Hungry (In theaters now via Signature Entertainment) — In a brilliant move, James Nunn made a horror movie about hungry, hungry hippos (really!) that attack a group of tourists on a bayou boat tour. The trailer looks like campy fun and the creature feature relies on practical effects, so it could be a sugary summer treat.
Hacked: A Double Entendre of Rage Fueled Karma (Now available on VOD via Scatena & Rosner Films) — After husband and wife filmmakers Shane Brady and Emily Zercher were scammed out of money, they decided to work out their feelings with a fantastical tale about the bloody revenge they’d like to take out on the thieves. Absurd, funny and satisfying, “Hacked” is an indie fueled by righteous fury.
Find Your Friends (Debuts on Shudder June 12) — Izabel Pakzad’s blazing revenge feature is carried by a strong group of actors (Helena Howard, Bella Thorne, Zión Moreno, Chloe Cherry and Sophia Ali) who build a believable desert party vibe before shit goes down and they have to handle the locals. It’s a poisonous ode to friendship worth seeking out.
Rose of Nevada (In theaters June 19 via 1-2 Special) — George MacKay and Callum Turner star as two men who are whisked away after taking a job on a time-travelling boat in Mark Jenkin’s surreal follow-up to “Enys Men.” A genre mash-up for adventurous audiences, Jenkins’ ideas reward the patient and curious.
Leviticus (In theaters June 19 via Neon) — The buzzy festival favorite is an excellent queer love story between two boys (Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen) who are soon haunted by monsters who look like each other. A great tone and scares tie together this small-scale surprise from writer-director Adrian Chiarella, who delivers another gem during an exceptionally strong year in horror filmmaking.
Camp (In theaters June 26 via Dark Sky Films) — This dark, dreamy witchcraft feature from writer-director Avalon Fast takes place at a camp for young women dealing with grief. With lush cinematography and a fresh cast led by Zola Grimmer, it’s an engaging breakout that deserves an audience beyond its warm festival reception.
Strung (Debuting on Peacock on June 26) — Malcolm D. Lee directs his first horror movie with “Strung,” which stars Chloe Bailey as a violinist who must face dark secrets from her past. Tyler Perry and Jason Blum are producers on the project, which also stars Lynn Whitfield, Lucien Laviscount, Anna Diop and Coco Jones.
