Something that every horror fan can agree upon right now, is that Shudder’s ‘Summer of Chills’ event has been downright incredible. Simply because every single release during this event is of the highest caliber and clearly the short form offerings are in that same category since Slasher: Flesh & Blood is incredibly impressive. But at the same time, this event is quickly becoming bittersweet in nature, largely due to the fact that it is nearing its end, forcing all of us to brace for the possibility of quiet time without quality horror.

But Shudder isn’t a network that is keen to sit upon its laurels and let its fans starve and as the ‘Summer of Chills’ winds down, this phenomenal streaming service is already giving us a taste of what the fall is going to look like. For earlier today, Shudder announced that the horror film Superhost is going to air on the network on September 2nd, and here are the details on this release, per Shudder.

‘Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, will release Superhost, written and directed by Brandon Christensen (Z, Still/Born), in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand on September 2.

“Led by Gracie Gillam’s unshackled and wildly fun performance, Superhost is an unexpected, darkly humorous new terror from Brandon Christensen,” said Craig Engler, general manager of Shudder. “Following Still/Born and Z, we’re thrilled Brandon remains in the Shudder family, and are eagerly anticipating creeping out our members’ long weekends.”

Said writer and director Brandon Christensen, “I’m incredibly excited for horror fans to check out my newest film Superhost on Shudder. Superhost will stay with you long after the credits and have you rethink staying in a complete stranger’s house.”

In Superhost, travel vloggers Teddy (Osric Chau, Supernatural) and Claire (Sara Canning, Nancy Drew) share their experiences in and around vacation homes with their subscribers while maintaining a moderate level of internet fame.  When their follower count starts to dwindle, they pivot to creating viral content around their most recent host, Rebecca (Gracie Gillam, Z Nation). With all eyes turned towards their “superhost,” Rebecca, they slowly start to realize something isn’t right and as they investigate further, they unlock a horrifying truth.

Written and directed by Christensen the film stars Chau, Canning, Gillam and Barbara Crampton (Jakob’s Wife). Superhost is produced by Kurtis David Harder (Spiral), Christensen, and Chau. Chris Scordo, Darren Sivertsen, Ty Sivertsen, Jon Robinson and Rob Preston serve as executive producers.
Superhost will world premiere Saturday, August 14 at Popcorn Frights in Fort Lauderdale, FL.’

So, as you can see… Shudder is planning for fall to be filled to the brim with more stunning horror films, the kind that feature all kinds of depth and we here at Nerds That Geek cannot wait to see what kinds of twists and turns await us in Superhost and what other quality features will accompany it as we inch toward Halloween.

Please enjoy a sneak peek of the season 11 premiere of The Walking Dead. Which debuts on AMC on August 22nd, 2021, at 9 p.m. EST, or watch it a week early on AMC+.

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the premiere of ‘Slasher: Flesh & Blood’.
​
It is definitely safe to say, that our modern world puts a lot of stock in the nature and the power of family. Because we firmly believe that family has a huge influence on how the future of our society is developed. For when kids are raised right and taught the right moral lessons, they will indeed grow up to be productive members of society, the kind that contribute and lead good lives and in turn, hopefully raise their own quality family to let the cycle continue. Which is why family is often portrayed in cinema and television and print, in such a positive light, to reinforce its importance and to keep the belief that family is a wonderful thing, going. To the point where stories that feature an ‘off-kilter’ family, eventually see them reunite and heal because the power of this notion can fix anything. But while that definitely makes for feel good stories and indeed motivates us to think upon the good times in our upbringing, this is sadly the wrong way to view the family unit.
​
Because the fact of the matter is, not all families are made of sugar and spice and everything nice. Sometimes they feature parents that are awful human beings that never should have kids in the first place, and they’re manipulative and twisted and the only reason their children turn out okay, is because they don’t ever want to be as disgusting as their parents. If anything, this is a reality that needs to be put on display more often, so that people can understand that sometimes, being the good person that the world wants to see more of, comes out of choice over environment and that could in turn motivate more people to abandon the trappings of their past and embrace a better tomorrow and really, all of this is relevant to our discussion today… simply because the dark side of the family dynamic and its impact upon us, is explored in great detail in the premiere of Slasher: Flesh & Blood.

A feat that ‘Thicker Than Water’ and ‘The Sins of the Father’ accomplishes, by introducing us to the enigmatic and eccentric Galloway family. One that’s outright weirdness stems from a great deal of trauma that was created by the family’s patriarch, Spencer. Who also happens to be a tycoon and uses his wealth and nasty demeanor to control people to do his bidding… and when we catch up with the family on their private island in these particular tales, Spencer is dropping his ultimate power play on the fam. For he reveals to all of them, that he is dying of stage four cancer and will be ending his own life on his own terms before this reunion weekend comes to a close and well, rather than go through a traditional will and testament process once he’s passed, Spencer decides that the best way to handle the fate of his vast fortune and the future of his company… is to force his heirs to fight for it. Which means they’ll all be subjected to a weekend of painful and twisted competitions to see who is worthy to own the Galloway empire, but there is just one problem when it comes to their quest. In that, a strange murderer is with them on the island this weekend and this individual has plans to wipe out the Galloway family and now it will be up to this sour and broken family to figure out a way to survive or let their differences help the killer divide and conquer. 

Which is… an incredibly detailed plot to inject into a slasher themed story, but that’s what this series is known for, thoughtful stories that are filled to the brim with depth and well, it doesn’t take long for this series to establish the themes we just discussed. For this family provides the viewer with some fascinating perspective on how choice plays into who we become, since Spencer’s immediate heirs are quite the ugly bunch, the kind that have indeed been manipulated and broken by their father’s machinations and chose a darker path in his mold out of the belief that they had no choice. Whereas their children are quite the opposite, and full of logic and kindness because they see through the garbage that Spencer sent their parents way and they aspire to be more than their bitter and broken parents and that leads to some supremely unique moments and interactions. The kind that challenge the characters in a dynamic manner since they are forced to choose between good and evil often and what’s wild is the depth doesn’t end with that fascinating concept.
​
For this is a story that uses the Galloway fortune and its trappings to explore the power of consumerism and money and how it corrupts a person’s soul. Because the competition in question, does tend to bring out the worst in some of the family members, to the point where they get a little evil at the prospect of inheriting a ridiculous sum of money and well, this is perhaps the most direct and simple exploration in the show, but a welcome one none the less since it is timely and relevant. But while it is indeed wonderful to settle in and enjoy a horror story that is filled to the brim with fascinating depth and meaning, we are of course here to see blood and guts and twisted moments, and these opening chapters offer that up as well. Since both episodes are filled to the brim with stunning and cringe-worthy gore, and it also features the savagery of man in a manner that only a slasher story can and to top it all off… this aspect of the story features one heck of a mystery as well, since we are dying to know the true identity of the killer, and why they’re so eager to punish the Galloways.

In the end, all of these elements make this a brilliant premiere for certain. Because this is an incredibly deep horror story, one filled to the brim with incredible commentary and intelligence, and it deserves our awe for all of the concepts it leaves us chewing upon. Plus, you can’t go wrong with quality kills, the kind that utterly leave you squirming in your seat with savagery, and it also doesn’t hurt, that this sucker features a horror legend in the cast as well. For it is David Cronenberg that plays the enigmatic and cruel Spencer Galloway and he offers up a performance so cold and so cunning that you instantly hate the character with a fire that is likely only rivaled by his very own family and well, all of these elements simply suck you in and leave you hungry for more and it will be quite interesting to see where this story takes us in the weeks to come as the Galloway family works to survive the evil that lurks outside their posh mansion, and the one that’s wrapped in the guise of family. Until next time.  

It is definitely safe to say, that the streaming network Shudder is on an outright tear right now. Because not only is the network enjoying critical acclaim for its brilliant ‘Summer of Chills’ event, but it’s also preparing to launch a new season of Slasher: Flesh & Blood and season three of Creepshow is right around the corner and to top it off… they’re scooping up a bevy of new and incredible films to showcase to the world in 2022.
​
For just days after acquiring the rights to Hellbender, earlier today Shudder announced it has snagged another hot horror film to add its impressive lineup by way of the period horror piece, The Last Thing Mary Saw and well, here are the details of this acquisition, courtesy of Shudder.

‘Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, has acquired the period horror feature The Last Thing Mary Saw ahead of its August 15 world premiere at Fantasia International Film Festival. Shudder will release the film, which is written and directed by Edoardo Vitaletti, in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand in early 2022.

Said Craig Engler, general manager of Shudder, “We are excited to bring Edoardo’s chilling and unique directorial debut to Shudder. Full of twists and turns that will keep viewers guessing until the very end and featuring an immensely talented cast and crew, The Last Thing Mary Saw is a gripping tale we can’t wait to share with our members.”

“It is such an honor to join Shudder’s incredible slate of films. For years they have been raising the bar for thought-provoking genre storytelling, and I’m thrilled to partner with them in releasing The Last Thing Mary Saw”, added writer-director Edoardo Vitaletti.

The Last Thing Mary Saw begins in Southold, New York, 1843: Young Mary (Stefanie Scott, Insidious: Chapter 3), blood trickling from behind the blindfold tied around her eyes, is interrogated about the events surrounding her grandmother’s death. As the story jumps back in time, we witness Mary, raised in a repressively religious household, finding fleeting happiness in the arms of Eleanor (Isabelle Fuhrman, Orphan), the home’s maid. Her family, who believe they are seeing, speaking, and acting on God’s behalf, view the girls’ relationship as an abomination, to be dealt with as severely as possible. The couple attempt to carry on in secret, but someone is always watching, or listening, and the wages of perceived sin threaten to become death, with the tension only heightened by the arrival of an enigmatic stranger (Rory Culkin, Waco, Halston) and the revelation of greater forces at work.

The acquisition deal was negotiated by Emily Gotto and Samuel Zimmerman on behalf of Shudder and XYZ Films (Pip Ngo, Nate Bolotin) and CAA Media Finance on behalf of the filmmaker.

The Last Thing Mary Saw is produced by Isen Robbins and Aimee Schoof (Tesla, Blue Caprice) of Intrinsic Value Films, Harrison Allen and Madeleine Schumacher of Arachnid Films, Stephen Tedeschi (Blue Caprice) and Executive Produced by Scoop Wasserstein (The Outfit). The film will have its world premiere virtually August 15 as part of the 25th Fantasia International Film Festival, which kicked off August 5 as a hybrid event with in-person screenings in Montreal, Quebec and the virtual slate geo-locked to Canada. Following Fantasia, the film will have its UK premiere August 28 at FrightFest in London.’

So, as you can see, Shudder has once again acquired a thought-provoking and poignant horror film. One that will undoubtedly stay with us for days as we try to unpack all of its themes while we reconcile its scares and truly, we here at NTG cannot wait to see this movie when it arrives on Shudder in 2022.

Disappointing our parents is something that we all are afraid of doing. No matter what the situation is, we know that they will still love us, but there is that fear in the back of our minds that wonders what they are really thinking. Wanting to live up to our expectations can be a good and bad driving force in our lives, while it keeps you pushing forward, it can also put too much strain on your livelihood and cause you to burn out. It is just important to remember that each one of us is our own person and the only thing that we can do is to live our own lives, the way we see fit.
​
Returning to his parent’s farm for a long weekend, Hunter has brought his friends along with him to try and help soften the blow. Coming out to his family as being gay, he knows that the farm people will not accept him the same way everyone in New York has. Knowing that his father is far from impressed, by having his friends along with him for a support team, he will do a little something special for them during the weekend. Planning a barn dance seems to be just the ticket to making his friends happy and keeping his mind off of what is happening around the house.

Arriving at the farm, Hunter is welcomed home by his mother and little sister Jenny with open arms, but his father would rather not look at him. Introducing all of his friends to his family, Clare tries to make nice with the household, but the others are too focused on making jokes about farm living for her to be taken seriously. Deciding to move on, the group of friends, Clare, Matt, Lenox, Flo, Rocky, Janelle and Gordon head to the barn and start to set up for a night that they will never forget.  

As the party of a lifetime takes place, young Jenny wants nothing more than to be a part of it with her brother, but she is sent to her room. Having her own fears, Jenny asks her father to check out her closet to make sure that there are no monsters roaming around. Playing a prank on his little girl, Mr. Killian then needs to check under her bed, but finds something that he did not expect. Seeing a pitchfork rise from under her bed, Jenny gives out a scream, but there may not be anyone near enough to help her in time.
​
As the party comes to an end and Clare finds out that her boyfriend Matt is a cheating piece of crap, she returns to the house to find Jenny’s room covered in blood. Explaining to Hunter what she has seen, she heads out to find the others to get them into the van and out of town before something bad happens to them as well. But the van has gone missing and while looking for it, the group sees someone in the distance that does not look right. Seeing Gordon get killed with a hatchet, Lenox, Matt, and Clare try to escape, but there is only so far that they can go until they run out of steam. Conducting his own search for his parents and sister, Hunter takes a different route and finds that there is a strange house in the middle of nowhere, but that is not all when the owner comes back home.

I was pleasantly surprised when this movie started to play on my television. The first thing that caught my eye was how crisply the movie was shot and that did not dissipate throughout, making it a very fun viewing experience. The characters’ interaction in this movie was great, between the fights, the kisses, and the mistakes, they were all very enjoyable, even Pitchfork himself. I like it when a movie is able to turn a monster into a person, and even after you see all of the killings, you might find yourself a little sad to see him go. I would love to continue on with the turns that the movie takes, but it would give away an ending that you just need to watch to get the full effect. With a barn full of blood, cow tipping, a love story, betrayal, a reluctant hero, crazy families, and a pitchfork arm, this is just a fun slasher movie that does not pull any punches once the killing starts. Stay Scared.

One thing that every horror fan is aware of these days, is that zombie themed fiction tends to dive into social issues and outright commentary on the human condition. For George Romero established the fact that the living dead can serve as a powerful allegory to any of society’s ills, allowing for quality explorations of our world to take place in these rotten universes and it just so happens… that The Walking Dead is no exception to this unspoken rule. Because time and time again during the course of its now eleven-year run, it has offered up stories that look at some fascinating aspects of what makes us human and, in the case of today’s Retro Recap, it’s even taken the time to explore some supremely philosophical concepts. Such as what drives us to be savage and what exactly is humanity’s worth as a whole.  
​
A feat that the next episode in this storied franchise pulled off, by bringing some of the survivors to the Greene farm. For ‘Save the Last One’ saw Lori Grimes and T-Dog and Glenn Rhee, drop by the farm while they waited for the medical supplies to return and well, seeing her son in his current state, put Lori in quite the dark and brooding place. Because her baby boy was suffering badly and seeing him struggle to breathe and pondering upon the world he was going to grow up within if he survived, since suffering was now the norm… left her wondering if this was a sign that perhaps it was best that Carl passed on. For mankind clearly screwed up during its run as the dominant species and living death was its penalty, so with us being worthless in nature… what was the point of letting her son see a world as cruel as this one?

Which is a question that quite frankly… Rick fought back upon. Simply because he believed that moments such as these, where people are challenged like never before aren’t punishment, but an opportunity. The kind that teaches those in the midst of the madness, the worth of life and the majesty of the fight and that there is nothing that humanity cannot accomplish. Which was a wonderful counterpoint to Lori’s thoughts, one that once again injected hope into this tale that perhaps a better tomorrow awaited the group and reminded us that we are indeed worthy when we apply ourselves, and that hope was extended by the finale of this plot thread. For eventually Shane came back on his own, with everything needed to save little Carl’s life and after a tense surgery, the little man was saved and pulling through just fine and ironically… it’s Shane’s journey that covered the examination of our savagery.

Because the only reason that Shane was heavily delayed in getting back to the farm, was because things went sideways at the school. For he and Otis found themselves trapped and had to get creative about their escape and…  that went poorly as well. For they were chased by the dead at every turn and wounded and well… that motivated Shane to make a horrible call. One where he shot Otis in the leg so the dead could consume him and give Shane time to escape and that spoke volumes to the fact that when our survival is on the line, we will make the worst calls imaginable. But while that is a blunt way to explore the savagery of man, this episode also deserves credit for pointing out that committing to such acts, doesn’t necessarily mean we can easily live with them. As evidenced by the mental struggle that Shane went through following his return home.

A struggle that will sadly, bring about great tragedy for Shane at season’s end. But in the here and the now, this really was quite the powerful episode for certain. One that dug into some fascinating concepts and notions and served as another important keystone episode. Since this particular tale features the first ever meeting between Maggie and Glenn. A moment that would set the stage for an incredible and heartbreaking love affair. One that would have all kinds of consequences and joy in the future, and it is quite incredible to see their chemistry brewing immediately during a second viewing, and now that this chapter in this long and winding tale has come to a close… it is time to turn our attention to what lies ahead. Specifically, a story that builds upon that budding romance for the ages and features quite the surprise for Lori in regard to her recent fling with Shane. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 208 of ‘Motherland: Fort Salem’.
​
It is definitely safe to say that last week’s episode of Motherland: Fort Salem, was quite satisfying in nature. Because at long last, all the posturing and delays and weird strategies that General Alder has been hiding behind, were cast aside by Abigail and Adil and Scylla and Willa and in doing so, they were able to save Raelle from the clutches of the Camarilla and take to the fight to them at last. Crippling their witch hunting operations in the process and destroying their base of operations and well… that sudden surge into action, definitely left all of us wondering if the Army was going to take their cues from this bold act and continue this offensive against their enemies. And it just so happens that last night’s episode of the series, wasted little time in informing us that the United States Witch Army was indeed ready to show its enemies who is in charge.
​
For in the opening moments of ‘Delusional’, Tally was informed by the General herself that she and her unit were going to terminate Nicte Batan with extreme prejudice and well, that didn’t quite sit right with Tally. Because she thought capturing Nicte would be a better choice because of the truth she carried and thankfully, General Bellweather agreed to the point where she asked Tally to capture instead of kill. But before the mission could get underway, there was some downtime we needed to see take place. Since spending a little time with Raelle and Abigail allowed for some loose plot threads to be taken care of. For Abigail worked to rectify Adil’s worries about committing to war and Raelle and Scylla were able to reconcile their past and their feelings and the pain that Raelle was going through regarding the fate of her mother.

But the instant Tally arrived, those softer moments ended and well, it’s a good thing that Raelle and the team and Scylla buried the hatchet. Because she came along to help the team navigate Nicte’s traps and had she not made peace with Raelle and the team, they likely would have perished. For Nicte had all kinds of horrible mind traps waiting for the team. The kind that put their worst fears and worries on display, to the point where they were ready to inadvertently commit self-harm to escape the horror of the moment. But Scylla was able to get each one of them to break free of the nightmare. Making it appears as though at last, they would be able to capture Nicte quickly and easily with her primary defenses down. But that was simply not the case since she had more surprises in store for these intrepid and brave soldiers. 

For she figured out a way to turn most of the team against one another, with Tally being the only exception to that rule and that led to quite the showdown whilst everyone else verbally and physically fought. One where Nicte was in fact, outmatched and at risk of capture because her magic was spread quite thin and well… that motivated her to do something quite bold. In that, she dropped her attack on the others and focused her magic squarely on Tally, allowing for her to use her Spree tricks to adopt Tally’s physical identity and make it appear as though Nicte was defeated in combat. A move that could have led to disaster upon the unit’s return to Fort Salem… had Raelle and Abigail failed to notice their friend wasn’t quite herself. But in the end, they were able to expose and properly capture Nicte and rescue Tally and well, who knows where this incredible twist will take us come next week.

Because clearly, there is now dissension in the ranks since Petra made the call to capture over kill, and of course… Nicte has all of Alder’s secrets buried in the depths of her mind and that could cause real trouble for the general. The kind that could in fact, lead to more division and strife if it comes out that Alder has performed some highly illegal acts. But while we wait to see what Nicte has to say, we can bask in another satisfying tale. One that really did a wonderful job of bringing together and resolving some long-standing storylines and most important of all, it finally let our trio of heroes shine as warriors for a change. Because it is important to see them grow as soldiers as well as people and now that this particular chapter has come to a close, it’s back to the waiting game as we count down the minutes to what should be another magnificent chapter in this dynamic series. Until next time.

Truly, we never feel more helpless than when we receive word that a loved one has been hurt and is in the hospital. Simply because there is nothing we can do at that point and now that they’re in the hands of doctors… all we can do stand by and watch and hope that they will recover. Which thankfully, they tend to do. Because modern medicine is quite amazing, making this particular moment in our lives nothing more than a healthy scare, when we look back upon it. One that taught us the value of the moment and of life and one that makes us quite thankful for the people we have in our lives. Because the only reason we made it through this mess emotionally, is our friends and family.
​ 
Mainly because, without them in our lives, we would have slipped into a waking nightmare. One where our imaginations would have gone to the darkest, worst-case scenario. The kind that breaks a person emotionally with fear. But while our friends and pals help us to avoid those kinds of awful worries, fiction, specifically horror, is always there to look at the darkest recesses of our minds and ponder upon what our worst fears might look like. In order to allow for us to face them in a safe and secure manner and it just so happens, that the next episode in season two of The Walking Dead, opts to explore the worst-case scenario for our loved ones being injured. Specifically, what it would be like for us if the hospital system wasn’t available to us in the moment and we couldn’t get our loved one’s proper care.

A feat that ‘Bloodletting’ accomplishes, by having Rick Grimes tote his son Carl to a nearby farm, because the man that shot Carl, named Otis, believes that Rick can find some kind of help there. For Hershel Greene has some medical know how, and his family’s land is safe and secure from the dead and well, while he is indeed able to get Carl stabilized in the moment, grave concerns hang over his future. For it turns out that dear Carl has multiple bullet fragments in his belly and he needs immediate surgery, and without a respirator and proper medical supplies to help in that, there’s a fair chance he won’t survive long… thanks to the internal bleeding he’s currently experiencing and well, that puts that particular fear on full display. Because not only is Rick helpless, but the incredible care Carl would have received in a hospital simply isn’t there.

Which is… a horrifying reality to face for certain because that brings about a sense of hopelessness that few of us will ever know and kudos to Andrew Lincoln for putting that fear on display and making it palatable through and through. And for making us realize that we would never like to be in that situation, since it clearly would break the right person in the right mindset. But there is some mild semblance of hope in this moment. Simply because Hershel puts together a plan with Oits and Shane, to get the necessary supplies to save Carl’s life. For the nearby high school was converted into a FEMA shelter when the going got rough with the dead, and that shelter would undoubtedly have everything necessary to perform a successful surgery. Provided of course, Shane and Otis can even bring those supplies back, since it was revealed in the closing moments of this tale, that the living dead outnumber Carl and Otis by an unwholesome ratio, forcing them to hide inside the school… thusly delaying Carl’s badly needed surgery.

Which was quite the cliffhanger to endure back in the day since we all wanted little Carl to pull through. But now that we know his fate in season two, what matters more here is what his episode tried to accomplish creatively. In that, this was a good old-fashioned experiment in fear. The kind that genuinely worked to immerse the audience in one of our worst fears and honestly, it was successful in that endeavor. For this is an incredibly intense and unsettling tale, one where you feel as helpless and scared as Rick since you know he’s in a world without resources or support and well, the show definitely deserves a round of applause for pulling this off and for making the start to season two about as intense as it gets and what’s wild, is that it is just getting started. Since the next chapter in this adventure features more trouble and more dark moments, the kind that go full George Romero. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Return’.

For the vast majority of us, going home for the holidays or in general, is quite the celebratory affair. Because we get to see our beloved family and spend time with them and reminisce in the wonderful life, they provided us with. One that helped us to grow into a productive and intelligent member of society and being surrounded by love and good vibes, does wonders for our mental health and that’s why so many of us will indeed swing by home when the going gets tough. But while there are plenty of reasons to celebrate a voyage home, what we often forget… is that even something as wonderful as that, has its respective dark side to it as well.
​
Because not everyone was afforded the wondrous childhood that we were. In fact, for some folks, any memories they have of home… are dark and terrifying in nature, or unsettling at the very least because their upbringing was difficult and painful and, in some cases, downright abusive. So, for them, returning home is a toxic prospect, one that could put them in a tough place mentally since they would be forced to face a past that they worked hard to leave behind. But even then, some go through with it. Simply because they understand that confronting their ugly yesterday is the only way to move forward in life and it just so happens that a brand-new horror/sci-fi flick on the market, explores all of those elements in a fascinating manner in The Return.

Now in this particular film, we meet a brilliant college student named Rodger who is reluctantly returning home with his girlfriend Beth and best friend Jordan. And the only reason he’s agreed to return to a place that is filled with bad memories, the kind that involve the death of his sister and mother… is because his father has passed away as well, and his affairs must be settled. But with his girlfriend and bestie at his side, he should be able to handle the bevy of bad memories that await him in this place. But just when it seems as though he will be able to move on in peace after learning that he stands to inherit everything, strange occurrences around the house leave him wondering if his father died of natural causes or something more and an investigation into such matters, will bring about more unwholesome memories and a truth that Rodger might not be able to reconcile.

Which is a plot that, quite frankly, is the perfect way to handle exploring the power of the past, and how difficult it can be to return to a toxic environment. Because as mentioned, this is a house of horrors for Rodger, one filled to the brim with sour memories and dark moments and by arming himself with people he cares for, his new family if you will... he is bravely facing the darkest corners of yesterday. Which is a beautifully subtle way to speak to the viewer about how important it is to stand tall in the face of yesterday and confront and settle our demons. But of course, this being a spooky flick, it has more to offer than mere emotional moments for Rodger to deal with, since it is also revealed in this film that he has repressed memories. The kind that harbor some dark truths about his family's time in this house and that in turn makes this a haunted house movie as well.
​
Because the strange occurrences in this abode are indeed related to a sort of spirit within the house’s walls, and Rodger's missing memories also involve this mysterious apparition and all of that brings forth a bevy of creepy moments. The kind where there is a genuine sense of danger surrounding the new occupants of this home and where eventually the stakes are raised when this apparition becomes angry and violent. But truly, what allows for this aspect of the story to truly shine, are the origins of this spirit. Because the truth behind it, is supremely unique and surprising in every way. To the point where we won’t spoil that particular detail here in the slightest, because you honestly need to experience the shock of it firsthand.

For it really is quite the original twist for certain and that left turn, alongside the other elements present in this story, make this quite the satisfying watch when all is said and done. Because you cannot go wrong with a horror film that offers up incredible depth on a fascinating and poignant topic and a wonderful surprise. Plus, it also features solid acting all around since Richard Harmon (Rodger) and Sara Thompson (Beth) and Echo Anderson (Jordan), provide the viewer with earnest performances that feature wonderful gravity and well, in the end, if you’re looking for a solid horror/sci-fi flick to get lost within, then hop online and give The Return a look. You’ll be glad you did, because this one is quite the entertaining and engrossing ride.

One of the things that I love about Halloween is all of the attractions that are built in its honor. With haunted houses going up by the truckload, there are also the natural attractions that can be just as scary. Corn field mazes and hayrides are cheap and easy to attend and why not, as farmers just make their guests a little patch that can only be traversed at night. Not knowing what can be hiding in the darkness is what drives people insane during these events and for good reason, because let’s be honest, there is nothing scarier than being on a psycho farmer’s farm with all of their equipment.
​
Returning home on Halloween weekend with his girlfriend Amanda, Steven cannot be more excited.  Knowing that there will be something special to show her when it comes to his uncle’s ever popular hayride event, he tries to explain what goes on behind the scenes. Knowing that she will love it, the two see Uncle Morgan working on his truck and while trying to find out who will be playing the character parts, Morgan will only disclose this information if Steven decides to work on the hayride once again.

Down the river, a killer is on the loose and Detective Loomis is on the case. Seeing that the officer that was driving the inmate was killed, he knows it is only a matter of time before the perp kills again. Searching the area around the car and finding nothing, the police get word of a missing person and have to head north. Finding an old farmhouse with dead bodies inside, a couple of officers call it in, but are quickly disposed of when Pitchfork finds them on his property. Seeing that the body count is rising, Loomis does not care about the legend of the old killer, but rather the escaped killer who will be making his rounds.

The night before the big event, Morgan and family surround the fire and tell their stories when Morgan decides to tell the tale of Pitchfork. Being based on a real farmer that lost his mind and killed his family, he continues to try and frighten Steven and Amanda to no avail. After a long day of cleaning up what a storm took down, the Captain Morgan Hayride is up and ready for business, but nobody knows that the terror that will come from this ride will be deadlier than ever before.

This is a fun little down-home story that takes a turn for the worse when a killer is on the loose. Putting the scares in the ride for the night, nobody knows that they have become targets for a psycho and that has to be my favorite part of the movie. Because when the killing starts, you don’t have time to catch your breath from the carnage. With everyone being a target, it is great to see how Steven jumps into action to try and save the love of his life and while it may be enough to save her, it may not be enough to save himself. With a killer on the loose, a life changing ride, a story for the ages and plenty of blood, it is just fun to see how people respond to a new threat. I will say that this movie has made me think twice about taking a hayride ever again, and while I will probably do so, I will keep my ears glued to the police scanner to see if there is someone looking to make my experience more sinister than it needs to be. Stay Scared.