Before we do our Top 10 Horror Movies of 2017 (this Monday), we felt it urgent to get our list of most anticipated movies of 2018 out first, primarily because the year is kicking off strong in the horror category and we wanted to make sure and get the hype train going. Besides...the movies for 2017 aren't changing...they can wait a couple more days.
A Quiet Place
This is the film up to this point I am most excited to see. I love the plot. Efrit wasn't a huge fan of It Comes at Night, as we know, and this looks like a film that delivers where we were hoping that movie would go. Directed by and starring John Krasinksi, it has a lot of promise. And the trailer is very intriguing. I hope there's a nice pay-off.
Venom
Despite horror legend Sam Raimi's sentiment, I find Venom to be one of the greatest comic book villains ever. In general, I hate superhero clones, both the hero and villain versions. I find them shallow and devoid of creativity. Having said that, there are a few exceptions, and Venom is at the top of list. While not a literal clone, he does fit into the mold if you squeeze hard enough. The main difference is the symbiote and Eddie Brock's emotional connection with Peter Parker and Spider-Man because of their history with him. Okay...all this is beside the point. I love Venom. I have a man-crush on Tom Hardy. I'm stoked for this movie. I am curious edging towards nervous about the concepts we've heard, but I'm willing to believe.
The New Mutants
As I mentioned in Venom, I am a huge comic nerd in addition to my horror fandom, so this movie is like a wet dream for me. The idea of taking a horror-less Marvel comic line and turning it into a horror film is exciting, original and daring. I love the idea, and more so I respect the production company's bravery to try it. Sadly, the trailer doesn't have me sold. It looks like a modern day remake of Nightmare on Elm Street: Dream Warriors with none of the charm. But still, I can't wait to give this one a chance.
Insidious: The Last Key
This movie is why we felt it pertinent to get our anticipated movie list out quickly, as it came out today. Also, I (Sickle) was able to catch it, so I'll be writing a review for it tomorrow. I love the Insidious franchise, and I like the vibe it's building as sort of a spectral-only X-Files. My favorite episodes are the "monster of the week" shows, and that is kind of what the third entry was and this one also appeared to be. I'll get more into it tomorrow!
Slender Man
When the trailer played for Slender Man in the theater this afternoon, I heard some groans and scoffs. Color me embarrassed, because I'm actually excited for this film. I think the Slender Man mythos has been long-awaiting a feature film with a good budget. Sure, I don't want it to be that particular vein of mainstream garbage, but Slender Man is too great of a horror icon to not have a film attempted. Some hate the trailer, some like it. I fall on the sentiment of liking it, because it looks different. I hope the edit of the trailer mirrors the film, and that we get something unique for a truly unique monster.
Winchester
Starring Helen Mirren and based on the incredibly strange and engaging true story of Sarah Winchester, this is right up there with A Quiet Place as a movie I have to see opening night. This story was just waiting to be made into a film, as countless documentaries have mentioned or detailed the dark life of Sarah Winchester. Mirren plays the woman who built a massive maze-like mansion in California to placate vengeful spirits she believed were haunting her because they were victims to the firearms her family's last name is famous for producing. It will probably have a hefty chunk of drama and limited scares, but still, the story is so interesting.
Primal Rage
As much as I would love for this to be a hard-R adaptation of the awesome dinosaur fighting game of the 90's, this looks to be a properly-funded (or at least proper use of funds) take on the bigfoot mythos. We got a string of bigfoot movies there for a while; most were found footage and didn't offer much more than what the "chasing sasquatch" reality shows delivered. This film looks like it's going to have some weak acting on an average script, but dangit if I'm not excited for some bigfoot mayhem using practical effects. I'm a sucker for a good monster movie with practical effects. Bring it on.
The God Particle
The kept-under-wraps JJ Abrams-produced movie is of course going to be on the list. After 10 Cloverfield Lane crept up and blew us away out of nowhere, we are getting another film set in the universe. How tightly or loosely has yet to be definitively determined. I prefer loosely, just as 10 Cloverfield Lane was. I like the higher-budget Outer Limits feel of these productions, and I kind of hope they maintain that with a steady delivery of these. Now if we could get Blomkamp's Oats Studios shorts greenlit, we'd really be getting somewhere.
Annihilation
I have my doubts this film will have much that falls into the horror genre, but I'm still desperate to see it because the plot is so interesting. I haven't read the book, but I've read up on it, and this is the kind of movie I love to see get made. In some ways it reminds me of Arrival, though I have a feeling this movie will have a bit more going on, and will likely be more confusing and vague on the situation. I'm looking for something fresh in the scifi/thriller/horror arena, and this appears to be it.
The House that Jack Built
This film is from the disturbing mind of Lars von Trier, director of Nymphomaniac, Melancholia and the infamous Antichrist. This projects to be the shock film of the year, with rumors like "Uma Thurman and Matt Dillon because they were the only actors willing to do it" surrounding the production. I find that hard to believe, but perhaps if he's picking out of a select bucket...I'm not saying I'm necessarily excited, but, as a horror fan, of course I'm intrigued.