Indie horror films are numerous, but often many of these titles get overlooked or simply never acknowledged. I love the presence of horror on the big screen. The number of films from the genre opening in large and small theaters across the globe brings me a lot of joy.
However, we can often forget about horror history. Believe it or not, Halloween (1978) was not a blockbuster film or a hit, but it eventually found a growing audience. Let’s continue to expand the horror fandom library and look at some indie horror releases set for September 2023.
Megalomaniac -September 8th
Martha and Félix are the children of the Butcher of Mons, a notorious Belgian serial killer from the 1990s. Unstable and riddled with insecurities, Martha lives vicariously through social media. Her brother, crushed by the family legacy, takes over their father’s killings. Harassed and violently assaulted at work, the docile Martha falls into madness and goes through the looking glass into the strange and terrifying world inhabited by her brother.
Megalomaniac is directed by Karim Ouelhaj and stars Eline Schumacher, Wim Willaert, Benjamin Ramon, Pierre Nisse, and Raphaëlle Lubansu.
Trauma, Therapy, Psychosis – September 1st
The very final film for the late, great Tom Sizemore (Heat, Saving Private Ryan), Trauma Therapy: Psychosis has been scheduled for a theatrical, digital, and on-demand release on September 1 by Quiver Distribution.
Directed by Gary Barth, and written by Tom Malloy and David Josh Lawrence, the film – a sequel to Trauma Therapy (2019) – sees Malloy return as Tobin Vance, a notorious self-help guru who has been exiled overseas. As the feds move in on his US operation, Vance is building a new base in the remote outskirts of Kirkcaldy, Scotland. There, his stoic assistant Elizabeth (Hannah New), along with former student John (David Josh Lawrence), recruit a hopeful new group of lost souls for an intensive retreat to solve their deep-seated problems.
The film also features Pirates of the Caribbean’s Vince Lozano, Jamie Scott Gordon, Gordon Holliday, and Megan Tremethick. Sizemore appears as himself, the host of a Larry King-like TV talk show.
The Hanged Girl -September 5th
The Hanged Girl, a new horror-thriller from JD Cohen (Ravenswood), has been acquired by Uncork’d Entertainment for a digital and DVD premiere in September.
Starring Tal Hymans, Alex Snow, Tara Jay, and Elke Hinrichsen, the film tells of a group of friends that go on a holiday to St. Joseph’s Guesthouse, unaware that it was the site of accused witchcraft and a sacrifice of an innocent girl centuries before. They soon realize that it may be haunted by the spirit of The Hanged Girl.
“Based on a compelling folklore legend, and featuring state-of-the-art special effects and superb scares, we’re looking forward for audiences to discover the terrifying mystery of The Hanged Girl”, said Keith Leopard, President Uncork’d Entertainment. “Prepare for a good scare when we release it in the fall”.
The Curse of Willow Song – September 26th
Karen Lam‘s highly-anticipated The Curse of Willow Song, starring Jennifer Body’s Valerie Tian, has been picked up by Uncork’d Entertainment. The horror pic, receiving great early buzz thanks to its strong special effects, will be released on both digital and DVD formats on September 26th.
“The Curse of Willow Song has so much to offer. It will appeal for the genre audience but also the Asian community – as represented in front of and behind camera”, said Keith Leopard, President Uncork’d Entertainment. “Karen Lam is truly one of the most exceptional filmmakers out there, and The Curse of Willow Song reiterates that.”
Willow Song, a recovering addict and parolee, struggles to start over. Willow finds herself in a concrete wasteland. Facing isolation and displacement, shadows creep into Willow’s mind and her nightmares become too real.
Everybody Dies By The End – September 22nd
A documentary crew is hired by larger than life horror Director, Alfred Costella, to chronicle him as he finishes his final film, an all-practical masterpiece with some dark twists.
“One of my oldest memories as a child is watching shows and movies on TV and thinking it was a portal to that realm and all I’d need to do is peep open the layer between me and the show’s universe inside the TV and then I could be in there with them. The next memory is learning you cannot do this.
Ian Tripp & Ryan Schafer.
But the beautiful lesson after that heart break is that films are made by the efforts and love of people. They aren’t magical but they are handmade. And that’s how I can be in that universe in the Tv. By working on making my own films. Now I’m inside the magic box with my loved ones, best friends and collaborators who I’m entirely grateful for in this life time. We are cinemagicians and we do it because it’s magical.”
Vinny Curran, Brendan Cahalan, Iliyana Apostolova, Ian Tripp and iconic actor Bill Oberst Jr (3 From Hell, Painkiller) star in EVERYBODY DIES BY THE END, out Sep 22 worldwide on digital from Terror Films.
Insidious Inferno – September 5th
In Insidious Inferno, a secluded cottage becomes the stage for a terrifying sequence of gruesome murders. Unbeknownst to the unsuspecting inhabitants, a malevolent and otherworldly presence lurks within the very walls they call home.
As the body count rises, a couple residing in the cottage finds themselves at the heart of this nightmarish ordeal. Determined to uncover the truth and break free from the clutches of this supernatural entity, they embark on a harrowing journey to solve the mystery of the cursed grounds they inhabit.
Time becomes their enemy as they delve deeper into the dark history of the cottage and encounter unsettling paranormal occurrences. With each step they take towards unraveling the chilling enigma, they inadvertently open the door to a fiery inferno that threatens to consume them and everything they hold dear.
As the couple’s sanity is pushed to the brink and their lives hang in the balance, they must summon every ounce of courage and resilience to confront the malevolence that has taken hold of their once-idyllic sanctuary. Can they uncover the sinister secrets hidden within the cottage’s walls and put an end to the murderous rampage before it’s too late? Or will their relentless pursuit of truth and escape ultimately lead them to a fate worse than they could ever imagine?
“Insidious Inferno takes audiences on a thrilling and haunting journey that explores the depths of human fear and the relentless pursuit of truth. It reminds us that even in the face of unimaginable darkness, the strength and resilience of the human spirit can prevail. This film is a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of our team who have brought this chilling story to life. We are excited to share this immersive experience with audiences, inviting them to confront their deepest fears and join us on a rollercoaster ride into the heart of the inferno.”
Rich Wolff, CEO of Breaking Glass Pictures
Insidious Inferno, starring Stephanie Leet, Neil Green, Chynna Rae Shurts, and Steve Larkin, Chad Buffet, Chynna Rae Shurts, Calvin McCarthy, is out September 5.
10/31 Part III – September 29th
The frights continue in the third installment of this Halloween horror anthology featuring monsters, madmen, gore and more!
Presented by horror host Malvolia the Queen of Screams and directed by Michall Ballif (The Witching Season series), Jacob Perrett (Weird Tales), Brad Twigg (Wrestle Massacre), Zane Hershberger (Force to Fear), with music by Rocky Gray (The Barn), 10/31 PART 3 will be released September 29 worldwide on digital from Terror Films.
Producer and composer Rocky Gray says, “I am super proud of the cast and crew of 10/31 Part 3! From the faux trailers to the main segments, everyone brought their A-game and I think they have developed some great Halloween horror fun, and a few scares as well.”
Cast includes Jennifer Nangle, James Morris, Jordan Beltz, DeRome A. Chretien, and Karlee Mihailov
Thirst – September 5th
Insomnia spreads in a small town, causing fear and panic. As the situation becomes dire, two couples find salvation on an abandoned ranch until nefarious characters descend upon the land, claiming it as their own, and chaos ensues. Directed and written by Eric Owen, Thirst stars Brian Villalobos and Lori Kovacevich.
