Well, it’s official. It’s more than halfway through 2022, and one thing is for certain: It has been quite the year for horror! From critic favorites like Ti West’s Xwhich starred Mia Goth, The Black Phone starring the incredible Ethan Hawke as a mask-wearing abductor, and Hulu’s delicious original Fresh starring Sebastian Stan and Daisy Edgar Jones to revivals and sequels like Scream and Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the year has been stacked with screams and slashers. But there’s more to come for 2022.
With spooky season just around the corner, now’s the time to gear up and get ready for some silver screen screams. There are so many choices to pick from, but luckily some will be available to stream. Whether you’re a horror buff or simply down for the occasional scare, every viewer will have something they can surely sink their teeth into!
The Immaculate Room – August 19th
This film stars Kate Bosworth (The Domestics, 2018) and Emile Hirsch (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, 2019). The Immaculate Room synopsis reads:
“Mike (Emile Hirsch) and Kate (Kate Bosworth), a seemingly perfect couple, join a psychological experiment to compete for 5 million dollars if they can last 50 days in a sleek, white room in complete isolation. No phones, no family – only the Voice of the Immaculate Room keeping them in check if they think of straying. But as the clock ticks down, the Room becomes more than it seems, putting them through cruel tests to break their resolve and resurfacing private demons which they may not survive.”
The film is written and directed by Mukunda Michael Dewil (Vehicle 19, 2013) and will be distributed by Screen Media.
Orphan: First Kill – August 19th
First Kill serves as a prequel to the 2009 film Orphan. The prequel is directed by William Brent Bell (The Boy2016) from a screenplay by David Coggeshall (Prey2022) and a story by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick (Till Death2021) and Alex Mace (Seance, 2021). The film sees the return of Isabelle Fuhrman as Esther, the murderous villain pretending to be a child. Also part of the cast is Rossif Sutherland (Reign, 2013-2017), Julia Stiles (Hustlers2019), and Hiro Kanagawa (Godzilla2014).
Following Esther’s terrifying antics yet again, the synopsis reads:
“Esther’s terrifying saga continues in this thrilling prequel to the original and shocking horror hit Orphan. After orchestrating a brilliant escape from an Estonian psychiatric facility, Esther travels to America by impersonating the missing daughter of a wealthy family. Yet, an unexpected twist arises that pits her against a mother who will protect her family from the murderous ‘child’ at any cost.”
The Invitation – August 26th
This supernatural thriller, directed by Jessica M. Thompson (The Light of the Moon2017), written by Blair Butler (Helstrom, 2020), and produced by Emile Gladstone (The Curse of La Llorona, 2019), stars Nathalie Emmanuel (game of thrones, 2013-2019) and Thomas Doherty (Gossip Girl, 2021-). Originally titled The Bridethe project was under production by Sam Raimi (Spider-Man Trilogy2002-2007) and Robert Tapert’s (The Unholy, 2021) Ghost House Pictures. However, they soon passed on the project due to scheduling issues. Butler drew inspiration from Bram Stoker’s Dracula for her script.
Sony Pictures Releasing’s synopsis of the film reads:
“After the death of her mother and having no other known relatives, Evie (Nathalie Emmanuel) takes a DNA test… and discovers a long-lost cousin she never knew she had. Invited by her newfound family to a lavish wedding in the English countryside, she’s at first seduced by the sexy aristocrat host but is soon thrust into a nightmare of survival as she uncovers twisted secrets in her family’s history and the unsettling intentions behind their sinful generosity. “
Pearl – September 16th
This prequel to Ti West’s X (2022) was shot back-to-back secretly with its predecessor. The script was co-written by West and Mia Goth, who also starred in it X. Goth will return to plan a younger version of her X character, Pearl, a young girl on a farm in 1918 who dreams of an extraordinary life. She is joined by David Corenswet (Hollywood2020), Tandi Wright (800 Words2015), and Matthew Sutherland (The Stranger, 2022).
The film, set during World War I, showcases the origins of the titular character.
“[Pearl begins] feeling trapped at the isolated family farm [and] is tasked with attending to her ailing comatose father, while under the harsh micromanagement of her cruel mother. A collision of her ambitions, temptations, and repressions arrive, creating the villain she feared she would become.”
Halloween Ends – October 14th
Just in time for Halloween, the iconic Halloween franchise is brought to a close with Halloween Ends. The film, directed by David Gordon Green (halloween, 2018) and written by Green, Danny McBride (Tropic Thunder, 2008), Paul Brad Logan (Manglehorn, 2014), and Chris Bernier (The House: A Hulu Halloween Anthology, 2017), will once again star the iconic Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode. She is joined by James Jude Courtney (Halloween Kills2021), Andi Matichak (Halloween, 2018), Will Patton (The Devil Below, 2021), and Kyle Richards (The Prince, 2021).
The official synopsis from Universal Pictures states,
“Four years after the events of last year’s Halloween Kills, Laurie is living with her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) and is finishing writing her memoir. Michael Myers hasn’t been seen since. Laurie, after allowing the specter of Michael to determine and drive her reality for decades, has decided to free herself from fear and rage and embrace life. But when a young man, Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell), is accused of killing a boy he was babysitting, it ignites a cascade of violence and terror that will force Laurie to finally confront the evil she can’t control, once and for all .”
This will surely be the perfect spooky season movie night.