Shudder May Highlights: THE RECKONING, PSYCHO GOREMAN & More

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Shudder is a must-have streaming service for horror fans. Period. We’ve just gotten their rundown of upcoming releases for May 2021, and it’s hot! Highlights include the bizarre South African horror Fried Barry and also Neil Marshall’s The Reckoning. Plus the frontrunner for best horror movie of 2021 (so far) Psycho Goreman!

Related Article: The Boulet Brothers’ DRAGULA Now Renewed for a 4th Season

Have a look at everything also coming down the Shudder pike below.

SHUDDER HIGHLIGHTS

Fried Barry – Premieres May 7 (Please note, this is updated from the previously announced date, May 6.) **A Shudder Original Film  

Fried Barry follows the story of a drug-addled degenerate who, after yet another bender, gets abducted by aliens. Barry takes a backseat as his alien visitor assumes control of his body. And takes it for a joyride through Cape Town. What follows is an onslaught of drugs, sex, and also violence. Now Barry’s alien tourist enters the weird and wonderful world of humankind.  

The feature is the directorial debut from award-winning music video director Ryan Kruger. It stars newcomer Gary Green. The genre-pushing, acid-washed, sci-fi horror has been praised by critics and also embraced by fans around the world.

Related: Virtual Cannes 2020: FRIED BARRY Review – Alien Abduction Explores Drug Addiction and Being Human with Honesty and Humor

The film is produced by James C. Williamson and Kruger and executive produced by Nicolai Fuglsig (12 Strong). Williamson shares a story credit with Kruger who serves as both writer and director. The expansive cast is led by Green. Bianka Hartenstein co-stars with Sean Cameron Michael (ShooterBlood Drive) and Chanelle de Jager (The WidowOutlander). Joey Cramer (Flight of the Navigator), and Jonathan Pienaar (Blood DiamondRoots) also co-star. 

The Reckoning – Premieres May 13 **A Shudder Exclusive Film 

After losing her husband during the Great Plague, Grace (Charlotte Kirk, Ocean’s 8) is unjustly accused of being a witch. And placed in the custody of England’s most ruthless witch-hunter, Judge Moorcroft (Sean Pertwee, Dog Soldiers). She is forced to endure physical and also emotional torture while steadfastly maintaining her innocence. Now Grace must face her own inner demons as the Devil himself starts to work his way into her mind. 

Related: Charlotte Kirk “Confesses” in Our Exclusive Clip from Neil Marshall’s Plague Horror THE RECKONING

Directed by modern master of horror Neil Marshall (The DescentDog SoldiersGame of Thrones). The Reckoning was written by Marshall, star Charlotte Kirk and also Edward Evers-Swindell.  

PG: Psycho Goreman – Premieres May 20 **A Shudder Exclusive Film

In PG: Psycho Goreman, young siblings Mimi and Luke unwittingly resurrect an ancient alien overlord. One who was entombed on Earth millions of years ago after a failed attempt to destroy the universe. They nickname the evil creature Psycho Goreman (or PG for short). And use the magical amulet they discovered to force him to obey their childish whims. It isn’t long before PG’s reappearance draws the attention of intergalactic friends and also foes from across the cosmos. Now a rogues’ gallery of alien combatants converges in small-town suburbia to battle for the fate of the galaxy. 

Related: Exclusive Featurette: Go “Inside the Creature Shop” of PG: PSYCHO GOREMAN!

Written and directed by Steven Kostanski (The VoidThe DivideFather’s Day). PG: Psycho Goreman stars Nita-Josee Hanna (Books of Blood), Owen Myre (NOS4A2), and also Adam Brooks (The ReturnFather’s Day). Plus Alexis Hancey (Silver Tongue) and Matthew Ninaber (Transference). 

Skull: The Mask – Premieres May 27 **A Shudder Original Film

In this splatter-filled supernatural slasher, a Pre-Columbian artifact contains the spirit of Anhangá, the executioner of the god Tahawantinsupay. Whoever wears the masked is possessed by Anhangá and compelled to commit sacrifices to also resurrect his god. It’s up to a museum assistant and a policewoman to stop the slaughter before the ritual is completed. A throwback treat for fans of ‘80s slashers and also gory practical effects. 

Written and also directed by Armando Fonseca and Kapel Furman (Uptake Fear). Skull: The Mask stars Brazilian wrestling champion Rurik Jr., Wilton Andrade, and Natallia Rodrigues. Ivo Müller co-stars with Ricardo Gelli Guta Ruiz, Gilda Nomacce, and also Tristan Aronovich. 

NEW SHUDDER SERIES

The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs – New Episodes Every Friday **A Shudder Original Series  

The hit original series with Joe Bob Briggs premiered on April 16 and continues with new episodes every Friday. Briggs is the world’s foremost drive-in movie critic. He presents eclectic horror movie double features. And he interrupts the films to expound upon their merits, histories, and also the significance to genre cinema. The show’s hashtag is #TheLastDriveIn. It’s trended in the top 10 on Twitter in the US during the premiere of every episode and special. It often reaches Number 1. Guest stars to date include Anna Biller, Kelli Maroney, Chris Jericho, and Lloyd Kaufman. Plus Barbara Crampton, John McNaughton, Reggie Bannister, Ashley Laurence, Doug Bradley, Michael Berryman, Felissa Rose and Tom Savini.  

NEW ADDITIONS TO SHUDDER’S MOVIE LIBRARY

May 1  

  • The Wicker Man (1973; US) 

During a celebration of May Day, a puritan Police Sergeant arrives in a Scottish island village. He’s in search of a girl who the locals claim never existed.   

  • House on Haunted Hill (1959; US) 

A millionaire offers $10,000 to five people. The catch? They must agree to be locked in a large, spooky, rented house overnight with him and his wife. The film is produced by horror legend, William Castle.  

  • House on Haunted Hill (1999; US) 

An amusement park mogul offers a group of diverse people $1,000,000. The catch this time? Spend the night in a haunted house with a horrifying past. 

  • 13 Ghosts (1960; US, CA) 

A family inherits what proves to be a haunted house. But a special pair of goggles allows them to see their ghostly tormentors. The film is also produced by horror legend, William Castle. 

  • Curse of the Demon (1958; US, CA) 

Directed by Hollywood great, Jacques Tourneur. American professor John Holden arrives in London for a parapsychology conference. Only to find himself also investigating the mysterious actions of Devil-worshiper Julian Karswell. 

RELATED: HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL Blu-ray Review – Visit A Place Truly Horrific: The ’90s

May 4 

  • Frankenhooker (US) 

Directed by Frank Henenlotter. A medical student sets out to recreate his decapitated fiancée. By building her a new body made of Manhattan street prostitutes.  
 

May 10 

  • Sator (US, CA) 
    Secluded in a desolate forest, a broken family is observed by Sator, a supernatural entity who is attempting to claim them. 
  • Climate of the Hunter (US, ANZ) 

Two sisters vie for the affections of a man who may or may not be a vampire. When the three come together for dinner it has all the makings of a lovely meal filled with desire, memories and also blood. From indie auteur Mickey Reece comes a wholly original new vampire vision. 

  • The Funeral Home (US, CA, UKI, ANZ) 

Bernardo is an undertaker who also runs a mortuary business in the same house where he resides. In the front he has his clients. And in the back, his dysfunctional family lives among coffins, wreaths and also the mischievous supernatural entities that visit on a daily basis. They attribute the paranormal manifestations to the dead bodies from their mortuary work but finding the real source of all this madness will be their quest, and what they might find is a terrifying truth. 

May 13 

  • Trickster –Full Season Binge Release (US)  

Based on the bestselling trilogy of novels by Eden Robinson, Trickster tells the story of the Indigenous Gothic, spirits, ancient magic and deadly rites of passage in a coming-of-age story unlike any you’ve ever seen. 

RELATED: Who Goes There Podcast: Episode 125 – American Mary

May 17 

  • American Mary (US) 

The allure of easy money sends Mary Mason, a medical student, into the world of underground surgeries which ends up leaving more marks on her than her so called “freakish” clients. 

  • Time Lapse (US) 

Three friends discover a mysterious machine that takes pictures twenty-four hours into the future, and conspire to use it for personal gain, until disturbing and dangerous images begin to develop. 

  • Found (US, CA) 

A horror-obsessed boy discovers his older brother is a serial killer. 

May 18 

  • Def by Temptation (US, CA, UKI, ANZ) 
    An evil succubus is preying on libidinous black men in New York City, and all that stands in her way is a minister-in-training, an aspiring actor, and also a cop who specializes in cases involving the supernatural. 
     
  • Black Roses (US, UKI, ANZ) 

Demons hypnotize the general public by posing as a rock and roll band. 

RELATED: Trailer: WWII-Era Survival Horror WEREWOLF is More Than Meets the Eye

May 24 

  • Werewolf (US, CA) 
    WW2: a group of children liberated from a concentration camp find themselves, aimless and also hungry, stranded in an abandoned mansion in the forest, surrounded by vicious attack dogs. 
  • The Machine (US, CA) 
    In efforts to construct perfect android killing machines in a war against China, UK scientists exceed their goal and also create a sentient robot. 
  • The Windmill (US, CA) 
    In a desperate attempt to stay one step ahead of the authorities, Jennifer joins a coach-load of tourists embarking on a tour of Holland’s world-famous windmills. She and also the other tourists are forced to seek shelter in a disused shed beside a sinister windmill where, legend has it, a Devil-worshiping miller once ground the bones of locals instead of grain. As members of the group start to disappear, Jennifer learns that they all also have something in common – a shared secret that also seems to mark them all for doom 
Shudder's May 2021 Highlights include the bizarre South African horror Fried Barry, Neil Marshall's The Reckoning, and the frontrunner for best horror movie of 2021 (so far) Psycho Goreman!

Are you also a Shudder subscriber? What are you most looking forward to streaming in May? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! You can also carry on the convo with me personally on Twitter @josh_millican.

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