What Happened to J-Horror?
Japan was, at one point, putting out some of the best horror movies the genre has ever seen. In 2025, that feels like a distant memory. But what happened? What happened to J-Horror?
Horror Movie Reviews
Welcome to the heart of Knockout Horror. This is where we keep the hundreds of reviews we’ve written over the years. Let’s be honest: the horror genre is a minefield. For every Hereditary, there are a dozen low-budget disasters waiting to waste your Friday night. That’s where we come in.
We watch the good, the bad, and the absolute trash so you don’t have to. From the latest theatrical blockbusters to the obscurest oddities hiding in the depths of Tubi and Shudder, you’ll find our honest, unpretentious, and jargon-free verdicts right here. No film school lectures, just a horror fan telling you if it’s worth the popcorn.
Presence (2024) review – Soderbergh’s voyeuristic ghost story
We review Steven Soderbergh’s Presence (2024). Shot entirely from the perspective of a ghost, this paranormal horror starring Lucy Liu and Chris Sullivan promises a unique take on the haunted house genre. Is it a terrifying masterclass in voyeuristic dread or just an unscary, technical gimmick? Find out in our full review.
The Monkey (2025) review – A bloody, sarcastic, and farcical riot
We review Osgood Perkins’ The Monkey (2025). Based on the Stephen King short story, this horror-comedy trades the brooding atmosphere of Longlegs for over-the-top gore and sarcastic wit. Is it a brilliant subversion of the genre or just too silly to be scary? Find out in our full review.
The Dead Thing (2025) review – Arthouse romance masquerading as horror
We review Shudder’s The Dead Thing (2024). Blu Hunt stars in this “erotic horror” about modern dating and dark secrets, but is it a masterclass in slow-burn suspense or just a monotonous arthouse trudge that fails to deliver the scares? Find out in our full review.
Bone Face (2025) review – A slasher whodunit that runs out of steam
We review Bone Face (2025). A group of camp councillors are murdered by a serial killer, but the movie quickly transforms from a slasher into a single-location diner whodunit. Is it a clever subversion of the genre or just a predictable mystery that loses its edge? Find out in our full review.
F*** Marry Kill (2024) review – An outdated and uninspiring date-night thriller
We review F*** Marry Kill (2024). Lucy Hale stars as a true-crime fan hunting for a serial killer on a dating app. Is it a sharp, funny subversion of the genre like Heart Eyes, or just an outdated and predictable romantic-comedy trudge? Find out in our full review.
Heart Eyes (2025) review – Romantic-horror comedy done right
We review Josh Ruben’s Heart Eyes (2025). Can a romantic comedy slasher hybrid actually work, or is it just a sentimental mess? Starring Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding, this bloody Valentine’s Day flick promises a perfect balance of kills and chemistry. Find out in our full review.
Bystanders (2025) review – A well-intentioned but amateurish revenge trudge
We review Bystanders (2025). This indie revenge-horror passion project sees a murderous vigilante couple take on a group of vile frat boys. Is it a raw and visceral cult classic in the making, or just a slow and amateurish trudge through exploitation tropes? Find out in our full review.
Companion (2025) review – A bloody brilliant subversion of AI horror
We review Companion (2025). Starring Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid, this sci-fi thriller/horror-comedy takes the tired “AI gone rogue” formula and flips it on its head. Is it a masterclass in dark humour and suspense, or just another farcical tech-tragedy? Find out in our full review.
Grafted (2024) review – A messy but visceral addition to the body-horror revival
We review Sasha Rainbow’s Grafted (2024). This Shudder body-horror sees an exchange student go to extreme, visceral lengths to fit in with the popular crowd. Is it a sharp commentary on beauty standards or just a messy trudge through gore tropes? Find out in our full review.
Y2K (2024) review – A tonally confused trip to 1999
We review Kyle Mooney’s Y2K (2024). This A24 horror-comedy takes us back to New Year’s Eve 1999, but is it a sharp, funny subversion of the tech-panic era or just a messy, tonally confused trudge through 90s tropes? Find out in our full review.
Bloody Axe Wound (2024) review – Shudder’s latest bait-and-switch disaster
We review Bloody Axe Wound (2024). This Shudder Original starts with a fun satirical slasher premise but quickly collapses into a cringeworthy teen drama. Is it a misunderstood meta-masterpiece or legitimately the worst horror movie of the year? Find out in our full review.
