‘Abigail,’ ‘Late Night With the Devil,’ and the 10 Best Horror Movies of 2024 … So Far
Apr 23, 2024
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Horror enthusiast Chris Ryan joins to discuss the current horror movie landscape, critiquing recent releases like 'Late Night With the Devil.' They explore the plot of 'Imaginary' and directors they want to see in horror. Exciting discussions on upcoming horror films and the state of the genre in theaters.
Exploration of psychological trauma through an imaginary friend in a family setting.
Supernatural elements intertwine with traumatic experiences, leading to a sinister revelation.
Interdimensional chaos and surreal symbolism enhance the narrative of familial trauma and betrayal.
Deep dives
Mysterious Teddy Bear and Imaginary Friend Scavenger Hunt
A family moves to a childhood home where the daughter, Alice, discovers a mysterious teddy bear named Chauncey in the basement. Alice starts a scavenger hunt orchestrated by Chauncey, leading her to do questionable tasks like stealing. When the therapist uncovers that Alice is interacting with an imaginary friend, conflict arises as Alice's behavior becomes troubling, revealing the imaginary nature of Chauncey.
Therapist's Revealing Session and Supernatural Portal
During a therapy session, Alice converses with her imaginary friend Chauncey, with Chauncey taking on a malevolent tone, dictating actions to Alice. The therapist maneuvers the session to reveal to Jessica, Alice's mother figure, that there is no bear present, unraveling the imaginary friend's supernatural influence. Chauncey is exposed as a vessel for past trauma and a malevolent force luring Alice into a portal to an alternate world.
Transformation into an Alternate World and Betrayal by Neighbor
The plot twists as Alice journeys through a portal to an imaginary world, evolving into a psychological exploration of familial trauma and interdimensional chaos. Subtle signs of betrayal emerge as a nosy neighbor reveals her intentions to study the ethereal realm. Characters face otherworldly challenges and encounters within the fantastical setting, blurring the lines between reality and illusion.
Dream Logic, Symbolism, and Symbolic Justice
Lovely dark and deep showcases elements of dream logic, surreal symbolism, and allegorical imagery through the protagonist's battle with inner demons. The narrative delves into moral dilemmas, spiritual justice, and the psychological toll of past experiences. As the storyline ventures into the protagonist's mind palace, it navigates themes of memory, sacrifice, and self-redemption within a dream-like, abstract narrative framework.
Thriller on Cape Cod
The movie delves into a storyline where Jennifer Kim grapples with the blurred lines between dream and reality. Her paranoia escalates over her husband's relationship with his cousin and possible involvement in her kidnapping. Set in a beach house, the film effectively creates tension in the off-season ambiance of Cape Cod, highlighting the eerie atmosphere of the location.
Stop Motion Trauma
Robert Morgan's debut film follows a young woman whose mother, an acclaimed stop-motion animator, passes away tragically. The daughter, mentored by her mother in precise animation techniques, descends into trauma and hallucinations, where her mother's creations haunt her. Although slightly unraveling towards the end, the movie impresses with its unique concept, blending real-world interactions with stop-motion visuals.
Sean is joined by Chris Ryan to discuss the current state of horror in theaters (1:00). They run through a list of movies that are out right now, then dive into what they did and did not like about them (10:00). Later, they’re joined by a special guest to explain the plot of ‘Imaginary’ (27:00) to Chris, who hasn’t yet seen the film. Finally, Sean and Chris discuss the directors they’d most like to see work in the horror genre (1:00:00) and discuss their most-anticipated upcoming releases (1:10:00).
