Horror Movies

The horror film is hands down considered to be one of the scariest movies of all time and it’s only available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer for 16 more days.

The legend of the Blair Witch is easily one of the scariest tales to do the rounds in modern memory — and it all stemmed from a harmless horror film.

The Blair Witch Project (1999), written, directed and edited by Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick, is hands down considered to be one of the scariest documentary-style horror movies of all time.

It not only introduced the ‘found footage’ genre to horror films — seen since then in blockbuster hits like the Paranormal Activity franchise — but it’s also one of the most successful independent films of all time, originally made on a budget of $35,000–$60,000, with the final cost rising to between $200,000 and $750,000 after marketing and post-production.

The pseudo-documentary centers around three students, played by Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, and Michael C. Williams, who set off on a hike into the Appalachian Mountains near Maryland’s Burkittsville to film a documentary about the Blair Witch — a local urban myth of the community.

Currently available to watch for free on BBC iPlayer for the next 16 days, the legend of the fictional Blair Witch was conceived by Sánchez and Myrick in 1993. The director-editor duo developed a 35-page screenplay in which the dialogue was to be improvised. Entering production in October of 1997, principal photography of The Blair Witch Project lasted all of eight days in total.

Close to 20 hours of footage was shot for the docu-film, which was then edited and whittled down to 82 minutes. The film first premiered at midnight on January 23, 1999 at the famed Sundance Film Festival and received rousing acclaim, following which its distribution rights were acquired for $1.1million.

It eventually received a theatrical release and went on to become a sleeper hit, grossing close to a whopping $250million at the global box-office. The Blair Witch Project is consistently listed as one of the scariest movies ever, and consistently ranks as the best found footage movie of all time on several prestigious lists. However, despite the movie’s success, the three main actors of the film reportedly lived in poverty till they sued the film studio that acquired its rights, eventually reaching a settlement worth $300,000 in 2000.

With a 86 per cent critics approval rating on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, the documentary-style film is widely critically lauded. One reviewer says of the film: “[The Blair Witch Project is] the most effective and unsettling horror movie in quite a long time. Just to clarify: after seeing this, you will not sleep well. Invest in a night-light.”

While another writes: “The Blair Witch Project” is the scariest movie I’ve ever seen. Not the goriest, the grossest, the weirdest, the eeriest, the sickest, the creepiest or the slimiest… Just flat out the scariest.”

A third critic has said: “No sequel or remake will ever match the power of what The Blair Witch Project managed to do a quarter of a century ago.”

While a fourth critic said: “I could tell you the story — give away every detail — and The Blair Witch Project would still freeze your blood.”

Viewers are equally impressed by the film, with one writing: “This movie is pure horror, it’s the scariest movie I have ever seen in my life, at the end, I was terrified. It all connects — the legend and the film. The Blair Witch Project is a masterpiece of pure terror, horror and suspense. Daniel Myrick is a genius!!”

Another audience review says: “Absolute classic, one of the most raw horror films out there.”

The Blair Witch Project is currently streaming for free on BBC iPlayer till November 16.

A controversial thriller that left fans feeling uneasy is leaving Netflix soon

Netflix subscribers have just a limited time to stream a controversial thriller that left fans unable to sleep.

American Psycho was released in 2000, and is the film adaptation of the 1991 bestselling novel of the same name, written by Bret Easton Ellis.

Directed by Mary Harron, the horror thriller stars Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, a narcissistic banker living in New York during the 80s, who is leading a double life as a serial killer.

Seeming normal to the outside world, behind closed doors Patrick is hiding an extreme violent streak as he commits unhinged and brutal acts of murder and torture.

Packed within its 102 minute run-time, American Psycho has plenty of kills, drug-taking and sex. In one notable scene, an axe-wielding Patrick goes on a killer rampage, murdering Jared Leto’s character Paul Allen.

The cast of the film – which developed a cult following in the decades since its release -also includes stars like Willem Dafoe, Justin Theroux and Reese Witherspoon.

What’s more, the critical response to American Psycho was fairly good. On Rotten Tomatoes, it was given a 68% “fresh” rating based on over 100 reviews from 2000 to 2023.

The movie – which leaves Netflix on August 10 – fared pretty well at the box office too, grossing $34 million from a $7 million budget.

As for fan reaction, American Psycho certainly left people divided. Online, one person said: “It was so twisted I loved it.” Someone else fumed: “Not a fan, gross and too violent for me.”

A third chimed in: “I couldn’t sleep after watching it! One of those that sticks with you for sure.” Another also wrote: “It’s my favorite movie and it’s the movie I’ve seen the most times. I never get bored of it since there are so many great details.”

Meanwhile, last year it was reported that Austin Butler is set to take on the role of Patrick in a modern remake of American Psycho.

Best known for his Academy Award-nominated performance as Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, Austin is said to be collaborating with acclaimed director Luca Guadagnino for a fresh cinematic interpretation of the film.

Variety confirmed the casting and announced that the project is being developed by Lionsgate and will bring a bold new vision to the 2000s thriller.

The film has an impressive 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and has been described as “impeccably cast and smartly written”.

A chilling horror movie that’s been dubbed a ’10/10′ must-watch by fans is now streaming at no charge. The film has garnered accolades for featuring the ‘best plot twist ever’ – and it’s hitting BBC iPlayer for free this weekend.

Bodies, Bodies, Bodies boasts an impressive 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and has earned glowing reviews for being “impeccably cast and smartly written”, as well as “an uncommonly well-done whodunit”.

The plot centres around: “When a group of rich 20-somethings plan a hurricane party at a remote family mansion, a party game goes awry in this fresh and funny look at backstabbing, fake friends, and one party gone very, very wrong.”

With a young and talented cast, the film features stars like Amandla Stenberg from The Hate U Give, Rachel Sennott from Shiva Baby, and the comedian Pete Davidson.

Horror enthusiasts believe this film is grossly underrated, with many voices on Rotten Tomatoes comments section singing its praises, reports Surrey Live.

One fan remarked: “What initially seemed like a typical teen horror flick turns out to be a fun and surprisingly well-crafted film.”

Another added their voice stating: “Bodies Bodies Bodies is a sharp, satirical take on Gen Z culture wrapped in a murder mystery.

“The dialogue is witty and self-aware, capturing the internet-fueled language of the TikTok generation. It’s not your typical slasher flick; it’s more of a psychological whodunit with a cheeky twist.”

Several viewers found themselves entirely gripped by the “insane” twist of the tale, with one confessing: “Best plot twist ever. Be prepared to be amazed.”

One viewer enthused: “A well done fun guilty pleasure murder mystery film with sure some cheesy lines but some good acting and scenes that hooks you in with twists and a wow of an ending.”

Another fan raved: “Another A24 masterpiece, insane plot twist, hilarious, it just has it all.”

However, some viewers were left unimpressed, with one dismissing it as “pure dribble” and another criticising: “Highly annoying, unlikeable characters. I regret watching this.”

In contrast, professional critics were largely full of praise, with The Times’ Edward Porter noting: “In general the film crackles with life. It has a caustic script, a stormy atmosphere and a talented cast.”

The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey observed: “It’s peak nihilistic entertainment, watching these souls try, in vain, to keep their fragile reputations intact while they’re drenched head to toe in blood.”

Empire Magazine’s Ella Kemp concluded: “Tense when it needs to be and awfully good fun throughout. Stupidity reigns supreme for these rich kids, but the filmmakers are smart enough to make Bodies Bodies Bodies stick the landing.”

The Financial Times’ Danny Leigh also commented: “The title could hint at either sex or death, and both end up with roles to play in a movie carefully stuffed with rising stars du jour.”

Bodies Bodies Bodies is streaming tonight at 11.30pm on BBC One and will be available on BBC iPlayer after broadcast.