Rent-a-Pal (2020) Review – A Chilling and Uncomfortable Study of Loneliness
Jon Stevenson’s Rent-a-Pal is a unique and unsettling character study. A retro-themed thriller that explores the dark side of loneliness and the price of friendship.
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.

Jon Stevenson’s Rent-a-Pal is a unique and unsettling character study. A retro-themed thriller that explores the dark side of loneliness and the price of friendship.

The Block Island Sound is an atmospheric but muddled blend of sci-fi and family drama. A slow-burn mystery that ultimately feels a little too grey and messy.

William McGregor’s Gwen is a visual triumph. A bleak, atmospheric, and beautifully acted period drama that skirts the edges of folk-horror in North Wales.

The Swarm is a slow-burn French drama that skirts the edges of body horror. A unique premise about locust farming that struggles with pacing and plot holes.

Matthew Butler-Hart’s The Isle is a visual treat that sinks under the weight of terrible acting and a turgid script. A period mystery that fails as a horror movie.

Natalie Erika James’ Relic is a masterclass in atmosphere but a questionable horror film. A slow-burn drama that uses a haunted house as a metaphor for dementia.

Don’t go into Saint Maud expecting a traditional horror movie. This is something else entirely: a sad, harrowing, and utterly compelling psychological study of a young nurse’s descent into madness. A stunning directorial debut that’s more interested in disturbing you than scaring you. Click to read our full, spoiler-free thoughts.

Matt Palmer’s Calibre is a visceral, high-tension masterpiece. A harrowing British thriller that explores the devastating consequences of a single, tragic mistake.

Jeremiah Kipp’s Slapface is a muddled and poorly paced creature feature. A “monster in the woods” tale that struggles to balance its horror with hamfisted metaphors.

The Wretched is a watchable, teen-centric horror with standout practical effects. While the plot is underdeveloped, it offers a fresh twist on witch folklore.

No One Gets Out Alive is a middle-of-the-road haunting with a unique social hook. A gritty look at the immigrant experience that sinks under generic horror tropes.

Happy Death Day is a riotous blend of slasher thrills and time-loop comedy. A fresh, energetic whodunit that breathes new life into the teen slasher genre.