Brett Petersel

“Complaint #1: The film is too dark. It was impossible to see most of the action let alone both the alien(s) and predator(s). Complaint #2: The acting. The two stoned guys do not deserve SAG access, ever. Complaint #3: The ending. Compliment #1: Good on the directors for killing a kid. Overall, fuck this film.”

“The Guest is one of the best films I have ever seen, easily landing in my top 10. Adam Wingard’s skills matched with Simon Barrett’s screenplay truly delivers a masterpiece. Watch it now.”

“We've become so accustomed to seeing "influencers" on all social media platforms that it's become a normal part of our everyday lives. When they appear on my timeline, I do not hesitate to attempt to hide the ads or block the creators. I have experience working with "influencers" (salespeople) and know they will do anything for a buck. Luckily, I've worked with a few who were actually passionate about the projects they were hired to promote, so there's that. In Feed, a Swedish horror film released in 2022, we're introduced to a group of social media influencers who are invited to help a family with their business, which seems to be struggling, and are given a boat ride to an island where they'll be staying. Amongst this group is "Elin", who is neither an influencer or social media expert like her boyfriend, but she tags along and seems to have trouble fitting in with the group. During this short trip to the island, the owner tells a story about a watch named Märit that haunts it, and, because of how far-fetched it sounds, they laugh it off... until terrible things start happening. Whether inside or out, there is no escaping Märit, who taunts them at every turn possible, from ripping apart their tent to attacking each person with claws and weapons, even attempted drownings, while secluding them on this tiny island. It becomes obvious who the real hero will be, but each character is allowed to develop, not just thrown to the side and you wonder who they are/were. The action and tense environment keep you engaged throughout, especially through all the twists and turns that occur in the third act, which will surprise you as it did me. Film setup: It took me two nights to watch Feed, but it was worth it. I'm very easy going when it comes to the horror films I watch, so I (almost) always go with Filmmaker Mode. To be honest, it was a very well-directed film and full of amazing scenery and colorful vibes, so Perfect Color can work as well.”

“Killing Ground should be on all Australian Horror lists! The film, which has elements of Wolf Creek and Last House on the Left, tells the story of two separate families vacationing in the same camping area, with flashbacks and flashforwards. Unfortunately for the two, they are/were terrorized by the same group of men who've been murdering visitors over some period of time. The film takes some time to pick up, but it's very well-executed, and the terror that unravels is something that you'd read in a newspaper article. It's full of dread, and the torture scenes are flawlessly captured, giving viewers a front row seat to the sadistic terror as it unfolds. Of course, this is mostly due to some of the characters making terrible mistakes that leave them vulnerable, but it is what it is. Over all, Killing Ground checks off every box as for why you should never go camping (in Australia), as many of these films tend to end in the exact same way (e.g. Wolf Creek).”

“When a film's title tells you exactly what to do, listen.”

“After the success of Netflix's Squid Games, it was only time until all of the knockoffs would enter the ring. In this case, it's The OctoGames, which follows a popular streamer, Jaxpro, who brings together a number of contestants and informs them that he's retiring and giving away his social media accounts (with a total of 115 million followers) to whoever is the final winner. What he doesn't mention is that those who lose along the way will be terminated (murdered). That's only the beginning of the eventual downfall of this film. Once we're down to our final eight contestants, it seems like the shock factor disappears immediately, and alliances are formed. Once the real games begin, which include Hopscotch and Hide-and-Seek, we gain a clearer picture of each contestant, some who have heart while others have no soul, just like this film. The ending was predictable, and, spoiler alert, a potential sequel may be heading our way, but, thankfully, no news about the film exists. Because of the way the world is going, I have a feeling that Mr. Beast will eventually begin to alter his platform into something like this.”

“Don't let this film poster fool you. Hounded's a fun watch, even though it takes a short while to get to its point. In the film, four thieves are instructed to rob a residence after being informed that its occupants are away for the weekend. Once inside, they realize they're not alone, and are tasered and captured. After being driven to a large estate on the countryside, far from other civilization, we learn they are about to become participants in a sick game of entertainment for a rich family. It's hard to classify Hounded as a horror film, although the elements of traps and torture are present. The kills aren't brutal, but play out as expected. There are a few moments in the film when you question the character development and script as the hunters, who are dressed in colonial garb, chase the group, who continue to make so many terrible mistakes that lead to them both almost being captured multiple times and avoiding their ultimate deaths. You may find yourself screaming at the screen, but it is what it is. Overall, Hounded is worth adding to your watchlist, especially if The Hunt and Ready or Not are your jam! LG OLED TV Film setup: Since the film moves between night and day, Perfect Black is the way to go with this one!”

“Having been on my watchlist for some time, Demonetized finally made its debut on my activity feed. The film feels like a mix between Unfriended and V/H/S, which is a compliment, but it didn't truly offer anything new to the found footage space. What I did find odd is that, given these films are shared in an iMessage conversation, there are parts, especially at the beginning and end, where VHS tracking occurs, exactly like in the V/H/S films. Demonetized, indeed. You can watch it on YouTube here.”

“Released 20 years ago, Wilderness is a survival horror films that I never heard of but, if you read the non-spoiler reviews, looks like it was a well-known film in certain circles. I'm glad I read them before jumping in to this because it was not what I expected. A group of juvenile offenders, ranging from petty crimes to murder, are sent to a remote, uninhabited island after the suicide of one of their fellow inmates. From there, the suspense builds, becoming a tense cat-and-mouse game with an unknown assailant who's roaming around unseen with four vicious dogs. The characters are well-rounded, given that the actors portraying them really get into the part. Comradery is not in their playbooks while they try to defend themselves, with many being killed off in gruesome ways. It really all comes down to not survival of the fittest but thinking like a killer and acting on those instincts, especially when paired up with other violent men who will fend for themselves in any way possible. While some of the acting and dialog are vital to character development, it's mostly unnecessary, but does provide an example for how they eventually ended up in the situation they're in. They aren't fit for society, and their actions have landed them in this situation, one that will result in life or death. LG OLED TV Film setup: I watched Wilderness on Plex, which, surprisingly, didn't offer quality-streaming video for this title, so LG OLED's Filmmaker Mode was the way to go to really make it a worthwhile movie-watching experience.”

“200 Degrees was recommended to me by Tubi (after watching both Husk and Steel Trap). That's just a little information to show how we got here. I normally enjoy horror films that are set in one location, and think Eric Balfour's a great actor, but the premise for the film, along with the acting and storyline, turned to ashes almost immediately. While watching, you begin to piece things together (while also laughing at the Jigsaw voice), getting an idea for how these challenges he's forced to participate in relate to his outside life, and then, once revealed, these sudden twists make you wish you were burned alive.”

“After the success of Saw, many films tried to recreate that film's magic, but failed miserably. Case in point: Steel Trap. While at a party, a handful of people receive text messages to join a private party on a different floor. Upon arriving, this newly-decorated (party style) floor offers anything but fun. Instead, this group must solve a few puzzles to stay alive. When they're slowly killed off one by one in not-so-creative ways, even when the "traps" are right in front of them, the guessing games begin as to who is behind this and how are they connected (which they immediately forget to try and figure out). Not only were the characters boring, but they were pathetically rude to one another and refused to work together. Upon the reveal, you expect some lavish excuse for this whole setup, but receive one of the most pathetic excuses, one that could've been solved without this whole thing, and then life carries on. Don't get trapped into watching this mess. Film setup: I watched this film on Tubi with my LG OLED G6 TV in Filmmaker Mode in Perfect Black. As much as that helped, it can't give me back the 89 minutes I wasted watching this.”

“Sweatshop is one of those films whose posters passes you by while you're doom-scrolling Tubi, and, when it catches your eye at the last-minute, you have to watch it. That is how I ended up here. Am I proud of it? Absolutely not. Skipping the beginning and whatever the hell that was, we are eventually introduced to a group of friends (who all hate each other?) that are setting up a rave inside of an abandoned warehouse. Each character we meet is worse than the one before, and whoever wrote the script must have never had a conversation with another human being in their life because it shows. As they're all picked off by "The Butcher", a ginormous man wearing a winter coat and a welder's mask who carries around an even bigger hammer-type object, and his minions (I don't know if they're human or possessed), we're subject to a lot of content filler that both serves no purpose and degrades what could potentially be an okay film. The kills, however, truly deliver! The practical effects in the film was fantastic, but, as I said earlier, nothing can save this film from flopping the entire way through. As the film eventually ends, there are so many unanswered questions. Who's "The Butcher" and how did he come to be? Who are the people/demons who surround him? It just... ends. Overall, I'd give Sweatshop five stars for the kills, but it's getting the one-star treatment because it was just a terrible film. Film setup: Since the film's on Tubi, don't expect the greatest quality to grace your screens. I watched the film in Filmmaker Mode with my LG OLED G6 TV, which always works wonders, but it couldn't save this film in the end.”

“A new arrival to Netflix, The Last House sounds excellent on paper and looks beautiful on screen, but becomes a poorly-executed, drawn-out sci-fi film with no answers. In the film, we watch a family (and their neighbors) take shelter in their homes as a terrible storm approaches, but what happens next is where the real terror begins - They become sealed in their homes. Something in the rain causes them to not be able to open all doors and windows, with no communication to the outside world. So, what do they do? They carry on with their lives. While the first half of the film introduces us to the family, along with their strengths and weaknesses, we are given various perspectives of what's happening outside, where it rains daily and wildlife is flourishing. As supplies begin to dwindle (and this family knows absolutely nothing about conserving food or basically anything in general), they begin to adapt, saving seeds and rationing food, and become creative in how they can capture water, grow plants, and trap animals. Then, the second half comes. After a number of years being trapped in their home with still no form of escape, the outside creatures become more present. At times, it's like they're playing with their food with their small taunts, but it's not effective as their true purpose is never revealed (but they are killing people). Now, the ending. We're not given any answers at all as to what these creatures are (are they from the bottom of the unexplored ocean? How did they use the rain to seal people in their homes? How are they able to open and lock doors?). It's also quite laughable. Throughout this film, given what this family and others experienced, you expect a solid ending that wraps things up. Nope, doesn't happen. The film had promise. Unfortunately, it just sinks under water fast, drowning with its potential. Film setup: I watched The Last House with an LG OLED G6 TV in Filmmaker Mode. Given it's a new release, and the film's mix between color and darkness, it was a job well done.”

“Evil Dead Burn this film into the ground.”

“Monolith (Lilith) = Cybertruck. That aside, I wouldn't classify Monolith as a horror film, maybe something more along the lines of Drama/Thriller. Still, it's an easy watch with a basic setting and story, and a predictable ending.”

“Taking place in the M3GAN universe, Soulm8te, which was due to hit theaters after M3GAN 2.0 but was pushed back after the film (M3GAN 2.0) underperformed, offers a new perspective on AI companions. The film follows a man who, after the death of his wife, seeks companionship through AI apps that, through text and voice conversations, learns about his life, thoughts, and more. When his company is acquired, he is given an AI companion, "Sara", well-played by Lily Sullivan (Evil Dead Rise), that, after some coding "fixes" (workarounds in the coding structure), fulfills his needs. Of course, all things start off well and slowly move into dark territory as "Sara" becomes jealous, and, ultimately, vengeful. Soulm8te is a well-executed film with a solid story that plays out well, even though it's predictable, and I look forward to seeing how Blumhouse continues to explore this universe, especially as technology advances and new ideas come about. Setup: With my new LG OLED TV, and given that this is a horror film, Soulm8te fit well with Perfect Black in Filmmaker Mode.”

“The Devil's Mouth is The Descent but with sharks. Starring Kathryn Newton and a handful of annoying costars whose onscreen deaths you anticipate each and every second, the film becomes a laughing stock as they are pursued by a CGI shark. Kudos for a beautiful setting, but, overall, it's not worth sinking your teeth into.”

“The Descent: Part 2, the direct sequel to Neil Marshall's fantastic 2005 film, The Descent, this time with Jon Harris in the director's chair, brings us back underground to the caves where the first film's setting took place. This time, "Sarah" is considered a suspect in her friends' disappearance, so, along with a local sheriff, his deputy and cave specialists, they had back down, not knowing what they're going to get themselves into. The first film relied on comradery. The group of friends heading to the caves to do some exploring, but, due to a collapse in the cave, wander into unchartered territory that proves to be fateful for all, resulting in vicious attacks from "crawlers" who follow their every sound, dismantling one after the other. In the sequel, these elements are lacking as it's a potential search and rescue effort, with the first film's survivor, Sarah, serving as a potential suspect in the disappearance of her friends. Once again, it's a solid cast, but, this time around, they are left fending mostly for themselves, initially unaware of the danger that surrounds them (and that sound is not on their side). Like the first film, The Descent: Part 2 truly delivers a heart-pounding, white-knuckle viewing. It's dark, gruesome, and provides a claustrophobic setting that displayed true terror, resulting in one helluva (re)watch! This time around, I watched the film with my LG OLED TV's filmmaker mode, because both Jon Harris would've wanted it that way and this mode captures everything as intended.”

“What can go wrong in a film that celebrates Halloween during the summer months? In short, the answer is this film, which tries its best to be a Terrifier knockoff. Between bad acting and lame kills, as well as every single terrible decision made by each character, especially a police officer who should know better, you actually root for the clown to put everyone (and us) out of their misery. If you're looking to pass time, Summerween is fine as a background watch, but don't expect anything new to the clown horror genre.”

“As always, I'm in the mood for a good home invasion flick, and am surprised that this one has avoided my radar for this long. A sort of slowburn that pulls pieces from The Strangers and You're Next, maybe even Home Sweet Home</A>, which director Jordan Barker also produced. Torment does stand on its own, but relies heavily on the small jumpscares (e.g. people hidden in dark parts of the home) to get the point across, which it does without error. Unfortunately, both the protagonists and antagonists fumble throughout, each literally asking for what comes their way. And don't get me started on the son. As for the blood and gore, there's very little as the film relies on the brutality that is inflicted on each person. When all is said and done, the ending, according to many reviews, was "twisted" and a "gut punch", but I found it to be predictable and flat. Still, it leaves the door open for another film, but I don't think one is warranted at all. Setup: A dark home invasion film deserves to be seen as is. Therefore, my LG OLED G6's Filmmaker Mode was turned on as to ensure that what I was watching was exactly what Barker intended. Of course, there's also Perfect Black, given the setting of the film's most intense scenes, but to each their own.”

“With last year's legacy sequel, I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025), which I panned, revisiting the original 1997 film was a long time in the making, so here we are. Caught in the shadows in a post-Scream world, this film, like Urban Legend, Valentine and Halloween: H20, possessed a formula (No, not only the same poster setup) that kept viewers guessing until the very end who the killer is. However, we also had to sit through a bunch of dialog nonsense and filler content, including an Anne Heche cameo, a cruel form of punishment until the Ben Willis reveal, even though that whole story was laughable. Almost 30 years later, IKWYDLS still remains a cult classic and, yep, you guessed it, provided two sequels (do yourself a favor and skip the third film, I Will Always Know What You Did Last Summer) and, so far, one legacy sequel. So, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?!?!? Setup: I watched I Know What You Did Last Summer in Filmmaker Mode with the LG OLED G6 because, you know, I wanted to get that nostalgic feeling that I had from seeing the film the first time around. While that worked wonders, I don't think I need to watch this film ever again.”

“Pitfall is a great addition to the survival horror subgenre, but, at times, finds itself on shaky grounds. The film, beautifully set deep within the woods, loses its footing between many of the film's fantastic kills and traps, as well as character mishappenings, especially with one being trapped in one location throughout the film and accompanied by backstories and delusions, but wraps up too quickly at the end, which was abrupt and unsatisfying given how long it dragged out. Still, like some pitfalls themselves, you can seek out and avoid them, or clumsily fall in and become trapped with no escape. This film falls in-between, more toward the latter.”

“I'll give them credit for trying, but this felt like both a rushed and forced effort.”