish you all a suitably spooky day and a belated very best for 2026.
For as long as I can remember I’ve always loved all things spooky. My earliest memories of horror are of my dad sharing ghost stories with me as a child, one of which I have shared previously on this blog. They pulled me in and made the hair stand up on the back of my neck and I found it thrilling.
I remember one evening as a child, when I first saw the music video for Michael Jackson’s song Thriller. The lyrics seemed to be talking about all the things I was curious about and when Vincent Price’s rich unique voice appeared and zombies started clawing themselves from their graves, I was captivated. Not only did I want to go away and learn the all the lyrics and the dance immediately. But I also wanted to watch films with zombies in and devour more of this kind of stuff. Whatever it was, I wanted in.
I became obsessed with Vincent Price’s words in the songs and the images they conjured up, which is probably why my parents introduced me to a film that I still love and watch to this day.
It was the first time I watched a film and thought “I think this film was made for kids like me.” Beetlejuice had me hooked from the moment Danny Elfman’s score started playing and the title came on the screen.
I lost count of how many times I watched it. I fell in love with it and saw something of a kindred spirit in Lydia. A young girl who seemed something of an outsider and had macabre interests. It would always be my choice for family film nights, much to my parents chagrin. They even hid the VHS tape eventually in a bid to encourage me to choose something else.
I’d definitely pinpoint it as the first horror film I fell in love with. I know there are people out there that wouldn’t class Beetlejuiceas a horror, but I would argue that it has elements of horror and is the perfect gateway into the genre. At least it was for me.
After that I spent my time reading horror books aimed at my age group, so we’re talking things like Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids, Goosebumpsand Point Horror. And whilst these definitely kept me entertained, I desperately wanted to watch more horror as opposed to just reading stories. Not long after 11-year-old me was gifted with a VHS tape one Saturday, my dad told me he thought I’d like it and that it had vampires in it.
I piled some cushions on the floor and pushed the tape into the VCR, static filled for the screen for a second and then the film started. A camera panned over a body of water slowly, and a haunting choir sang the words “Thou shall not fall” and a second later the title The Lost Boysfilled the screen. I was hypnotized. Needless to say it became a regular rotation in my viewing. And become my other go to film on family film nights!
I’d say from that point it just spiraled. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t claim to be horror film connoisseur but I would say it’s a genre I have devoured a lot of. I’ve watched and enjoyed the groundwork layed by The Cabinet of Dr Caligariand appreciated modern day horrors such as Us, Gloriousand Host (to name but a few) And I imagine most people will call me a cliché but from the moment I first watched John Carpenter’s 1978 classic Halloween I have always considered it my all time favourite horror film. Anyone who knows me well enough knows that I watch it every single Halloween without fail. I will probably dedicate a separate post to this film at some point. But needless to say viewing it has become a ritual.
I usually buy a load of snacks and a pumpkin. I carve the pumpkin, light a candle, stick it inside, turn out the lights and put the film on. I’ve seen it so many times yet there are still moments that make me jump. But I love that. And I love that horror films exist and can make that happen.
It could be the way you’re sure the Clown’s face was turned the other way a moment ago, like in Hell House LLC. Or you could be recoiling in horror at that infamous chest bursting scene from Alien. No one can deny that horror has the ability to make us react in the most hair raising, stomach churning, toe curling ways.
It’s like a drug and it’s high I’ll probably keep chasing till the day I die.
☽ SpookyGee ☾ 