Horror Movies to Watch: September Picks Include The Substance and More
Welcome to Horror Explorer, a curated column showcasing the month’s best movies, series, books and everything else spooky worth checking out. I’m William Earl, the editor of Variety.com and the publication’s resident horror enthusiast. Please drop me a line at [email protected] if there’s something I should check out for next month’s missive.
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Marquee Madness
A sequel decades in the making, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” (now in theaters from Warner Bros.) was warmly received at its Venice premiere, with critics saying it’s a fun slice of nostalgia. Although this new chapter might not reinvent the wheel, the 1988 original was so influential for Millennial horror fans that it will be essential viewing. (Read Variety’s full review here.)
“The Front Room” (now in theaters from A24) is the wild-looking directorial feature from the Eggers brothers (who are also brothers of “The Lighthouse” helmer Robert Eggers). Brandy stars as a pregnant woman trying to care for her problematic stepmother, who, judging by the trailer, is too much of a racist zealot to get along with her new caregiver. Plus she wants to steal the baby! Early reviews have been mixed, but apparently, there are some wild twists to be had. (Read Variety’s full review here.)
“The Substance” (in theaters Sept. 20 from Mubi) has been getting rave reviews on the festival circuit as body horror with brains to spare. Demi Moore stars as the aptly-named Elisabeth Sparkle, a TV personality who is fired and tries a new fountain-of-youth-esque beauty treatment. Plenty of social satire and squirms follow in this “be careful what you wish for” story. (Read Variety’s full review here.)
Halle Berry returns to horror with “Never Let Go” (in theaters Sept. 20 from Lionsgate), an emotional supernatural thriller from director Alexandre Aja. While Aja has a keen eye for spectacle in films such as “High Tension” and his “Hills Have Eyes” remake, this story about a mother protecting her sons from insidious forces in the forest seems to verge on the overly emotional for him. Yet he also helmed the great, simple alligator thriller “Crawl,” another survival tale, so maybe Berry will help him conjure that magic again.
Also, I’d love to suggest that, as it’s on its last lap, you check out “Alien: Romulus” (now in theaters from 20th Century Studios) on the big screen — even if the somewhat mixed reviews made you cautious. While it doesn’t get everything right, there’s a lot for horror fans to enjoy in this chapter, which owes plenty to director Fede álvarez’s love of the horror genre. Also, the all-encompassing sound and several of the setpieces are enhanced by the theatrical experience that just won’t feel the same at home. (Read Variety’s full review here.)
Miss “Trap” in theaters? It’s now out on VOD (via Warner Bros.), and while M. Night Shyamalan’s latest works better as a dark comedy than a true thriller, it’s anchored by a perfect Josh Hartnett performance and some outrageous twists. (Read Variety’s full review here.)
Off the Beaten Path
The unsettling “Red Rooms” (in theaters now from Utopia) is both a dark thriller and an indictment of true crime fandom. A young woman (Juliette Gariépy, elusive and fascinating) follows the trial of a man accused of killing young women online for an audience. As she becomes more obsessed with the case, dark secrets emerge, in a gorgeously shot and increasingly disturbing descent into the most lurid acts imaginable. Not an easy watch, but a powerful one. (Read Variety’s full review here.)
The brash “Crumb Catcher” (on VOD via Music Box Films) debuted this summer and is worth a second look for cringe comedy masochists. A young couple’s romantic getaway is ruined when an unexpected visitor tries to sell them hard on a unique invention, and things get darker and weirder from there. It’s a great reminder of the strange places indie film can go with just a few people trapped in a contained setting. (Read Variety’s full review here.)
The funny, gory “Hell Hole” (streaming on Shudder) is the Addams Family’s take on a creature feature, and it’s a lo-fi success. The filmmakers, known for projects like “Hellbender” and “Where the Devil Roams,” squeeze all of the juice out of the B-movie premise that they can, resulting in parasitic monsters that cause a ton of exploding people. What more could you ask for?
“Doctor Jekyll” (on VOD via Hammer Films) is a fun showcase for the legendary Eddie Izzard, who plays both Jekyll and Hyde. While the script is featherweight, it’s a gas to have Izzard running around a massive estate, with things going bump in the night in a throwback to Hammer’s glory days. (Read Variety’s full review here.)
This low-budget creature feature “Consumed” (on VOD via Brainstorm Media) is elevated by the performances of Courtney Halverson and Scream King Devon Sawa as a wild wendigo hunter. Although it could stand to have a bit less human drama and more wendigo craziness, it’s a compelling camping trip from hell.
Horror all-star Samara Weaving plays the eponymous “Azrael” (in theaters on Sept. 27 from IFC Films and Shudder) in another movie about scary monsters being attracted to noise. But unlike the “Quiet Place” series, the events of “Azrael” are biblical and wrestle with faith, survival and revenge. Weaving is great, per usual. (Read Variety’s full review here.)
Killer Series
“Horror’s Greatest” (episodes weekly on Shudder) — This fun docuseries talks to scores of genre luminaries to break down the genre into specific categories, examining the power of tropes, the metaphors of giant monsters and other brainy topics.
“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” (Sept. 19 on Netflix) — Following 2022’s dark hit “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan tackle another true crime case that took the media by storm. This time, it’s the tale of Lyle and Erik Menendez, brothers who killed their parents in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. But was their motive years of abuse or did they do it to get their hands on the family fortune? This Netflix series is sure to include all the gory details.
“From” season 3 (Sept. 22 on MGM+) — Saddled with an ambiguous-sounding name and mysterious home (first Epix, now MGM+), this slice of hometown horror is well worth seeking out. The residents of Township are all trapped together in their small village, which is filled with mysteries, including the nocturnal beasts that take the form of friends and neighbors before tearing you apart. The well-defined characters and deepening mystery have earned fans like Stephen King, making Township worth a visit.
“Grotesquerie” (Sept. 25 on FX, streaming next day on Hulu) — Yet another spooky Ryan Murphy project, this one pairs a detective with a nun to take down a serial killer. The cast is great (Niecy Nash! Courtney B. Vance! Lesley Manville!) and the trailer is a fun spin on Murphy’s maximalism. But will audiences be ready to brace for the scariest part of all: The dramatic acting debut of Travis Kelce? The horror!
Bloodcurdling Books
“Pay the Piper” by George A. Romero and Daniel Kraus (now available from Union Square & Co.) — A master of horror continues scaring fans with this posthumous work from the “Night of the Living Dead” director. Co-author Daniel Kraus found this half-finished novel in Romero’s archive, and while it’s a detour from the icon’s zombie tales, it’s a damn fun southern-fried yarn. Set in the Louisiana bayou, a colorful group of townsfolk need to band together when a cosmic entity begins abducting and killing children. It’s gross, clever and a compelling peek into a community that feels left behind in time.
“Sleep Tight” by J. H. Markert (Sept. 10 from Crooked Lane Books) — This fast-paced novel follows a detective whose daughter is kidnapped by a serial killer. To get her back, she must dig into the mysteries of her detective father, who once caught another legendary small-town murderer, and find out how the two villainous forces are connected. “Sleep Tight” moves fast and feels cinematic, but never at the expense of characters worth caring about beyond the bloody destruction. It’s perfect spooky-season reading.
“I’m Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom” by Jason Pargin (Sept. 24 from St. Martin’s Press) — The author of “John Dies at the End” returns with another trippy tale. The setup? A driver is offered $200,000 to drive a young woman with a box across the country, but he can’t know what he’s transporting — even though it just might be a bomb. It’s a madcap thriller with sharp social commentary from Pargin.
“Clown in a Cornfield 3: The Church of Frendo” by Adam Cesare (now available from HarperTeen) — The final chapter of Cesare’s slasher trilogy takes the readers in some different directions as final girl Quinn searches for revenge from the events of the first two installments. But it serves as a fitting cap to the series and is a must-read for horror fans before the trilogy’s first film — currently in post-production— gets released.
Graphic Novels
“Invader” (now available) — This gorgeous and profound illustrated novel from “Daniel Isn’t Real” team Brian DeLeeuw and Adam Egypt Mortimer considers what would happen if an alien invasion story was told by the extraterrestrials. With illustration by comic artists Jock, “Invader” is a feast in both prose and visuals.
“Aliens Vs. Avengers” (now available) — Want to see Hulk beat the shit out of a Xenomorph while Spider-Man struggles to get a Facehugger off of his spandex? Of course you do! Marvel shared a sneak peek of this awesome four-part comic crossover event with Variety, and it’s just as chaotic and wild as a kid making his action figures brawl. The run isn’t even halfway through so there’s plenty of time to get in on the madcap action.
Shop ‘Til You Drop … Dead
Terror Vision is a cool-as-hell film and music distribution company based in Savannah, Ga. that focuses on giving great releases to horror titles that might have been lost to time. From physical releases of forgotten gems (like 1990’s “Linnea Quigley’s Horror Workout” and 1983’s “Escape From Hellhole”) to more recent indie fare (2023’s “Malum” and the 2022 doc “Blood, Guts and Sunshine”), the film vault is a treasure trove for genre fans. Plus, the vinyl releases of classic horror soundtracks like 1982’s “The House on Sorority Row” and 1986’s “Neon Maniacs” are beautifully packaged. It’s a passionate small business — order some Halloween gifts for your friends!
Frightening Festivals
Fantastic Fest (Sept. 19 — Sept. 26)
The annual Austin gathering is a wonderland for genre enthusiasts. World premieres include:
*“Terrifier 3” — Art the Clown causes some yuletide mayhem in this Christmas-themed chapter of the extreme slasher series.
*“The Rule of Jenny Pen” — Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow feud in this nursing home thriller from director James Ashcroft.
*“V/H/S/Beyond” — The seventh chapter in the “V/H/S” series includes six short tales from filmmakers like Justin Long and Kate Siegel.
*“Mr. Crocket” — A mother protects her son from an evil kids’ show host in director Brandon Espy’s debut slasher.
*“Strange Harvest: Occult Murder in the Inland Empire” — This true crime documentary-style feature follows the decades-long hunt for a SoCal serial killer named Mr. Shiny.
Bonus: Check out the American debut of the gonzo ‘80s puppets freakout feature “Frankie Freako.”
Fright Fest (Sept. 13 — Nov. 3)
Six Flags’ excellent mazes always take inspiration from key horror franchises, and this year they include “Saw,” “Stranger Things” and “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.”
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