For horror movie fans, 2022 is half over, or half begun depending on how you look at it. Usually, the latter part of the year is the best because we have spooky season yet to come. We thought we’d give you a heads-up of what’s ahead as far as horror movies go so you can earmark the dates.
Some of the bigger selections below were probably able to pay their actors handsomely, while others may have gotten scale. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t as good or better than their lux counterparts. We’ll leave it to you to make up your minds about them. After all, it’s your dollar.
American Carnage (July 15)
Politicized horror movies are likely to be making a comeback given recent happenings in America. American Carnage seems to be giving its own take on immigration in the United States. From its Purge-esque premise to the commentary on the elderly, this one looks just original and thrilling enough to take a closer look.
Storyline:
After a governor issues an executive order to arrest the children of undocumented immigrants, the newly detained youth are offered an opportunity to have their charges dropped by volunteering to provide care to the elderly.
The Invitation (August 26)
Be careful when you mail in your genealogy test. You could be related to some bloodthirsty relatives who want to invite you to a wedding. That’s the premise of this vampire tale reminiscent of Ready or Not.
Storyline:
After the death of her mother and having no other known relatives, Evie (Nathalie Emmanuel) takes a DNA test…and discovers a long-lost cousin she never knew she had. Invited by her newfound family to a lavish wedding in the English countryside, she’s at first seduced by the sexy aristocrat host but is soon thrust into a nightmare of survival as she uncovers twisted secrets in her family’s history and the unsettling intentions behind their sinful generosity.
Nope (July 22)
Things usually happen in threes. In the horror film world that can be a good thing or a really really bad thing. Jordan Peele knocked it out of the park with Get Out, but some say fumbled a bit on Us. Nope is his third attempt at horror and needless to say people are pretty intrigued. Is it an alien invasion movie or not? Whatever it is, we can expect some social commentary and probably a whole lotta feedback from the “woke police.”
Storyline:
The residents of a lonely gulch in inland California bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery.
Salem’s Lot (September 9) No trailer yet
Stephen King has probably never had a better horror movie glow-up than in the last decade. If you can name one of his books, it’s probably been made, or remade, into a movie over that time. Salem’s Lot has got to be one of his most popular novels and sure enough, another adaptation is coming to theaters in September. The first was a 70s television miniseries that scared the hell out of adults and kids across the country. Will this one do the same?
Storyline:
Ben Mears, a writer who spent part of his childhood in Jerusalem’s Lot, Maine, also known as ‘Salem’s Lot, has returned after twenty-five years to write a book about the long-abandoned Marsten House, where he had a bad experience as a child. He soon discovers that an ancient evil has also come to town and its turning the residents into vampires. He vows to stop the plague of undead and save the town.
Smile (September 30)
This movie seemingly came out of nowhere. But it has our attention thanks to a great trailer. It looks like we’re getting a new horror monster icon and it’s about time. This is the first feature-length movie from director Parker Finn. And dare we say that, by looking at this trailer, he’s one to watch for in the genre’s future.
Storyline:
After witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can’t explain. As an overwhelming terror begins taking over her life, Rose must confront her troubling past in order to survive and escape her horrifying new reality.
Halloween Ends (October 14) No trailer yet.
Well, what can we say about this one? This is probably the most anticipated horror movie of 2022. Still, the jury is out on how this reboot, retcon, or requel series is taking shape. Fans are completely divided on the concept and we’re sure any final thoughts when this wraps up are going to be as polarizing as a Rob Zombie film (ahem).
Storyline-ish:
The saga of Michael Myers and Laurie Strode comes to a spine-chilling climax in this final installment of the franchise.
Terrifier 2 (October 2022) No trailer yet
A collective “finally” was uttered by everyone who loved the original and heard the news that Terrifier 2 was finally coming out in October. The creepy antagonist Art the Clown has become a fan favorite in the universe of psycho clowns. Director Damien Leone has had a rough few years trying to get this movie put together, but it’s finally here and it has everyone guessing: how are they going to top that scene from the first one?
Storyline:
After being resurrected by a sinister entity, Art the Clown returns to the timid town of Miles County where he targets a teenage girl and her younger brother on Halloween night.
The Devil’s Light (October 28) No trailer yet
It’s safe to assume that with the Exorcist’s 50th anniversary coming up next year, we can expect an influx of possession movies. This one looks good on paper, but we are going to have to see a trailer or something in order decide.
Storyline:
According to real-life Vatican reports, occurrences of demonic possession have increased significantly in recent years. In response, the Catholic church has secretly reopened exorcism schools to train priests in the sacred rite. The Devil’s Light immerses you into the world of one of these schools; humanity’s last line of defense against the powers of everlasting evil. Jacqueline Byers (“Roadies,” “Salvation”) stars as Sister Ann, who devoutly believes that performing exorcisms is her calling, despite the fact that historically only priests – not sisters – are allowed to perform them. When one professor senses her special gift, allowing her to be the first nun to study and master the ritual, her own soul will be in danger as the demonic forces she battles reveal a mysterious connection to her traumatic past.
