Rituals & Resurrections

Issue #22 | May 30, 2025 |

FRESH CUTS 🩸

Bring Her Back: The Philippou brothers return with a chilling tale of grief and occult resurrection. Now in theaters, the film has garnered an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and is being hailed as one of the year's most disturbing releases.

The Ritual: Al Pacino stars as a 1920s exorcist in this upcoming horror film, premiering June 6. Costume designer Grizelda Garza brings period authenticity to the screen.

Little Nightmares 3: Supermassive Games introduces online co-op to the beloved horror series. Players will navigate eerie environments like the Necropolis and a grotesque funfair.

CREATOR SPOTLIGHT 👁️

Danny & Michael Philippou: YouTube sensations turned horror auteurs.

The Philippou brothers, known for their breakout hit Talk to Me, delve deeper into psychological horror with Bring Her Back. Their latest film explores the destructive power of grief through unsettling rituals and intense performances.

"We wanted to explore how far someone would go to bring back a loved one," says Danny Philippou.

Next up, the duo is considering a sequel to Talk to Me and venturing into documentary and animation projects.

DEEP DIVE 🔪

The Rise of Ritual Horror

From Hereditary to Midsommar, ritualistic themes have become a staple in modern horror. Bring Her Back continues this trend, intertwining personal loss with dark

Key points:

• Rituals in horror often symbolize a loss of control and the human desire to make sense of tragedy.

• These narratives tap into ancient fears and the unknown, providing a bridge between past and present anxieties.

• The resurgence of folk horror elements reflects society's grappling with tradition versus modernity.

This thematic focus resonates with audiences seeking deeper psychological and cultural explorations in horror.

HORROR HISTORY 👻

20 Years of The Descent

Released in 2005, The Descent redefined claustrophobic horror with its tale of spelunkers facing subterranean creatures.

Legacy impact:

• Set a new standard for all-female casts in horror.

• Combined psychological terror with physical threats.

• Influenced a wave of survival horror films in confined

Its influence persists in today's horror landscape, inspiring filmmakers to explore fear in isolation and darkness.

MONSTER MANUAL 🧟

The Doppelgänger: Your worst enemy might be yourself.

Doppelgängers have haunted folklore for centuries, symbolizing identity crises and inner demons.

Evolution:

• 19th century: Literature introduced the double as a harbinger of doom.

• 20th century: Cinema explored the theme in films like Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

• 21st century: Modern horror delves into psychological aspects, as seen in Us.

These entities force characters—and audiences—to confront the unsettling idea of an evil within.

WHAT TO WATCH 📺

NEW RELEASES

• Bring Her Back: A haunting tale of grief and dark rituals. (In theaters)

• The Better Sister: A murder mystery unraveling sibling secrets. (Prime Video)

• Dept. Q: A detective tackles cold cases with a chilling twist. (Netflix)

HIDDEN GEMS

• The Drifter: A point-and-click adventure blending noir and supernatural elements. (Steam)

• Among the Whispers: Investigate a haunted mansion using authentic ghost-hunting tools. (Steam)

LEAVING SOON

• Midsommar: A daylight horror masterpiece departing Hulu on June 5. Watch before it's gone!

READING LIST 📚

NEW RELEASES

• Never Flinch (Stephen King): A psychological thriller intertwining revenge and redemption.

• D7 (Philip Fracassi): A haunted jukebox unleashes otherworldly horrors.

CLASSIC REVISITED
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson remains a seminal work in horror literature. Its exploration of isolation and the supernatural continues to influence modern horror narratives.

GAME OVER 🎮

Alone in the Dark: The survival horror classic returns exclusively to PS5 this June. Expect updated graphics and revamped gameplay that pays homage to its roots.

Baptiste: An upcoming psychological horror game set to launch a Kickstarter campaign. Players will navigate a narrative rich in suspense and moral ambiguity.

HORROR HAPPENINGS 🎭

Texas Frightmare Weekend: Irving, TX, May 23–25. Fans met horror legends like Bruce Campbell and Ti West.

Halfway to Halloween Horror & Oddities Market: Bridgeview, IL, May 24. A celebration of all things spooky with unique vendors and attractions.

FINAL THOUGHT 💀

Horror continues to evolve, reflecting our deepest fears and societal anxieties. From the resurgence of ritualistic themes to the exploration of identity through doppelgängers, the genre remains a mirror to our collective psyche. As we navigate an ever-changing world, horror offers both a refuge and a challenge—a space to confront the unknown.