Brad @ Dread Central

Horror IRL — Gas stations across America have been displaying ominous warnings to drivers about the tens of thousands of people who go missing on road trips every year. Passenger arrives only in theaters May 22. Get tickets now at dontdriveatnight.com.

Donald Gibb was such a huge part of some of my favorite movies growing up. Bloodsport especially had this strange, transportive feeling for me that I’ve carried my whole life, and Ray Jackson was a big reason why. “Anytime, anyplace, anywhere.” RIP.

A lot of late-’90s slashers chased the meta-commentary of ‘SCREAM.’ ‘URBAN LEGEND’ stood out because it understood that horror itself behaves like folklore. Stories survive because people keep retelling them. Read more: [dreadcentral.com/editorials/569…]

What makes ‘URBAN LEGEND’ age surprisingly well is how modern its core idea feels now. The movie is basically about viral fear before social media existed — rumors mutating into mythology through repetition, panic, and collective obsession.

Jamie Blanks’ ‘URBAN LEGEND’ remains one of the most fascinating post-‘SCREAM’ slashers because it wasn’t just riffing on horror trends. It was examining why horror stories spread, evolve, and become part of culture in the first place. Full story: [dreadcentral.com/editorials/569…]

One of the reasons Freddy Krueger has endured for decades is that he was never just a slasher villain. The character taps into childhood vulnerability, generational trauma, abusive authority figures, neglect, guilt, and the terrifying feeling that adults failed to protect you. That stuff never stops being relevant. Read more: [dreadcentral.com/editorials/569…]

According to Risher, the original ‘NIGHTMARE’ films were always rooted in trauma, guilt, abusive adults, and children suffering because of their parents’ failures. She also discussed: • the unintended homoerotic subtext of ‘FREDDY’S REVENGE’ • mental illness themes in ‘DREAM WARRIORS’ • why the remake failed • Wes Craven’s deeper ideas behind ‘NEW NIGHTMARE’

Longtime ‘A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET’ producer Sara Risher has revealed fascinating new behind-the-scenes details and deeper thematic insight into the original Freddy Krueger franchise. Including what Freddy was always meant to represent beneath the horror. Full story: [dreadcentral.com/editorials/569…]

Actor Jack Taylor, known for horror classics including ‘COUNT DRACULA,’ ‘PIECES,’ ‘GHOST GALLEON,’ and ‘THE NINTH GATE,’ has passed away at the age of 99. Taylor spent decades building one of horror cinema’s great cult filmographies. More: [dreadcentral.com/news/572306/ac…]

'Verity' - Official Poster Assures There's Only Darkness Ahead in the Erotic Thriller dreadcentral.com/news/572348/ve…

Simon Rex to Star in Toilet Thriller 'Don't Get Up!' dreadcentral.com/news/572327/si…

Actor Jack Taylor of 'Count Dracula' and 'Pieces' Has Passed Away dreadcentral.com/news/572306/ac…

They’ve restocked the One Wish Willow replica from ‘OBSESSION’! You need to act fast if you want one: (onewishwillow.com/products/one-w…)

Trailer for new French horror film from the excellent WTFilms. So ready to take a bite out of this.

Poster from Yeon Sang-ho’s upcoming horror thriller ‘COLONY’ tease another frantic outbreak nightmare from the filmmaker behind ‘TRAIN TO BUSAN’. Watch the trailer: [dreadcentral.com/images/572200/…]

The first footage from French body horror film ‘SPECIES’ has arrived ahead of its Cannes Midnight Screenings premiere. The film follows a young ER intern who begins undergoing a disturbing physical transformation as mysterious patients flood the hospital. Story: [dreadcentral.com/indie/572205/t…]

Peacock has officially set ‘CRYSTAL LAKE’ to premiere October 15, 2026. The ‘FRIDAY THE 13TH’ prequel series explores the origins of the Voorhees family and the rise of Jason Voorhees. Details: [dreadcentral.com/streaming-home…]

The first sales art for ‘WINNIE-THE-POOH: BLOOD AND HONEY 3’ has been unveiled at Cannes as production continues on the next installment of the Twisted Childhood Universe. The new artwork teases another deadly presence lurking inside the Hundred Acre Wood. Story: [dreadcentral.com/news/572215/wi…]

Matt Reeves’ Batmobile is badass. But ‘ABSOLUTE BATMAN’ turned the Batmobile into a gigantic armored dump truck built by a working-class Bruce Wayne, and honestly, it’s one of the craziest Batman redesigns in years. Story: [dreadcentral.com/comics-books/5…]