It’s a good time to be a horror fan. The success ofSinnersis a sign that audiences are willing to watch original ideas, dispelling the notion that sequels are the safe bet to be favored by studios. The genre is getting mainstream love at the perfect time, because a new crop of horror movies is set to be released.
May is shaping up to be a stacked month forhorror, and I’m excited about the variety of movies rolling out this month. We’ve got tongue-in-cheek comedies, returning old favorites, and some indie offerings that could be the next sleeper cult classic. Broken down by release date, here are some interesting horror movies to keep an eye out for in May.
8’Untold' (May 2)
Directed by Roderick Cabrido
A cutthroat journalist experiences terrors that force her to face her past in the Philippine horror movieUntold.Jodi Sta. Mariastars as Vivian Vera, a television journalist who is given a bracelet that curses her with seeing terrible visions without warning. As the horrific spirits begin to wear on her sanity, Vivian will become more desperate to break the curse. However, she’ll soon learn that breaking the curse doesn’t free her from her past sins.
As the horrific spirits begin to wear on her sanity, Vivian will become more desperate to break the curse.
AlthoughUntoldwill most likely receive a limited release in the U.S., this will be a movie I will make sure to watch as soon as possible. Slow-burn, psychological horror with a supernatural slant is a great combination, and I predict Untold’s reputation will grow with positive word of mouth once it’s on streamers.
7’Rosario' (May 2)
Directed by Felipe Vargas
InRosario, successful professional Rosario Fuentes (Emeraude Toubia) receives news that her grandmother has died. When she goes to her grandmother’s apartment, Rosario is shocked to see the condition of the body. As she waits for an ambulance to arrive for the body, Rosario discovers bizarre religious artifacts that might indicate her grandmother was involved in nefarious practices.
The inclusion ofDavid Dastmalchianas the creepy neighbor will pique horror fans’ interests, with his turn as the doomed late-night host inLate Night with the Devila must-watch of last year. The entire movie looks like it will take place over the course of one night, so the plot should move at a decent rate of speed. Considering the claustrophobic setting ofRosario, the movie will likely rest on Toubia’s shoulders, with her solo performance doing the heavy lifting to sell the scares.
6’Clown in a Cornfield' (May 9)
Directed by Eli Craig
The much-anticipatedClown in a Cornfieldcould be the start of a new slasher franchise. The film follows Quinn (Katie Douglas), a teen who moves with her family to Kettle Springs, Missouri, a small town that is in an economic downturn after the local factory closed and put many out of work. Quinn barely has a chance to make friends beforesomeone dressed up as local clown mascot Frendo begins murdering the teens one by one.
From directorEli Craig, notably remembered for his horror comedyTucker & Dale vs. Evil,Clown in a Cornfieldpromises to have its clown shoes placed in both the horror and comedy genres. Although the trailer might indicate broad laughs, expect someinsightful social commentaryto be in the mix while the teens run from the newest killer clown to enter the slasher scene. Even though the movie is based on a young adult novel of the same name byAdam Cesare,the film promises to have some violent and gory action to please horror fans.
Clown in a Cornfield
5’Final Destination: Bloodlines' (May 16)
Directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein
Death returns to balance the scales in the upcomingFinal Destination: Bloodlines.This time around, the life-saving premonition that disrupts the grim reaper’s plans happened before the start of the film, and somehow,an entire family tree has grown before the timeline could be corrected.Audiences will have to buy a ticket to learn how such a feat was possible, and what gruesome way death collects souls that were never meant to exist.
It’sbeen some timesince a new entry in theFinal Destinationseries premiered, and I think audiences are excited to see an old favorite return. Even though the quality varied from sequel to sequel, the death scenes have reliably created tension with the many misdirects and clever staging. The biggest challenge the series has faced is finding ways to put a fresh spin on the established format, andFinal Destination: Bloodlinemight have the answer with an entire family avoiding death’s reach. If history has taught us anything, they will not be successful, but it should be fun to watch them try.
Final Destination Bloodlines
4’Hurry Up Tomorrow' (May 16)
Directed by Trey Edward Shults
Hurry Up TomorrowstarsAbel “The Weeknd” Tesfayeas a musician strung out from persistent insomnia. While the lack of sleep eats away at the star’s grip on reality, the arrival of a stranger threatens to push him further into a breakdown. Details about the plot forHurry Up Tomorroware still under wraps, but the film served as inspiration for Tesfaye’s 6th and reportedly last studio album.
The trippy visuals in the trailer indicate the plot will go in some unexpected directions, but the cast is a very compelling draw. This will be Tesfaye’s first leading role in a film, but withJenna OrtegaandBarry Keoghanas scene partners,Hurry Up Tomorrowhas the potential to be one of the most interesting horror movies on the horizon.
Hurry Up Tomorrow
3’A Breed Apart' (May 16)
Directed by Griff Furst and Nathan Furst
A Breed Apartasks the question, what if the movieIsle of Dogshad been the outrageous horror film the premise was destined to be? The mid-May release follows a group of influencers who are invited to a remote island to take part in an unorthodox competition. The influencer who catches the most dangerous dogs within a specified time frame will win the entire island; the only small catch: the dogs will viciously rip anyone near them apart.
Based on the plot,A Breed Apartlooks like the type of movie that would have had a trailer in theGrindhouseintermission alongsideThanksgivingandMachete.It’s a battle royale of the two-legged vs. the four-legged, with ridiculous-looking fights that happen between the two.Dog lovers might not be first in line forA Breed Apart, but if the movie is as over the top as it appears, this could be a cult classic.
2’Fear Street: Prom Queen' (May 22)
Directed by Matt Palmer
Netflix revisits the 1980s with the newest installment in theFear Streetseries,Fear Street: Prom Queen.The students of Shadyside High are planning a night to remember for their Prom, but a maniacal killer has similar thoughts about the occasion. As the hopeful Prom Queens make sure the sleeves of their dresses are appropriately puffy, the killer puts on their best red raincoat that matches their axe.
When theFear Streetmovies debuted on Netflix back in 2021, they were an unexpected surprise, treating viewers to a full trilogy without the multi-year wait in between films.The Fear Street movies are a solid throwback to the 80s and 90s, when a new slasher was seemingly made daily.While it’s encouraging to see horror treated seriously with a rise in artistically driven horror films, the arrival of a fun slasher is always welcome.
Fear Street: Prom Queen
1'Bring Her Back' (May 30)
Directed by Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou
A grieving woman searches for a way to bring back the dead in the new A24 horror film,Bring Her Back.The disturbing-looking trailer provides a glimpse ofSally Hawkinsas a foster mother who becomes increasingly lost in a ritual that may or may not be linked to reviving someone who has died.Bring Her Backlooks to have the makings of a slow-burn horror story with visuals that imply some form of contact is made with the afterlife.
Danny PhilippouandMichael Philippouquickly got the attention of movie-goers with the creepy and emotionally arrestingTalk To Me, so hopes are high that the directing pair are able to deliver a strong follow-up. While details of the plot will be revealed when the movie releases,Bring Her Backdoes look to revisit the themes of grief and bargaining after the death of a loved onethat were explored inTalk to Me.
Bring Her Back
NEXT: 10 Horror Movies That Are Terrifying From Start to Finish
