Atomic Fangirl

“That wasn’t real that wasn’t real I hate this.” [me every time I play a horror game]

Story: Poor Bryan has been having a bad day. His courier job leaves him wandering halls, his girlfriend Michelle is pregnant and his response to that has them seemingly at odds, and his “easy” add-on assignment has him out in the middle of snowy nowhere. Why? Because a woman ran out in front of his car…and then got back up. I’m sure that’s fine though. He’ll get to the hospital, drop off the cooler, and get back home to Michelle, no problem. Right? Sure.

Genre I’d put it in: Damn That’s Good Interpretations
Release Date: 2026
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Based on the games, books, and basically everything else in the Resident Evil franchise.
Animals okay?: There’s a good doggy protecting a farm…OH MY GOD BAD DOGGY
Special Shout-out: Sara Paxton, as Billy’s girlfriend Michelle. She’s just a voice on the phone, but her frustration turning into worry, then dread, is really well done. I hope she gets lots more voice work from this.

Gotta say: Before I really get to it, there’s something you need to know; I’m not a video game person. Because I suck at them. I’ll watch someone else play, but me? I’ll be walking at a wall for hours, or ending myself immediately because I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing. That said, I’ve enjoyed the Mila Jovovich Resident Evil films for the hilariously fun bullshit they are, and I even found the Evil TV show fun. So basically, I’ve got zero loyalty to the games, because I have zero knowledge of them. That said, even I can see that this Evil right here is an amazingly detailed, fun film that feels like you’re doing a walkthrough of a game set in the Racoon City universe. And it’s a blast.

“Speaking of desire…do you like dipping sauce?”

Story: Kris, a queer filmmaker eager to reboot the 80s slasher series Camp Miasma, decides to meet Billy Presley, the actress who played the final girl in the first film. But when they meet, discussion turns to horror, sex, and the intersection between the two. Is the fact that Billy lives at the camp that was the filming location for the first film starting to warp Kris’ reality? Or is there something more to that film series that’s affecting them both?

Genre I’d put it in: Surreal Coming-of-age Horrors
Release Date: 2026
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Wildly original

Gotta say: When I saw the trailer for Miasma, I got big Final Girls energy. Then when I realized the director had done I Saw the TV Glow and We’re All Going to the World’s Fair, I knew I was headed for a trippy time. And Miasma had me in a consensual choke hold. Did I understand everything that was going on? No. Did that make any difference to me at all? Also no.

“Does Niki like me?”

Story: Baron/Bear is socially awkward guy hopelessly in love with his friend Nikki. But it’s obvious to everyone else that that’s a one-way street. So when he goes to a curio shop to pick up a gift for his love, he spies a silly “One Wish Willow” gag. Except it’s not a gag. And when Bear uses it himself to wish for her love? Nikki becomes down bad. Emphasis on bad.

Genre I’d put it in: Incel Horrors
Release Date: 2026
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Original, and incredible.

Gotta say: Written, directed and edited by Curry Barker, Obsession is a film that’s so good it hurts. Barker crafted one hell of a story, and his cast and crew were flawless. This should be the definition of what can happen if a Nice Guy™ gets what he wants. But Bear is definitely not a good guy. And that dichotomy will haunt you long after the credits roll. [FYI – I use Nice Guy™ as shorthand for this. I am not shitting all over genuinely nice humans who are also guys. You, genuinely nice guys? You rock.]