The Summer House universe is expanding with a new series starring Amanda Batula, Kyle Cooke and Lindsay Hubbard.

Us Weekly confirmed in 2025 that Bravo is planning to launch a spinoff of its popular reality show in 2026.

Titled In the City, the show will feature a few familiar faces from Summer House as they navigate life in the Big Apple instead of their unforgettable weekends in the Hamptons.

“In the city that never sleeps, a group of New Yorkers navigate the biggest transitions of their lives — marriage, parenthood, reinvention and the reality of growing up without growing apart,” In the City’s official logline reads. “Can they have it all, or will they need to choose between the lives they’ve built and the futures they never saw coming?”

After In the City reportedly wrapped filming for its inaugural season, news broke that Amanda was dating Summer House costar West Wilson following her separation from Kyle. Amanda and West, who previously dated Ciara Miller, confirmed their relationship in March 2026.

Keep reading to learn more about Bravo’s new series:

Who Will Star in Bravo’s ‘In the City’? 

On November 13, 2025, Bravo confirmed Amanda Batula, Kyle Cooke and Lindsay Hubbard are three cast members who will absolutely appear in the new series.

Kyle and Lindsay helped launch Summer House when it premiered in 2017. Amanda made guest appearances on season 1 before becoming Kyle’s official girlfriend. Viewers later watched the pair get engaged in season 3 and married in season 6.

Bravo said the remainder of the ensemble cast will be announced at a later date.

What Has Lindsay Hubbard Been Up to? 

So much has changed in Lindsay Hubbard’s life since fans met her in season 1 of Summer House. In December 2024, the Bravo star gave birth to a baby girl named Gemma Britt with partner Turner Kufe.

During the Summer House season 9 reunion in June 2025, Lindsay confirmed she put her romantic relationship with Turner on pause.

“We are just focused on being the best parents we can be to Gemma,” she told Bravo exec Andy Cohen. “We are coparents.”

What Have Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula Been Up to? 

In September 2025, Kyle Cooke celebrated his four-year wedding anniversary to Amanda Batula with dinner at Chelsea Living Room in New York City.

Two months later, a report surfaced that the pair were living separately, but a source close to the couple told Us in November 2025 that was not the case.

“They are going through a challenging time,” the insider said, adding that despite any struggles, they are “both committed to making the relationship work.”

Kyle and Amanda announced in January 2026 that they had separated. As of March 2026, they are not divorced, but are no longer living together.

Outside of their relationship, Kyle has been expanding his beverage line, Loverboy, and DJing across the country. As for Amanda, she has her own swimwear line and has equity in Loverboy after being the creative director.

Related: Which TV Shows Are Renewed in 2025-2026?

2025 is a big year for TV — but which shows do we definitely know are coming back for more seasons? Apple TV+ surprised viewers by renewing Bad Monkey after the ending left the show’s future unclear. Based on the novel of the same name by Carl Hiaasen, Bad Monkey follows former police detective Andrew […]

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Who Is Producing ‘In the City’? 

Bravo confirmed that In the City will be produced by Truly Original, the same production company behind Summer House, The Real Housewives of Atlanta and The Real Housewives of Potomac.

When Will ‘In the City’ Premiere?

Although it’s unclear when In the City will begin on Bravo, it will likely premiere after the season 10 of Summer House finale in 2026.

What Has Amanda Batula Said About the Show?

“People are going to be so disappointed when they see us laughing together,” Amanda Batula said of her and estranged husband Kyle Cooke’s dynamic during a March 2026 episode of the “Trading Secrets” podcast. “There’s an immense amount of love between us.”

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Amanda noted that even with her split from Kyle, she has no plans to stop working on reality TV — including In the City.

“It’s going to be a whole different concept where it’s more about couples and that next phase in life. You’re seeing different couples at different phases too,” Amanda teased of the spinoff. “It’s not the partying in the Hamptons that you’re used to. It’s a lot more relationship-based.”

Will Amanda Batula and West Wilson’s Relationship Be Featured on ‘In The City’?

While Amanda Batula is starring on the spinoff, it is unclear if her relationship with West Wilson will be on the show. Filming for In The City reportedly wrapped ahead of the couple’s relationship reveal in March 2026.

Based on the bestselling book by Andy Weir, the Ryan Gosling-led sci-fi flick Project Hail Mary has been the dominant force on the box office charts for two weekends in a row. Boasting over $300 million in global revenue despite still being in the early stages of its theatrical run, Project Hail Mary is already the year’s biggest box office winner. However, another sci-fi film is about to challenge for the throne as The Super Mario Galaxy Movie makes its long-awaited theatrical debut this weekend. If neither is to your taste or you’d just rather stay at home, here’s a look at three movies you should stream this weekend on Netflix.

For more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows and movies on Netflix.

Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.

1

‘American Gangster’ (2007)

Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 7.8/10

As the first days of April arrive, this weekend brings with it a smorgasbord of new and returning titles to the Netflix catalog. Among them is American Gangster, a 2007 docudrama starring Denzel Washington as the titular gangster, Frank Lucas. As he rises through the ranks of the 1960s drug trade, Lucas quickly comes under the radar of Newark Detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe).

A gangster biopic as fascinating as it is gripping, Washington and Crowe are at their very best in this gem of a thriller. Directed and produced by Ridley Scott and written by Steven Zaillian, the film earned a pair of Academy Award nominations, including a nomination for Ruby Dee in the Best Supporting Actress category. The film also features performances from Cuba Gooding Jr., Josh Brolin, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

2

‘Mission: Impossible’ (1996)

Rotten Tomatoes: 67% | IMDb: 7.2/10

If you’re looking for tense thrills this weekend, then you simply can’t go wrong with the movie that kicked off one of the best modern franchises. Released in 1996, Mission: Impossible was a global audience’s introduction to Tom Cruise‘s Ethan Hunt, as, whilst under suspicion of disloyalty, he fights to clear his name by discovering who the real traitor is.

A pulse-racing classic that has only got better with age, Mission: Impossible might not be the best in the franchise, but as the first, it deserves even more credit. Directed by Brian De Palma, the movie is best known for Cruise’s lead performance, but it also features a stellar ensemble, including Jon Voight as Jim Phelps, Emmanuelle Béart as Claire Phelps, Jean Reno as Franz Krieger, Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell, Kristin Scott Thomas as Sarah Davies, Vanessa Redgrave as Max, and Henry Czerny as Eugene Kittridge.

3

‘Atonement’ (2007)

Rotten Tomatoes: 83% | IMDb: 7.8/10

Another new arrival to the Netflix catalog at the start of this month,Joe Wright‘s visuallystunningAtonement, adapted from Ian McEwan‘s 2001 novel, follows a 13-year-old girl’s (Saoirse Ronan) false accusation of her older sister’s lover and the many lives that are altered forever as a consequence.

One of the finest period dramas you can find on Netflix right now, Atonement is as narratively indulgent as it is a treat for the eyes. Featuring many great performances from some of the finest British actors, it is a young Ronan who steals the show in a turn that would earn her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, making her the seventh youngest ever to do so.

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Release Date

September 7, 2007

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Runtime

123 Minutes

Director

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Joe Wright

Writers

Ian McEwan, Christopher Hampton

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Authorities in Pennsylvania have decimated a drug trafficking ring they claim was being run out of a storefront set up to look like a coffee shop.

On Friday, March 27, Operation Cocaine and Coffee led to the arrests of 17 individuals and the seizure of crack cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana, ecstasy pills, cash, 27 firearms, four pounds of pure cocaine and 130 pounds of marijuana.

According to investigators, the Cumberland Coffee and Snacks in North Philadelphia was a faux business that acted as a cover for a street-level drug ring. The exact address was not provided by authorities.

Several longtime, “senior figures” in the Philadelphia criminal world were part of the operation, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Sunday, March 29.

The Pennsylvania State Police, Philadelphia Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies were involved in the takedown of “the Louis Alexander Drug Trafficking Organization.”

Alexander, 56, was identified as the drug ring’s leader and his bail has been set at a whopping $750,000.

Related: Former Olympic Snowboarder Ryan Wedding Indicted on Murder, Drug Charges

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The United States Department of Justice has indicted former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding on murder and money laundering charges related to an alleged drug trafficking ring that funneled drugs from Mexico into the U.S. and Canada. Attorney General Pam Bondi accused Wedding, 44, in a press conference on Wednesday, November 19, of ordering a hit […]

The 17 defendants “face a variety of charges, including felony counts of corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver, and illegal possession of firearms,” according to a press release on the operation. “Many are incarcerated following arraignments.”

Also charged were Carl Gates, Kendal Wilson, Gloria Alexander, Isaiah Washington-Trotty, Tyrone Scott, Marcus Clark, Isaiah Gallashaw, Cedric Carter, Paul Johnson, Eric Crawford, Corey Smith, Steven Birton, Tammika Billups, Domanick Pope, Calvin Gambrell, and Philip Smith.

The statement said that 16 of the codefendants were busted in 30 locations during the execution of search warrants, including in neighboring New Jersey. Police said the last suspect turned themselves in but failed to specify who that was.

“Today marks a new day for North Philadelphians who were, for far too long, exposed to a group of criminals who did not hesitate to carry firearms to protect their lucrative trade — distributing poisons,” Sunday said. “For years, with our partners, we assembled cases against each and every charged defendant so when we took action, it would be the end of this criminal enterprise.”

Related: Man Charged in Murder-for-Hire Plot Targeting Ex-Girlfriend, 2 Men

A man in Pennsylvania has been arrested after an informant he had asked for help instead contacted police, which exposed an active murder-for-hire plot. Officers with the Upper Dublin Police Department first learned of the alleged plot when a man visited their office on Tuesday, February 10. He told officers that Eric Berkowitz had asked […]

Authorities said the drug peddling posse plagued the community with “absolute harm” for more than a decade and is believed to have ties to violent crime.

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Some of the defendants are in their 50s, 60s and 70s, Sunday noted.

Authorities said the group had been a blight on the community for more than a decade.

“The criminal organization has remained like weeds as families and homeowners have moved in and out of residences in the area,” Sunday said.

Tayler Byrd is turning the page, and fans are here for it. Nearly a year after her rocky split on “Temptation Island,” the reality star is making headlines again, this time for her love life. Byrd recently took to TikTok to reveal a new relationship, surprising followers with a video that quickly sparked reactions across social media.

Tayler Byrd And Tyler Breshears’ Relationship Fell Apart On The Show

Tayler Byrd’s journey on “Temptation Island” was anything but smooth. Her relationship with Tyler Breshears began unraveling early in the experience, as his attention noticeably shifted toward fellow contestant Kay Carlson. While the situation didn’t escalate into headline-grabbing chaos like some of the show’s more infamous moments, the emotional disconnect was clear.

Host Mark L. Walberg spoke with Netflix about the relationship, to which he explained, “In Tayler’s case, when she said, ‘I’m not worthy of being loved,’ that’s when I get my dad vibe on.”

“I’m like, ‘Look, I know you don’t feel it right now, but that’s a lie, and we’re going to work through that so you know the truth,’” he continued. “When Case came back, I wasn’t trying to say, ‘Hey, here’s your hookup,’ but I was saying, ‘This is a subtle reminder that you aren’t unlovable, and if nothing else, I love you. I got you.’ That’s an example of where we step out of the format a little bit. That was unexpected.”

From cozy moments with Kay Carlson to private confessions, Tyler’s focus had clearly moved on, and Byrd eventually followed suit.

A New Connection With Yamen Sanders Offered Hope

As her relationship with Tyler faded, Byrd found herself exploring a new connection with Yamen Sanders.

The two spent significant time together, building a bond that gave viewers hope she might leave the island with a fresh start. Byrd even chose Sanders for her final overnight date, signaling just how strong their connection had become.

“I mean, it’s funny, things between her and me were a slow burn for the most part, but they started getting pretty nice there towards the end,” Sanders said during a reunion last year. “There were definitely some emotions involved, and we really enjoyed each other.”

Despite that spark, Byrd ultimately chose herself.

Tayler Byrd Walked Away Solo, But Stronger

William Shatner is alive and well. The veteran actor took the time to debunk fake news circulating about him online, assuring his fans that he isn’t dying of cancer while also shutting down other false claims. Shatner called out the source of the unfounded rumors and warned fans to take stories about him with a grain of salt unless they come directly from him.

William Shatner Is Not Dying Of Stage 4 Brain Cancer

On April 2, the “Star Trek” actor took to social media to alert his followers to a few fake stories circulating online about him. As he noted, he wanted to post on April 1 but feared followers would take it as an April Fool’s Day joke.

“There is a page on @facebook that is using AI to create horrible fake news stories about me,” Shatner wrote, adding the page he was referring to: Beanstalk Functions. The actor added, “This is the downside of AI and yellow journalism. While it can be a wonderful tool in the right hands, it can be used as a weapon in the wrong hands.”

On X, Shatner wrote, “My daughter came over to tell me her daughter heard that I had brain cancer.” He accompanied the post with a photo of himself that his daughter took as proof that he is doing well, saying he’s “fit as a fiddle.”

Some Fake News About The Actor

In his post, Shatner included screenshots of the news stories from the Beanstalk Functions page. One post read that he was “diagnosed with stage IV glioblastoma.” Another was an AI-generated photo of the actor on a hospital bed, smiling. Another post read, “Erika Kirk Insults William Shatner: ‘Sit down, you 60-year-old rock star’.”

“None of these stories are true but they apparently seem genuine enough for fans to repost them across social media and send messages of support to me and my family all while the culprits behind the account make money,” Shatner wrote.

The Beanstalk Functions profile claims it’s a Cape Town, South Africa-based events company. “We are here to help you Celebrate, Innovate, and Decorate,” it read.

The Facebook Page Has Been Taken Down

In his post, Shatner said that he has alerted Facebook Support, but they won’t take the page down. Hours later, however, the Facebook page was no longer available.

The actor did some deep research and said the stories from Beanstalk Functions were linked to a website hosted on Next.js. He contacted Guillermo Rauch, the CEO of Vercel, which oversees Next.js, asking him to “remove the posted fake AI stories” created by Beanstalk Functions. However, he was told, “the company cannot see a reason” to remove them, as he shared on X.

Shatner pointed out Vercel’s Terms and Conditions, citing sections about fraud, scams, and HIPAA violations. “I guess a fake story revealing I supposedly have brain cancer doesn’t fall under HIPAA?” the actor wrote.

The Actor Recently Underwent Surgery

While he isn’t battling cancer, Shatner recently had surgery on his shoulder. As The Blast reported in early March, he had a nasty fall while out riding his horse. He explained that his horse went too fast, which sent him flying off her back.

Shatner, who did many of his own stunts in his decades-long career, said he tried to lessen the impact as he went down, but he still sustained an injury. “I started to roll, but hit the dirt with my shoulder. So I wrecked my shoulder,” he explained.

After the surgery, Shatner updated his followers on social media, saying that the procedure went well.

William Shatner Just Celebrated His 95th Birthday

Shatner is showing no signs of slowing down. On March 22, the veteran actor celebrated his 95th birthday, sharing a photo of himself smoking a cigar on social media. “At 95, I’m still smokin’! I’ve learned two things: Never waste a good cigar. Never trust anyone who says you should ‘act your age,’” he captioned the post.

Shatner remains active and will be on the “William Shatner Live on Stage” tour this April. After a screening of “Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan,” the actor will share anecdotes from his long career and engage with audiences. He is also currently working with some of the biggest names in heavy metal on his upcoming album.

Dolly Parton’s still got it.

Parton, 80, looked fabulous while modeling her Dolly’s Joleans collection in a campaign for Khloé Kardashian and Emma Grede’s Good American. In one shot, the singer showed off her figure in a denim crop top featuring a plunging neckline and subtle floral design. She teamed the look with high-waisted jeans finished with the same pattern on the side of her legs.

Parton tied her Canadian tuxedo together with a sartorial denim shirt. She accessorized with a red bandana belt, long cherry nails, a statement silver bracelet, and a diamond ring. Parton added even more glam to her look with dangling earrings.

For glam, the country music star donned hot pink and purple eyeshadow, black eyeliner and long lashes. Parton tied her makeup together with bronzed and blushed cheeks and lined, pink lips. Her blonde hair was parted to the side and styled in a voluminous blowout.

Related: Dolly Parton Wants to Look ‘Artificial’: ‘I Like the Overdone’

Dolly Parton still stands by her famous saying, “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.” “They called this lady ‘trash’ because she wore too much makeup, big hair, red nails, high heels, short skirts and all of that, but when I was little, that impressed me,” Parton, 79, said in an interview […]

In another photo, Parton changed into a bandana-print blouse and dark blue bootcut jeans while holding a record.

Parton also rocked a navy blue top with a lace-up front and a dainty pattern. She rested her hand on a guitar in the photo.

“I’ve always believed clothes can hold memories,” Parton said of the collection. “Denim’s been with me through every chapter of my life. It’s comfortable, it’s confident, and it never goes out of style.”

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She continued, “With this new Dolly’s Joleans collection, we took a little bit of my past and gave it new life for today. When someone puts these on, I want them to feel bold, beautiful, and completely themselves.”

Grede, 43, also gushed about working with Parton. “With every season, our collaboration with Dolly has evolved while staying grounded in authentic western details and Dolly’s loved aesthetic,” she said. “This third collection reflects what makes Dolly an icon: confidence, individuality, and a fearless approach to personal style. We’ve translated those qualities into Spring ‘26 pieces that feel fresh and modern, with a touch of Southern charm.”

Fans can shop Parton’s line on Goodamerican.com.

Horror is a pretty saturated genre, and a lot of it is, well, not great, meaning that it can take some digging to find the real gems. With that in mind, this list looks at some great horrors from the last ten years that many readers might not have seen yet. While they’re not that obscure, they typically didn’t find the box office success or wide viewership that they deserve.

The titles below lean toward indie horror, particularly ones that prioritize atmosphere over jump scares, psychological unease over spectacle, and ambiguity over easy answers. They span a range of styles and tones, from the identity fractures of Possessor to the loneliness of The Blackcoat’s Daughter and the grotesque emotional metaphor at the heart of Hatching.

10

‘Oddity’ (2024)

Image via IFC Films

“I can feel something watching us.” Oddity is a lean, low-budget horror from Irish filmmaker Damian McCarthy, the brains behind the upcoming Hokum starring Adam Scott, and it’s a marvel of narrative economy. The plot revolves around Darcy (Carolyn Bracken), a blind medium investigating the brutal murder of her twin sister (also played by Bracken). She arrives at the remote house where the crime took place with a collection of strange and seemingly cursed objects. Slowly, each of them reveals what really happened.

As she begins to probe what really happened, the house itself becomes a site of creeping dread. Bracken’s phenomenal dual performance anchors the movie, and the plot keeps swerving in unexpected directions. It subverts genre expectations repeatedly; here, the human characters are more evil and dangerous than any specter. All this builds up to a brilliant ending boasting one of the most effective closing shots in recent years.

9

‘Censor’ (2021)

Image via Silver Salt Pictures

“I see things… and I don’t know if they’re real anymore.” In Censor, a film censor (Niamh Alger) working in 1980s Britain becomes increasingly disturbed by the violent content she reviews. When she encounters a film that seems to mirror her own traumatic past, she begins to lose her grip on reality altogether. This is another slender, efficient horror, clocking in at just 84 minutes long, but filled to the brim with striking images and rich food for thought.

The visual style plays a crucial role, using color and texture to differentiate (and eventually merge )different layers of reality. In many ways, Censor is a horror movie about horror movies, and the filmmakers clearly have a deep knowledge of and affection for the genre. They draw on countless cinematic references, and do a fantastic job of recreating the grimy look and feel of the old-school video nasties. All in all, a smart, dark, psychological movie that should please genre aficionados.

8

‘A Dark Song’ (2017)

Image via IFC Midnight

“This is not a game… and it will not forgive mistakes.” In A Dark Song, a grieving woman (Catherine Walker) hires an occultist (Steve Oram) to help her perform an elaborate and dangerous ritual in a secluded house. She hopes to summon her guardian angel so that she can speak with her dead son. But as the ritual progresses, the psychological and physical toll begins to mount, revealing the true cost of what they are attempting, as well as possible deception by the medium himself.

Rather than being melodramatic, this is a more grounded take on ritual magic tropes. The horror builds slowly, rooted in the idea that they may have ventured too far into something they do not fully understand. The dynamic between the two central characters provides most of the narrative momentum. Their relationship is fraught with tension, constantly shifting between cooperation and hostility, keeping the audience guessing til the end.

7

‘The Blackcoat’s Daughter’ (2017)

Image Via A24

“Don’t you want to be with me?” Some critics completely panned this movie, which is way too harsh. Oz Perkins‘ directorial debut is a solid, compelling horror, even if not a groundbreaking one. It’s about two students (Kiernan Shipka and Lucy Boynton) who are left behind at a boarding school during winter break, while a third young woman (Emma Roberts) travels toward them under mysterious circumstances. As the timelines begin to converge, something sinister emerges.

The plot admittedly retreats some classic story beats, but the atmosphere is rich and immersive enough to compensate. The cold, empty spaces of the school create a sense of isolation that permeates every scene. The sound design is effective, too, using a minimal store and weaponizing subtle noises and long stretches of silence. Plus, the narrative structure itself is intricate and ambitious, deliberately withholding information to disorient the viewer and let them draw their own conclusions.

6

‘Hatching’ (2022)

Image via Nordisk Film

“She’s perfect… she’s mine.” This Finnish gem is a satirical, absurdist riff on body horror. The main character is Tinja (Siiri Solalinna), a young gymnast struggling to meet her mother’s expectations. The plot kicks into gear after Tinja discovers a mysterious egg, which she nurtures until it hatches into a strange creature. The creature grows into a human-sized, bird-like monster, which begins to mirror the girl’s inner turmoil in increasingly disturbing ways.

From here, the movie’s tone shifts between domestic drama and grotesque horror, creating a sense of unease that never fully resolves. Indeed, the relationship between mother and daughter is central, with the monster acting as a manifestation of unspoken pressures and fears. The visuals convey this perfectly. The creature design is particularly striking, becoming a physical expression of the protagonist’s psychological state. All this adds up to an intelligent movie with clear themes, yet one that never lets the message eclipse the frights.

5

‘The Night House’ (2020)

Image via Searchlight Pictures

“There’s nothing there… but it keeps calling me.” Rebecca Hall carries most of this one single-handedly as Beth Parchin, a grieving widow who begins to uncover disturbing secrets about her recently deceased husband (Evan Jonigkeit) while living alone in the lakeside home he built. In the process, she starts to experience strange visions and encounters that suggest something is still waiting for her. The house itself becomes a puzzle, filled with hidden spaces and mirrored structures that reflect the protagonist’s unraveling state of mind.

The set design and cinematography reinforce this. The film plays with negative space, literal darkness, as a source of terror, creating images that seem to shift the longer you look at them. That said, the highlight is Hall. Her performance is layered, intelligent, and three-dimensional, making Bell far more realistic and interesting than your average horror protagonist. She’s a gripping mix of vulnerable and defiant.

4

‘Possessor’ (2020)

Image via Elevation Pictures

“You’re not in control anymore.” Possessor was the sophomore directorial effort from Brandon Cronenberg, son of David. In it, a corporate assassin (Andrea Riseborough) uses advanced technology to inhabit the bodies of others, carrying out high-profile killings while manipulating her hosts from within. Over the course of the story, her missions become more complicated, and the boundary between her identity and those she possesses begins to blur.

That premise could’ve become overly pulpy, but Cronenberg executes it with considerable style. The imagery is surreal and intense, frequently drenched in blood and gore. Here, the director crafts a world where violence feels intimate and invasive, with each act leaving a residue that cannot be easily erased. In other words, Possessor uses body horror in a deeply conceptual way. Like the best work by Cronenberg Sr., this movie delves deep into emotional detachment, the vulnerability of the body, and the dehumanizing side of technology.

3

‘Mad God’ (2021)

Image via Shudder

“I will act against you in wrathful hostility.” Mad God is the ridiculously ambitious magnum opus from animator and effects artist Phil Tippett, famous for his work on Star Wars and Jurassic Park. It’s a stop-motion horror in which a lone figure descends into a nightmarish underworld filled with grotesque creatures, endless machinery, and scenes of constant suffering. The film unfolds with minimal dialogue, relying instead on its imagery to convey meaning.

The lack of a conventional plot allows the film to operate on a more symbolic level, with each sequence contributing to a broader sense of existential dread. On the aesthetic side, the stop-motion animation creates a tactile, oppressive world where every frame is filled with detail and decay. In an era of CGI and computer animation, it’s a rare treat to experience something so physical and handcrafted. While certainly not for everyone, Mad God will reward those who embrace its dark, dream-like sensibility.

2

‘The Rule of Jenny Penn’ (2025)

Image via IFC Films

“We don’t stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing.” This gem out of New Zealand is driven by the remarkable dynamic between Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow. Rush plays Stefan Mortensen, an elderly judge who suffers a stroke and is forced to spend some time in a care home. There, he is subjected to the tyranny of fellow resident Dave Crealy (Lithgow), who masquerades as confused and harmless by day but torments the home by night.

Both performers are fantastic here, Lithgow in particular. His Crealy is a truly heinous antagonist, demented, manipulative, and seemingly unstoppable, yet far from a caricature or cartoon. Through these characters, the film examines tough, relevant themes around aging, abuse of power, and the courage to resist bullies. The plot keeps you on your toes, pivoting in unexpected directions and charting a wholly new course for horror storytelling.

1

‘The Autopsy of Jane Doe’ (2016)

Image by IFC Midnight

“There’s something wrong with this body.” In The Autopsy of Jane Doe, a father-and-son team of coroners (played by Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch) receive the body of an unidentified woman (Olwen Kelly) and begin a routine autopsy. However, while examining her, they uncover increasingly bizarre and impossible details, suggesting that the body is anything but ordinary. Each discovery during the autopsy adds a new layer of mystery.

The majority of the story takes place within a single location, which director André Øvredal uses to tremendous effect, turning the morgue into a space of relentless mounting tension. In many ways, the movie is simple, consisting of just one setting and a handful of characters and clocking in at just 86 minutes, yet each of these limited elements is arranged into the exact right place. Ultimately, it’s a smart, creepy, and even frequently funny horror that gleefully subverts the usual supernatural tropes.