The success of horror lies in its ability to change form depending on the story. Certain films focus on scares, others let terror sit beneath the narrative, and some try to deliver frightening scenes, developed characters and deep mythology all at once. Unfortunately, too many ingredients often spoil the meal. Written and directed by Damian McCarthy, Hokum is a horror film with all the elements of a great movie. But instead of focusing on its simple throughline, it becomes bogged down by side characters and plot progression. Despite some good scares, this is an example of a masterful filmmaker led astray.

In 2026, we engage with violence nearly every day due to the pervasive nature of grim content on social media. As with any aspect of culture, there is a wealth of perspectives to explore in the world of cinema. Attempting to address our relationship with brutality, Faces of Death is a new film directed by Daniel Goldhaber and co-written by Isa Mazzei. While the movie does contain a solid throughline, its failure to commit results in a sanitised exploration of violence.

In horror, ghosts and ghouls are often the go-to choice for a movie’s villain. But, now and then, a talented filmmaker comes along to create a spine-chilling story haunted by something gentle. Written and directed by Curry Barker, Obsession is an incredible display of horror that surges with energy from start to finish. Avoiding the paranormal, this is a fantastic film that excels in every way.

While character and story often need to be balanced to create a successful film, certain movies prioritise one over the other to deliver a unique vision (for better or worse). Written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli, The Drama is an effective piece of character-first storytelling which conveys an unfamiliar situation in a highly familiar manner.

While Netflix’s original films sometimes struggle to be extraordinary, their ability to create solid, self-contained narratives has given the platform much success. Following this path, Apex is an entertaining 90-minute thriller with a simple story supported by good performances.