Coraline (2009) Review – A Stunning and Sinister Stop-Motion Masterpiece
Henry Selick’s Coraline is a visual triumph and a perfect gateway horror. A dark, imaginative, and beautifully crafted tale that is as haunting as it is stunning.
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.
Young Frankenstein (1974) Review – A Hilarious Homage to Horror History
Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder deliver a flawless parody of 1930s cinema. Young Frankenstein is a visually stunning, side-splitting tribute to the Universal Monsters era.
It Chapter One (2017) Review – A Stylish and Nostalgic Descent into Derry
Andy Muschietti brings Pennywise to the big screen with style. It Chapter One is a nostalgic, well-acted, and visceral journey into the heart of Derry’s darkness.
Noroi: The Curse (2005) Review – A Masterclass in Found Footage J-Horror
Kōji Shiraishi delivers a masterclass in atmospheric dread with Noroi: The Curse. A complex, hyper-realistic found footage film that weaves folklore into a nightmare.
Candyman (1992) Review – A Groundbreaking, Socially Conscious Gothic Masterpiece
Bernard Rose’s Candyman is much more than a slasher. It is a haunting, socially conscious gothic nightmare that uses the projects of Chicago to explore racial trauma.
The House of the Devil (2009) Review – A Stylised and Nostalgic 80s Throwback
Ti West’s The House of the Devil is a masterclass in retro aesthetics. A slow-burn 80s throwback that prioritises grainy 16mm atmosphere over narrative speed.
Paranormal Activity (2009) Review – A Masterclass in Low-Budget DIY Dread
Paranormal Activity is a landmark of indie horror. A simple, effective, and visceral found footage hit that proved you don’t need a big budget to terrify the world.
Pet Sematary (1989) Review – A Classic Melancholic Monkey’s Paw Tale
Mary Lambert brings Stephen King’s darkest novel to life with Pet Sematary. A gritty, emotional, and visceral 80s classic that explores the terrifying price of grief.
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.
The Block Island Sound (2020) Review – A Muddled and Gloomy Scientific Mystery
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.
Gwen (2018) Review – A Hauntingly Beautiful Study of Folk-Horror Dread
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 (2021) Review – A Slow-Burn French Drama with a Body-Horror Sting
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.
