Sam Munster | Horror Hyperfixations

Category: Reviews

Chatting with “Cara” writer and director Hayden Hewitt

February 17th, 2025

Cara is bleak, dark and fucked up. Written and directed by Hayden Hewitt, this psychological horror is available on digital download today, 17th February.

Cara’s world is spiralling out of control. Haunted by her traumatic past, she lives with a mentally unstable roommate and struggles with a failed career as an online sex worker. Her father is unable to communicate, while her well-meaning mother offers little support. But above all, Cara is consumed by a terrifying belief that there’s a conspiracy to send her back to the psychiatric hospital where she suffered horrific abuse.

Cara is brilliantly played by Elle O’Hara an unreliable narrator that I can’t decide if I’m terrified of, or rooting for. Perhaps both. The cast are great, with fantastic performances from indie horror faves Lawrence Harvey, Michaela Longden and Johnny Vivash.

I had the chance to have a quick chat with Hayden and talk about his inspiration, his process and how he relaxes after delving into such a dark and bleak world – it’s a spoiler free chat!

Cara premiered at FrightFest last year, to brilliant reviews – catch it yourself on Amazon Prime and Apple TV see why “she isn’t going back”. Huge thanks to Aim Publicity for the review and interview opportunity.
Talking Crimson Peak with Scary Zara Mary

February 11th, 2025

I had the pleasure of being invited on Reyt Scary to chat about one of my faves, Crimson Peak, with the lovely Scary Zara Mary.

I love Crimson Peak, so enjoyed getting to excitedly wang on at Zara about my favourite things in the movie – the incredible costumes, pasty goth boys and the glorious Doug Jones – was a delight. Reyt Scary is a weekly must-listen for me, so a definite recommendation. Zara has been talking all things gothic horror and will soon cover torture in horror. Exciting!

If you’re feeling brave and want to watch my little goblin face, instead of just listening, Reyt Scary is also on Youtube!
Horror on Sea – Darklands restoration and director’s cut

February 8th, 2025

UK, 85 minutes, Directed by Julian Richards

Darklands follows journalist Frazer Truick as he investigates the mysterious death of the brother of trainee journalist Rachel Morris. Delving deeper, Truick becomes convinced that the tragedy was murder, committed by a bizarre religious cult. But as the evidence unfolds, things take on a more sinister and potentially lethal significance for the reporter, as he becomes embroiled in devil worship, witchcraft and ultimately human sacrifice!

How I’d not seen Darklands before now is beyond me, but I’m so glad I finally watched it! Set in South Wales, Darklands follows Frazer Truick (played by Craig Fairbrass) who gets caught up in mystery, pagan rituals and human sacrifice, while investigating for the local paper.

Released in 1996, Darklands has had a 4K restoration ahead of its 30th anniversary. I was lucky to see the director’s cut, which hopefully means a new, shiny release this year or next! I’ve seen the poster for Darklands over the years, but had someone told me it was set in South Wales, with a recognisable cast of Welsh legends and featured the Welsh language and some cool pagan shit, I would have been straight on it! Director Julian Richards is from Newport, too – just down the road! I’m fully in my “embrace the Welsh language and culture” era, so I’m grateful I found it at just the right time.

It’s dark and grotty, with great performances, compelling characters and a really cool score and soundtrack. I was 10 when this movie was made and it was the most delightful snapshot of the valleys in the 90s (although we didn’t have ritual sacrifice in my village. I don’t think…) It’s been hailed as “the Welsh Wicker Man”, which I think is a fair comparison. I really enjoyed it and it’s definitely one I’d add to my collection and watch again.

If you like 90s horror, folk horror, Welsh horror… or a combination of all three, definitely check Darklands out and keep an eye out for screenings or a release of the restoration and director’s cut! Darklands is currently available to stream on Shudder.
Horror on Sea – When the Trash Man Knocks

February 6th, 2025

USA, 1 hr 39 mins, Directed by Christopher Wesley Moore

An agoraphobic woman and her son must face their fears when the killer who traumatized them returns.

If you ask me “do you want to watch a film with a name like ‘When the Trash Man Knocks’?” the answer is always going to a very enthusiastic “yes!”. You know that’s gonna be a good time. And it was! 🥳 (Plus, just look at that goddamn poster. Perfection 😍)

The Trash Man has been terrorising a small town for decades, hacking up bodies to make a new perfect family, disposing of the dismembered bodies in trash bags. Rad! 🗑️

I love low-budget slashers and When the Trash Man Knocks has fun kills, practical sfx and all the charm of an 80s slasher. Sure, it’s no cinematic masterpiece, but it’s made with love and it cheered me up when I was feeling sad. And, sometimes, that’s all we need!

At 1 hr 39, it felt a bit long and I would have preferred a zippy little 80 minute film that focused more on the killer and his adventures. But I had fun with it and enjoyed it all the same.

When the Trash Man Knocks is available for free on Plex in the UK and on Tubi in the states. If you love 80s low-budget slashers, give this one a go – it’s actually not trash! (I’ll see myself out…🙈)
Into the Deep

February 3rd, 2025

I love a shark movie and I love Scout Taylor-Compton, so I was sold when I saw Into the Deep on the Signature Entertainment release roster 🙌🏻🦈🤿

Cassidy (Taylor-Compton) is an oceanographer with a tragic history with sharks. When modern-day pirates take advantage of their diving trip, Cass must face her fears and go back into the water 🙅🏼‍♀️🦈

Into the Deep also stars Richard Dreyfus, who we know is no stranger to great whites. Scout is a likeable lead and I was invested in her story and survival. It’s no Jaws, but it’s a fun 90 minute watch, although the CGI blood was disappointing and distracted me (I appreciate doing it practically in the water is a pollution issue, though). It’s more of an action/thriller movie with sharks, than a shark movie. But I always want more sharks, so what are you gonna do? 🦈🦈🦈

I also appreciated that the credits had a message about shark conservation from Richard Dreyfus and only CG sharks were used 🙌🏻 Yay! Be nice to sharks.

Into the Deep is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime, or on blu-ray and DVD (affiliate links). Thank you Signature Entertainment for the screener!
Ghost Stories

January 31st, 2025

My love of Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman’s Ghost Stories has not waned in the last 14 years. *Me singing to a play* – “I’ll never let you goooo, why? Because I love youuuuu!”

I first saw Ghost Stories back in 2011 and I have never been more scared in my entire life. I swear it changed my DNA and I’ve never been the same, since. I went to see it for the fifth time on tour at The Theatre Royal in Bath and a renewed hyperfixation was unleashed, along with an excited post-show ramble and a podcast episode.
Horror on Sea – Marginalia

January 21st, 2025

USA, 1 hour 5 minutes, Directed by Mark Beal

In this medieval story of witchcraft and intrigue, Sister Trista is summoned to Karnstein Abbey with the task of assisting the nuns with mourning their recently departed abbess.

As she stays there, it is revealed that the abbey is actually a nest of demon-worshiping witches with a plan to wreak havoc on the earth. Trista, though, has a secret of her own which may turn the tables on the Karnstein witches.

Marginalia is an absolutely beautiful film, set in a medieval convent. It’s in black and white and features absolutely gorgeous medieval illustrations, stop motion and a lovely score. While I wasn’t particularly gripped by the story itself, the mix of stunning visuals and sound design had me absolutely captivated. But to be fair, there’s a good chance I was swooning so hard over the visuals that I didn’t pay enough attention to the plot (ADHD problems!)

It’s definitely an “arty” production, but I love that and genuinely wish we got more movies like this. It’s one I’ll definitely revisit and will absolutely buy if it gets a physical release.
Horror on Sea – Virus Detected: A Technology Anthology

January 20th, 2025

UK, 1 hour 30 mins, Directed by Charlie Bond, Paul Cousins, James Hamer-Morton, Geoff Harmer, Chris Josty, James Morrissey, James Plumb, Samuel Rush

When an electrical storm hits during a late-night talk show, a radio DJ receives persistent phone calls from a mysterious caller warning her and telling her stories of electrical appliances having been affected by the storm. Are they true, or just calls for attention?

Virus Detected – A Technology Anthology is an absolute hoot. It’s funny, well written and tied together by a radio DJ taking listener calls during a worldwide electrical storm. All sorts of gadgets start going wrong, from a toaster, to VR headsets. Each short has a different director and the production value is high across the whole film. The performances are great, too!

The Toy was my favourite segment – I think you can imagine what that is about! It was very funny and campy and the line “it’s essentially an Alexa, in the shape of a dick” had me giggling.

Virus detected felt really fresh and fun and I really hope we get more anthologies that are this good. Also, cue a very excited me when I recognised the voice of Dhean Morris (AKA Dheanasaur on Tiktok and Instagram) who was really bloody great (and just one of many Welsh people involved in this film – bendigedig!)

I’m definitely going to be keeping an eye on everyone involved in the production, to see what they do next!
Horror on Sea – A Stranger in the Woods

January 17th, 2025

Hungary/USA, 1 hour 24 minutes, Directed by Józef Gallai

A young film student is about to make a documentary about an elderly man who has been hiding from the world for many years. But as secrets from his past come to light, their strange relationship takes a fateful turn. Starring cult-classic horror film legends Bill Oberst and Lynn Lowry.

A Stranger in the Woods is a really interesting found footage movie. I had no idea where it was going and it kept me guessing throughout. Edith is a film student, who goes to interview a recluse living in the woods for her final uni project. The subject of her documentary is mysterious and unpredictable and wonderfully played by Bill Oberst Jr.

While it didn’t have any standout moments of horror for me, I spent the entire duration of the film incredibly tense as found footage films scare the heck out of me. A combination of camera footage, police body cams, 911 call recordings and night vision had me on edge – each of those alone are guaranteed to make me feel uncomfortable. The small, remote location is claustrophobic, adding further tension. We rarely venture outside of the house and when we do, it’s inside a car – trapped with someone who is increasingly erratic. This film will have you shouting “just leave! Why wouldn’t you just leave?!” at the screen, while also enjoying the entirely stupid decisions made by Edith.

If you like found footage horror in the vein of The Visit, Creep and Speak No Evil then you’ll love this!
Horror on Sea – Protein

January 12th, 2025

UK, 1 hr 40 mins, Directed by Tony Burke

A gym-obsessed serial killer murders and eats a local drug dealer (for their protein), inadvertently sparking a brutal and bloodthirsty turf war between rival gangs.

Dw i ddim yn hoffi cig, ond roeddwn i’n caru Protein 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

If you don’t speak Welsh, or aren’t learning on Duolingo like me, that means “I don’t like meat, but I loved Protein”. Ex-soldier Sion escapes to South Wales and inadvertently finds himself in the middle of a turf war between drug dealers. And he eats people. Lush. I hesitate to refer to this film as cosy, ‘cos cannibalism, but there’s something incredibly comforting about watching films and tv set in the valleys. The cast are excellent, with lots of familiar faces from Welsh and British film and TV.

Writer and director Tony Burke is English, (coincidentally from Southend, also the home of Horror on Sea) but has perfectly captured the valleys on film. As much as I’d love portrayals of Wales to be all about green valleys, lush waterfalls and male voice choirs, there ARE grotty towns, scummy people and drug problems. I live an hour away from Swansea and Llanelli, where Protein was filmed, and I have encountered many of these characters. It’s so real and grounded in reality, even during the scenes of cannibalism and gore. It’s not sensational, it’s not gratuitous, it’s a depiction that almost feels like you’re watching a documentary. The script is perfect – nothing feels hyperbolic, or a caricature of valleys people. I hear people speak like this every day. It’s probably how I sound, too. I especially relate to the mum in bed, shouting that she needs crisps. What a queen.

I was gutted to have missed this film at FrightFest last year, so was super excited and grateful when Tony got in touch to share the movie. It’s darkly funny, bleak and exciting and I loved every minute. Protein is based on the 2014 short of the same name, which I’ll have to track down and watch. This is Tony’s first feature as writer and director and I think it’s an incredible debut film. Da iawn, Tony!

Protein is screening at Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff on Sunday 16th February, at 3 pm.