2022 has been a big year for horror. With the return of major franchisesScreamandThe Texas Chainsaw Massacreas well as compelling new entries such asXandMaster. Yet, it seems the best may still be right around the corner.
With two majorStephen Kingremakes on the way, myriad prequels and sequels in the mix, and heavily-anticipated new releases from directors likeJordan Peelecoming down the line, this year marks a golden age for horror films in which there is truly something for everyone. Here are some that are still on the way.
Firestarter
The classic Stephen King adaptationFirestarter, which starred a youngDrew Barrymore, has been given the remake treatment. Blumhouse Productions and Universal Studios have teamed up to bring the story of a young girl with supernatural powers to the big screen and on-demand (via Peacock) in May.Ryan Kiera Armstrongwill star as Charlie, the young girl who can set things alight with the power of her mind, whileZac Efronwill play her father Andy.
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Our hero Andy must protect his daughter with unusual powers after she is hunted by a government agency that intends to capture and control her. The film looks to be in good hands with legendary horror director and composerJohn Carpenterpairing with his sonCody Carpenterto provide the score. The duo recently worked on scores forHalloween(2018) andHalloween Kills(2021) as well as providing a cameo in the recentFoo FightersmovieStudio 666.
The third horror feature directed by Academy Award winner Jordan Peele,Nope, is shrouded in secrecy. Despitethe cryptic yet epic-looking trailerfeaturing flying horses and foreboding scenes of isolation, all we really know so far is the plot follows residents of an isolated town who witness a strange event.
The film is scheduled to be released on July 22 and starts previous Peele collaborator, the brilliantDaniel Kaluuya(Get Out, Judas and The Black Messiah) along withKeke PalmerandSteven Yeung.Nopelooks like Peele is going all out with a bigger budget and an ambitious premise (the film will be shown at IMAX) helped along by an epic marketing campaign. With Peele’s track record in feature-length horror, this has to be the most anticipated horror feature of 2022.
The Black Phone
The Black Phoneis a supernatural horror film directed byScott Derrickson(Doctor Strange, The Exorcism Of Emily Rose) and produced byJason Blum. Set to drop in June, the film is an adaptation of the 2004 short story byJoe Hilland starsMason Thamesas an abducted child who can communicate with the past victims of his abductor as portrayed by the always brilliantEthan Hawke.
In January 2020 Scott Derrickson, set to directDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, announced his departure from the project due to creative differences with Marvel Studios. Hawke is known for being picky about roles he takes on and with Derrickson at the helm as writer and director, it looks likeThe Black Phonewill provide some genuine scares.
Horror fans are always clamoring for moreEvil Deadcontent. The new film will serve as the fifth installment in thefranchise, following the original trilogy and the 2013 remake.Risefollows two sisters trying to save their family from demonic creatures and is set in a high-rise building in Los Angeles. The film will be released through HBO Max at some point in 2022.
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Traditionally theEvil Deaduniverse is a “cabin in the woods” style setting, so transporting the evil to one of the biggest cities in the world seems like an ambitious and entertaining premise. With up-and-coming Irish directorLee Croninat the helm and the original team ofSam RaimiandBruce Campbellacting as executive producers,Evil Dead Riseis one to look out for.
Halloween Ends
The final film in theHalloweentrilogy directed byDavid Gordon Greenarrives in October. A conclusion to the series that includesHalloween(2018) andHalloween Kills(2021), the ending of the latest story arc is an increasingly hot topic. It has been revealed thatJamie Lee Curtis has wrapped on the franchisefor the final time.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a bigger event in the horror calendar than a new Michael Myers film. This year fans will be looking for redemption withHalloween Ends. Not only is the film the conclusion to the modern trilogy but acts as a direct sequel to what is considered by many to be an underwhelming middle chapter withHalloween Kills.There is hope that the series will live up to its potential and go out with a bang this October.
Salem’s Lot
Long celebrated in pop culture the popular Stephen King novel about a town where the residents are becoming vampires,Salem’s Lotwill have its first major theatrical imagining through New Line Cinema this September.Gary Daubermanis directing, know for writingIt: Chapter Twoand theAnnabelleseries whileJames Wan(Insidious, The Conjuring)is producing.
With a big studio behind the film and some heavyweight horror names involved, it’s likely this will be the definitive screen adaptation ofSalem’s Lot. The novel is reported to be King’s favorite, so it will be interesting to see what direction the script takes. RecentlyMike Flanaganpaid homage toSalem’s Lotwith the excellentMidnight Mass,so fans of small-town vampire tales are fully prepared as we get ready to head back to Salem.
While shooting the recent retro-slasherXin New Zealand, it seemsTi Westfound time to shoot a prequel,Pearl.This film was shot in secret, only revealed in a teaser trailer shown at the end of X at some screenings. It is believed the film will focus on Pearl, the older woman inX, exploring her backstory and violent tendencies.
Pearl is a tantalizing treat for fans ofXand the work of West. Expectations are that it will be a very different film that will stand alone while fleshing out the universe further. West has also stated he intends to make a sequel toXthat will lean more towards the slasher genre. It is an exciting time to be a horror fan with a Ti West trilogy on the cards.
