Here are some of the best originals and exclusives you can watch on Shudder right now. Starring: Eugénie Derouand, Honorine Magnier, Clément Olivieri Director: Patrick Ridremont Rating: NR Runtime: 1 hour, 44 minutes Obviously, a catch is involved, and the price of Eva’s wish becomes increasingly bloody and sinister. The Advent Calendar takes a well-covered premise and delivers some interesting twists and a fantastic atmosphere. Starring: Jeremy Gardner, Brea Grant Directors: Jeremy Gardner, Christian Stella Rating: TV-MA Runtime: 1 hour, 23 minutes Come for the sharp writing and great characters, and stay for the karaoke. Starring: Sheila McCarthy, Julian Richings, Konstantina Mantelos Director: Justin G. Dyck Rating: NR Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes Audrey and Henry quickly get in over their heads, and their home becomes host to a series of unsettling spirits. Keep an eye out for a small part from Troy Jones (Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark), whose skills as a contortionist have brought some uniquely disturbing characters to life. Starring: Michael Greyeyes, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Forrest Goodluck Director: Jeff Barnaby Rating: NR Runtime: 1 hour, 38 minutes This one takes place on a Canadian Mi’gmaq reservation and has a twist: First Nations people are immune to zombies. The tension comes not only from the undead but also from the characters’ conflict about whether they have a duty to protect or help people from the outside. The zombie threat becomes secondary to the persisting effects of colonialism and displacement, and Blood Quantum delivers a solid, gory zombie story with an interesting angle. Starring: Jack Rowan, Nigel O’Neill, Louisa Harland Director: Chris Baugh Rating: NR Runtime: 1 hour, 28 minutes This one has some solid gags, mostly regarding some creative, improvised “wooden stakes” and which vampire myths are real. It also has a good story that has these slacker characters get it together to save their home, friends, and family from the monster. Starring: Ryan Guzman, Kyle Gallner, Alix Angelis Director: Damien LeVeck Rating: NR Runtime: 1 hour, 34 minutes It’s not the most original premise, but The Cleansing Hour still delivers a fun time with some nice twists and a clever use of a Google Glass-style AR eyepiece. Remember Google Glass? Starring: Nicolas Cage, Joely Richardson, Madeleine Arthur Director: Richard Stanley Rating: NR Runtime: 1 hour, 51 minutes Color Out of Space is so creepy that even Tommy Chong will manage to chill your bones, and you’ll never look at alpacas the same way again. Starring: Airlie Dodds, Linda Ngo, Taylor Ferguson Director: Tony D’Aquino Rating: NR Runtime: 1 hour, 22 minutes Starring: Katie Stevens, Will Brittain, Lauryn Alisa McClain Directors: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods Rating: R Runtime: 1 hour, 32 minutes Haunt has some genuinely scary moments, along with characters you genuinely want to make it out alive. And even if you don’t watch it, be sure to check out Lissie’s cover of the White Zombie classic “Dragula,” which plays over the closing credits. Starring: Christopher Rygh Cora Kaufman Director: Jordan Downey Rating: NR Runtime: 1 hour, 12 minutes Starring: Rusty Cundieff, Tananarive Due, Robin R. Means Coleman Director: Xavier Burgin Rating: NR Runtime: 1 hour, 23 minutes You’re guaranteed to learn something new from this insightful work, which also features a panel of iconic actors that includes Kelly Jo Minter (A Nightmare on Elm Street 5), Tony Todd (Candyman), and Keith David (The Thing). Starring: Haley Bishop, Jemma Moore, Emma Louise Webb Director: Rob Savage Rating: NR Runtime: 57 minutes This is the shortest film on this list, but it packs a lot of scares in, including a notable one that somehow makes whimsical face filters sinister. Starring: Tara Basro, Ario Bayu, Marissa Anita Director: Joko Anwar Rating: NR Runtime: 1 hour, 46 minutes Starring: Brea Grant, Leith M. Burke, Dhruv Uday Singh Director: Natasha Kermani Rating: NR Runtime: 1 hour, 23 minutes Lucky balances humor, tension, and effective social commentary in a movie that is as beautifully shot as it is harrowing. Starring: Nicolas Cage, Andrea Riseborough, Linus Roache Director: Panos Cosmatos Rating: NR Runtime: 2 hours, 1 minute Even if you dislike Mandy, you probably won’t ever forget it. Starring: Narilya Gulmongkolpech, Sawanee Utoomma, Sirani Yankittikan Director: Banjong Pisanthanakun Rating: NR Runtime: 2 hours, 10 minutes The goddess, Bayan, has “inhabited” the women of Nim’s family for generations, and you probably don’t need to ask to know that this is the round in which it all goes wrong. Be advised that this one gets pretty rough (remember to check the Does the Dog Die link), and it has some truly terrifying scenes even for long-time fans of extreme horror. Starring: Clancy Brown, Caitlin Fisher Director: Ryan Spindell Rating: Not Rated Runtime: 1 hour, 48 minutes That’s not to say that they’re similar, however. Segments include a tentacled monster, gruesome body horror, and ghosts. Clancy Brown makes a delightful Crypt-Keeper, delivering his stories to his incredulous guest (Fisher). Starring: Mark Patton, Jack Sholder, Robert Englund Directors: Roman Chimienti, Tyler Jensen Rating: NR Runtime: 1 hour, 39 minutes Scream, Queen! recounts Patton’s life after Nightmare 2 and how he’s worked to reconcile – and reclaim – the film’s legacy. While it focuses on the star, it also includes interviews and appearances from the cast and crew and provides new insight into the classic series’ most bizarre entry. Starring: Paola Lara, Juan Ramón López, Nery Arredondo Director: Issa López Rating: NR Runtime: 1 hour, 23 minutes This one is a must-see for fans of Guillermo Del Toro’s The Devil’s Backbone and Pan’s Labyrinth. But even if you haven’t seen those films, Tigers Are Not Afraid will impress you with its lovely visuals and often heartbreaking story. Starring: Evan Marsh, Amber Goldfarb, Ari Millen Director: Cody Calahan Rating: NR Runtime: 1 hour, 41 minutes Despite its admittedly silly premise, Vicious Fun is a charming, enjoyable, and extremely violent movie that provides laughs and gnarly makeup, and gore effects in equal measure.
