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Trailers: This Week’s Horror, Fantasy & Sci-Fi Movies

No major horror movies are opening nationwide this week, but several indie films hitting screens in Los Angeles. Most of these will probably end up on home video soon (if they are not there already), but for those who prefer the big-screen experience, here is what’s available. All trailers are embedded above.

EK Villain Returns is an oddball film from India, apparently about rival serial killers involved in a “Freddy vs. Jason” type duel to the death. See whether you can make sense out of the official description: “8 years after Rakesh Mahadkar reigned terror on Mumbai, another serial killer has taken birth. More brutal and more dangerous but one that uses the same cover, the Smiley Mask. Ek Villain Returns is the story of two men in one sided love. The paths they choose to fulfill their love stories decide who the Hero is and who is the Villain” The trailer includes horror movie creeps mixed with over-the-top action scenes that fall somewhere between The Matrix and John Wick. The film is playing at AMC Burbank Town Center 8, Cinemark 18, Regal Simi Valley Civic Center, AMC Norwalk, Regal Edwards Long Beach, AMC Dine-in Fullerton, AMC Orange 30, and AMC Dine-In Ontario Mills.

Hypochondriac is a drama that descends into horror when the lead character. a young Hispanic gay potter, spirals into madness “while being haunted by the physical manifestation of his childhood trauma.” Whether or not the manifestations are real, the trailer looks creepy. Hypochondriac is playing at the Alamo Drafthouse Downtown LA.

Medusa is a horror, sci-fi, fantasy film written and directed by Anita Rocha da Silveira. The official description reads: “Synopsis: Today, Brazil.Mariana, 21 years old, belongs to a world where she must do her utmost to keep up the appearance of a perfect woman. In order to resist temptation, she and her girlfriends try their best to control everything and everyone around them. And that includes the town sinners. At night, their girl squad put on masks, hunt & beat up all women who have deviated from the right path. However, the day will come when the urge to scream will be stronger than it ever has been…”  Medusa is playing at the Laemmle NoHo 7 and the Alamo Drafthouse Downtown LA.

The Reef: Stalked is a sequel to 2010’s The Reef, written and directed by Andrew Traucki. The official description reads: “After her sister’s murder, Nic, her younger sister and two friends seek solace through a Pacific island kayaking adventure. Hours into the trip the women are stalked by a shark and must band together, face their fears and save each other.” The Reef: Stalked is already available to stream on Shudder, but it is playing a single theatrical engagement at the Laemmle Glendale.

Resurrection, from the always reliable IFC, looks more like a straight-up suspense thriller than a horror film, but we thought the same thing about Gone in the Night, and look where that got us. The official description reads: “Margaret’s life is in order. She is capable, disciplined, and successful. Soon, her teenage daughter, who Margaret raised by herself, will be going off to a fine university, just as Margaret had intended. Everything is under control. That is, until David returns, carrying with him the horrors of Margaret’s past.” Starring Rebecca Hall and Tim Roth, Resurrection was written and directed by Andrew Semans. The film is playing at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown LA, Laemmle NoHo 7, Laemmle Glendale, Laemmle Monica Film Center, and Harkins Chino Hills 18.

Note: All of this week’s films are unrated by the MPAA.

 

 

Steve Biodrowski, Administrator

A graduate of USC film school, Steve Biodrowski has worked as a film critic, journalist, and editor at Movieline, Premiere, Le Cinephage, The Dark Side., Cinefantastique magazine, Fandom.com, and Cinescape Online. He is currently Managing Editor of Cinefantastique Online and owner-operator of Hollywood Gothique.