Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘The Last of Us’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this article contains discussions of suicide, which may be triggering to some individuals.
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It has often been said; that the definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result, and there is a lot of merit to that line of thinking. Because time and time again, we’ve seen people take part in the same acts repeatedly and hope and wish and pray, that this time they will get it right, only to be disappointed. Not to mention, we’ve taken part in such foolishness ourselves. After all, we too have been in their shoes and have oft found ourselves in a sour place when we too discover… we basically made the same mistake, twice, or thrice… or more. All of which means… we should learn from this saying and this reality and begin to alter our behavior so that we don’t repeat the same goofs time and time again. 
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But what’s fascinating about the person we look at in the mirror and humanity as a whole, is that we don’t make those changes. We continue to push for the same result time and time again, somehow thinking one little wrinkle and one little decision will change the outcome. But it does nothing more than continue a cycle, one that extends well beyond intimate acts since we see violence and suffering continue to be propagated in our world through the same hopeful line of thinking. Which leads all of us to wonder… how do we break the cycle as a species? How do we learn to start trying new things and embracing change so that our world finally changes for the better and so do we? Well, it just so happens… that the next episode of The Last of Us on HBO pondered upon this deeply, after filling in the blanks regarding Kansas City. 

Because in the last episode, we were only privy to the city in the moment. Wherein we came to learn that Kathleen badly wanted a man named Henry and was willing risk real danger to have her revenge. But why was she so hell bent upon a vindictive quest? Well, that is what ‘Endure and Survive’ explored in amazing detail. For we came to learn through flashbacks and interactions between Joel and Ellie and Henry and Sam… that Kansas City was a brutal place in the days following Outbreak Day. Where FEDRA agents abused their power and their standing and made life hell for people who just… wanted to survive and enjoy some semblance of life without fear. And that brought forth the rise of a resistance in this city, one that exploded when its enigmatic leader was handed over to FEDRA, courtesy of Henry. 

All because Sam was dying of leukemia, and with medication supplied by FEDRA he could be saved. So, Henry did the unthinkable and traded a life for a life, and that life was Kathleen’s brother and his subsequent end, pushed her to end FEDRA. Which she did and of course… that act opted her to indulge in revenge after. Despite being asked to forgive and forget by her brother. She simply had to have to justice in a world that robbed her of a life and robbed her brother of one as well and that… oddly tied into the theme in question. Because this is the kind of destructive cycle that exists in our world. Where people hold grudges and make hard choices that exist because of cruelty, and somehow hope along the way, that their actions will bring peace to their lives and the world… when it merely creates the definition of insanity. 

Which once again brings forth the question… how do we break that cycle? Well, the show theorized that perhaps seeing the cycle and its destructive nature in action… might be enough to hammer the point home. A feat that this story accomplished, by taking us upon one hell of a journey. One that also gave us a lot of time to get to know Henry and Sam… through their voyage alongside Joel and Ellie as they all worked to escape Kansas City. In part by going through a clear tunnel underneath the city, which revealed an underground sanctuary that let the kids be kids and let two men ponder upon the trauma they experienced and how hard a hold it had upon them, before finding themselves in the midst of a harrowing situation. Because despite the fact they did indeed evade the rebel forces, Kathleen did think ahead and guessed as to where they might emerge, so she could capture them.
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One that she guessed correctly about and that put everyone in a tough spot. Where they found themselves under weapons fire to delay them long enough… to bring Kathleen to Henry to finally have her revenge. Which in turn… led to disaster. Because in the middle of the fight, a plow truck that crashed into a home, created a breach to the structures underneath the city, and that… is where the Infected were hiding and once unleashed, they wrought havoc upon the just and unjust alike, in a violent and terrifying manner. Where bites spread the infection yet again and where the wildest iteration of the Infected yet, the Bloater, had no qualms with ripping people to shreds to ensure the safety of its brethren. And of course… this chaos cost Kathleen her life as she knew it and the life of an innocent.

Because shortly after our heroes escaped, with Sam and Henry… it was revealed that young Sam was bitten and slowly turning. A reality that prompted Ellie to try and heal him with her blood, to no avail. Which in turn… brought forth the end of Sam at his own brother’s hand and seeing all that effort to keep him alive and keep him thriving, go to waste in Henry’s mind, prompted him to take his own life. That of course brought forth a powerful, tearful ending, one that saw Kansas City be brought to utter devastation since the Infected headed into the city proper after spreading the spore amongst the Rebels and one that truly did show us… how the cycle of madness we take part in, can and will destroy us and why it is important we change it.

After all, all this infighting and all this revenge and personal agenda… ended the last vestiges of hope in a city, and it likely ended humanity twenty years ago. But had everyone in this town, thought about protecting one another, and worked to fight the real enemy, the path would have been different. For Kansas City and the world no doubt. And that is a sobering lesson to learn here, one that really does hammer home the point… and oddly, the darkness here… found a way to give us hope. Since Ellie expressed the importance of valuing life and caring for one another… and if she can continue to express that and inspire others… perhaps the cycle can be broken. If anything, this was just a brilliant story when all is said and done. One that did an incredible job of taking us on a complete journey through this broken city and well… now that we’ve dried the tears from our eyes and learned plenty about change… it will be interesting to see what lies ahead for Ellie and Joel as they resume their journey toward Wyoming. Until next time.   

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 405 of ‘Servant’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Whenever we realize that we have a supremely toxic person in our lives, one that we are ready to be free of, we are faced with quite the task. Specifically… how do we remove them from the fabric of our existence? Because toxic people love to overstay their welcome and keep the drama and the trouble rolling, even when they know they’re not welcome. So, an elaborate plan has to come into play to properly get them off our hands and back into the void of the world where they truly belong, away from harming others. One that might work, one that might not, since those folks are tricky… but we have to try none the less, and the struggles of getting rid a toxic individual are top of mind today, simply because the Turner household dealt with that problem in the next episode of Servant on Apple TV+.
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For when we caught up with the family in ‘Neighbors’, Sean and Dorothy were trying to figure out how indeed to remove Leanne from their home in a simple manner. Which after much debate, they came to realize… there was a good chance that people from the church were nearby, and possibly moved in as Leanne had hypothesized. So, why not have a little gathering in the household and see if by chance they could figure out who wanted to bring Leanne back to the church… and let them do so? Because that would indeed solve all of their problems, and that prompted Sean to hit the streets and knock-on doors and extend an invitation to a cocktail party at the Turner estate. A decision that led to some of the show’s trademark quirky black humor.

Because the party in question was as awkward as can be. Not because the neighbors didn’t feel welcomed, but because Sean and Dorothy… tried to out the church members in conversation. Courtesy of awkward questions about life and death and spirituality. Not to mention, just when it seemed that Dorothy had identified the right people, it turned out she simply identified an older man with desires for Leanne. For when she got them into the backyard to chat, he gushed about how badly he wanted Leanne, and how it wouldn’t be an issue for his wife, since it was an open marriage. All of which made it seem as though… this plan was going to be an absolute bust through and through and they’d be stuck with Leanne in their household far longer than they wanted.

But that is when a surprise into came into play. For when the power briefly went out, the neighbors that Sean thought were members of the church, proved him right and made their move. One complete with violence and apathy from Sean and Dorothy. Who calmly watched and hoped for their dream to come true. But that’s when this story took a trademark turn for the worse. Because Leanne fought back, with more than just physical strength. She tapped into something deep and powerful, which not only signaled to her minions to take her aggressors away, but also damaged the city street in front the house by creating a sinkhole. Making it clear that her power has grown and is beyond dangerous now, and that it will be beyond difficult to remove her from the house… especially now that she is aware that Sean and Dorothy want her gone. 

Which really was… an extreme but impactful way to hammer the central theme of this episode home. Since she simply will not budge on leaving this house, despite the fact that she isn’t wanted and has caused a great deal pain from this family, and toxic people that have their greasy claws into an individual or a situation, truly are that stubborn. Just not as magically talented. But what also makes this episode of note, is that finally… after four years… the Turners are committed to fighting her and that is going to lead to some incredible moments for certain. The kind that will see good and evil battle at last as the Turners do whatever they must to oust Leanne. But the power on display here does leave one to wonder… if we are going to get a traditional happy ending for this horror story, where the monster is defeated. Or if evil will prevail and make the Turners pay dearly for their desire to not give evil the love it commanded of them. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Attachment’.
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When it comes to love, the vast majority of us… hope to find ourselves immersed in a storybook romance. The kind where we feel the connection the instant, we meet our soon to be significant other, and where the pull is so strong and the sparks so vibrant that we immediately become their everything and vice versa and find ourselves on cloud nine as we barrel toward a marriage that will last a lifetime. And we harbor that hope, for several reasons. For starters, because we want to be loved and we want to give it in kind. Second to that, we know deep down that love can be hard sometimes and it would be wonderful to have that kind of easy connection and perfect relationship.
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But while that is a wondrous hope and would indeed be the best-case scenario for our love life… there are a lot of problems that come with that type of love. Because… it’s a little too primal in nature and a little too rushed. In fact, it’s almost a desperate kind of love. One that ignores the work that goes into making it sustainable and one that tends to gloss over the fact that it rushes through the all-important getting to know one another phase of romance. Where we truly come to learn if a partner is compatible and if they are someone we can grow with, and that phase is critical… because to ignore it means we rush headlong into a situation that usually becomes quite toxic in nature. If anything, the more concerning side to rushing into love is top of mind today… simply because a brand-new film on Shudder, explores the dangers of it in Attachment.

A feat that this film accomplishes, by having us observe a love affair for the ages between Maja, a former television star, and Leah, a London student that just happens to cross paths with Maja one fine day… and she immediately feels that incredible romantic draw. One that is reciprocated, and it doesn’t take long for these two women… to fall head over heels in love with another. To the point where they cannot bear the thought of being apart and when Leah injures her leg when she has a seizure, that is put to the test. For Maja moves in with Leah and her mother Chana in their London home to be near her love. But it doesn’t take login for Maja to discover… this may have been a poor choice. Because it would seem that Chana, is willing to cross lines to keep her daughter under her roof… pushing Maja to dig deep into why, and what she is about to uncover, will change the nature of her relationship and her views upon the world.

Which at first glance, appears to tilt the story toward a narrative that explores… the awkward nature of extended family when it comes to love, and how an overbearing parent/pain in the rear in-law can create strife in love. But that is the beauty of this motion picture, in that… it pulls us in different directions and uses surprises to get to the real meat and potatoes of the story. Wherein we come to learn that Chana is harboring quite the secret about Leah. One that is both dangerous and terrifying. Which in turn, leads to the commentary on toxic love in question. Because in many ways, Leah’s dark secret can be compared to say… substance abuse issues that a lover hides from their partner or the abusive nature they hide away until they feel comfortable enough to bring it to the surface. 
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The stuff that in essence, informs a person that their dream lover happens to be nothing short of a nightmare, and the love someone thought they had was nothing more than a fleeting moment of powerful desire. One that came forth from physical attraction or through a spark ignited that no one else bothered to ever put a flame to. Which can indeed lead to uncomfortable epiphanies and understandings and heartbreak and a crossroads. Where one must decide to stay or go, and that conundrum leads to the real horror in this story. Because that is where one needs to face… the reality of their love and what it will mean to stay with an individual that will never truly satisfy, or is dangerous to our mental or physical health, and that’s a scary prospect indeed for the person that has this epiphany. One that is relatable since so many have faced this nightmare and the difficult decisions that come with staying and being miserable or walking away and doing the work to heal that accompanies a messy end.

Granted, there’s some spooky stuff taking place here that sets the stage for a slam bang finale involving the truth about Leah’s ugly secret… but it is the struggle that Maja goes through that is truly the stuff of legend in this particular tale. Because the commentary present here really does stick with the viewer and gives them great pause about relationships of this caliber and how easy it is be sucked into one since the heart can be so incredibly dumb when the right strings are plucked. All of which makes this a brilliant and cautionary tale to say the least. One that finally removes the mystique surrounding love at first sight and informs us that storybook love affairs are rare, and that the ones worth fighting for are the ones we build from the ground up… since they have substance over butterflies and fluffy dreams.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Whether we like it or not… there are people that will come into our lives, that make our days quite difficult. It could be through simple or complex actions, but one way or another… they will annoy, they will antagonize, and they will do whatever it takes to either bring us down or push us under their thumb. Because that’s the kind of person they are and it doesn’t matter how much we resist, they are seemingly endless in their energy and almost seem further emboldened by their actions. Which begs an important question of course. Specifically, how then… do we beat our nemesis or at the very least… get them to back the hell off when we’ve finally had enough of their machinations?
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Well as it turns out… there are several solutions to that particular problem. The kind that was explored in this week’s episode of Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches. A feat that ‘The Thrall’ accomplished by putting Rowan and Ciprien in quite the unique and dangerous situation. For when we saw them last, they were trying to escape flames in the Mayfair House. But here… they were safe from harm and had committed to one another as lovers. In fact, they were so enthralled with one another and the physical joy they found in each other… that all their worries had fluttered away, and they spent their days eating and making love and enjoying the bliss and well… that’s when the exploration on how to defeat a personal antagonist got underway.

Because let’s be honest… this situation was weird. Because it made no sense that a house that slammed a door in their faces and was burning, would magically transform into an environment bound unto pleasure. But Ciprien’s wound from the last episode, made it clear that something sinister was at work here. In that, Lasher had figured out how to move the two of them into a space between spaces inside the house. Where he would use Ciprien’s wound to make him ill enough to eventually pass into the beyond. Allowing for Lasher to quickly swoop in and console a weeping Rowan and seduce her at last as he so badly wanted. But he wasn’t prepared for Rowan’s understanding of the situation, nor was he prepared for the lessons she sent our way. Because once she realized what was happening… she figured out how to best him.

First… by getting to know Lasher and what he wanted. Because that is an easy way to disarm one’s enemy. For they are all about power through and through and knowing what they want and being able to call them upon it… robs of them of that power and leaves them out of sorts. Which Rowan was able to do slowly here. Because she recognized all of his plans and did her best to expose them. That of course, frustrated him to no end, and pushed him to use all of his tricks to re-establish that power and influence Rowan to do as he pleased. For that too is how a nemesis operates. But Rowan was ready and saw through this second wave of power plays and then committed to the second way in which we can defeat our nemesis.
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In that, you do the opposite of what they want. Because then, there’s nothing they can do to have power over you, nor can they exert any influence. You become a lost cause to them, and Rowan accomplished that… through a dust up with Carlotta. For Lasher was hellbent on having Rowan put Carlotta down out of vengeance and spite. Which she refused to do. In fact, she initially spared Carlotta’s life. Which proved to be a slight mistake since Carlotta did try to harm Rowan and ‘free’ her by murdering her. Which in turn, prompted retaliation through Rowan’s vast power. But that… was done out of defense and not out of spite or Lasher’s wishes… and that… proved too much for him to bear, and he let Rowan go at last so she could rejoin the everyday world.

Granted, he will of course be back. For he is malevolent and relentless and is used to getting his way. Making it seem as though the lessons here meant nothing. But to the everyday jackass in everyday life, that playbook would put them down stone cold and give freedom to a person. All of which made this a satisfying episode. Since it let Rowan begin to come into her own, and her actions also made sure… we get more Ciprien. Because his ejection from the house at Rowan’s request, allowed for his wounds be healed and allowed for him to fight another day. And now hopefully, he can help Rowan put an end to the family curse that is Lasher, now that she is free from his grip for the time being, and ready to face the world of magic and the darkness that dwells within it. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘The Last of Us’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say, that the HBO series, The Last of Us, has offered up a masterclass in set up storytelling. Simply because, the first three episodes have done everything one could want and more when it comes to creating a new series and immersing us within its world. Courtesy of a series premiere that offered perfect setup and introduction to the Cordyceps infection and how it grabbed hold of the world in an alternate 2003. Plus, those episodes have established what Joel Miller and the last vestiges of humanity are indeed fighting for in this dark time… and we’ve even been treated to character growth in a subtle manner… and of course… powerful commentary on the human condition, courtesy of last week’s powerful tale about love and what it means for us and does for us. 
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But what the series has yet to really do in a heavy manner… is offer commentary on our modern world, specific to the pandemic that we recently experienced. Sure, it’s offered up echoes of those dark and scary days courtesy of an infection that leaves people normal in appearance early on, reminding us of how we worried about who was sick and who was not, and sure… the speed with which the world collapsed and changed in Joel’s universe, featured echoes of how quickly our world changed when the virus hit our shores. But beyond that… it’s had little else to say about humanity and that era. Which one could attribute to perhaps it being a little too soon, regarding discussions of that era and its meaning to all of us. But as it turns out, the show was simply… biding its time.

Waiting for the right moment to bring forth deeper commentary about a life changing event and it just so happens that last night’s episode was the right time for that. For ‘Please Hold to My Hand’ is a story that offered some powerful observations about the pandemic we’ve lived through, after more of that trademark character development the series is quickly becoming known for. Because the early part of this tale saw Joel and Ellie on the road, and while they were on the road… they were finally able to let their guard down and get to know each other and well… experience the good that people do in trying times. By way of finding laughter and through making memories despite the horrors of the world, and that was wonderful to see here, as was Joel slowly lowering his guard toward Ellie and well… once we started to see these two bond, the story shifted gears toward the commentary in question.
 
A feat this story accomplished by way of a cross country voyage, that offered echoes of the darkest days the humanity had ever known, complete with something to say about our own collective experiences. For America’s vaunted interstate system, served as nothing more than a graveyard of one of our greatest accomplishments, the automobile. For so many rusted out cars were on the sides of the road, and some served as tombs, and even our supposed military might was on display in a similar manner. Alongside ugly visuals of once proud cities and landmarks being overtaken by the planet that mankind believes it is the true master of. All of which served as a powerful reminder that humanity is a tenant on Planet Earth, and when Mother Nature decides the rent is due… she’ll come collecting in the most brutal ways imaginable. 

All of which helped to remind us of how helpless we were during that dark time, and it was Joel and Ellie’s arrival in Kansas City that truly allowed for this episode to shine from a commentary standpoint. Because this duo was forced to enter the city itself to try and get around an ugly roadblock and what they encountered was terrifying to say the least. For they came in contact with unsavory human beings, who had their own agenda and had clearly taken over the city and after a hideous firefight that forced Ellie to grow up quickly and forced Joel to be a dad whether he liked it or not… they found themselves exposed inside the city. Without much firepower and unsure of what to do other than figure out a way to get back to the highway.
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Which allowed for us… to meet the people that bothered to open fire upon Joel and Ellie, who appeared to be rebels that overtook FEDRA in the QZ and moved to control the city on their own terms, with the help of two key leaders: Kathleen and Perry. Who were trying desperately to find a man named Henry, whom they believed to be a grand threat to their little fiefdom. And the arrival of Ellie and Joel, and the firefight that ensued, prompted Kathleen to have everyone in her army tear into the city to find Henry, since she deemed him responsible for the attack. A move that revealed some forthcoming trouble nearby and of course… eventually introduced our heroes to Henry in a harrowing manner. But what matters more here, is the hunt for Henry and the current state of Kansas City.

Because that is what brings forth the commentary in question. Because in essence, this episode is designed to be a grand examination… of the infighting and lack of unity that humanity displayed during our own viral crisis, and how that helped the end come into play in this story, how it let the virus thrive in our world, and how our behavior puts us at risk for further problems down the line. Because we, like Kathleen, put ideology and other beliefs ahead of what mattered most… fighting the real enemy… the virus. For that was the only villain that existed, not masks, not our neighbors or political affiliations. And had we recognized that, perhaps things would have gone differently over the past three years. But instead, we know how that story ends, and seeing Kathleen worry about Henry over the looming threat in question, truly hammered that home and gives one pause.

For that is biting commentary on our current world and it refreshes commentary that George A. Romero injected often into his Dead saga, offering tribute while offering plenty for us to ponder upon and well… in the end, this was just… another magnificent episode from this magnificent series. For it was in many ways… its own little movie. One that took us on a sprawling and sweeping adventure across a broken and infected America, complete with roads as empty as they were in lockdown, and it also featured action and adventure and some fine acting. Since Melanie Lynskey made quite the impact as Kathleen here, and it was also quite amazing to see another voice actor from the game find a home in the show. Since Jeffrey Pierce played Perry and fans of the game know him as the voice of Tommy, and their powerhouse performances truly sold the commentary and gave us plenty to chew upon, while we wait to see how this leg of the journey will be resolved in next week’s episode. Until then. 

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 404 of ‘Servant’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One of the most difficult moments we will ever go through in life, is coming to realize that someone we deeply trusted and called a friend or a member of the family… is not who we thought they were. Because that epiphany, rips our soul in half and shatters our heart. Because this is the kind of person we trusted deeply and shared secrets and hopes and dreams with, and invited into our lives, only to learn it was all a lie. A stinking lie that served their interests over anything else and it hurts to realize all that and it hurts just as badly… to know that we need to purge them from our lives in a prompt manner. Because we know such an act will bring forth trouble and drama and pain… but it simply must be done.
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For they are holding us back and harming us every step of the way and really, that particular moment is top of mind today, simply because it was what Sean Turner experienced in the next episode of Servant on Apple TV+. For ‘Boo’ is a story that chronicled that process for Sean, and of course… it took a lot to bring Sean to the realization that Leanne didn’t have his best interests in mind. Because when we caught up with him in this tale, he was his usual busy self on an important day for the family. For Halloween had arrived in the City of Brotherly Love and that meant preparations were underway to give Jericho a magical first Hallows Eve. Complete with decorations and an odd sense of emptiness for Sean.

Simply because, despite the success he was recently enjoying, and despite having his family under one roof… he didn’t feel whole. Especially with Dorothy lamenting him and after a wondrous night out with his son trick or treating, he retreated home to ponder deeply upon what it would take to feel whole and feel as though he had everything, he truly wanted… which was a family. Thankfully, Julian was there to point out… that a lot of Dorothy’s animosity was related to Sean being Team Leanne, and if he were to bail on her, he could find his way into Dorothy’s heart again. But even then, Sean wasn’t sure if Leanne was the problem here and he continued to think deeply upon what he wanted and what Leanne was to him and while he did that… Leanne quietly helped to sell the reality… that she was slipping into an evil place.

Because her journey this evening, took her around the neighborhood in an effort to find her enemies and deal with them. For she felt ready to face the evil that haunted her and that led to some scary moments for certain. Wherein Leanne didn’t find her enemies and instead decided to indulge in her fury and terrorize the neighborhood. By scaring small children in the street and even breaking the bones of those who provoked her, while sending out a strange vibe that others tapped into. Making it clear her journey into darkness is underway and whatever vibe she put out… was enough for Sean to realize… she wasn’t the person he thought she was… she was manipulative and using Sean to get her way and that, changed his mind about having her around in the household.

In fact, he made a point to let Dorothy know, it was over, and she would be gone come hell or high water. Setting the stage at last for a showdown for the ages between the Turners and Leanne. One that will be costly since it will likely cost them a child at last. But clearly, both sides are drifting apart, and Uncle George might be right, in that… Leanne cannot be allowed to finish this transformation and well, it will be genuinely interesting to see where we go from here. For Sean has been one of Leanne’s biggest champions and with him out of her corner, things are going to be tense and ugly in a household… that is now on the brink of utter disaster, and might be ground zero, for something Biblical in nature. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Skinamarink’.
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One thing that we can all agree upon, is that adulthood… has its drawbacks. For it can be stressful to say the least. In part because it is up to us to figure out how to get everything done that we need to do within a limited timeframe. Because most of our time is dedicated to working, so that we can also eat and keep a roof over our heads. Plus, we’ve also got to keep our friends and family in mind since they need our time and attention as well, and because they keep us sane from the other big stressor in our lives… the world. Since it is oft a place of chaos where anger and cruelty sometimes win the day and that… saps our energy and definitely puts us in a tough place, one that prompts a need for nostalgia. The kind where we remember a simpler time, where all of that chaos didn’t exist, and our lives were filled with joy and good food and carefree days. Specifically, childhood.
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In fact, that is a part of our past that everyone looks fondly upon and cherishes, and we envy children for the wonder and simplicity and purity they enjoy at that age. But what’s funny about that line of thinking, is that… it isn’t wholly correct. For it is nothing more than an escape related thought, one designed to help our minds cope when life is overwhelming. Because in reality, childhood isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes it can be quite scary, and the freedom we think we have really at that age, doesn’t exist. Because we rely upon our parents to survive, and it is incredibly important that we take the time to remember that childhood can be a trying time. Not to ruin the wholesomeness it does harbor, but to remind us that it was a segment of our lives wrought with challenges and lessons, like any other.

Since this is when we learned how to handle fear, and how to slowly build self-sufficiency, and our parents were indeed there every step of the way to help us learn those elements and we are always grateful for that. Since we don’t know what would have happened without that guidance and would prefer to not ponder upon those possibilities. But there are of course, those who do, in part to understand the symbiosis that exists between parent and child and to reflect upon the terror that childhood can produce to give us the perspective we deserve, and fiction is a perfect place to do that, as evidence by the latest Shudder release, Skinamarink. For this is a horror story that features one unique evening in the lives of two children. For after a stressful beginning to the evening, where young Kevin is injured sleepwalking, he and his sister Kaylee, awaken in the middle of the night to discover they are all alone in the house, with no means of escape and as they try to make the best of what should be a temporary situation… their hearts are filled with fear as the hours of isolation drag along and a seeming presence in the house… seeks them out.

Which is a plot that at first glance, seems too simplistic in nature to explore any of the elements we’ve discussed. Since that appears to be nothing more than a scary night for two kids who let their imaginations run wild… but that is the wonder of this storyline. In that, its simplicity allows for visceral and real moments to take place. The kind that truly explore those very elements. Because the simple act of using the restroom for these kids or eating or even traversing through darkness, suddenly becomes a chore. A terrifying one at that when some ‘thing’ seems to be stalking them in the dead of the night. Allowing for us to quickly understand how daunting childhood was back in the day and how little we understood and how much we needed mom and dad to help us with stuff that is now second nature to us.

But while all of that brings forth some fascinating moments for certain, none of that seems to offer genuine elements of horror. But have no fear, the scary stuff is indeed present in this tale. For this is a story that uses its simple plot to prey upon simple fears. Since the dark plays a huge part in this story and that allows for our fear of it to creep back into our minds. Not to mention, this is a story that oft resembles a nightmare, courtesy of jarring imagery and avant-garde moments that defy reality and that leaves one disoriented and uncomfortable and unsettled. But the real scares, come from Kevin and Kaylee’s concerns about the presence in the home they sense is near, and those moments will indeed chill you to your core and also let your own imagination wander regarding what this presence is and that… leads to some equally as unsettling thoughts.

Since there are moments where you wonder, if we’re actually privy to a dark moment in the lives of these kids, where perhaps the person in charge of their safety... is the real monster of this story. But that is the brilliance of this tale. In that, it prompts what we know now about life and the world, to apply it to an ambiguous tale about one bad night for a pair of kids struggling to just… function and survive. And that truly does take us on quite the emotional ride and firmly reminds us of the struggles of being young, which we chose to abandon to offer ourselves comfort. Is that right? Is that wrong? The movie won’t speak to that, for it is up to us to decide. Instead, this is simply a story designed to take us back to a time that wasn’t as innocent as we might like, where we needed help and guidance to survive and that is quite scary. For it reminds us of the fragility of life and leaves us quite grateful for parents and guardians that provided us with exactly what we needed, and never let us slip into the chaos and fear that these poor souls experience in this visceral and raw nightmare.   

If there is one thing that means the world to us more than anything else, it’s family. Simply because… they are an actual extension of us, and they are people that we share supremely special memories with, and those two elements make them important people in our lives… the kind that we would do anything for, and we most certainly do. Since we will stop everything to let them vent or cry or gush with joy, and these are the same folks that we will fiercely defend when they are wrongly under fire. Because family is indeed everything, and if a few people are hurt emotionally from us taking the time to stand up for the ones we love… oh well, so be it, and if we have to go further to keep them safe… we will do what we must.
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Because that is indeed how much family means to us and how badly we want to help them. But thankfully, going to extremes for our family isn’t something that has to happen all that often, if ever at all. But it somehow brings us comfort to know that if we must cross that line, we will. Or will we? Because we truly have not faced that dark moment where such a decision would have to be made and well… it does leave one to wonder just how far we would actually go to save our family, especially if we were tasked with taking part in horrible, horrible acts to keep them in good standing. But thankfully, these are tough questions that can be easily explored via the safety of fiction, and it just so happens that a brand-new movie from Universal ponders upon that ugly question in a horrifying manner.

A feat that Knock at the Cabin accomplishes by plunging us into the middle of a very unique day for a family. For Andrew and Eric and their adopted daughter Wen, find their idyllic and peaceful getaway at a remote cabin in the woods, interrupted by four strangers, led by a mysterious man named Leonard who has quite the request of this family. In that, he and his friends firmly believe that the end of the world is about to take place and if their visions are correct, the only way to keep billions of people from dying horrible and tragic deaths… is for this family to willingly sacrifice one of their own. An act that disgusts Andrew and Eric, despite the fact that darkness does seem to be falling upon the Earth. Leaving them in a difficult place for certain, one where they must indeed decide if one life in exchange for billions is a fair price… to keep a portion of their family free from the horrors that await them outside.

Which is… the perfect way to ponder upon that grand question. Because that exact conundrum is what Eric and Andrew must face. Because if the world ends, there’s no happiness or safety for their family, just horror and terror and sorrow. But of course, that ask is incredibly high and this story does an amazing job of putting them on the spot to think about the impossible and how far they would go. As to what they decide, we won’t spoil here, but we can say that this is a refreshing challenge for characters to face. One that is only made more difficult by the troubling events that take place in the cabin while they decide. The kind that are motivated by Leonard and his friends and their visions and those acts and the subject matter in general, bring forth some unique horror elements.

For this is a scary story that is devoid of blood and guts and jump scares and terrifying monsters. Instead, this is a good old fashioned psychological horror film, one that uses dread and the situation at hand to really bring forth the scares. The kind that relates to the darkness we carry and the evil we are capable of and of course, the film makes heavy use of the disturbing nature of the nightmare now surrounding this family and their ‘guests’ to terrify the viewer. All of which works in concert to create a supremely bleak story for certain, one that doesn’t leave you with a single feel-good moment. Which is quite the accomplishment for director M. Night Shyamalan, who usually opts to inject a smidge of humor when things are at their worst to never let the moment overpower.

But here, he is eager to just terrify and unsettle us and it is mission accomplished for certain, and the ugly that we experience is only further enhanced by some stunning performances in this film. With Dave Bautista stealing the show as Leonard since he brings a collected calm to the desperate darkness he expresses in this tale and really, the chilling performances, and incredible situation this family and these strangers find themselves struggling with, makes for one powerful horror film. One that truly leaves you with plenty to chew upon. For this is a supremely intelligent horror film, one that explores topics and taboos that few horror films will touch and truly rattles you to your core. Since this is a motion picture that preys upon our primal fears and toys with a concept that is genuinely sacred.

Valentine’s Day is a holiday that is steeped in a variety of important traditions. Such as buying flowers for your partner so that they feel special on this day. Or chocolates for that matter as well so they have something delightfully sweet to lift their spirits. Plus, this is day where love is declared endlessly to those that lift our spirits up, and of course… romantic dinners and magic moments are also an important part of this day. But what’s truly amazing… is that there are so many other traditions present on this dynamic holiday.
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Such as making sure to tune into Joe Bob Briggs’ annual heartfelt Valentine’s Day horror fest on Shudder. Because there are few things as beautiful and as romantic as settling in with someone you love to enjoy tales of terror and gallons of gore and well, it just so happens, that we finally have the date set for Joe Bob’s big event. For Joe Bob’s Vicious Vegas Valentine will debut on Shudder on February 10th this year, and will feature a bevy of surprises, all of which are listed below, alongside a trailer for this epic event. One that will bring us closer to that special someone, as we cower in fear together courtesy of a master emcee and horror’s finest streamer.

‘Joe Bob kicks off another year of holiday fun with the Shudder Original Valentine’s Day special, Joe Bob’s Vicious Vegas Valentine. The special debuts on Friday, February 10th live on the Shudder TV feed at 9:00 p.m. ET. Fans can also watch on demand on Shudder and AMC+ beginning Sunday, February 12th.
 
This Valentine's Day, legendary horror host Joe Bob Briggs makes history and officiates the wedding of two fans on-air while hosting a double helping of films about the ultimate nightmare: True Love! RSVP to join Joe Bob, Darcy the Mailgirl, and the rest of The Last Drive-In crew as they bring two young lovers together under the neon and glitz of Las Vegas.
 
Joe Bob Briggs said, “During this year's demented double feature, I'll be joining in unholy matrimony two young lovers thoroughly schooled in the twisted tenets of The Last Drive-In. And I'll probably need an Elvis jumpsuit to do it.”
The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs is produced by Matt Manjourides and Justin Martell and directed by Austin Jennings.
 
AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland and Germany.’

Streaming Exclusively on Shudder February 2nd, 2023 

Opened In Theaters on January 13th, 2023 via IFC Films 

Director/Writer: Kyle Edward Ball 
Cast: Dali Rose Tetreault, Lucas Paul, Jaime Hill, Ross Paul 
Language: English 
Festivals: Fantasia 2022 
Synopsis: Two children wake up in the middle of the night to find their father is missing, and all the windows and doors in their home have vanished. WATCH TRAILER: HERE.

Streaming Exclusively on Shudder February 9th 

Director/Writer: Gabriel Bier Gislason 
Cast: Josephine Park, Ellie Kendrick, Sofie Gråbøl, David Dencik 
Language: English, Danish 
Synopsis: A horror romance about love at first sight, steeped in Jewish folklore. Maja, a Danish has-been actress falls in love with Leah, a young, Jewish academic from London. But when Leah suffers a mysterious seizure, leading to a debilitating injury, Maja fears their whirlwind romance might be cut short – and decides to follow Leah back to her home in the Hasidic area of Stamford Hill, London. There, she meets her new downstairs neighbor: Leah’s mother, Chana. An overbearing and secretive woman, Chana seems resistant to all of Maja’s attempts to win her over. And as Maja begins to notice strange occurrences in the building, she begins to suspect that Chana’s secrets could be much darker that first anticipated – and that the woman she loves might be carrying the biggest secret of all… WATCH TRAILER: HERE.

Streaming Exclusively on Shudder on February 16

Director/Writer: Park Hoon-jung
Cast: Park Eun-bin, Seo Eun-soo, Jin Gu and Sung Yoo-bin
Synopsis: Sequel to 2018’s blockbuster, The Witch Part 2 tells the story of a girl who was created in a secret lab, and those who are tracking her down.

Streaming Exclusively on Shudder February 24th 

Opened In Theaters on November 22nd, 2022 via RLJE 

Director: Lorcan Finnegan 
Writer: Garret Shanley 
Cast: Eva Green, Mark Strong and Chai Fonacier 
Language: English
Synopsis: A fashion designer is suffering from a mysterious illness that puzzles her doctors and frustrates her husband, until help arrives in the form of a Filipino career, who uses traditional folk healing to reveal a horrifying truth.

Shudder’s February catalog titles are the perfect Valentine’s Day selections. No date night is complete without Nekromantik 1 & 2, or the surprisingly gruesome 2009 remake ‘My Bloody Valentine 3D’... and for the classical Hammer horror heads, ‘Lust for a Vampire’. 

February 1 
My Bloody Valentine 3D (2009) 
Directed by Patrick Lussier

Return of the Living Dead III (1993) 
Directed by Brian Yuzna 

Homebodies (1974) 
Directed By Larry Yust 

Fear No Evil (1981) 
Directed by Frank LaLoggia 

Queen of Spades (1948) 

Baby Blood (1990) 

Malefique (2002) 

And Soon the Darkness (1970) 

February 6 
Stepfather II (1989) 

Stepfather III (1992) 

Last & First Men (2020) 

February 13 
Nekromantik (1988) 
Directed by Jörg Buttgereit 

Lust for a Vampire (1971) 
Directed by Jimmy Sangster 

Nekromantik 2 (1991) 

The Final Terror (1983) 

February 16 
The Witch: Subversion (2018) 
The Witch Part 2: The Other One (2022) 

February 20 
Nomads (1986) 
Directed by John McTiernan