Looking for something scary to watch? Here is this week’s guide of what to watch on Shudder features Black Sunday, The Canal, and short Consommé…
What to Watch on Shudder: Black Sunday
Black Sunday (also known as The Mask of Satan and Revenge of the Vampire) is a bonafide horror classic. Directed by genre royalty Mario Bava, the 1960 film was originally banned in the UK. The film is about a witch who returns from the grave to threaten her lookalike descendant. Bava is pretty near pitch-perfect with Black Sunday. The setting, the lighting, and editing are all on point. Special effects are great for the era, and Bava does not shy away from gore. The film was the breakthrough for horror queen Barbara Steele, who is enchanting in a dual role. The film has influenced filmmakers for decades, including Francis Ford Coppola and Tim Burton. Black Sunday is a paean to gothic exuberance.
What to Watch on Shudder: The Canal
Writer-director Ivan Kavangh’s 2014 film The Canal is a nerve-racking and engaging watch. The film is about an archivist whose life starts to fall apart after viewing old footage of a murder that occurred over a century ago. Kavangh astutely combines supernatural elements with a psychological horror. There is a mystery at the centre of the film, and the director keeps viewers guessing as protagonist David slowly breaks down. The 16mm footage is used exceptionally well. The Canal ramps up tension in the second half, delivering sufficient scares. Unlike so many recent horror films, the conclusion is not a disappointment. After a gentle start, The Canal delivers a frightening and memorable climax.
What to Watch on Shudder: Consommé
Writer-director Catherine Fordham’s short Consommé is an inventive twist on the rape-revenge sub-genre. The 2015 film does not shy away from gore, yet the build up is subtle and well-paced. Actress Monica West (who also stars in Fordham’s Best Thing You’ll Ever Do) is striking in the central role. Consommé is a rewarding five-minute watch.
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