Welcome to Horror Explorer, a new curated column showcasing the month’s best movies, series, books and everything else spooky worth checking out. I’m William Earl, the editor of Variety.com and the publication’s resident horror enthusiast.
Please drop me a line at wearl@variety.com if there’s something I should check out for next month’s missive. Congrats to “A Quiet Place: Day One” for officially becoming one of the highest-grossing horror franchises of all time for Paramount Pictures, just three films into its run.
After winning the box office in its June 27 opening weekend, there’s still time to check it on the big screen before it heads to VOD. (Read Variety ‘s full review here .) A24’s “MaXXXine,” the fun ‘80s splatterfest that serves as the trilogy capper of director Ti West and star Mia Goth’s “X” and “Pearl,” also performed promisingly during its opening weekend.
While it doesn’t live up to the gonzo highs of the second chapter, there is plenty of razzle and dazzle, especially with dynamic performances from Goth, Kevin Bacon, Moses Sumney, Elizabeth Debicki and Lily Collins. (Read Variety ‘s full review here .) With its secretive and sinister ad campaign, “Longlegs” (opening on Friday from Neon) is getting genre fans frenzied.
Without spoiling anything, if you’re reading this you’ll find a lot to love in this strong showing from director Oz Perkins, with Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage leading a jaw-dropping spin on the ca.