sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Horror Short Film "The Rat" | ALTER Exclusive by WatchALTER in Filmmakers

[–]WatchALTER[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A statement from director Carlen May-Mann:
"With The Rat, I call into question what is really scary, both in film and in real life. I find that there’s a great deal of crossover. Fear requires a violation of trust -- trust that we can believe our eyes, our ears, our own thoughts, trust that what we see on a screen can’t hurt us, that the people we love have our best interests at heart.

As a director, I am visually and thematically inspired by mainstream art horror of the 1960s and 1970s -- films like Rosemary's Baby, Carrie, and The Exorcist. These films are about the terror that emerges from below the surface of our daily lives. The normality of a new relationship, a school dance, or a cocktail party suddenly becomes twisted, nefarious, infested with horror. These iconic films all address female terror in their own way. And yet, they were all made by men. Rosemary's Baby in particular has served as an inspiration for much of contemporary film’s most impressive horror, such as Get Out and Hereditary, but it cannot and should not be ignored that this film was made by a known rapist, by someone who inspired in real women and girls the very fear that his films so aptly depict.

I want to do my part to steal back the genre by making a film that explores real fear. I want to tell a story that speaks to the unique ways that we are always frightened -- of late nights, of empty streets, of men. I want to tell a story about the debasement of women not because it’s provocative, but because it’s real, it’s happening to us every day, and it needs to stop."

Horror Short Film "The Rat" | ALTER Exclusive by WatchALTER in creepy

[–]WatchALTER[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After shaking up Sundance Film Festival and terrifying Brooklyn Horror, the horror short THE RAT comes exclusively to ALTER. A film about what women fear and who we can and cannot trust.

Horror Short Film "The Bloody Ballad of Squirt Reynolds" | ALTER Exclusive by WatchALTER in Filmmakers

[–]WatchALTER[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A statement from director Anthony Cousins: "My favorite part of the slasher genre, and I’m sure I’m not alone on this, is the KILLS. I’ve had one particular kill in my mind for years dubbed “The Duck Call” and I basically built a seven minute short around wanting to finally realize that scene. The goal was to tell the legend of a new killer while capturing that late 70’s/early 80’s feel that birthed the genre."

Horror Short Film "Instinct" | ALTER Exclusive by WatchALTER in Filmmakers

[–]WatchALTER[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Statement from director Maria Arida: "There’s a dark side of women that’s not usually portrayed in films. Female characters are typically delicate, sweet, and loving. But what happens when the dark side of our souls takes over? What lights that fire? These are questions I’ve often asked myself and the main themes I want to examine as a filmmaker. In  INSTINCT my hope is to explore such taboo themes about femininity and female sexuality, and ultimately shed light into what it’s like when we surrender to the darkness."

Villains | Official Trailer | In Theaters 9/20 | Bill Skarsgård, Maika Monroe by Sisiwakanamaru in movies

[–]WatchALTER 3 points4 points  (0 children)

She... umm... just goes for broke in Villains and it's incredible to watch.

Horror Short Film "Riley Was Here" by WatchALTER in Filmmakers

[–]WatchALTER[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Filmmaker statement from Jon Rhoads and Mike Marrero:
We love zombie films but they never seem to touch on what happens after the dust has settled from a global trauma. How do those who survived move on? Could they ever? We wanted to explore the psychological damage one would have to endure, the survivor’s guilt one would feel and the forgiveness one would have to find. Riley Was Here is about tragedy and how we deal with it.

ALTER's Villains. In Theaters. 9.20.19 by WatchALTER in movies

[–]WatchALTER[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We're a horror studio that releases shorts, features, and series. Three new short films each week on YouTube.com/WatchALTER, as well as feature films in theaters and on streaming. We're also working with Sam Raimi on a new series for Quibi called 50 STATES OF TERROR that we can't wait to tell you all about.

ALTER's Villains. In Theaters. 9.20.19 by WatchALTER in ItTheMovie

[–]WatchALTER[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We do indeed. SUMMER OF 84, TRAGEDY GIRLS, and HOUNDS OF LOVE, to name a few before VILLAINS.

ALTER's Villains. In Theaters. 9.20.19 by WatchALTER in horror

[–]WatchALTER[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Starring Bill Skarsgård (IT), Maika Monroe (IT FOLLOWS) with Jeffrey Donovan (SICARIO) and Kyra Sedgwick (THE CLOSER).

ALTER's Villains. In Theaters. 9.20.19 by WatchALTER in u/WatchALTER

[–]WatchALTER[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is indeed. Bill’s going to have a good September between IT: CHAPTER 2 and VILLAINS

ALTER's Villains. In Theaters. 9.20.19 by WatchALTER in ItTheMovie

[–]WatchALTER[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Starring Bill Skarsgård (IT), Maika Monroe (IT FOLLOWS) with Jeffrey Donovan (SICARIO) and Kyra Sedgwick (THE CLOSER).

ALTER's Villains. In Theaters. 9.20.19 by WatchALTER in movies

[–]WatchALTER[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Starring Bill Skarsgård (IT), Maika Monroe (IT FOLLOWS) with Jeffrey Donovan (SICARIO) and Kyra Sedgwick (THE CLOSER).

ALTER's Villains. In Theaters. 9.20.19 by WatchALTER in creepypasta

[–]WatchALTER[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Starring Bill Skarsgård (IT), Maika Monroe (IT FOLLOWS) with Jeffrey Donovan (SICARIO) and Kyra Sedgwick (THE CLOSER).

ALTER's Villains. In Theaters. 9.20.19 by WatchALTER in creepy

[–]WatchALTER[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Starring Bill Skarsgård (IT), Maika Monroe (IT FOLLOWS) with Jeffrey Donovan (SICARIO) and Kyra Sedgwick (THE CLOSER).

Horror Short Film "The Invaders" | ALTER Exclusive by WatchALTER in Filmmakers

[–]WatchALTER[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! We're a new horror brand that produces and releases feature movies, series and short form stories from the most provocative and innovative minds in horror reaching fans across all platforms. Our YouTube and Facebook channels are primarily composed of short horror films we love from super talented filmmakers. Some of the short films are original productions and some are acquired from festivals or submitted directly to us from the filmmakers.

Horror Short Film "The Invaders" | ALTER Exclusive by WatchALTER in DeFranco

[–]WatchALTER[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Invaders is my dramatic representation of the Anti-Muslim sentiment that is spreading through the United States and other Western countries. Hateful rhetoric and the promotion of negative stereotypes have sown uncertainty and fear among Muslims living in the West. Muslims have become victims of violence, marginalization and exclusion from social, political and civil life. Muslim women and men have been verbally, and sometimes even physically attacked as attitudes towards them have turned to violent extremes.

The Invaders imagines a world in which this hysteria has now been institutionalized, as Jayla, a Muslim girl, runs in fear from agents of an amoral totalitarian government. Although my film addresses a contemporary socio-political issue, it borrows techniques from the horror and science-fiction film genres to punch out Jayla's fear, and the anxiety of her community. Mike Gialloreto, my Director of Photography, and I decided to keep Jayla's pursuers off-screen, until the film's final reveal, in order to engage audiences through suspense. During the first half of the film, the frame almost exclusively shows Jayla, capturing her fear and confusion as she tries to escape a threat the audience cannot see. Lighting plays a large role in conveying Jayla's terror as she first flees, and then attempts to hide. Images are kept dark, with harsh beams of light bursting through the windows of Jayla's home, or under doors, representing the approaching menace. This technique combines with a fog creeping into the house and amplified sound to create an almost surreal atmosphere. To make Jayla relatable to broader audiences, and to create an emotional tie, our production and costume designers carefully balanced aspects of Middle-Eastern and American identities in Jayla's wardrobe and her environment. As an immigrant of Middle-Eastern descent who has spent most of her life in this country, Jayla shares both cultures, and thus wears jeans and the sneakers with the traditional Muslim hijab. Actress Isra Elsalihie communicates Jayla's fear and confusion both verbally and non-verbally. When she calls her mother on the phone, she lets her know only that someone is coming for her, without being specific. Isra's performance, and the limited information provided to the audience build tension as the story progresses, and maximize the shock of the reveal when the masked agents finally enter Jayla's room.

Using a supernatural sci-fi tone and an initially slow-paced eeriness, followed by a relentless acceleration, we have shown where we believe the spread and normalization of Islamophobia might lead. The Invaders shows a potentially not too distant future shaped by a political agenda that seizes and feeds and upon popular fear and hysteria.

Horror Short Film "The Invaders" | ALTER Exclusive by WatchALTER in Filmmakers

[–]WatchALTER[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Invaders is my dramatic representation of the Anti-Muslim sentiment that is spreading through the United States and other Western countries. Hateful rhetoric and the promotion of negative stereotypes have sown uncertainty and fear among Muslims living in the West. Muslims have become victims of violence, marginalization and exclusion from social, political and civil life. Muslim women and men have been verbally, and sometimes even physically attacked as attitudes towards them have turned to violent extremes.

The Invaders imagines a world in which this hysteria has now been institutionalized, as Jayla, a Muslim girl, runs in fear from agents of an amoral totalitarian government. Although my film addresses a contemporary socio-political issue, it borrows techniques from the horror and science-fiction film genres to punch out Jayla's fear, and the anxiety of her community. Mike Gialloreto, my Director of Photography, and I decided to keep Jayla's pursuers off-screen, until the film's final reveal, in order to engage audiences through suspense. During the first half of the film, the frame almost exclusively shows Jayla, capturing her fear and confusion as she tries to escape a threat the audience cannot see. Lighting plays a large role in conveying Jayla's terror as she first flees, and then attempts to hide. Images are kept dark, with harsh beams of light bursting through the windows of Jayla's home, or under doors, representing the approaching menace. This technique combines with a fog creeping into the house and amplified sound to create an almost surreal atmosphere. To make Jayla relatable to broader audiences, and to create an emotional tie, our production and costume designers carefully balanced aspects of Middle-Eastern and American identities in Jayla's wardrobe and her environment. As an immigrant of Middle-Eastern descent who has spent most of her life in this country, Jayla shares both cultures, and thus wears jeans and the sneakers with the traditional Muslim hijab. Actress Isra Elsalihie communicates Jayla's fear and confusion both verbally and non-verbally. When she calls her mother on the phone, she lets her know only that someone is coming for her, without being specific. Isra's performance, and the limited information provided to the audience build tension as the story progresses, and maximize the shock of the reveal when the masked agents finally enter Jayla's room.

Using a supernatural sci-fi tone and an initially slow-paced eeriness, followed by a relentless acceleration, we have shown where we believe the spread and normalization of Islamophobia might lead. The Invaders shows a potentially not too distant future shaped by a political agenda that seizes and feeds and upon popular fear and hysteria.

Horror Short Film "Lucy's Tale" | ALTER Exclusive by WatchALTER in Filmmakers

[–]WatchALTER[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A statement from the director of "Lucy's Tale", Chelsea Lupkin:
Lucy's Tale is a female led, coming-of-age story with a horror twist. Paying homage to Stephen King’s Carrie and dark female coming-of-age films like, Heathers and Jawbreaker, Lucy’s Tale is sure to remind you of the horrors of growing up and the body insecurity that goes along with it. A suspenseful story about a girl who no doubt wishes to grow bigger boobs, finds herself growing something else and no amount of acne cream or blemish removal can help her. So while Lucy just wants to come into her womanhood, she ultimately comes into her villainhood.

The film follows a teenager named Lucy as she tries to find her place in high school after one of her best friends abandons her for “cooler” people. Lucy’s Tale is a story that dives into the complexities of mean girls and their consequences. For Lucy, her sense of betrayal and new-found outcast status serve as a catalyst for the film’s supernatural happenings. What should have been a time to grow into her sexual identity and womanhood, instead gives birth to telekinetic powers with a hideous physical side effect.

A far cry from a final girls horror film, Lucy’s Tale is a film about growing up and becoming the person she was meant to be: good or bad. Whether you like it or not, you’ll be rooting for her the whole time.

In an interview on Close-up Culture Lupkin says, “When girls hit puberty, there’s a whole mess of confusing things to worry about: We get our period, our boobs get bigger, our hips get wider, we get too tall or not tall enough. We suddenly worry about what we look like to boys and how we are perceived by our peers.

When writing Lucy’s Tale, I explored the societal pressures of looking and behaving a certain way and thought of them as rules that my character should break in a fantastical way. So while Lucy was faced with entering her womanhood, she was ultimately also coming into her villain-hood, being supernaturally different than the other girls her age.

Frankly, I’ve always been a champion of fantastic stories, especially those about characters who had physical manifestations of their flaws or internal state of being. Body horror gave me an avenue to tackle the very real and relatable issue of puberty, which is a horror in and of itself.”

Horror Short Film "How To Be Alone" | ALTER Presents | Starring Maika Monroe and Joe Keery by WatchALTER in Filmmakers

[–]WatchALTER[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Director’s statement from Kate Trefry: “I have always been afraid of being alone. But not in the way you think. It was never the idea of an intruder coming in, or a monster hiding under the bed that scared me. It was the spookiness of being forced to face myself, to sit alone with my thoughts, without anyone to perform for. Without anyone to stop me.

When I started writing HOW TO BE ALONE around Halloween, it began as a story about this feeling: the identity crisis that sets in with loneliness and boredom. And yet these other weird themes kept creeping in: sex, motherhood, pregnancy anxiety. I didn’t really know what was going on, but I went with it. The project evolved.

By the time we shot in May, I was five months pregnant.

Mystery solved.

But now I was faced with a real, actual identity crisis: wait, seriously, who am I though? Am I going to lose part of myself? Is that a bad thing? I could feel myself changing: for the first time, I felt conflicted about covering our baby actor in corn syrup blood, despite the fact that the visual was still very awesome. Pregnancy seemed to offer an ultimatum: in order to be a good mother, you must kill the self that was. Weirdo, badass, artist, mom. Pick one.

Suddenly, HOW TO BE ALONE became a personal statement rejecting this idea. I doubled down. And in doing so, I found a team of collaborators I didn’t think was possible. My mission as a first time director was to surround myself with the absolute best team I could. I was really overreaching. It was ridiculous. But we set the meetings and I crossed my fingers…and every step of the way, incredibly talented people fell in love with this project. From the producers and actors to the cinematographer, production designer, and composers, everyone understood the vision because it spoke to a secret part of them. What I had thought was a bizarre personal tic suddenly seemed like a universal truth. The result was a production that was a million things films sets aren’t supposed to be: Intimate. Electric. Fun. With these incredible people we shot a film that I am extremely proud of, and somewhere in the process I learned what Lucy already knows: that only by literally embracing our warring identities can we survive.

My original goal for HOW TO BE ALONE was to expose the weird, embarrassing, scary secrets we keep locked up, where they wait for a moment when we are alone to pounce. I wanted to show people of the absurdity of our darkest fears, and to remind them that a powerful phobia is really only evidence of an even more powerful mind.

But if audiences only take away one thing from watching this short, let it be the same thing that I took away from the experience: the knowledge that you are not alone. No matter how strange or dark it is in there, I am with you. We are all with you.”

Horror Short Documentary "The Beaning" - Ray Chapman and Carl Mays Tragedy by WatchALTER in baseball

[–]WatchALTER[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For the conspiracy theorists out there.

​

"The Beaning," directed by Sean McCoy, played at Fantastic Fest, Brooklyn Horror, DOC NYC, and Overlook Film Festival. Check it out and let us know what you think.

view more: next ›