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Stars: Dolph Lundgren, Kelsey Grammer, Aaron McPherson, Michael Paré, Christina Villa, Daniela Soto-Brenner | Written by Dolph Lundgren, Hank Hugues, Michael Worth | Directed by Dolph Lundgren

The press release for Wanted Man describes writer/director/star Dolph Lundgren’s character like this, “Johansen is an ageing detective, whose outdated policing methods have given the department a recent public relations problem.” Those outdated methods include beating up a suspect while making what could be taken as racist remarks, all in full view of a news crew.

In case that isn’t enough to let us know what he thinks of his neighbours to the South, we get to see him hang out at a strip club with some buddies, including Brenner, Hilts and Tinelli trading comments about how disgusting Mexicans are. And to cap off the night, he has to be stopped from attacking another Mexican in the parking lot.

In light of this,...

Stars: Zachary Le Vey, Alyson Gorske, Angel Prater, Caryn Richman, Michael Paré, Kio Cyr | Written by Brandon Christensen, Ryan Christensen, Matt Manjourides | Directed by Brandon Christensen

Closing out the first night of this year’s Saskatoon Fantastic Film Festival, The Puppetman tossed me a nugget of nostalgia early in the film when the leads make a booze run and I recognized the upside-down sign of Buffalo’s On the Rox Liquors, where many an eventful weekend of my own started.

But that doesn’t come until after we see a man brutally murder his wife while his young daughter cowers, caged in a dark closet. He seems to be struggling with himself as he beats her with a frying pan and stabs her. And that is his defence in court, it wasn’t him, someone or something else was controlling his body. It doesn’t get him acquitted, but it does get him a nickname,...

The Puppetman is a horror thriller film directed by Brandon Christensen, who also co-wrote with Ryan Christensen and Matt Manjourides. The Shudder film revolves around Michal, the daughter of a convicted killer, who always maintained his innocence by saying that an evil force made him commit those murders. But when people around her start dying in brutal ways Michal starts to realize that there was some truth in her father’s words. So, if you love the Shudder film here are some similar movies you could watch next.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (Max & Prime Video Add-On) Credit – Warner Bros.

Synopsis: The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It reveals a chilling story of terror, murder and unknown evil that shocked even experienced real‐life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. One of the most sensational cases from their files, it starts with a fight for...

Indie horror frightmaker Brandon Christensen is back again with a supernatural shocker that boasts some of the year’s most brutal moments in horror. With Christensen’s signature style of slick, straight-to-the-point storytelling, the titular Puppetman is an inventive and new villain, akin to urban legends favs The Candyman or The Blair Witch…with one helluva twisted sense of humor.

The Puppetman, imprisoned and awaiting his fate on death row, has consistently professed his innocence, attributing his murderous spree to an ominous power that dominated him. As the narrative unfolds, Michal (portrayed by Alyson Gorske), his daughter, witnesses eerily familiar deaths around her. This sparks doubt about the authenticity of her father’s claims. As the deaths escalate, Michal finds herself burdened with the daunting task of unraveling the enigma of The Puppetman‘s curse.

“A supernatural shocker that boasts some of the year’s most brutal moments in horror.

Shudder decks the halls with horror this Halloween, ensuring no shortage of new and repertory offerings available to pad out your spooky season watchlists.

This month’s programming highlights bring brand new releases you won’t want to miss and a few older titles themed around the best holiday of the year. Need help trying to decide what to watch? Sam Zimmerman, VP of programming for Shudder, will bring back the Shudder Halloween Hotline on October 27 for all your horror needs during the holiday weekend.

Viewers can call the hotline for personalized recommendations. In the meantime, we’re here today to recommend a few highlights worth seeking out for Halloween.

Here are eight newly added (or soon to be added) horror movies you won’t want to miss on Shudder in October 2023.

Lake Mungo

Using a faux-documentary setup, Lake Mungo follows a family still reeling over the unexpected drowning of the eldest daughter.

Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thrillers and the supernatural, released today the trailer and key art for the new diabolical thriller The Puppetman, from writer/director Brandon Christensen (Z, Superhost, Still/Born). The film, which just won the Popcorn Frights Jury Award for Best Feature, will make its exclusive streaming debut as part of Shudder’s annual “FearFest” programming lineup on Friday, 13th October 2023 on Shudder and will also be available to stream on AMC+.

The Puppetman is a convicted killer on death row. He has always maintained his innocence saying it was an evil force controlling his body as he slaughtered his victims. Now Michal, the killer’s daughter, begins to suspect that there may be some truth to her father’s claim when those around her begin to die in brutal ways. All hope rests on her shoulders to break The Puppetman’s curse. The film stars Michael Paré,...

AMC Networks' Fearfest keeps rolling along and Shudder has announced four preview screenings of four titles appearing on the streaming service next month. Every Tuesday night during the month of October screenings will be held at the IFC Center in New York. Next Tuesday will be V/H/S/85, followed by The Puppetman, Night of the Hunted and Hell House LLC: Origins every Tuesday after that. On the night of the final preview screening of Hell House LLC: Origins director Stephen Cognetti will be in attendance to participate in a Q&a afterwards. Shudder Announces Four Upcoming Films For The Shudder Showcase At IFC Center As Part Of AMC Networks’ Fearfest—Including The Newest Nightmarish Installment Of The V/H/S/ Series Scott Derrickson’s “Dreamkill,” one of...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

Screamfest Horror Film Festival today announced its first-wave lineup of competitive features and shorts for its 23rd edition.

Running October 10-19 at the Tcl Chinese Theater, Screamfest welcomes horror cinephiles to experience twisted tales and frightening films together on the big screen. Tickets will be on sale soon and can be purchased via the festival website.

Before we dig into the line-up, Bloody Disgusting is excited that Screamfest will be hosting a very special advance screening of Screambox’s upcoming 80s-inspired horror comedy Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls ahead of the film’s theatrical release. Director and star Andrew Bowser, among others, will be in attendance!

‘Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls’ – Screambox Gets Silly With 80s-Inspired Horror-Comedy!

From the press release:

Considered the “Sundance of Horror,” Screamfest is proud to showcase new work from independent filmmakers from across the globe. This past year the festival screened the following films,...

Looking to up your Halloween horror game this October? Well, you’re in luck. Welcome to the October Streaming Guide 2023! We’ve scoured Netflix, Shudder, Max, Paramount+, Amazon Prime, Hulu and more to curate a bone-chilling collection of horror movies, series, and specials that are dropping this October. There’s enough paranormal TV to go into a couch coma, a Leprechaun marathon that’ll take you at least an entire Sunday to complete, an evil sloth movie set in a sorority house if you’re into that sort of thing, and tons more.

And if you’re hungry for even more Halloween entertainment, don’t forget to check out our essential Halloween TV Guide for 2023, where we’ve curated the spookiest TV marathons and chilling specials playing all through the month of October; like AMC’s Fearfest and Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween!

But if on-demand content is more your bag,...

The Puppetman, the latest horror film from writer/director Brandon Christensen (Z, Superhost, Still/Born), is set to be released through the Shudder streaming service on Friday, October 13th – and with that date just a couple weeks away, we have shared the film’s trailer to help you decide whether or not The Puppetman is a movie you’ll be adding to your Halloween season viewing list. You can check it out in the embed above.

Starring Michael Paré (Bad Moon), Caryn Richman (The New Gidget), and Alyson Gorske (Amy’s F**k It List), The Puppetman tells the following story: The Puppetman is a convicted killer on death row. He has always maintained his innocence saying it was an evil force controlling his body as he slaughtered his victims. Now Michal, the killer’s daughter, begins to suspect that there may be some truth to her father’s claim...

Does September seem to be screaming by quicker than usual? We're not the only ones, right? It is time to share with everyone what Shudder has in store for their viewers next month.   There is the new chapter of the V/H/S franchise V/H/S/85, The Puppetman, Night of the Hunted, When Evil Lurks and Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor. Those round out the Shudder originals coming to the streamer. New seasons of Creepshow and Boulet Brothers' Dragula will be joined by two Joe Bob Briggs specials.    And be sure to check out all the rep programming coming next month, including all the earlier Hell House LLC films, both of Damien Leone' pre-Terriifer flms, All Hallows Eve 1 and 2, and the first... ......

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

V/H/S/85 Directed by David Bruckner, Gigi Saul Guerrero, Natasha Kermani, Scott Derrickson, Mike P. Nelson Streaming on Shudder October 6 Synopsis  The next installment in the infamous found footage anthology franchise, V/H/S/85 is an ominous mixtape blending never before seen snuff footage with nightmarish newscasts and disturbing home video to create a surreal, analog mashup of the forgotten 80s. Starring Freddy Rodriguez, Dani Deetté, Justen Jones and Rolando Davila-Beltran. The Puppetman Directed by Brandon Christensen Streaming on Shudder October 13 Synopsis  The Puppetman is a convicted killer on death row. He has always maintained his innocence saying it ... Read more...

Shudder has sent out the trailer for Brandon Christensen's award-winning horror flick, The Puppetman. Winner of the Popcorn Frights Jury Award for Best Feature, The Puppetman will debut on Shudder, appropriately, on Friday, October 13th. Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thrillers and the supernatural, released today the trailer and key art for the new diabolical thriller The Puppetman, from writer/director Brandon Christensen. The film, which just won the Popcorn Frights Jury Award for Best Feature, will make its exclusive streaming debut as part of Shudder’s annual “FearFest” programming lineup on Friday, October 13 on Shudder and will also be available to stream on AMC+. The Puppetman is a convicted killer on death row. He has always maintained his innocence...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

One of the films debuting as part of this year’s massive AMC FearFest lineup is The Puppetman, a Shudder Original that begins streaming on Shudder on Friday, October 13.

The Puppetman, which just won the Popcorn Frights Jury Award for Best Feature, will be available on both Shudder and AMC+. Exclusively watch the official trailer below.

And remember, you’re not in control…

Written and directed by Brandon Christensen, the upcoming horror film stars Michael Paré, Caryn Richman, and Alyson Gorske.

“The Puppetman is a convicted killer on death row. He has always maintained his innocence saying it was an evil force controlling his body as he slaughtered his victims.

“Now Michal, the killer’s daughter, begins to suspect that there may be some truth to her father’s claim when those around her begin to die in brutal ways. All hope rests on her shoulders to break The Puppetman’s curse.

Popcorn Frights Film Festival announced today its juried and audience awards that were selected from its lineup of 119 films (51 features and 68 shorts hailing from 20 different countries) in 8 categories.

This year, the jury panel, composed of national media figures and local filmmakers, elected to honor Brandon Christensen’s The Puppetman with the Jury Prize for Best Feature Film. Christensen previously secured this award on his 2021 feature Superhost.

Christensen said in his award acceptance, “Holy shit! Popcorn Frights has always been an important stop for every one of my films to date. I’ve met tons of amazing fans of horror who come out every time to support our films as well as the Florida horror community. It’s a total honor to take home the Jury Prize for this film, and I love you all! Until next time!”

This year’s Scariest Feature Film Prize was given to Jason Miller’s...

Over the past couple of weeks, another captivating wave of horror cinema washed over South Florida and made a splash virtually throughout the country thanks to the amazing team behind the Popcorn Frights Film Festival. Showcasing an extensive and eclectic lineup of 51 features and 68 short films, the ninth edition of Popcorn Frights once again showcased sun-soaked scares and essential storytelling from across the globe, and we're thrilled and chilled to share this year's juried and audience award winners, including Brandon Christensen's The Puppetman (Jury Prize for Best Feature Film), Jason Miller's Ghosts of the Void (Scariest Feature Film Prize), and Erynn Dalton's Big Easy Queens (Audience Award for Feature Film).

Below, we have the official press release with full details on all of the winners, reactions, and highlights of this year's Popcorn Frights Film Festival. In case you missed it, catch up on our previous coverage of this year's festival,...

Popcorn Frights Film Festival returns for its ninth edition of sun-soaked, blood-splattered cinematic scares this August in South Florida, and Festival Directors Igor Shteyrenberg & Marc Ferman have once again curated a killer lineup of must-see screenings and virtual streamings for horror fans to enjoy.

Featuring 25 films, the festival's first wave of programming includes world premiere in-theater screenings of Crus Ennis and Lee Roy Kunz's Deliver Us, Erynn Dalton's Big Easy Queens, and Brandon Christensen's The Puppetman, as well as virtual showcases of Alice Maio Mackay's T Blockers and Saint Drogo, and Popcorn Frights is also bringing immersive frights to life with their retro lineup that includes 3-D screenings of Friday the 13th Part III, Jaws 3-D, and Parasite!

As previously announced, this year's Popcorn Frights Film Festival will run August 10th–20th, with screenings taking place at Fort Lauderdale's historic Savor Cinema and “The Horror Collective...