Could ‘Monitor’ Be the Next Horror Breakout?
Everyone wants to know what the next breakout festival horror movie will be.
After Obsession exploded onto the scene, the conversation immediately shifted to which title would follow in its footsteps. I’ve seen plenty of predictions over the past few months, but one that never made much sense to me was Leviticus. There just wasn’t anything about the way that film was being handled that suggested it was destined to become the next genre phenomenon.
If there’s a movie I’d be watching right now, it’s Monitor.
Yes, the bidding war and eventual acquisition made headlines, but that’s not the part of the story I find most interesting. What stands out is that Monitor has all the ingredients of a horror movie that could break out well beyond the festival crowd.
The premise is exactly the kind of high-concept hook studios dream about: a disturbing video begins spreading from screen to screen, targeting anyone who watches it. It’s immediate, easy to understand, and naturally evokes memories of The Ring without feeling like a direct retread. In an era where a trailer has seconds to grab your attention, that’s a major advantage.
I’ve also heard positive things from a couple of people who saw the film out of SXSW. The feedback wasn’t that it reinvents the genre; it doesn’t have to. The consensus was that it’s an effective, entertaining horror film with genuine crowd appeal. That’s often what separates a festival favorite from a movie that actually connects with wider audiences.
The other factor working in its favor is the team behind it. This isn’t a movie being quietly shuffled onto a release calendar. There’s clearly belief that it has commercial potential, and if the marketing leans into the film’s viral concept, it’s easy to imagine audiences embracing it in the same way they did other high-concept horror hits.
None of this guarantees Monitor will become the next festival success story. Horror is unpredictable, and plenty of buzzy titles have failed to make the leap from festivals to multiplexes.
But if you’re asking which recent festival horror movie has the best chance to be the next breakout, Monitor feels like one of the strongest contenders we’ve seen in a while.
Searchlight Pictures will release Monitor in theaters later this year.
Matt Black and Ryan Polly’s original short film.
Black and Ryan Polly’s feature debut is based on a really fun short film.
After a disturbing video surfaces online, something begins to spread — moving from screen to screen and targeting anyone who watches. No escape. No warning. Once you’ve seen it… It’s already too late.
Monitor stars Brittany O’Grady, Viveik Karla, Ines Høysæter Asserson, Gunner Willis, Sara Alexander, and Camila Bejarano Wahlgren.
“Matt and Ryan have crafted a visceral, modern thriller that taps directly into our collective fear of what may lurk just out of view, at the edges of our screens — delivering a truly wild ride. We can’t wait to bring it to audiences,” said Searchlight Pictures President Matthew Greenfield.
“When we made the original Monitor short film eight years ago, we never imagined it would one day find a home at Searchlight Pictures,” added Black and Polly.
Producers are Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Isaac Klausner, John Fischer, and Adrian Guerra. Executive Producers include Nuria Valls, Hal Sadoff, Ben Levine, Dave Bishop, and George Hamilton.
Categorized:Festivals / Events Indie News