Stream Warriors: April 8, 2022
Each week, Neon Splatter contributors offer up some viewing options found on streaming (U.S. unless otherwise noted). Movies, TV shows, specials, and more. New and old, from all sorts of genres and nations. Most importantly, we deem them worthy of your time.
Jeremy Lowe: SUMMER OF 84 (2018)
What It Is: After suspecting that their police officer neighbor is a serial killer, a group of teenage friends spend their summer spying on him and gathering evidence, but as they get closer to discovering the truth, things get dangerous.
Where It Is: Shudder
Why You Should Watch It: “This is how you do an ‘80s homage without being complete nostalgia porn. SUMMER OF 84 is horror mixed with a teen sex comedy, brought to you by the fine folks behind TURBO KID (2015). This is a masterful blending of FRIGHT NIGHT (1985), THE 'BURBS, THE MONSTER SQUAD, and THE GOONIES. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!”
Alexis M. Collazo: Ragnarok (2020—)
What It Is: In a Norwegian town poisoned by pollution and rattled by melting glaciers, the End Times feel all too real. It’ll take a legend to battle an old evil.
Where It Is: Netflix
Why You Should Watch It: “I came for the Nordic mythology and stayed for the teen drama. Watching the brothers Magne and Laurits navigate through the insecurity and awkwardness of being the new kids in town pulled me in. If being a teenager wasn’t hard enough, add in learning to control god-like abilities and fighting earth destroying frost giants and it gets complicated and entertaining.”
Shafi Malik: KALA (2021)
What It Is: Shaji leads a simple family life. A sudden turn of events brings out the flip side of him. The narration moves from human nature to animal love to brutality towards animals and humans equally.
Where It Is: Amazon Prime
Why You Should Watch It: “Imagine a movie with the plot of JOHN WICK but set in a single location of a Keralan village with ten times the brutality and some of the most visceral action scenes you will see in the international hemisphere...that's KALA!
Director Rohith V.S. paints a psychological Action movie that doesn't resemble anything else you're going to see this year. Come for the social commentary on class warfare and the nature of man, wince at the bone-crunching gore!”
Khayla McGowan: SCREAM (2022)
What It Is: 25 years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, Calif., a new killer dons the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town's deadly past.
Where It Is: Paramount+
Why You Should Watch It: “The latest in the SCREAM series re-upped my excitement for the direction of modern slashers! I've been enjoying the comedic swing with HAPPY DEATH DAY, READY OR NOT, and FREAKY, but this new entry to my favorite horror franchise is not only my favorite sequel to any horror film ever, but also possibly in contention for beating the original.
From being even more meta, to queer POC representation, to the obligatory family trauma, I literally CANNOT wait for more in SCREAM 6 come 2023!”
Rob Dean: IN THE REALMS OF THE UNREAL (2004)
What It Is: Henry Darger was an isolated janitor in Chicago, who spent most of his time alone in his apartment. What no one knew was that he was creating an epic work of art. A book with 15,000 pages and countless images was unseen until after his death 1973, when his neighbors discovered what he created. Jessica Yu uses Darger's book to explore his life and mindset, supplementing his own drawings and words with interviews from people who knew him.
Where It Is: YouTube
Why You Should Watch It: “I was completely unfamiliar with outsider artist Darger before this documentary and was floored by the expansive world he created, while fascinated by how his psychology manifested itself in his art. Excellent documentary with surprising elements and impressive animations based on his illustrations.”