David Farnor | On 30, Jan 2021

Nothing says “cold winter nights” like a chilling dose of horror, and this February, horror subscription service Shudder is serving up two new originals, one of the best horror films of 2020, a classic from Takashi Miike and the original The Queen of Black Magic, which joins the reboot that premiered this month.

Here’s what’s coming soon to Shudder UK in February 2021:

The Queen of Black Magic (1981) – 1st February

A woman is accused of being a witch and thrown to her death over a cliff. A strange man rescues her, nurses her back to health, and tells her that she must master black magic in order to exact vengeance on her tormentors. Starring Suzzana, Alan Nuari, Siska Widawati, WD Mochtar.

Head Count – 2nd February

Newcomer Evan joins a group of teens on a getaway in Joshua Tree. While exchanging ghost stories around the campfire, Evan reads aloud a mysterious chant from an internet site. From that moment, someone—or something—is among them. As unsettling, inexplicable events become more frequent, Evan realizes this summoned shape-shifting creature is targeting them to fulfil a deadly ritual. Starring Isaac W. Jay, Ashleigh Morghan, Bevin Bru, Billy Meade, Hunter Peterson, Chelcie May.

A Nightmare Wakes – 4th February

While composing her famous novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley descends into an opium-fueled fever dream while carrying on a torrid love affair with Percy Shelley. As she writes, the characters of her novel come to life and begin to plague her relationship with Percy. Before long, she must choose between true love and her literary masterpiece. Starring Alix Wilton Regan (The Wife), Giullian Yao Gioiello (Scream: The TV Series, Marvel’s Iron Fist), Philippe Bowgen (The Mick), as well as Lee Garrett, Claire Glassford, and Shannon Spangler. Written and directed by Nora Unkel.

Beyond the Gates – 8th February

1980s VHS nostalgia becomes deadly in this clever chiller about two brothers who reunite when their father vanishes. While cleaning out pop’s video store, Gordon and John find a VHS game featuring a creepy hostess who reveals that dad is trapped inside. The siblings’ disbelief turns to horror when they learn that in order to free dad, they’ll have to sacrifice some of their loved ones. Tailor-made for fans of Stuart Gordon and Brian Yuzna’s films, this ghoulish gem is well on its way to becoming a cult classic itself. Starring Barbara Crampton. Graham Skipper, Chase Williamson, Brea Grant.

Voice from the Stone – 8th February

Verena, a determined young nurse is hired to help the mute young heir within a Tuscan villa. But the more she observes him, the more Verena becomes convinced he has fallen under the spell of a powerful and otherworldly persona trapped in the villa’s stone walls, one that seems to be rapidly entwining with her own. Starring Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones), Marton Csokas, Caterina Murino, Remo Girone, Lisa Gastoni.

Outcast – 15th February

Mary harbours a dark history but must confront her past when a hunter with magical powers is assigned to capture her and kill her son. As the terrifying cat-and-mouse game continues, a deadly fear takes hold as locals begin to die at the hands of an unknown creature. Combining dark arts with street-level realism, Outcast is an underseen UK chiller from the director of The Girl with All the Gifts. Starring James Nesbitt, Kate Dickie, James Cosmo, Niall Bruton.

Shook – 18th February

When Mia, a social media star, becomes the target of an online terror campaign, she has to pass a series of tests to prevent people she cares about from getting murdered. But is it real? Or is it just a game at her expense? Starring Daisye Tutor (Guest House), Emily Goss (Snapshots), Nicola Posener (The Bold and the Beautiful), Octavius J. Johnson (Sleepless), Stephanie Simbari (Here and Now) and Grant Rosenmeyer (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend). Directed by Jennifer Harrington (Housekeeping).

One Missed Call – 22nd February

Student Yoko receives a phone message from her future self, ending with her own death scream. Two days later, she dies in a horrific accident. As the mysterious phone curse spreads, claiming more young lives, Yoko’s friend Yumi joins forces with detective Hiroshi, whose sister met the same gruesome fate. But can they unravel the mystery before the clock runs out on the next victim–Yumi herself? Starring Ko Shibasaki, Shin’ichi Tsutsumi, Kazue Fukiish.

The Dark and the Wicked – 25th February

On a secluded farm, a man is bedridden and fighting through his final breaths while his wife (Julie Oliver-Touchstone, Preacher) slowly succumbs to overwhelming grief. Siblings Louise (Marin Ireland, Hell or High Water) and Michael (Michael Abbott Jr, The Death of Dick Long) return home to help, but it doesn’t take long for them to see that something’s wrong with mom—something more than her heavy sorrow. Gradually, they begin to suffer a darkness similar to their mother’s, marked by waking nightmares and a growing sense that an evil entity is taking over their family. Directed by Bryan Bertino (The Strangers).

 

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