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Horror is at its best when it warps the familiar into something menacing, forcing us to question the safety of places we once trusted. When a film takes childhood innocence, religious devotion, and family ties and twists them into something unsettling, it creates a lasting impression. ALICE, SWEET ALICE thrives on this kind of discomfort, crafting an atmosphere thick with paranoia, deception, and buried trauma. With a psychological depth that lingers beneath its slasher-like surface, it pulls viewers into a world where faith and violence walk hand in hand, and suspicion poisons every interaction.

In MOM, director Adam O'Brien takes audiences on a suspenseful journey into the fragile psyche of a new mother. The film starts with haunting visuals of a decaying home, immediately setting a tone of unease and sparking curiosity about the backstory.

In OH, CANADA, director Paul Schrader presents a thought-provoking narrative that delves into the complexities of personal identity and the quest for redemption. The film centers on Leonard Fife, a celebrated documentary filmmaker portrayed by Richard Gere, who, upon facing terminal cancer, agrees to participate in a documentary led by his former students, Malcolm and Diana. This setup provides a platform for Fife to confront and reveal the unvarnished truths of his past, particularly his flight from the United States to Canada during the Vietnam War era.

ROADS OF FIRE, directed by Nathaniel Lezra, is a documentary that examines the human stories behind global migration. The documentary presents a multifaceted view of migration following three distinct yet interconnected stories. One narrative centers on a human smuggler guiding refugees through treacherous terrains, highlighting the perilous journeys many undertake in search of safety. Another follows an asylum seeker navigating the complexities of life in a bustling metropolis, shedding light on the challenges faced even after reaching perceived safety. The third story focuses on the unwavering efforts of volunteers on the frontlines, showcasing the compassion and dedication of those striving to make a difference in this humanitarian crisis.

A thriller should keep the audience on edge, making them question every character’s motivation and every plot twist. SCARLET WINTER aims for this, blending a fragmented narrative with a psychological mystery, yet it struggles to maintain the tension needed to pull viewers in. Munjal Yagnik’s feature debut takes an ambitious approach, playing with time and perception to keep the audience second-guessing what they’ve just seen. While ambition is in no short supply, execution proves to be a tougher challenge.

In an era where dating has become a digital playground, THE DEAD THING explores love, obsession, and the supernatural. Directed by Elric Kane and co-written by Webb Wilcoxen, this film offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of modern relationships intertwined with some eerie elements.

Some movies challenge the audience to confront uncomfortable realities. This one doesn’t extend a polite invitation; it drags you into its world and refuses to let go. Brutal, unfiltered, and unwilling to soften its blows, it strips away illusion and sentimentality, refusing to sugarcoat a life dictated by survival rather than choice. Instead of offering a narrative built on transformation or redemption, it presents a portrait of endurance, following a protagonist who isn’t looking for an escape but simply trying to exist in a system that refuses to let her go.

WOMB isn’t just another horror-thriller looking to shock its audience—it digs deep into a terrifying reality that is often overlooked but is all too real. This isn’t just a story designed to scare; it’s a chilling exploration of the darkest corners of human obsession. Bridget Smith, who previously co-directed THE RETALIATORS, brings her stylistic intensity and unflinching approach to horror to this new project, proving that she can balance fear, tension, and storytelling. I was eager to see how she would handle a concept as disturbing as fetal abduction. Smith has a knack for blending real-world horror with intensity, and in many ways, this film feels like an evolution of the same raw energy that made her previous film so gripping.

Some films demand your attention without raising their voice. They linger, not through grand spectacle but through the weight of their atmosphere, the silences between words, and the echoes that refuse to fade. TO KILL A WOLF operates within this space, a quiet but deeply unsettling experience that strips away fairy tale illusions and forces a confrontation with reality. Director Kelsey Taylor crafts an intimate, slow-burning drama that challenges perceptions of danger and safety, reshaping a familiar story into something haunting. It’s a film that doesn’t just ask questions but compels the audience to sit with their discomfort, offering no easy reassurances.

Some films do more than just tell a story—they build an entire world that lingers in your mind. BOKSHI is one such experience, blending supernatural folklore with a personal journey of self-discovery. Director Bhargav Saikia crafts a visually stunning and thematically dense tale that feels ambitious and deeply rooted in cultural history. At its core, the film follows Anahita (Prasanna Bisht,) a young woman haunted by her mother's absence. What begins as an ordinary trip to a prehistoric site quickly unravels into something far more unsettling, pulling her into the depths of an ancient mystery.

Animated television thrives on creativity, but few series have struck the perfect balance of absurdity and heart like REGULAR SHOW. From 2010 to 2017, this Cartoon Network staple carved out a niche with surreal storytelling and unpredictable humor. At its core, the series follows two underachieving park workers, Mordecai (voiced by J.G. Quintel) and Rigby (voiced by William Salyers,) whose slacker tendencies constantly land them in bizarre, often bizarre, situations. What begins as a simple workplace comedy quickly transforms into an unpredictable journey filled with sentient vending machines, alternate dimensions, and even cosmic battles while maintaining a sharp wit and undeniable charm.

SURVIVING BLACK HAWK DOWN takes a harrowing chapter in military history and brings it to the screen with a detail we’ve never seen before, refusing to sanitize or simplify the reality of war. This three-part docuseries from Ridley Scott Associates, directed by Jack MacInnes, does more than recount the harrowing journey of what happened—it allows those who lived through it to tell their story unfiltered and raw. The result is a documentary that immerses its audience in the tension, fear, and resilience of those there.

Eddie Mensore's HAZARD pushes viewers into the gritty reality of the opioid crisis, offering a raw portrayal of its impact on rural Appalachian communities. The film centers on Will, played by Alex Roe, a man deeply ensnared in addiction and the local drug trade. His estranged wife, Sara, portrayed by Sosie Bacon, has fought her way to sobriety and is determined to provide a stable environment for their child. This setup creates a compelling tension between Will's struggles and Sara's resolve, driving the narrative forward.

Short films offer an opportunity to explore worlds in a condensed fashion, and in doing so, they have a heavy burden on their shoulders. Packing a feature-length film's worth of story into 15 minutes is a task few can pull off. A SWEET TOOTH offers a compelling look at the clash between cultural and corporate ambition. This story, directed by Presley Paras, zeroes in on the hurdles individuals face while chasing success in business, spotlighting the Filipino-American journey.

Las Vegas, a city of indulgence and excess, serves as the backdrop for THOU SHALT KILL, a thriller that brings psychological warfare into the world of serial killers and redemption. Directed by Richard Friedman, the film twists a tense battle of wits between a desperate mother at rock bottom and a self-righteous murderer who believes his actions are divinely sanctioned. With heartfelt performances and an intriguing premise, the film aims to deliver an unconventional take on fear and survival, though its execution comes with a few stumbles.

The power of a single question can unravel everything we think we know about ourselves. ARE YOU THERE? takes this idea and turns it into a psychological nightmare, throwing its protagonist, Rosa (Laura Sollet), into a battle between reality and illusion. What begins as a seemingly simple ritual soon spirals into a relentless confrontation with the past, forcing her to navigate terrifying memories, supernatural forces, and the fragile nature of her mind. The result is an eerie, slow-burning thriller that keeps tension simmering while peeling back layers of unresolved trauma.

THE IN BETWEEN is one of those rare experiences where a film offers something more, an untenable connection to the subjects on screen that can’t be described. This documentary doesn’t just capture a place or a moment in time—it creates an emotional bridge between past and present, grief and rediscovery. Director Robie Flores takes a deeply personal journey back to Eagle Pass, Texas, to reconnect with the life she left behind and the brother she lost, crafting a story that feels intimate yet universally resonant.