by Marisha Howard

1. Never let Go

Never Let Go …. delves into the psychological terrors in a Post Apocalyptic world

First up we have Lionsgate’s 2024 release Never Let Go tells the story of a devoted mother (played by Halle Berry) and her twin sons as they fight off a supernatural force. This horror-thriller offers a fresh take on nerd horror combining elements of post-apocalyptic survival with deep, cerebral terror. In this new world there is an evil presence that calls for the mother to protect the boys from the dark twisted truth. The Twist? Their only protection is the tether they have to their house and each other which is formed using ropes allowing them to never separate. This movie’s packed with awesome sci-fi vibes and mystical twists that every nerd can geek out over!

The movie’s setup of being forced to stay within the confines of their tethered safe space introduces a fascinating blend of speculative fiction and horror, aligning with the themes that make “nerd horror” so compelling. When suddenly one of the boys begins to question the truth of his mother’s claims, severing the ropes leading to a gruesome fight for survival. The film appears to be a thriller but it is actually according to the writer a deep psychological horror release. This film dives into the unseen and messes with your mind, making it perfect for anyone who loves psychological nerd horror. The film was initially titled ‘Mother Land’ and throughout the film the three main characters will face deep, dark psychological torture as this twisted being tests their mind throughout the film. Fans of Alexandre Aja, known for his keen ability to blend visceral horror with thoughtful storytelling, will particularly appreciate how “Never Let Go” adds to the landscape of nerd horror.

Catch Halle Berry in French film-maker Alexandre Aja’s Never Let Go in theaters September 20th.

2. CADDO LAKE

The Horrors of Caddo Lake: takes a dive into supernatural lore

Kick off Spooky season following producer M Night Shyamalan's thrilling unsettling mystery Caddo Lake set to release October 10th. The film draws you in with its captivating story about a missing girl and the dark secrets that begin to unravel as her disappearance links to past deaths around the haunting Caddo Lake. Imagine a story that doesn’t just haunt your dreams but pulls at the strings of your nerd horror fascination.

The performances of Dylan O'Brien and Eliza Scanlen in the suspenseful thriller are ones you don't want to miss along with the eerie Southern gothic atmosphere of the lake creating tension. The hints of supernatural forces and thrilling dark story makes this a must-watch ensuring a thought provoking bone chilling watch to kick off October. An interesting aspect of *Caddo Lake* that many might not know is its inspiration from real-life disappearances and local legends surrounding the Texas-Louisiana swamp. Directors Celine Held and Logan George were captivated by the eerie atmosphere of the lake and incorporated the mysterious disappearances reported in the area into their storyline. The movie focuses on a missing 8-year-old girl, drawing parallels with the unexplained vanishing cases linked to the lake in reality. Think of it as the Southern answer to Loch Ness, where reports from the late 1960s describe a monstrous, 20-foot-long creature lurking in the murky waters. This blend of myth and mystery intensifies the film’s spine-chilling narrative, presenting a perfect storm for fans who revel in dark, thought-provoking horror. Your nerdy horror senses will be tingling as the eerie landscapes and haunting underwater scenes unfold, playing on both supernatural and psychological fears.

Caddo Lake will be a great way to kick off October and is sure to stand out among the line up as the film takes a dive into dark themes that blur the line between reality and myth. Don't miss the Premiere October 10th on Max.

3. Smile 2

Smile 2: Delving into the Abyss of Fear, Despair and … Stardom?

The infamous legacy of the sinister curse is back as a sequel to the Smile film follows pop star Skye Riley who is embarking on her first world tour. For the nerd horror fanatics, this sequel is a treasure trove of deep psychological horror elements, masterfully crafted by director Parker Finn.

Suddenly Riley finds herself confronted with a series of strange experiences as the intensity of the horrifying events escalate Riley struggles with the possibility of facing her dark past when there is nowhere to run. Forced to face her dark past while facing the overwhelming pressures of fame Riley must reclaim her life by facing her past.

Director Parker Finn continues explore psychological torture and discomfort in something as simple as a smile. With a focus on mental health and family trauma in the second Smile installment will dive into generational trauma following Riley throughout the film. This isn’t just a Hollywood horror flick; it’s a deep dive into the terror of human experiences that nerdy horror enthusiasts love to dissect and analyze. Throughout the film the smiles we are seeing serve as metaphors for the masking of deep emotional pain. Finn taps into the concept that people often hide their suffering behind a forced smile, which mirrors the film’s terrifying narrative. For this installment, the filmmakers pushed the boundaries of traditional promotion. In true nerd horror fashion, the film’s engagement transcends the screen. The filmmakers have ingeniously leveraged social media as the film features a fake Instagram account for Skye Riley (played by Naomi Scott), a pop star whose dark past is central to the plot. The account, along with viral public stunts like actors with unnerving smiles being planted at public events, has generated significant buzz ahead of the film’s release. The cross over into social media creates an interactive feel as viral marketing stunts have helped to improve the engagement before the release through building personal connections with the audience.

For fans of alternate reality games (ARGs) and those who appreciate the merging of storytelling with real-life interactions, the promotional campaign for this sequel is pure gold. It’s a clever nod to the immersive experience that nerd horror culture thrives on, turning promotional activities into extensions of the film’s haunting story.

Don’t forget to check out Smile 2 in theaters 0ctober 18th

4. Apartment 7a

Unravel the thrilling prequel of Rosemary’s baby in the Sinister tale of Apartment 7A

From the producers of “A Quiet Place” check out the thrilling prequel to Rosemary's baby Apartment 7A. The film takes place in 1965 and dives into the backstory of the Bramford Building while taking views on an eerie path as Julia Garner's character Terry Gionoffrio, an injured dancer navigating her own ambitions while experiencing the haunting atmosphere of Bramford. Set to premiere on September 27,

Fans of cult classics and eerie lore will find themselves sucked into the sinister atmosphere of Bramford as Terry navigates the diabolical schemes of the satanic cult that haunted Rosemary in the original film. The storyline will take a deeper dive into the satanic cult featured in Rosemary's baby.The prequel will focus on the dark nature behind what the cult did to previous women before Rosemary specifically focusing on Terry this time around. The story begins in the same Bramford building as the original but instead focuses on Terry’s interactions with the cult as she struggles with her injury that is possibly career ending.

Follow Apartment 7A it's the perfect movie to kick off the spooky season, offering a sinister atmosphere with its compelling blend of suspense, supernatural horror, and nerdy fascination with the occult. You won't want to miss its premiere Paramount + September 27th.

5. Terrifier 3

Terrifier 3: Fandom-Funded Fear: Crowdfunding ‘Terrifier’ in the Age of Nerd Horror

Did you know that the Terrifier installments were all crowdfunded? The franchise director Damion Leone who is actually a horror nerd himself revealed in an interview he was offered to partner with a large production company for the third installment due to the success of the first two films. Here's why he turned it down:

Firstly the first two films were largely crowdfunded and were independently produced. Leone knew getting involved with a larger production company would limit the things they could do with the project and decided it was best to keep the franchise true to itself as the production company was asking for the film to be R rated which would mean a lot less gore compared to the previous installments. Leone saw the formula they had been using worked and decided not to compromise the business model to quote “reboot for a larger audience’. The first film was made with 55k in crowdfunding and the second was made with 250k in crowdfunding and made over 15 million in the box office. Leone in an interview with Total Film said “ I knew they’d never let me shoot the first 10 minutes of what I wanted to do [in Terrifier 3]. So I thought, 'Let’s just stay true to what this franchise is.'" Staying true to the fans and the original plan has contributed to their success and changing that would mean risking losing a loyal audience.

Terrifier 3 is the next installment in the terrifier series as the nightmarish saga continues and viewers are plunged into the horrifying sadistic universe. The reign of Art the Clown continues with chilling new intensity as Sienna and her brother finally begins to settle from the previous chilling events Art returns this time during the holiday season to inflict torture. Art has returned with a vengeance and is more grotesque than ever before. Director Damien Leone, a fan of classic 80s and 90s horror, teased in a tweet, "If you’re a fan of the intros to *Scream* and *When a Stranger Calls*, I promise you’re gonna absolutely love the opening scene of *Terrifier 3*." For fans of nerd horror, this film epitomizes the genre’s commitment to unrestrained creativity and fan-centered storytelling.

Brace yourselves on October 11th! Dive into the chilling saga of Art’s legacy and get your Halloween vibes going!

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