Whoever said that scary movies are reserved for Halloween and the fall season lied. So, in honor of breaking stereotypical horror film norms, here are 4 horrifically entertaining ways to start off your new year… as if 2025 isn’t going to be scary enough.
Presence – January 24
Neon is starting the year off early with its upcoming thriller, Presence. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, and starring Lucy Liu (Charlie’s Angels), Chris Sullivan (This is Us), and Julia Fox (Uncut Gems), this film puts a spin on your usual ghost-occupied haunted house. You may have seen Neon’s clever Instagram marketing strategy, using Julia Fox’s real estate agent character, Cece, in ads. Admittedly they looked pretty real, causing people to wonder if model Julia Fox switched careers. But no, she hasn’t. The film is being described as chilling, hair-raising, and spellbinding. The final trailer has been released and can be found of Neon’s Instagram page so if you need more convincing, be sure to check it out.
Companion – January 31
Warner Bros. Pictures and the creators of Barbarian are responsible for this film. If you’re looking for another AI thriller then look no further than Companion. This film shows exactly what can happen when your AI companion decides to take things into their own hands with no restrictions. Starring Sophie Thatcher (Heretic) and Jack Quaid (The Hunger Games), this psychological thriller will make your hair stand on the back of your neck as we move further and further into the world of artificial intelligence. Check this out if you want a possible glimpse into the future.
Heart Eyes – February 7
This is perhaps the one Valentine’s Day movie that will make you think twice about getting into a relationship. Heart Eyes is not about a cute nickname given to one of the characters by their loving partner. In fact, it’s the name of the serial slasher that seemingly only kills couples… That took an unexpected turn. Director, Josh Ruben, put quite a spin on what we would typically expect for the love holiday. This makes it even more appealing!
The Monkey – February 21
Neon strikes again with The Monkey! Find out what happens when twin brothers find their father’s old monkey toy. Of course, it seems harmless, but we know better and eventually so do they. If this sounds familiar to you it should. It’s an adaptation of Stephen King’s 1980 short story by the same title. If you would like to watch a toy monkey commit the most gruesome murders, then look no further than this film here.
All these films will be released exclusively in theaters. So make sure to check them all out… if you’re brave enough.
