‘It Feeds’ Breathes New Life Into Supernatural Horror [Panic Fest 2025 Review]
With the popularity of franchises like The Conjuring and Insidious, supernatural horror has become a bit formulaic, especially when it comes to a psychic white woman saving the day in the face of some unknowable evil. And while Chad Archibald’s (Vicious Fun) latest feature, It Feeds, does still follow in the footsteps of its predecessors, he manages to pack the script with non-stop action that spans monsters both human and otherworldly. Plus, the film boasts a contemporary Gothic sensibility that makes It Feeds feel like a modern fairytale.
Cynthia Winstone (Ashley Greene) is a therapist with a special skill: she’s clairvoyant. She uses this skill to help unlock buried memories and traumas in her patients, who visit her home for their appointments. Cynthia is helped by her daughter, Jordan (Ellie O’Brien), who is trying to develop her skills, but for now, she just helps with intake assessments.
One day, a young girl (Shayelin Martin) bursts into the Winstone home begging for help, declaring that something has attached itself to her and she needs help getting rid of it. What Cynthia sees clinging to the girl is terrifying, and she refuses to help. The girl’s father (Shawn Ashmore) bursts in, grabs his daughter, and storms out, declaring they don’t need help anyway. But after seeing bruises on the girl’s body and hearing the desperation in her voice, Jordan just can’t let go of this girl’s case. But when she decides to make a surprise home visit, everything begins to spiral out of control.
Also Read: ‘Lead Belly’ Is A Shocking Mumblegore Nightmare [Panic Fest 2025 Review]
The story is non-stop action, with Archibald never letting up on the gas as soon as It Feeds begins. He isn’t afraid of throwing disturbing imagery at the viewer as soon as the film begins and doesn’t let up until the credits roll. This isn’t a slow-burn supernatural thriller where everything of note happens at the end. Archibald makes sure to deliver setpiece after setpiece to not only create a terrifying world but to show a new kind of supernatural horror that hits you in the heart while making you shriek in terror.
It Feeds wears its influences on its sleeve, especially when it comes to films like Insidious, with Greene essentially playing a young Lin Shaye. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing! It’s like watching her backstory as a cottagecore goth girl who grew up to be a therapist. The practical effects utilized here create a gnarly monster that deserves to be entered into the pantheon of top modern horror movie creatures. Brooklyn Marshall embodies the creature perfectly with her physicality.
While It Feeds is all gas, no brakes, Archibald skims over developing his characters in the name of a twisty and unpredictable story. And this mostly works, but there’s something missing from the relationship between Cynthia and Jordan. While Greene and O’Brien have great chemistry, they can only do so much when it comes to giving the audience more context to their lives. I mean, I wouldn’t mind a prequel or a sequel about them either. Perhaps it’s just my desire for more lore and world-building, but it feels like there’s so much more here that could be unearthed.
Also Read: ‘Old Wounds’ is Mostly Refreshing Found Footage [Panic Fest 2025 Review]
Overall, It Feeds is a good old-fashioned scary movie that reinvigorates supernatural horror without rewriting the script. It’s familiar but modern, stylish and well-curated, a fascinating world with an eerie vibe that leaks into every frame. I wouldn’t mind a few more stories following the Winstones. They’re certainly better than more Warren worship, especially in 2025.
It Feeds had its world premiere at Panic Fest 2025. It comes to select theaters and VOD on April 18, 2025.
-
It Feeds
Summary
It Feeds is a good old-fashioned scary movie that reinvigorates supernatural horror without rewriting the script. It’s familiar but modern, stylish and well-curated, a fascinating world with an eerie vibe that leaks into every frame.
Categorized:Reviews
