The months of horror keep rolling on, this time into May with a few films that look very promising. While we’re not seeing much this month as far as big budget horror goes, we are getting one of indie horror’s most talked about films this year in Revenge, plus a few more that look quite promising. But before we get into all of that, here’s what I watched in April:
Ghost Stories (review): Although it finds itself struggling in a lot of the same ways that most anthologies do, Ghost Stories still has a lot to offer, especially in its final act.
May 4
Gehenna: Where Death Lives (VOD)
Director: Hiroshi Katagiri
Cast: Doug Jones, Lance Henriksen, Patrick Gorman
A group visits Saipan to search for locations for their company’s newest resort. As they find what they think is the perfect spot, they discover a hidden Japanese bunker from WW2 on the property which they decide to explore. However, they soon find out that curiosity can kill. As each member faces their most private secrets and the secrets of the bunker itself, the results lead to a most shocking conclusion…
The Cleanse (Theaters & VOD)
Director: Bobby Miller
Cast: Anna Friel, Johnny Galecki, Anjelica Huston
A heartbroken man attends a spiritual retreat to cleanse himself and fix his broken life. There he meets a fellow lost soul, and together they discover that “the cleanse” releases more than everyday toxins…a lot more.
May 11
Breaking In (Theaters)
Director: James McTeigue
Cast: Gabrielle Union, Billy Burke, Richard Cabral
A woman fights to protect her family during a home invasion.
Revenge (Theaters & VOD)
Director: Coralie Fargeat
Cast: Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz, Kevin Janssens, Vincent Colombe
Never take your mistress on an annual guys’ getaway, especially one devoted to hunting – a violent lesson for three wealthy married men.
House of Evil (VOD)
Director: Luca Boni, Marco Ristori
Cast: Andrew Harwood Mills, Lucy Drive, Désirée Giorgetti
Based on true events, House of Evil follows a young couple who, in the 1970s, move into a large, remote house in the countryside with hopes of starting a family. However, it’s not long before they are menaced by ghosts and a darker demonic presence.
May 15
Island Zero (VOD)
Director: Josh Gerritsen
Cast: Laila Robins, Adam Wade McLaughlin, Teri Reeves
A fishing community on a remote Maine island finds itself suddenly cut off from the rest of the world after the ferry stops coming. When people start to vanish, the terrified survivors realize that someone – or something – is hunting them.
May 18
Cargo (Netflix)
Director: Ben Howling, Yolanda Ramke
Cast: Martin Freeman, Anthony Hayes, Susie Porter
A post apocalyptic thriller and an emotional story of a father trying to save his child at all costs.
May 25
Feral (VOD)
Director: Mark Young
Cast: Scout Taylor-Compton, Olivia Luccardi, Lew Temple
Students fight to survive a weekend in the woods.
May 29
They Remain (VOD)
Director: Philip Gelatt
Cast: William Jackson Harper, Rebecca Henderson
Two scientists who share a romantic history are tasked with investigating unnatural animal behavior on the site of a Manson Family-style cult’s compound.
Predictions
What you shouldn’t miss:
Without a doubt, May’s must-see movie goes to Revenge.
- One of the movies I kept hearing about last year was Coralie Fargeat’s indie thriller Revenge, which found a lot of genre fans hyping it up after its successful festival run. Even with all the hype, I still don’t think there’s nearly enough people talking about it. Watch the trailer, it sells itself.
What you should take a chance on:
With the VOD market as strong as it is, we’re seeing more and more quality horror films hit streaming services each and every week. There’s plenty to look forward to this month, but if you had to take a chance on something, keep an eye on Cargo and The Cleanse.
- While I don’t think it’s going to blow anyone out of the water, if Cargo is half as good as the short it’s based on, it will certainly be worth a look.
- Although its long road to release is concerning—especially with practically no marketing—The Cleanse sounds like a quasi horror-comedy with an old school supernatural vibe to it.
Which film are you looking forward to the most?
Revenge, for sure.
themissingreel.com 
I saw ‘Revenge’ last year. It’s crazy, in the best possible way. A bit derivative in narrative but wild at heart!
That makes me all kinds of excited for it!
Looking forward to seeing Cargo!
Same!
A few things on here I will keep my eyes peeled for. Man, need some fresh, awesome horror in my life again.
“Students fight to survive a weekend in the woods…”
Holy shit! That’s original! )))
Jason Voorhees would have a field day with that plot!
Not fun anymore..”those kids are so easy to kill, you can strangle them with a cordless phone, you know what i’m talking about”)))
By the way, Ryan, have you played the latest Friday the 13th game?
Very true! I haven’t played it myself but am familiar with it.
Revenge: When I first started watching the trailer I thought, This better not be the same old thing, but it sure doesn’t look that way. I bet this will be a cathartic viewing experience for a lot of women.
Am looking forward to Cargo because, for some reason, I feel I have to see everything Martin Freeman is in.
Martin Freeman is great; he’s brilliant in the first season of Fargo! There’s a lot of hype for Revenge, so I’m definitely looking forward to checking that one out as well.