Best Horror of July: ‘Longlegs,’ ‘Oddity,’ and New Projects From Stephen King, Mike Flanagan and More (2024)

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 cat-and-mouse serial killer format. After you see it, check out my recent interview with Monroe about her work in the film.(Read Variety‘s full review here.)

“The Vourdalak” (now in theaters from Oscilloscope) is a clever spin on vampire tales. Based on a story that predates “Dracula,” this French period production from director and co-writer Adrien Beau is filled with gorgeous and distressing imagery and a take on the mythology that feels fresh.(Read Variety‘s full review here.)

“Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person” (now in theaters from Drafthouse Films) is another French bloodsucking tale that’s a funny and heartwarming piece of off-kilter filmmaking. This modern story is about a vampire who looks like a young girl (Sara Montpetit) and her anxiety about the morality of drinking fresh blood. Yet when she finds a boy (Félix-Antoine Bénard) who meets the qualifications of the film’s specific title, their offbeat chemistry fuels the movie. A quiet title that risks being lost in the streaming glut, “Humanist Vampire” is worth seeking out.(Read Variety‘s full review here.)

Damian McCarthy’s sophom*ore feature “Oddity” (in theaters July 19 from IFC Films / Shudder) made a big splash at this year’s South by Southwest festival and will be a sweet treat for audiences. Carolyn Bracken plays Darcy, a blind woman who can read objects just by touching them, and she uses this sight to try to bring her sister’s killer to justice. Handsomely shot with some great twists on supernatural tropes, this unlikely detective tale features an unforgettable wooden ghoul, a gruesomely carved beast that isn’t worth messing with.(Read Variety‘s full review here.)

Caitlin Cronenberg’s “Humane” is one of the best horror movies of the year so far, and it’s headed to its streaming home of Shudder on July 26. Get excited about it by reading a feature I wrote about it earlier this year here. (Read Variety‘s full review here.)

“Directors Commentary With Mike Flanagan” quietly debuted this week, and it’s sure to jump to the top of my must-listen list. In it, the “The Fall of the House of Usher” and “Doctor Sleep” mastermind pairs up with another filmmaker to record a feature-length commentary for a film, recalling the classic days of DVD extras that are so often lost in the streaming age. First up: 2019’s “Ready or Not,” which Flanagan dissects with Radio Silence, the filmmaking collective that created it. They get deep in the weeds, but as horror fans love little details, it’s a match made in heaven.

The very funny “Too Scary; Didn’t Watch” podcast is in the middle of “Hellchella,” in which the hosts are explaining current movies for scaredy cats all summer long. Hosts Emily Gonzalez, Henley Cox and Sammy Smart welcome fun guests like Paul F. Tompkins and“Hollywood Handbook” hosts Hayes Davenport and Sean Clements to break down 2024 titles such as “In a Violent Nature” and “I Saw the TV Glow.”

“Pink Slime” (now available from Scribner)by Fernanda Trías, with translation by Heather Cleary, is a brief and beautifully written meditation on a world ravaged by climate change and those left behind to survive. Somber and political, Trías paints a grim but fascinating portrait of a woman who must endure an unthinkable reality.

“I Was a Teenage Slasher” by Stephen Graham Jones (July 16 from S&S/Saga Press) follows up the author’s brilliant horror deconstruction “The Indian Lake Trilogy” with a new meta tale written as soulful confessional from the eponymous killer. Jones’ trademark emotion mixes with his encyclopedic knowledge of scary movies, making for another strong showing.

One of my favorite books of this year was Paul Tremblay’s “Horror Movie” (now available from William Morrow), which is only enhanced by a well-acted cast taking on the audiobook. Given the structure of the work, the format adds a different depth and a spooky vibe beyond just reading it. When you’re done, check out my interview with Tremblay about the book here.

If you haven’t had a chance yet to read Stephen King’s new short story collection “You Like It Darker” (now available from Scribner),the bite-sized tales are perfect beach reads. Some of the best include “The Fifth Step,” “The Dreamers”and the “Cujo” sequel “Rattlesnakes.”

During this year’s Tribeca X, I moderated a panel with comic book mastermind Garth Ennis (co-creator of “The Boys” and “Preacher”) and the team behind AWA Studios, a graphic novel publisher focused on horror. Given my graphic novel knowledge was previously limited to “Maus” and the original “Watchmen,” I was intrigued about the world of horror titles and read several from AWA. Great news: There’s some wild stuff to be found. Some favorites:

“The Ribbon Queen” by Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows: A detective faces both supernatural malevolence and NYPD corruption in this epic tale.

“Hotell” by John Lees, Dalibor Talajić & Lee Loughridge: These four stories about the doomed guests of a haunted hotel recall the best of “Tales From the Crypt.”

“Old Haunts” by Rob Williams, Ollie Masters, Laurence Campbell & Lee Loughridge: This spooky tale brings a supernatural spin to the story of mobsters who are confronted with their violent pasts.

The genre haven Fantasia Festival runs from July 18 to August 4 in Montreal. Some of the movies I’m most excited about include:

*YouTube film critic-turned-director Chris Stuckmann’s “Shelby Oaks,” which Mike Flanagan executive produced.

*A remake of the ‘80s classic “Witchboard,” with “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” director Chuck Russell helming the spirit board flick.

*Ant Timpson’s comedic adventure “Bookworm,” starring Elijah Wood, which is the opening night feature.

*Kit Harington’s werewolf movie “The Beast Within.”

*The excellently named gory plumber feature “Scared sh*tless!”

Click here for tickets, as well as information about all the screenings and special events.