For many of us horror nerds, October is a time for revisiting old favorites, perhaps gleefully showing a few to those friends who only agree to watch scary movies once a year. Now that Halloween is over, you may be looking for something new. And once you’ve succumbed to the devilish charm of Hugh Grant in Heretic, you might be wondering: what’s next?
As far as major Hollywood releases go, November is looking a little spartan — but if you look further afield, you’ll find plenty to scratch that horror itch. Here are four new international horror movies to check out this month, plus one re-release you might have missed the first time around.
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Black Cab (United Kingdom/France)
If you think Shaun of the Dead’s Nick Frost would be a great guy to share a ride with, think again. He plays the cab driver from hell in Bruce Goodison’s Black Cab, which screeches onto Shudder on November 8.
Last Night in Soho’s Synnøve Karlsen co-stars in Black Cab as Anne, who hails a cab with partner Patrick (Luke Norris) after a night out in London. They barely want to speak to each other, let alone the chatty driver — that is, until they realize he isn’t taking them home. Now locked in the cab as it drives down a stretch of deserted and supposedly haunted road, the couple must face a fate far scarier than the fare…
Winemaker (New Zealand)
Pop a cork and grab a glass because Winemaker is set to make its world streaming premiere on November 8! The Kiwi horror film will debut on Found TV, a new, free streaming platform dedicated to found footage.
From writer-director Emil Ström, Winemaker follows a documentary filmmaker exploring different wine-making methods. He thinks he’s found the perfect subject when he meets a man who uses unconventional methods to craft the perfect blend. The question is, will it be full-bodied or full of bodies? (I’ll see myself out.)
Its Name Was Mormo (Cyprus)
An ancient Greek demon torments a family in Its Name Was Mormo, directed, co-written by, and starring Mark Andrew Bowers, making his directorial debut.
Not initially intended for release, Its Name Was Mormo started life as a family documenting their experiences settling into a new home but morphed into something darker upon discovering a dilapidated village. Told through the lens of police evidence, the film reveals the terrifying events leading up to the family’s disappearance as each member endured the malicious torment of the sinister presence invading their home.
You know its name, now find out its deal. It’s Name Was Mormo hits theaters on November 9, followed by a digital release on November 26.
Tumbbad (India)
TUMBBAD (Credit: Eros International) Originally released in 2018, Indian folk horror film Tumbbad cleaned up at the box office upon its domestic re-release this September. As a result, it’s returning to American theaters on November 14, so you can step into its mystical world ahead of the just-announced sequel.
Co-directed by Rahi Anil Barve and Aadesh Prasad, the latter of whom will helm the sequel, Tumbbad stars Sohum Shah as Vinayak, a man who repeatedly returns to the village where he grew up to steal gold from an imprisoned god. A gorgeous period piece, the Hindi-language film was shot over four monsoon seasons and is a wonderful showcase of Maharashtra. If you missed it the first time, now’s your chance to see it on the big screen.
Rita (Guatemala)
Writer and director Jayro Bustamante, who helmed the better of the two films about La Llorona in 2019, returns this month with Rita, a dark fantasy horror film arriving on Shudder on November 22.
The first-ever co-production between Hollywood and Guatemala, Rita stars Giuliana Santa Cruz in the title role. At thirteen, Rita has left a neglectful household behind and found herself trapped in an oppressive state-run orphanage instead. But her arrival is a glimmer of hope to the other girls, who share a prophecy that an angel will appear to release them. Based on the true story of one of Guatemala’s most harrowing tragedies, Rita leverages magical realism to tell a tale of bravery in the face of unthinkable abuse.
Those are our top international picks for November! Need even more horror to get over the Halloween hangover? Why not revisit some of the winners of the 2024 FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards?
