Fall is quite the special time for the horror fan. Because while the rest of the world is rushing to get the perfect fall ‘fit’ ready before settling in with a nice pumpkin spiced something, horror fans are focused upon something far more enchanting. Specifically… the start of Spooky Season. For that is what fall brings and this is where every horror fan out there can start singing spooky praises and recommending horror films left and right and well, Shudder is there to help kick off the season as well, as evidenced by its September 2024 lineup.
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For not only is the series Horror’s Greatest, chugging along in September, and bringing us all education on the genre, but there are some amazing films in the hopper and there’s more Joe Bob Briggs, and Darcy the Mail Girl coming our way. Alongside the usual quality additions to the library that Shudder adds month in and month out, and well… to properly prepare you for Spooky Kickoff, here is Shudder’s programming guide for next month. So, you know what treats of terror to enjoy and what scary stories to recommend to those curious about what goes bump in the night. 

Shudder Original Film
Directed by Chris Nash
Streaming On Shudder September 13
Available in US, CA, AU, NZ, UKI

​Synopsis
When a locket is removed from a collapsed fire tower in the woods that entombs the rotting corpse of Johnny, a vengeful spirit spurred on by a horrific 60-year-old crime, his body is resurrected and becomes hellbent on retrieving it. The undead golem homes in on the group of vacationing teens responsible for the theft and proceeds to methodically slaughter them one by one in his mission to get it back - along with anyone in his way.

Shudder Exclusive Film
Directed by Damian McCarthy 
Streaming On Shudder September 27
Available in US, CA, AU, NZ, UKI

​Synopsis
When Dani is brutally murdered at the remote country house that she and her husband Ted are renovating, everyone suspects a patient from the local mental health institution, where Ted is a doctor. However, soon after the tragic killing, the suspect is found dead. A year later, Dani’s blind twin sister Darcy, a self-proclaimed psychic and collector of cursed items, pays an unexpected visit to Ted and his new girlfriend, Yana. Convinced that there was more to her sister's murder than people know, Darcy has brought with her the most dangerous items from her cursed collection to help her exact revenge. Starring Carolyn Bracken and Gwilym Lee.

Directed by Steven Boyle 
Streaming On Shudder September 6
Available in US, CA, UKI

​Synopsis
The Australian demonic family drama centers on Graham, a man haunted by his past since the death of his father and the estrangement from his two brothers. Jake, the middle brother, contacts Graham claiming that something is horribly wrong: their youngest brother Phillip is possessed by their deceased father. Graham reluctantly agrees to go and see for himself. With the three brothers back together, they soon realize they are unprepared for the forces against them and learn that the sins of their past will not stay hidden. But how do you defeat a presence that knows you inside and out? An anger so powerful it refuses to stay dead? Starring John Noble (The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy), Charles Cottier, Christian Willis, and Dirk Hunter.

Shudder Original Series
Series Premieres August 27 with New Episodes Streaming Every Tuesday on Shudder
Until Season Finale on September 24
 Available in US, CA, AU, NZ, UKI 

​​Synopsis
Celebrating the very best the genre has to offer, Horror’s Greatest is a deep dive into everything we love about horror. From fresh looks at classics to unearthing scores of hidden gems, this series has something for every fright film enthusiast. A gallery of ghoulish pros, including actors, directors, writers, composers, and special effects artists, draw on their unique knowledge to answer the big questions: What are the must-see films in horror’s many sub-genres? What’s the appeal of horror tropes, and how do today’s filmmakers subvert our expectations? What shape does horror take in countries outside of the United States? The answers encompass the breath of the nightmares we watch for our entertainment.

Shudder Original Series
Season Finale Marathon Premieres LIVE Friday, August 30 on Shudder TV Beginning at 9pm ET; Debuts on-demand Sunday, September 1
Available in US and CA  ​

​Synopsis
Fans are invited to celebrate the significant 666 milestone! Join an all-night party in honor of 6 years when the season 6 finale culminates in a LIVE “Nightmareathon” event featuring 6 killer films.

September 1
​Salem’s Lot
A novelist and a young horror fan attempt to save a small New England town which has been invaded by vampires.

Candyman (1992)
The Candyman, a murderous soul with a hook for a hand, is accidentally summoned to reality by a skeptic grad student researching the monster’s myth.

The Funhouse
Teenage Amy Harper, her boyfriend Buzz Dawson, and their friends Richie Atterbury and Liz Duncan visit a local carnival for a night of innocent amusement, but soon witness a fortune teller’s murder and find that the exits are locked.

The People Under the Stairs
When Fool breaks into the home of his family’s landlords, he discovers that they have mutilated several boys and kept them imprisoned under stairs. As Fool attempts to flee, he meets their daughter Alice. Can Fool and Alice escape?

Shocker
After being sent to the electric chair, a serial killer uses the electricity to come back from the dead and carry out his vengeance on the football player who turned him in to the police.

September 2
Basket Case (+TLDI 108 Marathon)
A young man carrying a big basket that contains his extremely deformed formerly conjoined twin brother seeks vengeance on the doctors who separated them against their will.
 
September 7
All You Need is Death
A young couple who collects rare folk ballads discovers the dark side of love when they surreptitiously record and translate an ancient, taboo folk song from the deep, forgotten past.
 
September 9
Popcorn
A master of disguise deranged killer begins killing off the college students who are organizing a horror-movie marathon in an abandoned theater.

Blue Sunshine
A bizarre series of murders begins in Los Angeles, where people start going bald and then become homicidal maniacs. But could the blame rest on a particularly dangerous form of LSD called Blue Sunshine the murderers took 10 years before?

The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue
A cop chases two hippies suspected of a series of Manson family-like murders; unbeknownst to him, the real culprits are the living dead, brought to life with a hunger for human flesh by ultrasonic radiation being used for pest control.

September 23
Eight Eyes
A mysterious local crashes a couple’s vacation through the former Yugoslavia, pulling them deeper into his web of psychic rituals.

About Shudder
AMC Networks’ Shudder stands as the leading curatorial voice and cultural destination for genre entertainment, delivering an unparalleled selection of horror, thrillers, and the supernatural. With an ever-expanding library of films, TV series, and exclusive Originals, Shudder is accessible across most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

Shudder releases approximately thirty films per year, and has redefined genre streaming with a slate of groundbreaking and critically acclaimed titles, including Rob Savage’s HOST, Jayro Bustamante’s Golden Globe-nominated LA LLORONA, Phil Tippett’s MAD GOD, Coralie Fargeat’s REVENGE, Kyle Edward Ball’s SKINAMARINK, Christian Tafdrup’s SPEAK NO EVIL, Chloe Okuno’s WATCHER, Demián Rugna’s WHEN EVIL LURKS, and the latest installment in the V/H/S franchise. Shudder also boasts fan-favorite series such as the two-time Emmy Award-nominated THE BOULET BROTHERS’ DRAGULA, Greg Nicotero’s CREEPSHOW, and THE LAST DRIVE-IN WITH JOE BOB BRIGGS. Notable 2024 releases include Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala’s THE DEVIL’S BATH, Chris Nash’s IN A VIOLENT NATURE, Sébastien Vaniček’s INFESTED, Colin and Cameron Cairnes’ LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL, Damian McCarthy’s ODDITY, and Robert Morgan’s STOPMOTION.

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the Series Premiere of Horror’s Greatest.

One thing that we can all agree upon, is that horror is hands down the hottest genre on the planet right now. For there are horror movies tearing up the box office left and right, and horror on television has never been more prevalent and everyone wants a piece of the genre in some form or fashion, and so many are discovering it for the first time ever. Because when something is cool, everyone wants in on it, but that doesn’t mean that getting into horror is an easy task either. For coming in cold while everyone seems to be well-versed can be an intimidating challenge, one where a newcomer feels lost and unsure of where to begin or what they might like.

But thankfully, the horror community is incredibly inclusive and has ways of bringing newcomers into the fold, such as by way of the new Shudder series, Horror’s Greatest. Which explores all the best aspects of horror and how they impact the genre for better or for worse. Which can easily serve as a springboard point for people eager to learn about horror and all it has to offer. Since such explorations can provide people with a better understanding of how the genre operates, what it examines and what films are of note, and for proof that this series is the best way to make that happen, look no further than last night’s series premiere of the show. Since ‘Tropes and Clichés’ examined the wonder and the follies of certain horror staples.

For instance, this hour of television really did a wonderful job of showcasing how tropes and clichés are created and used within the genre, and how their presence allows for a sense of familiarity. The kind that taps into our greatest fears. After all, the old school trope of having one’s car, not start, is a legit fear that we can relate to on some level, and it just so happens that horror expands upon that fear in the most extreme manner possible. Allowing for a newcome to the genre to understand how horror preys upon our most primal fears and connects them with everyday worries and everyday concerns. Plus, this episode even explored how sometimes… tropes and clichés can be fun in nature too, since the genre knows how to lampoon itself and send up what’s being overused, and it also knows… how to course correct.

Because this opening chapter also took the time to explore how horror has made some mistakes and put on display tropes and clichés that aren’t that savory and don’t age well. For instance, there’s the old standby that any Black character is basically doomed in these stories and first to die, and it was quickly pointed out how problematic that is, and how it reflects some ugly views. Plus, it also spoke to how sex is seen in a unique light in horror, since those who indulge in desire in so many horror films… die horribly. As though they’ve committed a sin, and that… is painfully conservative in nature and well, the genre is making efforts to fix all of these mistakes. Because horror understands that it can offer more than just mere reflection, but ways forward.
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All of which made, for a wonderful premiere. One that truly educated anyone new to the genre. Since it covered so many tropes, and so many clichés, and it explored every last one of them so thoroughly and so well, through experts and stars and legends of the genre, that one walks away from this with an amazing understanding of what these elements mean to horror. Not to mention, while we have spoken to how this episode will serve newcomers well, make no mistake about it… this is clearly designed to welcome everyone that’s a fan of horror. Since this kind of wondrous examination can serve as a fine refresher or help fans better understand the genre that brings them joy, and that makes this an important series. One that we cannot wait to learn more from in the weeks to come. Until next time.

One would think that we would be getting less news from The Walking Dead Universe these days. After all, the flagship series and the first spin-off have come to a close. Rick and Michonne are home at last and with their family, and we are all patiently waiting for new seasons of Dead City and Daryl Dixon. Yet… news continues to flow. Since we’ve been hearing about both of those often because the franchise is still in motion and there’s still so much news to share about them and what to expect from the seasons ahead. In fact, there’s so much going on in the TWDU that even more news arrived earlier today. For earlier, AMC Networks let it be known… that The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon has started production on season three of the show. 
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Which is set in Spain, as was announced at Comic Con International about a month ago and well, this is just wonderful news. Because not only are we barreling toward the season two premiere of this magnificent series, but we know the journey won’t end there, and we know the next chapter is being assembled with the same quality and care that has always gone into these shows. Which only adds to the excitement of the season two premiere and informs us that more news lies ahead. And well, to properly pay this news the tribute it deserves, we have all the details on this announcement to share with you, along with a video message to the fans featuring Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride, as we continue to immerse ourselves in welcome news about a franchise that means the absolute world to us. 

‘AMC Networks announced today the start of production on the third season of its hit series The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon in Spain starring beloved characters Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) and Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride). Season three will be based in Madrid with extensive location shooting planned in the Galicia, Aragón, Catalonia and Valencia regions, each providing a new and unique backdrop for the post-apocalyptic world. Production begins just ahead of the series’ highly anticipated season two premiere on October 4 in Spain, and September 29 in the U.S. on AMC and AMC+.
  
Debuting in 2025, the series is executive produced by Scott M. Gimple, Showrunner David Zabel, Reedus, McBride, Greg Nicotero, Brian Bockrath, Angela Kang, Jason Richman, Dan Percival and Steve Squillante with Silvia Aráez and Jesús de la Vega joining as executive producers this season. Peregrinos SP24 provides Spanish production services for season three.
 
Season three follows Daryl Dixon and Carol Peletier as they continue their journey to somehow return  home and to the ones they love.  As they struggle to find their way back, the path takes them farther astray, leading them through distant lands with ever-changing and unfamiliar conditions as they witness the various effects of the Walker apocalypse.
 
“As we look forward to the show’s return for season two, we’re excited to be back on set with Norman, Melissa and this great cast, alongside a fantastic local crew in Spain, whose expertise and creative vision are pivotal in bringing these landscapes to life and adding a new culturally rich dimension to the series,” said Zabel. “We’re excited for fans to witness the reunion of these two beloved characters in season two and to continue crafting the next chapter in the ‘Caryl’ journey here in Spain.”
 
When Daryl Dixon season one premiered in late 2023, it quickly became the #1 most-viewed premiere of all time on AMC+, the most-viewed season of any show in the history of AMC+ and a top acquisition driver in both the U.S. and Spain. 
 
About AMC Networks
AMC Networks (Nasdaq: AMCX) is home to many of the greatest stories and characters in TV and film and the premier destination for passionate and engaged fan communities around the world. The company creates and curates celebrated series and films across distinct brands and makes them available to audiences everywhere. Its portfolio includes targeted streaming services AMC+, Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now, ALLBLK and HIDIVE; cable networks AMC, BBC AMERICA (operated through a joint venture with BBC Studios, which includes U.S. distribution and sales responsibilities for BBC News), IFC, SundanceTV and We TV; and film distribution labels IFC Films and RLJE Films. The company also operates AMC Studios, its in-house studio, production and distribution operation behind acclaimed and fan-favorite originals including The Walking Dead Universe and the Anne Rice Immortal Universe; and AMC Networks International, its international programming business.’

One particular concern that has recently come to light when it comes to climate change and the alterations it is quickly making to our world, is that so many are curious what kind of horrors will be unleashed upon mankind in a warmer world. And we’re not talking about the rising sea levels, the stifling heat and resource issues, and the mass extinctions that would accompany a full-blown rising of temperatures. No, that concern is in reference to the fact that a warmer world might unleash nightmares that modern humanity has never known. For in the ice and the permafrost of the world, things are frozen, things that could cause us incredible harm.
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For instance, there might be pathogens that will be unleashed in a warmer climate that could devastate humanity on a level we’ve never seen. To the point where our lives might change drastically to keep us safe from the ravages of illness. Not to mention, who knows what a warmer climate could uncover from a wildlife standpoint. For there could be creatures living in the ice that could cause us trouble. Which is all the more reason for us to band together and do the right thing and save the climate from disaster. If anything, the possibilities of what could be lurking beneath the ice or even in parts of our world we haven’t explored yet… but might be uncovered by our desires to have it all… are top of mind today, simply because a brand-new feature on Shudder explores such matters.

A feat that Hell Hole accomplishes, by transporting us into the nether regions of Siberia. Wherein a fracking crew is ramping up to tear into the ground and bring out those sweet, sweet natural resources that have kept our lives running for so long. But before they can frack, this team must uncover whether there is biological life in this place. For if there is, the operation is off, and well… they do indeed discover life. Just, not the kind they expected. For they uncover a living and breathing man from another century, one wrapped in a gross membrane and who is eager to die. Simply because, inside of his body is an ancient being that has lived in this land for generations. A parasite that gestates within men and is eager to thrive again, to the point where it will cause harm to obtain that, and now… it will be up to this crew to make a powerful decision. In that, they can either forget what they’ve discovered and get to work or do the right thing… and walk away.

Which is, a plot that is truly grounded in commentary on climate change the potential horrors we could uncover if we keep treating the Earth the way that we do. Since that story perfectly encapsulates how it is indeed only a matter of time before we either unleash something terrible, or stumble upon a true nightmare in our quest to rule this world, and make sure the AC is on during the summer that we’ve made hotter and well, that leads some intelligent and poignant moments. Ones that leave the audience thinking after this motion picture has come to an end about what comes next for us if we ignore what’s in front of us, and perhaps what we can do better, and do differently than this digging crew. Since they make a bevy of bad choices in this story.

But all great commentary aside, and powerful points about our place in the world, this is a horror film. One that features quite the hideous and dangerous monster, and that leads… to some downright shocking gore. Courtesy of an animal that responds to threats like any other creature in nature. Which means this squiggly nightmare is swift, violent and brutal in its response to potentially being harmed. Ergo, it has no problems popping open a human being to either make a quick escape to another body or to outright defend itself. Plus, the sheer savagery of this ancient animal, brings about some equally as shocking scares. Simply because there is that sense of the unknown with this being, and its fury knows no bounds, and that truly leads to some moments where its appearance and actions stun you and leave you feeling generally uneasy.

All of which brings forth, an utterly delightful, fast-paced, fun horror film. One that also uses humor to bring everything together. Since that allows for the commentary and the intense gore here to never overwhelm, and it also doesn’t hurt that the cast sells the wild nature of this story with solid performances that make us feel as though we are plunged into the moment with everyday people that have indeed come face to face with one of our greatest fears: mother nature’s raw power. For this movie really does hammer home, that while we have indeed accomplished wonders at the top of the food chain, mother nature is the planet’s true master and she expects better out of us, and it’s best we live up to her expectations… or face her wrath like never before.

One particular aspect of our parents falling ill or passing on, that we simply don’t think about… is that this moment will bring forth some stunning truths. Some of which are personal in nature, since it prompts us to really think upon how we feel about them and if there’s any unfinished business we need to handle with them. Which will indeed bring about those truths in question since we will potentially discover some feelings we never knew existed. Not to mention, there’s a fair chance a confession or a discovery will take place. One where we learn a great deal about them, we never knew before. Which could lead to some pleasant truths or horrific ones that will forever change our outlook upon them.
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It is of course, that last option we hope to never encounter. Because then we have to reconcile so much regarding our parents, the kind of stuff that might require therapy and a whole new worldview based upon what we learned. Plus, it can put us in an awkward position. Wherein the sins of the parent are now in our hands, and we must decide how to best to handle those sins. Wherein we can either try and right those wrongs or leave them be and move forward with our lives. Which is, a tough decision to say the least, since there are pros and cons that accompany both choices. For while we may find peace in helping them out, we may get involved in matters that don’t concern us and potentially carry forth generational trauma and sour traditions that should die. But also, there may always be lingering regret over not offering peace to the fallen.

If anything, the dangers of getting into matters of the past that simply don’t involve us is top of mind today, simply because it is explored in the extreme in the new Shudder feature, Dancing Village: The Curse Begins. A feat this film accomplishes by introducing us to Mila. A woman whose mother is indeed quite ill, and on the verge of death and well, that has prompted family to bring a shaman into the mix, one who informs Mila there is a way to save her mother. In that, she must return an ancient bracelet to an ancient village, which will appease a spirit and lift the illness from her mother. Which Mila is happy to oblige, until she and her friends discover, that they have walked into a spiritual trap. For the village in question was once her mother’s home, and she escaped long ago with that bracelet to keep an evil spirit at bay, and in order to be free again, this spirit has worked from beyond to manipulate Mila to bring it home.

All of which, properly explores those dangers of getting involved in matters that concerned another life. For truly, if Mila were to make peace with her mother’s pending passing and perhaps, ask a few questions about the bracelet she knows nothing of, the suffering she goes through here would never have happened. But that is what we often do in these moments, we truly believe that somehow the only way to truly give our parents peace at the end is to abide by all their wishes and then we uncover so much and sometimes end up staring down dark secrets of find ourselves embroiled in them, and well… this movie points out that perhaps it is best… we truly leave all that be. For it is up to the individual to handle their own affairs and if they have not, that is upon them and their soul. Which may sound cold in nature, but it is true. For we are only the master and commander of our own path.
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Which is quite the powerful message to find in this film, but one that resonates in an era where generational divides rule the day and where the next generation is eager to chart a path forward that is free from the trappings of the 20th Century. But while it is wonderful to enjoy a thoughtful feature that explores the horrors of generational matters, we would be remiss to not point out that this is also, a damn fine folk horror film. One that features a powerhouse mythos for the monster and makes full use of the village setting to bring forth classic folk horror concepts to spook us with. Such as the horrors of traditions. Plus, the spirits that roam this place are quite creepy in nature, and those elements do indeed bring forth some quality scares, that are simple but quite impactful, since they do indeed leave you uneasy at your very core. 

In the end, this is just… a wonderful horror film. One that is brooding, and unsettling in nature, courtesy of its magnificent setting, and it is also wonderfully intelligent. Since it does tackle some important topics that we are only now broaching in this world regarding tradition, and you can never go wrong with a horror story that explores modern problems. But truly, it is the mythos of the monster that allows for this story to shine. Because it does suck you in and leaves you eager to learn more about this creature and its origins, and of course… it feels natural and plausible, and it also doesn’t hurt that the cast here does a wonderful job of selling the fear and the sorrow of coming to learn what we all hate to learn. That our parents are not perfect, and made as many mistakes as we did, if not worse ones, and that sometimes… letting those mistakes die with them is right way to go.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Alien Romulus’.
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It is definitely safe to say that popular Alien franchise has dealt with a great deal of disappointment in the 21st Century. After all, the Alien vs. Predator films were not well received and there was some reticence and blowback over how Prometheus and Alien: Covenant didn’t seem to quite fit into the franchise. After all, they truly do have a different feel and look to them, and what they explore and ponder upon from a deeper standpoint is very different from what we came to love about the original films. Giving rise to stories that yes, are in the spirit of the saga, but are missing something that truly allows for the audience to connect with them, and it is hard to feel as though they belong within the framework of the saga.

All of which has left fans wondering… if the franchise has simply run out of steam. As though there’s no way to make the saga intense and terrifying any longer and that origin stories and greater expansion of the mythos are what lie ahead. But thankfully, those thoughts are unfounded. Because the latest entry in the saga showcases how a little care and a love for the franchise, combined with some bold and fresh ideas, can in fact produce a great Alien feature and that makes Alien: Romulus, quite the important entry in the franchise. For it is the one that accomplishes those exact feats by way of one magnificent plot and the perfect setting in which to make the xenomorph a titan of terror again.

All by transporting us to the Weyland-Yutani colony of Jackson’s Star. A mucky, unpleasant place without the wonder of the sun and in this place is an orphan colonist named Rain Carradine. Who dreams of seeing the sun away from this place with her adopted android brother, Andy. But alas, despite having the credentials to be released from her work contract, she is tasked with staying longer on a godforsaken rock. A sad reality that prompts her to go along with a bold plan her friends have come up with. For they have discovered a decommissioned WeYu space station in orbit, and if by chance Andy can get them inside of it, they can steal the cryopods aboard and leave Jackson’s Star post haste and never deal with the Company again. A plan that seemingly goes off without a hitch once executed, until this group of desperate folks come to learn… that the station isn’t decommissioned but adrift. For something awful has happened aboard this station, and the entity responsible for it has been awakened by their arrival.

All of which… brings back the two key tenets that fans love about this franchise. For that truly builds tension, that eventually leads to some amazing and inventive scares. The kind that truly immerse the viewer and engage them and of course, leave them as unsettled as they were when Ripley battled the xeno on the Nostromo in the original film and that is refreshing to enjoy, as is another unique storytelling choice from director Fede Alavarez. In that, in many ways he does offer grand homages to the franchise through and through, all corners of it in fact, since there are even echoes of Alien: Isolation in the story and that makes for an enriching experience that truly is a lovely blend of old and new and the wonder of this film goes beyond the scares and the lovely shoutouts to the best parts of the series.
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In that, this is at long last, the all-important bridge feature. Because so many have been concerned and upset about how in many ways, the franchise features two different tones. For the Ripley films lean deep into horror and tension, and outright action. Whereas the prequels are grounded deeply in the Engineer’sorigins and exploration revolving around how humanity’s arrogance led to the monstrous grandchildren that are the xenomorphs, all because they chose to play God with synthetics. But here, Alavarez has managed to bring the mythos into the fold in a manner that works, and in the process, explain why Weyland-Yutani is so obsessed with having the xenomorph in its hands and that beautiful blending of the two phases of the franchise finally makes the saga feel complete, and organic in nature and that’s just incredible filmmaking to say the least.

Which means, this is nothing short of a masterpiece, really. Because it is no easy feat to bring so much together under the structure of one motion picture. But Fede Alvarez makes it look easy here, and in the process, creates a worthy and delightful sci-fi/horror feature. One that truly harkens back to the wonder of where this saga began and sets the stage for unique places it could go. For what was introduced here is a big deal and still out there and well, all of these elements make this a must-see feature. Simply because it injects new life into the franchise and truly reminds us why we love it so, courtesy of a great script, a great cast, some masterful direction and wondrous surprises that showcase, there’s still life to be found in the saga, and a few fresh voices can certainly take it to new heights.

​For decades now, the creature known as the Xenomorph has managed to captivate and terrify our imagination. This horrific being, first introduced in 1979's Alien, was a creature unlike anything we had ever seen before in science fiction and horror. It was not benevolent, nor did it come in peace. Its sole purpose was survival, and it would kill anything that got in the way of that goal and in reality, what has allowed this creature to stay in our hearts and minds over the course of five sequels and two crossover films, is the sheer mystery of the creation of this abomination.

It's something that's been explored in various Alien themed comic books and novels, but on the big screen, we still know nothing more of this creature outside of what it can do and the terror it can cause and it would seem that after all these years, the time has come at last to reveal the origin of these awful monsters and it's only fitting that the man who brought these living nightmares to the silver screen, Ridley Scott, be the man to reveal their genesis in Alien: Covenant. 

The plot for this particular entry in the Alien saga picks up ten years after the events of Prometheus aboard the Colony ship Covenant. The crew of this particular vessel, and the colonists they are to care for are all resting comfortably in Hypersleep until a neutrino burst damages their vessel, killing the ship's captain and waking the crew long enough for them to intercept a strange signal from a world that appears to be even better for colonization than the world they originally selected, prompting the Covenant to make a pit stop on this mysterious planet. While at first it appears to be the paradise they seek, the discovery of trinkets belonging to Dr. Elizabeth Shaw, combined with strange beings that infect and kill their host from within, forces the remainder of this fragile away team to trust the only being on this planet that seems to have a clue as to what happened and what is going on here, the android known as David... the last survivor of the doomed Prometheus expedition.

If that sounds like an intriguing plot filled to the brim with juicy plot points that suck you in, you'd be correct. There's actually quite a bit to like when it comes to Alien: Covenant, because the scares in this film are solid and there's definitely joy to be found in seeing the Xenomorph return to the big screen after a long absence. But sadly, once the sheen has worn off of this particular adventure, one finds themselves feeling as though something is missing from this particular entry in the saga and there's a reason for that. While Covenant is indeed fun and thrilling, it offers little in the way of new ideas and concepts when it comes to the franchise and that's disappointing to say the least. Because every film before it gave us some kind of fresh new take on the Alien mythos and this film simply tries too hard to be a 'best of' reel for the franchise. 

You'll hear it in the soundtrack, since selections from Jerry Goldsmith's score from Alien pop up here. The action reminds you of Aliens, and the dark, brooding nature of the film is reminiscent of Alien 3, and heck they even found a way to tie in Alien: Resurrection by way of David's gruesome experiments and there's really no need to discuss the Prometheus tie in since that story looms large over this one. But the lack of an original plot thread to explore gives the film an unfortunate sense of comfortability, which in turn makes the film a lost opportunity, especially when one considers that there was an aspect of the plot that the story could have explored in depth to truly give this motion picture a unique and powerful feel; David's rejection of mankind, and his desire to create a perfect being. That twisted vision is cemented in the opening scenes and revisited later in the film, but it's clear that deeper exploration of this idea was shoved aside for guts and gore.

Which is shame because the idea of man playing God and having its creation cause more havoc than expected is a staple of the science fiction and horror genres, and glossing over this idea robs all the power from the fact that David is in fact the creator of the Xenomorph and it would have been wonderful if the film scaled back the action and adventure to explore this more, but alas it did not. If anything, Alien: Covenant is nothing more than an average entry in this storied franchise. You'll have fun watching it, you'll hoot and holler when the carnage begins, and if you're a fan of the saga you'll find sheer bliss in seeing the Facehugger and Xenomorph return in all their glory. Just don't expect to walk away from this one feeling that sense of awe and wonder that other films in the series have offered your way, and that's unfortunate because this film truly had the chance to be something revolutionary for the franchise, but it chose to take the safe route instead.

It is definitely safe to say, that Peacock is preparing to host, one magnificent spooky season this October. For not only is the network debuting an 80s themed horror series in Hysteria! this October, one that features some serious genre heavyweights in Bruce Campbell and Julie Bowen… but the streamer has more terrifying treats planned for us. One brought to life by another horror legend. For James Wan has been assembling, Teacup, a horror-thriller revolving around a group of people that must face off against an incredible threat and well, it’s built up a lot of buzz.
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For James Wan knows his stuff and knows how to scare the hell out of us, and his involvement, combined with the cast assembled and the tidbits we’ve seen so far, hints at quite the scary ride and the buzz surrounding this new show is only going to continue to grow, especially after today’s gifts from Peacock. For earlier the official and eerie teaser for the show was released, along with some new photos. All of which we are going to share with you now, along with all the details on the show, so you can properly countdown the days to one epic October on Peacock.

ABOUT TEACUP 
TEACUP follows a disparate group of people in rural Georgia who must come together in the face of a mysterious threat in order to survive. Inspired by the New York Times bestselling novel Stinger by Robert McCammon. 

The first two episodes of TEACUP premiere on Peacock on Thursday, October 10, followed by two episodes weekly through Halloween.

Premiere Date/Rollout: October 10, 2024 (2 Episodes Weekly)
Writer / Executive Producer: Ian McCulloch (Yellowstone, Deputy, Chicago Fire) 
Director (101, 102) / Executive Producer: E.L. Katz (The Haunting of Bly Manor, Channel Zero) 
Executive Producers: James Wan (The Conjuring Universe, Archive 81, M3GAN), Michael Clear (Archive 81, Swamp Thing) and Rob Hackett (Archive 81, I Know What You Did Last Summer) for Atomic Monster, Francisca X. Hu, Kevin Tancharoen 
Executive Producer / Author (Stinger): Robert McCammon 
Cast: Yvonne Strahovski, Scott Speedman, Chaske Spencer, Kathy Baker, Boris McGiver, Caleb Dolden, Emilie Bierre, Luciano Leroux 
Studio: UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group 
Genre/Format: Horror Thriller, 8 x 30 Min Episodes 
 
A NOTE FROM IAN MCCULLOCH (SHOWRUNNER / EXECUTIVE PRODUCER)
When Atomic Monster first approached me about creating a series adaptation of Robert McCammon’s Stinger—a no-holds-barred, gargantuan spectacle of a novel along the lines of The Stand, Independence Day and Mars Attacks—to be honest, I didn’t want to throw my hat in the ring. I’m not a spectacle writer. I’m a less-is-more writer. I gravitate more toward what are known as keyhole epics. Large stories told through small lenses. Think Signs, The Thing, A Quiet Place.
 
But here’s the thing. I read Stinger and it stayed with me. Wouldn’t leave me alone. I just couldn’t stop thinking about its razor-sharp premise, how it unfolds over the course of a single harrowing day, and about the relatable and real family McCammon puts center stage. That’s when the flash bang-light bulb idea hit…
 
What if I adapted Stinger in a way that honors the book and stays true to the kinds of stories I like to tell? Keep the conceit. Keep Stinger’s most effective elements. Take away the large ensemble. Take away the giant set pieces. Even take away the book’s crowded town setting. The adaptation would be like an acoustic guitar version of, say, a Radiohead song. It won’t have the production value, electronic instruments, loops, or synthesized bells and whistles but it will still have the melody, the structure, the lyrics, the real magic at the core, all the stuff that makes a great song a great song.
 
All of which is to say I could suddenly see exactly what to do and how to do it. Two weeks later, Atomic Monster had the script for the first episode. Soon after that, Peacock bought it. Not so long after that, both my creative and career dreams actually started coming true as more scripts were written, hires made, actors cast, sets built, and production began…
 
Of course, during production the series changed and evolved. Just as it should. Even the title’s different. Stinger is now Teacup. The reasons for this are too spoilery to share but watch the first few episodes and all will be revealed. Point being, the series is now very much its own thing: a puzzle-box mystery, an edge-of-your-seat thriller, a can’t-but-must look horror story, a family drama, a science fiction epic—of the keyhole variety, of course. But as singular, strange, and surprising as I hope Teacup is, all you need to do is peel away the layers, characters, situations, and mythology and look behind the thrills, chills, hairpin turns and make-you gasp reveals. Do all that and you’ll see, at its heart, Teacup is still very much standing on the shoulders of Stinger. Just as it should.
 
A NOTE FROM JAMES WAN (EXECUTIVE PRODUCER)
After reading Robert McCammon's book Stinger, the entire team at Atomic Monster felt a spark. The story had all the ingredients for a captivating series and Ian McCulloch had a vision to bring it to life in a fresh way that was both startling and darkly atmospheric, but filled with a rich sense of humanity — often lacking in edgy narratives. Add in our incredibly talented cast led by Yvonne Strahovski, Scott Speedman and Chaske Spencer and fans are in for a true edge-of-your-seat experience.
 
Teacup defies easy labels. It's a genre-bending blend of horror, mystery, and drama, with layers that unfold like a captivating puzzle. It goes beyond chills and thrills and holds up a mirror to humanity, exploring the darkness that resides within us all. We hope you enjoy this wild ride as much as we've loved creating it!

​One of the subjects that I love to listen to people talk about is where did we come from. As there are only a couple different trains of thought when it comes to this, the religious path, the evolutionary path and of course the alien path, I love to hear why people think what they do. As I am still not sold on all of these, I've heard great points to support someone's beliefs and when debating this, I hope that people actually are able to speak with substance on them, if they don’t, they just sound silly. It can be a touchy subject for many people and can cause relationships to be torn apart and until there is a definitive answer to it, the debates will continue to go on.

Researchers Elizabeth Shaw and Charlie Holloway have stumbled across another great find and have been putting the pieces together for years. Seeing that different civilizations have been drawing the same symbol all over the world, there has to be a reason behind it; that the earth has been visited by beings from another planet, and they are inviting us to come meet them. Being able to find a wealthy backer to fund their expedition, the two have found transport on the Prometheus to take them to a world that has never been charted.  With a final blessing from Peter Weyland who has long since passed away, the two may be able to discover the origins of life on Earth.

Arriving at the planet, all on board the ship have their own doubts about what they will be able to find, but when seeing massive pyramids that are not made by the elements, Shaw and Holloway know that they are on the right path. Getting a group together to go and explore the alien site, the crew is quick to discover that terraforming has taken place inside of the pyramid that allows them to breathe the air in the alien environment. Searching the ancient site, the crew’s android David is able to activate a holographic program that points them in the correct direction. Finding the body of an Engineer and being able to date it back two thousand years, the group still has no idea what they are really looking for, but when David is able to open the door to a sealed off room, they find something that will change their lives forever.

Entering the cavern and seeing a large face that almost looks human, the group notices that the change in the environment is eating away at everything that they have found and need to find a way to preserve even a little piece of what could change history. Being able to secure the head of the Engineer that they found in the hallway to bring back to the ship, David has his own mission and secures one of the leaking vases in the room. Getting back to the ship to run their tests, Shaw and her crew are able to unmask the dead Engineer and see that it is more human like than they could have ever imagined. But David’s find is much more sinister when he is able to examine the vase he picked up and finds that it has something alive inside. Wanting to run a test on the sample of the living organism he collected, David spikes a drink meant for Holloway and watches as the scientist goes through a disturbing transformation. As the crew tries to understand their discoveries, an infected crew member, along with missing researchers, leads to the Prometheus being locked down, but it may not be enough when all of the alternative motives are revealed.

I've made a point to stay away from what other people think about this movie and how it relates to the timeline of the Alien franchise, which means that all I see is the birth of a freaky alien that will kill everything put in its way. This movie has more of an action feel with a bit of science thrown in for good measure since there is always science in an alien movie, but the discovery aspect is what really made it play well for me. Trying to find the origins of life on Earth, the group finds something so much more when they find out what the planet, they are on was actually used for and the true purpose of those vases. I have very little to complain about in this movie as I did not catch that many plot holes and when things started to get stagnant, you would get a laugh or some action to get it moving again and I cannot wait to revisit the second chapter in this prequel series, to see what I might have missed the first time around.

​Perhaps the true beauty of the storied ​Alien franchise is that it is one of the few sagas out there that has managed to employ a fresh and unique perspective with every successive sequel. Ridley Scott of course set the tone for the franchise in Alien, but James Cameron took the story to new heights in Aliens and David Fincher was able to take a studio mess and put together a serviceable, brooding film with gothic undertones in ​Alien 3. 

As luck would have it, the fourth film in the saga, aptly titled Alien: Resurrection, would be no exception to the 'fresh set of eyes' rule established by its predecessors when it blended the wit and creativity of screenwriter Joss Whedon with the unique direction of Jean-Pierre Jeunet and the end result of this particular film proved to be quite the fascinating character study, with xenomorphs of course, and oddly enough this is a film that continues to divide the fan base to this day. 

One big reason for the grand division amongst the fans is simple to say the least, this particular entry in the saga doesn't take itself too seriously. There are a lot of laugh out loud moments to be found here, and one liners galore as a resurrected Ripley does her best to survive and fight the monster that has haunted her through life and death once again, and when one considers the scares and tension the first three films brought to the table, it's understandable as to why the hardcore fan base took offense, since this film in essence seems like it's mocking the other films that came before it, but in reality... it's simply providing us with a brand new take on Ripley's journey through xenomorph hell.

Because when you strip down the comedy and moments that the fans lament, you're left with quite the fascinating film, especially when one considers that Ellen Ripley has in fact become to a certain degree the thing she hates since there are alien traits in her very DNA, and the subtle and tortured performance that Sigourney Weaver brings to the screen because of those concepts is downright brilliant. Plus, there's something to be said about taking a story that has always been about good versus evil and blurring the lines quite a bit since just about everyone in this film operates in grey territory and has to truly earn their stripes as a hero or a villain.

If anything, this film has grown on me over the years, not only because of the incredible acting, but also because this Alien film threw caution to the wind, trying all kinds of wild ideas, like the Newborn for example, to see if they stick and while not all of them do, the fact that 20th Century Fox allowed for such things to happen speaks volumes as to how they want this franchise to remain fresh and original, and I'm equally appreciative of the fact that this motion picture does its best to pay tribute to the films that came before it in both scope and aesthetics, and if this story has to serve as Ellen Ripley's final adventure through the stars, at least she went out with a hell of a bang.