By MICHAEL GINGOLD
Horror films from Indonesia, Norway and South Korea are part of the screaming streaming service’s lineup for next months.
The following movies are premiering in July on Shudder for the U.S., and other territories as noted:
- METAMORPHOSIS (premieres Thursday, July 2): In this fresh spin on a demonic possession story, Joong-Su, an exorcist, must face a demon he tragically failed to defeat in the past when it targets his brother’s family next. The demon assumes the form of different family members to sow confusion and distrust, destroying the unit from within. With his loved ones in peril, Joong-Su must face the demon again, at the risk of his own life. Starring Bae Sung-woo, Sung Dong-il and Jang Young-nam, directed by Hong-seon Kim. A Shudder Original (also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK).
- THE BEACH HOUSE (premieres Thursday, July 9): Escaping to a family’s beach house to reconnect, Emily and Randall find their off-season trip interrupted by Mitch and Jane, an older couple acquainted with Randall’s estranged father. Unexpected bonds form as the couples let loose and enjoy the isolation, but it all takes an ominous turn as increasingly strange environmental phenomena begin to warp their peaceful evening. As the effects of an infection become evident, Emily struggles to make sense of the contagion before it’s too late. Starring Liana Liberato, Noah Le Gros, Jake Weber and Maryann Nagel, directed by Jeffrey A. Brown. A Shudder Original (also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK).
- LAKE OF DEATH (premieres Thursday, July 16): A year after her twin brother died a mysterious death, Lillian and her friends head to the old family cabin to say their goodbyes. But soon after they arrive, eerie and gruesome events begin to occur. As the lines between reality and Lillian’s nightmares blur, she must fight both an external and internal struggle to stay alive. Is a horrific local legend becoming reality, or is the real enemy among them? Director Nini Bull Robsahm (AMNESIA) took inspiration from Norway’s popular 1942 novel (and later film adaptation) of the same name, credited with sparking the country’s interest in horror. Robsahm shot LAKE OF DEATH on stunning 35mm and brought on Academy Award winner Bob Murawski (THE HURT LOCKER, ARMY OF DARKNESS, DRAG ME TO HELL) to edit. Starring Iben Akerlie, Jacob Andersen Schøyen, Jonathan Harboe, Sophia Lie and Elias Mun. A Shudder Original (also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK)
- IMPETIGORE (pictured; premieres Thursday, July 23; a Sundance 2020 Official Selection): After surviving a murder attempt in the city, Maya, a down-on-her-luck young woman, learns that she may inherit a house in her ancestral village. With her friend Dini, Maya returns to the village of her birth, unaware that the community there has been trying to locate and kill her to remove the curse that has plagued the village for years. As she begins to discover the complicated reality about her past, Maya finds herself in a fight for her life. Starring Tara Basro, Ario Bayu, Marissa Anita, Christine Hakim and Asmara Abigail, directed by Joko Anwar (of SATAN’S SLAVES, another Shudder Original). A Shudder Original (also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK).
• IN SEARCH OF DARKNESS (premieres Thursday, July 30): Tracking major theatrical releases, obscure titles and straight-to-video gems, this four-plus-hour documentary explores ’80s horror films year by year. Topics include groundbreaking practical effects; the home-video revolution; poster art and project marketing; creative and budgetary challenges; sound design and musical scores; the 3-D resurgence; heroes and villains; sex, nudity and the “final girl” controversy; and the pop culture context that fueled the genre. Filled with countless clips and entertaining moments, IN SEARCH OF DARKNESS is a nostalgia trip through a game-changing decade, as told by both experts and the icons who influenced the modern landscape of genre cinema. (Full disclosure: This writer is one of the talking heads.) Directed by David A. Weiner. A Shudder Exclusive (also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK)
