Midnight Vendetta aka Poison (2001)

October Challenge Day 3

This film starts out with a husband pimping out his wife to a business executive, in the hopes of a new position at the office. 

WOW

I could also immediately tell this film was from the early 2000s. I can't explain it but you can also somehow smell it. Or maybe that's because it might be a little porn-y. This might be a soft porn film, folks. I'm not sure what else to call it.

Let's talk about the surprisingly entertaining film that is:

 Midnight Vendetta aka Poison

After the initial shock of the opening scene - which was RUDE - it's just a wild opening scene, the film quickly pivots to an accidental comedy of extreme drama. I was howling.

This troubled couple then argues about the rape, the husband drives off upset after loosing the job he pimped his wife out for, and dies in a wild car crash. And: scene!

What happens next is so wildly funny it's hard to describe, as we're introduced to the family of the woman who "stole" his job. The "Power Hungry" Mom. The "Seventeen Year Old" adventurous daughter. The "Alarmingly Young and Comically Useless" Husband (who I'm pretty sure I saw on a Hallmark movie poster in the film A History of Concrete - which I caught yesterday at a packed theater). And finally "The Maid".

Take a moment to soak these scenes in, people. It will take a minute to adjust your eyes. But then!! Our angry widow weasels her way into the family .... for REVENGE.

Think a more evil and porn-y version of The Hand That Rocks The Cradle~!!

This film is overly dramatic in such a silly way you can't help but love it. It's cheap, it's fun, it's trashy, and alarmingly engaging. Oh, and don't forget the porn scenes (which are just fine for polite society)! I had so much fun by the end that I'm adding it to my favorites list. 

Pairs with family sized frozen dinners and off brand sodas.

I watched this film on Tubi, of course, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this slutty little adventure. 

Resident Evil (2026)

October Challenge Day 2

My brother called up me recently and asked if I wanted to see the latest Resident Evil film. I wasn't exactly thrilled - it wasn't totally on my radar, and I had lost track of the series after the first film from a lifetime ago (aka 2002). Then he added "It's getting really great reviews". Coming from him, that's a big deal. I said, Okay. Let's go.

Let's talk about:

Resident Evil

I got us balcony tickets at the Cinerama, grabbed some popcorn and drinks, and settled in for an adventure - as I walked in completely blind.  

This film had me roaring with fears and cheers. I was bouncing all over my seat at the jump scares, cackling at the ridiculous, and overall having a great time. I was having so much fun I didn't notice my brother was sitting there .... silent.

By the end of the film I excitedly turned to him and asked, "What did you think? I loved it!"

He turned to me and said, decidedly, "I hated it."

I was dumbfounded, as we agree on most films. He added that he thought the main character was stupid and embarrassing - that nothing was scary, and overall it felt cheep and silly.

I said, "Yes, I agree - that's why I loved it!"

That's when I realized:

My brother is a gamer, and when he played this video game he was scared. It was a fun game for him to play.

I am not a gamer, and I think what I saw and experienced from the film was as if I was a player in the game. See, this young man here, our protagonist, is hapless, bumbling, and just making bad decision after bad decision as he navigates a hellscape of creatures and nightmares - like in a game. The same mistakes and misshapes a player would make. 

The monsters were frightening and fun because the film *felt* like a video game, and should I be playing it, I would shout, holler, and laugh too if a man-beast-thing came rolling up the wall after me on it's 15 legs.

In short, I think my brother was looking for a deeper experience, based on his gaming experience. I didn't know what to expect and still play the original Dr. Mario from time to time, and found it a rock n' roll great time. I would recommend this film on the big screen, however!!

Watch this film with friends if you can, laugh and scream together - it's fun. Pairs with very very very buttery popcorn and your favorite drink. 

I caught this film in the theater but I anticipate it will be streaming soon. Or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this wild ride.

50 Horror Movies You May Have Missed (vol. 12)

Welcome to the twelveth annual mega list of movies you may have missed! Hurrah for more movies, movies and lists! Check out where you can find these films on JustWatch. Better yet, see if you can rent them from Scarecrow Video!

So, without further ado and to welcome in this year's October Challenge, I present:

50 Horror Movies You May Have Missed (vol. 12)

Because there will be more. Oh yes, there will be more. 

Anguish (2015): This is a slow, but nice burn - a tale of a teenage girl who moves into a house and then gets haunted by the previous teenage girl who died horrifically. Where are my Wait To Helen Comes fans at??? A chilly ghost story for your Autumn nights. Watch with your angry teen as you try to bond. Based on a true story.

The Ash Tree (1975): Oh the spooky, lovely, creepy that is balancing precariously on lines that shouldn't be crossed are: A Ghost Story for Christmas collection. They all have their charms but this one is a short you should check out. At just under 40 minutes long, this is an unnatural story that hangs on the branches of an old ash tree by the new sir's bed chamber....

Black Widow (1987): Here we have a story about what happens when a girls girl doubles down on a Not girls girl. There is a woman out here who is killing her husbands for money and power - a Federal Agent has a hunch and goes looking for her.... Not a great film, cinimatically, but it will scratch a part of your brain that has an itch. Watch with a bestie that will murder for you. Pairs with TV dinners.

Blades (1988): Oh this one is a HOOT! Think Jaws, but ... with a possessed lawnmower, at a golf course.... I had so much fun with this watch and absolutely recommend it for the charming absurdity. Read more in my review here. 

Body Double (1984): I am a sucker for sultry thrillers - and this is a good one! Here we have a man just trying to make it as an actor who stumbles upon the opportunity to house sit in luxury, but what he sees out of his window leads him down a road of nightmares and madness.  A perfect late night watch.

The Bray Road Beast (2018): Who is in the mood for a werewolf documentary?! ME! HOPE YOU ARE TOO! As a werewolf story fan, I can't turn away from any of them, even the cringe ones, which makes this one refreshing because it's just a respectfully made look into the lore. Read more in my review here.

Bugonia (2025): This took me a minute to trust. Then I didn't trust it, but then I trusted it, didn't again, and then I was betrayed by it all in an excellent way. I was so frustrated by this one that I can't help but recommend a viewing. Watch with friends who want to argue about what's happening. 

Cellar Dweller (1987): Looking for some cozy, campy, practical effects-filled fun?! Look no further than the basement! Here we have the tale of an artist commune plagued by the "spirit" of an artist who brought to life a monster. Thirty years later the monster is resurrected and the in-fighting artists battle both themselves and the monster, for survival. A great weekend watch!

Chicago Cab aka Hellcab (1997): I 100% see how this was a play and I actually love that it was turned into a movie. This is a simple story about a cab driver and the rides he picks up in a day. Things get weird, dark, and downright unsettling. This is a study on humanity and how we all move through the world - interacting with each other by just passing through. A somber look at the world and not for everyone.

Crimes at the Dark House (1940): Based on the story, The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, here we have the classic tale of a cackling evil villain, innocent and wronged women, a plot for money, and murders abound! A fun thriller for a cold and blustery night! Pairs with girl dinner. 

Cutting Class (1989): A teenage slashic! Sort of - with a very young Brad Pitt! There is someone in the high school taking the kids out and our star student might know him! Is it the hot bad boy? Is it the troubled young man recently released from a mental institution? Watch and see!!

Dawn of the Dogman (2025): Again, I could talk all day about werewolves/dogmen - as they scare the living shit out of me, so I was delighted to stumble across this documentary that was having a heart-felt talk about the history of both the dogmen and the people of the Michigan area. Two thumbs up if you're looking for both information and being a little scared. I found this on YouTube.

Dolly (2025): I will admit this is a strange one .... and I'm still not sure what to think of it. According to IMDB this is the full length version of the 2022 short film Babygirl, which I would like to see. This is the story of a couple (perhaps soon to be fiances???) who take a hiking trip and everything goes terribly terribly wrong (as it does). Found trapped in a decaying house with someone wearing a baby mask - we're all ending up a little traumatized with this one.

Drop Dead Fred (1991): I revisited this one after watching it once in the early '90s. I didn't understand it then (I was in my early teens, after all) but today me was shocked. Is this a horror film? Yes, I suppose so. Drama. Also yes? Other: Yes. I suppose this should be shelved with the other Unraveling Mind Films. A very original film that should have more appreciation. Pairs with cinnamon sugar sandwiches. 

Fangs of the Living Dead (1969): This film starts off with a woman asking her doctor fiance, over the phone, if he's very busy. He responds, "I have a few fractures" and she responds, in all seriousness, "Does it hurt?". HOOKED. Watch before or after a drag show. Trust me on this one. 

The Fly II (1989): As a big fan of the original film, I was hesitant to tackle this one. Glad I didn't hesitate forever. This story brings us back to the mad doctor's son and his growing up, heavily monitored, in a lab. Sad and heartfelt at first - in true Fly fashion - it gets really gross and wild with things by the end. A fine, nasty ass sequel.

From Beyond (1986): I heard someone refer to this one as Hellraiser light, and I agree. This is an H.P. Lovecraft twist about getting too science-y and conjuring up things you can't put down. The practical effects are spectacular, as expected, and the plot is messy and raunchy. Just have fun with this one, kids!

Highway To Hell (1991): This is a wild and wacky ride through the underworld! Grab a drink and the pizza and travel with this couple as his girl is kidnapped and taken through Hell. Is it a fever dream? Maybe. It's a psychedelic trip with a Mad Max feel, surrounded by a bevy of odd but clever characters. It's a non-stop ride.

Horror in the High Desert (2021): Calling all fans of faux documentaries and/or fans of 411 missing persons stories. While there is some back-and-forth about this one (some love it, some hate it, some feel the same about just parts of it), overall it's just a neat exploration into story telling. Watch just before going on a camping trip.

Influencer (2022): I wasn't expecting much from this and was PLEASANTLY surprised. Here we have the classic tale of a "nobody" befriending a "popular" girl. Things go terribly, terribly, terribly wrong.....

Influencers (2025): Hahahahaha! Back again! Thankfully I saw these back-to-back so I want to share them back-to-back. Similar to the first in that it's menacing, this one is a little more cheeky. Good times! Influencers are overrated, btw.

King on Screen (2022): Get your Stephen King lore here! This is a charming, loving, and fun look into the impact Stephen King has had on the horror film world. A documentary for all book and movie fans. A HUGE shout out to Tabitha King for pulling the draft pages of Carrie from the trashcan. 

Life After Beth (2014): Oh I had so much fun with this one!!! Gather around, Obsession fans, I have a delight for you! This is just a little love story, about a young man and his sweet girlfriend who died suddenly. If he could only kiss and hold her one more time.... Hold on tight for a wild, morbid, funny ride!

The Lift (1983): Oh you know, just a little razzle dazzle with a possessed elevator! The Netherlands brings us this morbid tale of an elevator hellbent on killing folks. What can you do? Watch it of course! Watch with your friends over drinks and snacks. Best yet, it's better than expected!

Mad Love (1935): This twisted tales involves a surgeon, obsessed with a woman, who plots to have her husband arrested for murder. Sort of. He replaces her husband's hands with the hands of a murderer. Wait, that's just part of it too.... Let me start over. This is a strange and chilling feature about a terrible, insane man who tries to ruin a woman's life (because of his obsession of her). It's a tale as old as time. Watch it for Peter Lorre.

Mothers' Instinct (2024): Every domestic situation set in the 1950's is a horror story for me, so let's add this one to the list! This absolute menace of a story follows two women, neighbors and best friends, who experience a tragic loss. How they handle that loss is where the masks fall off.... Watch with leftovers heated in Tupperware and alcohol for breakfast.

Mute Witness (1995): Strap in for this wild ride! Here we have the story of a mute American woman who witnesses a murder on a movie set in Russia. The mob catches her watching and the pursuit makes the movie. This is a graphic, fast-paced and non-stop adventure that traverses across language barriers, not believing women, mental and emotional abuse, and with an exploding ending. I was surprised through and through.

Next Door (1995): I stumbled upon this hidden gem fairly recently and quickly added it to this list! What immediately appears to be a classic dark '90s comedy descends quickly into a story of violence and madness when two neighbors can't agree on civility. In short, a tale of two men who can't get over their egos.

Nightbeast (1982): Indulge in some schlock horror with this fine specimen. Here we have an alien who crash lands in a classic 1980's town and wrecks havoc across it. Come for the frickin' laser beams, stay for the laugh-out-loud fun. Best watched with friends who you're all going to hell with.

Nymphomaniac: Vol 1 (2013): Careful, everyone, this is a Lars von Trier film and I really caution his work - it's Not. For. Everyone. I had hesitations because his work usually leaves me completely devastated. This one is no different! Here a young woman shares her emotional and sexual escapades to the strange man who saved her life. These stories are so scary, so emotional, and so long that I had a double take when I realized Vol. 1 was over. Time few by....

Nymphomaniac: Vol 2 (2013): And then it took me a year to get to Vol 2 of this epic story! I had to emotionally prepare myself. It's that hard to watch, but worth it! Our young woman here carries on her insights and adventures through life and you can feel the pace speed up. Things are feeling even more dangerous. The ending ruined me, as expected. It will ruin you too, so watch with care. This might be one of my favorites of von Trier's work. 

One Step Beyond (Television Show, 1959): We all know the beloved Twilight Zone series, but have you also checked out One Step Beyond!?! This is, hands down, one of my most favorite spooky, classic, TV shows and I don't hear enough people talking about it. Based on real events, this show tells stories of the supernatural and some of the stories are downright Scary! Not to miss if you want to binge watch something spooky and chilling.

Paranoiac (1963): This is a WILD ride! And it's a Hammer Horror film, so you know it's going to be good. This unhinged nightmare follows a deeply disturbed family when the eldest son, who was long thought to have committed suicide, comes back home to claim his inheritance. You will have no idea where this story is going, I promise. 

Poison Ivy (1992): I just re-watched this recently and I roared with laughter. This is some good, '90s sultry trash. I was 13 when this film first came out and I remember being mystified by "Ivy" - so her spell worked on my awkward ass at the time! Now, as an adult, this is a strange, not well written, dreamy and morbid girl life film and I applaud it! Just get that red lipstick all over your face, lounge in a ridiculous gown, and be dramatic about EVERYTHING to properly prepare for this movie watching experience.

The Premonition (1975): I think I was expecting to see some low budget '70s camp, here. And I was watching some .... until it wasn't low budget camp anymore. I did, however, end up in some sort of TED talk for a short while, which quickly descended into a psychic intervention. This is a strange, strange film that will stick with me for a long time. Read more in my review here.

Presumed Innocent (1990): This was a surprising thriller! I was on the edge of my seat from minute one - and by the end I was scared of something I couldn't explain. This is the story of a lawyer who becomes infatuated with his co-worker and she suddenly ends up dead. He becomes the main suspect. Haunting, intense, raw, and a little steamy - this will satisfy all your '90s thriller needs.

Prey (2022): This is an action packed, edge-of-your-seat duel to the death with our old friend, the Predator. An origin story, if you will, it takes us to the 1800s lands of the Comanche people and their fright against another illegal alien (they had enough on their hands with the French already). Bloody, bad ass, carnal, and beautiful - this is a must watch for multiple reasons and you should pay attention to all of them.   

The Severed Sun (2024): Ah yes, some classic folk horror, what's a Halloween season without it!? This tale revolves around a remote religious cult, and the daughter of the cult leader who conjures something from within the woods to enact revenge. Moody and gory, this would be a nice fit to relieve some angst. Pairs with raw milk and homemade bread.

Sew Torn (2024): Looking for something really different? I got you. Here we have a seamstress who uses her needle and thread skills to infiltrate a drug deal and then uses her sewing skills to try and get out of the mess that was made. Artsy, fun, thrilling, beautiful, and absolutely original, this is a great watch while doing crafts.

Shelby Oaks (2024): First and foremost - you have to make it through the first 17 minutes of this film. Yes. I know it's bad but stick with it! Trust The Process and prepare to have your ass dragged around a scary hellscape for the rest of the film. You can thank me later. Trust The Process with this one!

Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland (1989): By far one of my favorites out of the series, this film starts out with a chase scene that is so unhinged you're locked in for the whole film. Here we have a camping trip with the rich kids against the poors, and Angela has opinions. *Trashy* and fun, this is a great late night pick to meet all your '80s slasher needs.

Spellbinder (1988): What's the '80s without a little witch craft and satanic love stories? Here we have the story of a lawyer who sees a woman in distress, rescues her, and takes her home. Intrigue and death threats ensue! A little steamy, a little sultry, a little weird, this is a very interesting take on Watch Out Who You Take Home. Quality Saturday night entertainment!

Split Second (1992): This film is ... FUN! Silly and fun - and I secretly suspect Kim Cattrall's look inspired Uma Thurman's look in Pulp Fiction. Speaking of pulp, this is: Pulp! The title is ridiculous and makes little sense. Just roll with it. Roll with all of it - we're in flooded future London with a creature on the loose, after all. Action packed and crazy - this is a good group watch.

Sugar Hill (1974): "How strong is your hate?" Is a question asked here and it HITS. This is the story of a woman who's boyfriend is killed, by a gang, for his nightclub. She consults a Voodoo priestess and conjures a zombie army to take the gang down. Just sit back, listen, and enjoy. This film is, simply, perfect. 

They Look Like People (2015): Mental Illness - it should always be taken seriously and everyone should have the support they need. It's health care. However, just navigating health also makes for good horror fodder, and this film is a fine example. Heartbreaking and scary, this one explores friendship and identify, as one man navigates the voices in his head telling him people aren't real.

Trick or Treat (1986): Right off the bat this film kicks, is a big bag of bad ass, and just a hell of a lot of fun to watch. Hilariously fun and excellent practical effects, with a plot line that grabs you immediately and never let's go - it's been a minute since I have been *this* excited about a teenage '80s slasher/demon drama. Read more in my review here.

Unlawful Entry (1992): This film had a profound impact on me when I first saw it as a teen, shortly after it came out. It was my introduction to a home alarm system and I was mesmerized! This is a tale about a married couple who experience a break-in and so buy an alarm system for their home. It was the worst decision they could have made.

The Unwanted (2014): As soon as I saw this was based on the Sheridan Le Fanu's short story Carmilla, I was hooked. Very Gothic, very Victorian, very man has the scares because woman have opinions and thoughts of their own. Heady horror, and a little cheesy at the same time. Bonus, lesbians. Read more in my review here.

Vertigo (1958): I put this one off for a long time for no good reason whatsoever. Thinking it would be more of a slow burn, and a smart but slight thriller, I figured I'd get to it eventually. Oh my, when I did get to it though, it shocked my socks off! This very spooky thriller surprised me at every turn! It's the story of a man who is suppose to keep an eye on someone's wife - see where she was going during the day - but it turned into so much more. Madness ensues. Pairs with black coffee, whiskey, or ice cold water. 

Werewolf of London (1935): Trouble in the laboratory when a scientist pays no attention to the warnings about hunting for a rare plant in rural Tibet! Here be werewolves! This is a light and somewhat cheeky dive into taking science too far, particularly when the scientist accidentally turns himself into a werewolf! Come for the classic style, stay for the stellar - and I mean STELLAR - one liners from little old ladies.