Shudder has leaned hard into their Halfway to Halloween celebration this year, and May delivers one of the most highly-anticipated horror originals of the year so far. Read on to see everything Shudder is adding in May.
The highly-anticipated film I mentioned is Shudder Original The Ugly Stepsister. It received high marks during its limited theatrical release, and caused a buzz on the film festival circuit. Described as “a sinister twist on the classic Cinderella story”, the body horror film introduces us to Elvira, who is determined to do ANYTHING to win the heart of the prince. Her biggest competition is beautiful Agnes.
The Shudder release date for The Ugly Stepsister has yet to be determined, but it will be available to stream sometime in May.
May 1:
Overlord – A group of American paratroopers go on a mission to sneak behind enemy lines into a church in a Nazi-occupied German village. Once there, they discover that German soldiers are the least of their worries, as they are forced into a battle with the undead.
Jacob’s Ladder – Jacob Singer’s stint as a soldier in the Vietnam War has left him traumatized, experiencing visions and hallucinations. He is trying desperately to return to reality, and can only do so by delving into his past.
They Call Her Death – In this fun, fast-paced Western, Molly Pray is on a quest for revenge against those who have wronged her. Assisted by the specter of death himself, Molly is determined to show no mercy.
Tremors – In this 1990 classic, Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward are two repairmen ready to leave their boring desert town. But just as they are preparing to head out, they become embroiled in fight against giant flesh-eating worms.
The Devil’s Business – “Two hit men stumble upon a black magic altar and a bloody sacrifice in the home of their target and become ensnared in the terrifying shadowy darkness of the occult.”
Itim (The Rites of May) – In this Phillipine horror movie, a photographer encounters a young woman who behaves strangely. Could it be that she is possessed by the spirit of her sister?
May 3:
City of the Dead (1960) – In Whitewood, a witch is burned at the stake in 1692, and the townspeople have no idea she sold her sold to the devil before dying, in order to get revenge. Years later, a history student arrives in Whitewood. When she disappears, her fiancée and brother try to find her. *You can also stream City of the Dead as part of Elvira’s 40th Anniversary, Very Scary, Very Special Special episode.
May 5:
Venom (1981) – A group of German terrorists kidnap a child, but end up in hot water when the kid’s extremely venomous pet snake gets loose.
Pieces – This 1982 slasher is set on a college campus, where a killer is chopping up female students. *You can also stream Pieces as part of The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs (and you should definitely do so).
Cannibal Holocaust – One of the more controversial horror movies out there due to its subject matter, real-life onscreen animal deaths and gruesome gore, this is a found footage cult classic. A film crew documents their interactions with tribes in the Amazon rainforest. *Also available to stream as part of The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs (again, I recommend that method).
Cannibal Ferox – Two siblings and a friend travel to the rainforest on a mission to prove that cannibalism is a myth. Spoiler alert: They learn the hard way that it’s no myth.
A Night of Horror Vol 1 – this anthology film features 10 horror tales with the wraparound tale centering around a young woman who wakes up to find herself in an abandoned art gallery. The pieces of art contained within each relate to one of the tales.
May 12:
Rust Creek – College student Sawyer skips Thanksgiving with the family to drive to Washington, D. C. for a job interview. A “shortcut” lands her deep in the Appalachian forest, where she comes upon two men who are burying a body. Sawyer ends up fighting for her life when the men try to dispense of her.
Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched – One of Shudder’s excellent documentaries, this one takes a look at folk horror films. It includes commentary and interviews with creators of the sub-genre.
Eyes of Fire – “An adulterous preacher and his followers flee to "the promised land" only to enter a valley of lust, madness, pagan vengeance and hallucinatory terror.”
The White Reindeer – Newlywed Pirita visits a shaman to seek help with her relationship with her husband. Instructed to sacrifice the first animal she finds, Pirita slays a white reindeer. Unfortunately, this results in her transforming into a murderous white reindeer with each full moon.
Litan – In this French film, a couple vacation in Litan, where an annual festival is being held. Nora’s nightmare about her husband’s death leads to her frantically searching for him, and discovering that Litan is not just a sleepy little town.
Blood on the Stars – Members of a school choir take their jobs seriously, and aren’t happy when some local celebrities are asked to appear in a concert. The choir members decide the best course of action is to kill anyone who accepts the invitation.
Coda - A 1987 Australian television movie, Coda is about a crazed killer who is viciously slaughtering female college students.
Lady Stay Dead – When Jenny comes to visit her sister Marie, Marie is nowhere to be found. Unbeknownst to Jenny, her sister has been murdered by handyman Gordon Mason, who is now on a killing spree.
Pontypool – Radio shock jock Grant reports to work thinking it’s going to be just another normal day, but he’s wrong. A deadly viral outbreak (with a novel cause) happens, leaving Gordon and his crew to fend for themselves
May 19:
Lady Vengeance – “After being wrongfully imprisoned for thirteen years and having her child taken away from her, a woman seeks revenge through increasingly brutal means.”
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance – When factory worker Ryu is laid off, it’s really bad timing. His sister is supposed to have a lifesaving kidney transplant, and Ryu desperately needs money to pay for it. So, he decides the best course of action is to kidnap a young girl and use the ransom money to pay for the surgery.
The Whip and the Body – Christopher Lee stars in this 1963 film about a nobleman who returns as a ghost to reclaim his masochistic former girlfriend, now scheduled to marry his brother.
Dead End Drive-In – In a dystopian future in Australia, a concentration camp for the rejects of society has been set up at a drive-in theatre. While most of the inhabitants are content to have food, drugs and constant entertainment, one inmate launches an escape plan.
Shudder adds a new original and a 40th Anniversary celebration at the end of May
May 23:
The Surrender (Shudder Original) – Megan has been called home to help her mother Barbara care for her dying father. But Barbara hesitates to let anyone other than herself manage her husband’s meds and daily needs. When the man dies, Megan is horrified to find that Barbara is relying on… witchcraft? Voodoo? To bring him back. Described by Deadline as possessing “wince-inducing gore”, The Surrender is horror based on grief.
May 30:
Vampire Hunter D (40th Anniversary Exclusive Streaming Premiere) –An animated film originally released in 1985, Vampire Hunter D is set in the future, when supernatural events and technology have run rampant. The remaining humans are scattered and living under the threat of vampires, who now are the ruling class. Vampire Count Magnus drinks from Doris Lang and compels her to be his wife, but she doesn’t want that future for herself, so she hires a vampire hunter to help.