Coming to NYX UK from Wednesday Feb 7th is ELVIRA’S MOVIE MACABRE, which revives the iconic horror hostess Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, as portrayed by Cassandra Peterson, in a TV series that showcases a wide array of classic and cult horror films. Each episode features Elvira’s unique take on a different horror or B-movie, from low-budget slashers to monster flicks, providing entertainment that goes beyond the films themselves.
Two widely respected kings of the genre pop up throughout the month. Kicking off The Original NYX TV Series on Monday nights is Chris Alexander, former editor of Fangoria, who offers a deep dive into the realm of Canadian horror cinema, spotlighting some of the genre’s most influential and intriguing films. Alexander brings his extensive knowledge and passion to the series, guiding viewers through a curated selection of films that includes SHIVERS, RITUALS, TERROR TRAIN and CANNIBAL GIRLS.
And FrightFest Saturday Scares with Alan Jones continues on Saturdays nights, with our genial host introducing and discussing his favourite films, including TENEBRAE and ALICE SWEET ALICE.
On February 4th, fans of horror cinema come together to celebrate the birthday of George A. Romero, a visionary director who revolutionized the zombie genre. In honour of his legacy, NYX UK are presenting a special double feature, showcasing two of his most influential works: THE CRAZIES and NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. These films not only highlight Romero’s talent as a filmmaker but also his ability to infuse horror with social commentary, making them enduring classics in the genre.
Rabid
Premieres this month are spearheaded by the 2019 remake of RABID directed by the Soska Sisters, which brilliantly reinvigorates David Cronenberg’s 1977 horror classic with a modern and thought-provoking twist. Then we have THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD, a British horror anthology film directed by Peter Duffell, which weaves together a collection of spine-tingling tales, each linked by a mysterious and ominous house. And finally, there is PUPPET SHARK, a unique entry in the world of horror cinema, which distinguishes itself with an all-puppet cast, bringing a distinctive and whimsical twist to the genre.
NYX Corporation, based in Canada, is a global media content distribution network specialising in the horror genre. The company delivers high-quality programmed content across linear digital broadcast TV networks. First launched in the UK late 2022, NYX will also move into the US markets in 2024. NYX is dedicated to curating a unique and entertaining blend of horror films and TV series and invites genre fans to delve into a world of carefully selected horror content – for free!
Pigeon Shrine FrightFest announces additional film to its 2024 Glasgow Film Festival line-up
FrightFest, the UK’s No.1 horror fantasy event, which returns to the renowned Glasgow Film Festival for its 19th year, from Thurs 7 March to Sat 9 March 2024, has announced it will be screening the UK premiere of THE SOUL EATER.
From co-directors Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, who, as part of the vanguard of French Extreme cinema brought you INSIDE, LIVID, AMONG THE LIVING and THE DEEP HOUSE., now unleash their most devilish and sinister creation to date.
FRIDAY 8 MARCH – GFT Screen 1
13:00 THE SOUL EATER (UK premiere)
Directors Julien Maury, Alexandre Bustillo Cast Virginie Ledoyen, Paul Hamy,Sandrine Bonnaire, Francis RenaudFrance 2024 1hr50m 18 Thanks to WTF Films
Synopsis: Two detectives with completely different work methods are sent to the sleepy French mountain town of Roquenoir. One is investigating a series of gruesome deaths. The other is searching for some missing local children. Soon they realise their cases are connected… by an old folklore legend of a malevolent creature, the terrifying incarnation of the Soul Eater.
Individual tickets for the Fri/Sat films are on sale Mon 29 January, from noon. Price: £11.80 / £9.50 (concessions).
Please note that all films contain graphic scenes of strong violence and sustained threat.
From Mon Feb 19 – Sat Feb 24, at 9pm, LEGEND goes into battle with WAR STORIES, a season of warfare action and drama, spearheaded by the Channel premieres of Enzo G. Castellari’s terrific WW2 exploitation actioner THE INGLORIOUS BASTARDS (which inspired Tarantino’s 2009 movie) and the Battle of the Bulge thriller COMPANY OF HEROES, starring Tom Sizemore and Vinnie Jones.
Other titles deployed are hard-hitting WW2 thrillers WAR PIGS, starring Dolph Lundgren and Mickey Rourke and WHEELS OF TERROR, starring Bruce Davison, Oliver Reed and David Carradine. Then there’s desert sniper thriller THE WALL, starring John Cena and Sidney J. Furie’s aerial action sequel IRON EAGLE II, starring Louis Gosset Jr.
Other channel premieres include full-throttle thriller THE COURIER, starring Olga Kurylenko, Terence Young’s wild spaghetti western RED SUN, gritty Canadian crime drama 2:22, starring Val Kilmer, Tony Scott’s acclaimed psychological thriller THE FAN, starring Robert De Niro and Wesley Snipes, KING ARTHUR: EXCALIBUR RISING, a vivid re-imagining of the Arthurian legend, hot crime drama NO MERCY, starring Richard Gere and Kim Basinger and the sci-fi thriller PROSPECT, heralded as the best indie sci-fi since Moon.
This month’s THE VINTAGE VAULT, which journeys into the history of genre cinema every Sunday night, includes such classics as THE CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF, THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS (1962), DR TERROR’S HOUSE OF HORRORS and THE PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES.
Legend premieres in transmission order:
Sat 3 Feb @ 21:00 – THE COURIER (2019) *Channel Premiere
Set against a gritty London backdrop, Olga Kurylenko plays a tough motorbike courier who discovers that one of the packages she’s transporting is a bomb, and that it is set to kill the only witness able to testify against ruthless crime lord Ezekiel Mannings (Gary Oldman). Can she evade Manning’s heavily armed army ad deliver justice?
Thurs 8 Feb @ 21:00 – RED SUN (1971) *Channel premiere
A gang robs a train and steals a ceremonial Japanese sword meant as a gift for the U.S. President, prompting a manhunt to retrieve it. Starring Charles Bronson, Toshirō Mifune, Alain Delon and Ursula Andress.
Fri 9 Feb @ 22:55 – 2:22 (2008) *Channel Premiere
The plan was easy. The job was not. On a snowy night, a tight-knit crew of four criminals plan to pull of a routine heist. When things go horribly wrong, friendship, loyalty and trust are pushed to the limit. A Canadian crime thriller directed by Phillip Guzman and starring Mick Rossi, Robert Miano, Aaron Gallagher, and Jorge A. Jiminez.
Sat 10 Feb @ 21:00 – THE FAN (1996) *Channel Premiere
The impressive career of baseball superstar Bobby Rayburn (Wesley Snipes) means more to Gil Renard (Robert De Niro) than any other fan. However, Renard’s fixation starts to cross the line when his own life begins spiralling downward, and when his hero is replaced in the team, Renard’s obsession takes a deadly turn.
Thurs 15 Feb @ 21.00 – KING ARTHUR: EXCALIBUR RISING (2017) *Channel premiere
In the heat of battle, Arth-yr lands his son, Mordred, a fatal blow with the legendary Excalibur, sword before receiving a deadly wound himself. Before dying, he tasks his loyal knight Sir Bedivere with returning Excalibur, the source of Arth-yr’s powers, to the Lady in the Lake.
Sat 17 Feb @ 21:00 – NO MERCY (1986) *Channel Premiere
Chicago detective Eddie Jillette (Richard Gere) poses as a hitman, but things go wrong, and his partner is brutally murdered. He follows suspect Michel (Kim Basinger) back to New Orleans and learns she in connected to a shadowy figure named Losado (Jeroen Krabbé). To bring him out in the open, Eddie abducts Michel, knowing the consequences could be fatal.
Mon 19 Feb @ 21:00 – THE INGLORIOUS BASTARDS (1978) *Channel Premiere *Part of War Stories Season
Rebel AAC pilot Bob Yeager (Bo Svenson) and surly private Fred Canfield (Fred Williamson) are among a dozen soldiers on their way to face court-martials. But when German aircraft strafe their truck the pack of ex-crooks, loafers and misfits decide to fight their way to freedom in Switzerland – stealing a Nazi V2 rocket warhead en route.
Sat 24 Feb @ 21:00 – COMPANY OF HEROES (2013) *Channel Premiere *Part of War Stories Season
During the last major German offensive of World War II, a company of American soldiers is lost behind enemy lines during the Battle of the Bulge, and they make a horrific discovery – Hitler has a super bomb in development. Faced with impossible odds, the company and an escaping POW go on a daring raid into the heart of Nazi Germany in pursuit of the scientist. in charge of a Hitler’s weapons programme.
Thurs 29 Feb @ 21:00 – PROSPECT (2018) *Channel Premiere
A teenage girl and her father travel to a remote alien moon, aiming to strike it rich. They’ve secured a contract to harvest elusive gems hidden in the depths of the moon’s toxic forest. But there are others roving the wilderness and the job quickly devolves into a fight to survive. Stars Pedro Pascal, Sophie Thatcher and Jay Duplass.
FILM NEWS (UK): Pigeon Shrine FrightFest announces 2024 Glasgow Film Festival line-up
FrightFest, the UK’s No.1 horror fantasy event, returns to the renowned Glasgow Film Festival for its 19th year, from Thurs 7 March to Sat 9 March 2024.
This year’s diverse and creative line-up, once again housed at the iconic Glasgow Film Theatre, showcases the latest new releases from the horror, chiller and fantastic realms by auteurs from all over the globe who are not only transforming the genre in exciting ways but also celebrating its consistent appeal at the box office. This year we will be presenting twelve films from eight countries, spanning three continents, including two world and eight UK premieres.
Festival co-director Alan Jones says, “We live in amazing times of change in the delivery of the audiovisual experience, but festivals like the GFF and FrightFest remain constant and committed to bringing all of these advances together for lively debate because the magic of cinema knows no boundaries”.
YOU’LL NEVER FIND ME
FrightFest kicks off in thrilling style on Thurs 7 March with a special UK premiere screening of twisted terror tale YOU’LL NEVER FIND ME, a bold directorial debut from Australian filmmaking duo Josiah Allen & Indianna Bell and featuring outstanding central performances from Jordan Cowan & Brendan Rock.
FrightFest’s traditional two-day event opens on Friday 8 March with a surprise film to be announced shortly. Next is the UK premiere of Mathieu Turi’s THE DEEP DARK, an award-winning creature feature from the director of Hostile, which takes you on a dark voyage to the edge of limitless horrific imagination.
This is followed by another creature feature, but one you can’t see! Mike Hermosa’s gloriously entertaining splatter monster comedy THE INVISIBLE RAPTOR, enjoys its UK premiere.
The 8.45pm presentation is one not to miss. From RKSS, the directorial collective behind Turbo Kid and Summer of ’84, comes the UK premiere of WAKE UP, a fresh take on the slasher genre where classic adrenaline-fuelled horror and Gen Z environmental issues collide in one twisted night from hell.
THE INVISIBLE RAPTOR
Friday evening climaxes with the UK premiere of KILL YOUR LOVER, an uncompromising, wild, body horror shocker from co-directors Alix Austin and Keir Siewert, marking their debut feature in punky style.
Saturday’s bloody menu starts with the World premiere of MOM, a striking, provocative and consuming psychological horror anchored with an incredible performance by Schitt’s Creek star Emily Hampshire. Served up next is the Scottish premiere of flesh-eating feast, THE FUNERAL, a gripping body shocker from Turkish director Orcun Behram.
Lauren LaVera in THE WELL
Then we have the World premiere of CUSTOM, the long awaited first feature from award-winning, Brazilian-born and UK-based filmmaker Tiago Teixeira. In this paranoid horror thriller, which stars Abigail Hardingham, Teixeira brilliantly blurs the lines between death and sex, reality and fantasy,
The evening programme opens with the UK premiere of Federico Zampaglione’s THE WELL. Federico Zampaglione, the Italian Rob Zombie, director of Shadow and Tulpa: Demon of Desire, returns to the extreme horror genre with a dark supernatural chiller starring Lauren LaVera, fresh from her eye-catching lead role in the box-office phenomenon Terrifier 2.
Then we have the UK premiere of the unsettling folk horror tale ALL YOU NEED IS DEATH. Echoing the early work of Ben Wheatley and Peter Strickland, Paul Duane’s ethnomusicology shocker is one of the most unique and unsettling cautionary folk horror tales of the year.
Last but not least, do you dare enter the killing fields of LAST STRAW. Alan Scott Neal makes a vibrant directorial debut with his hard-hitting diner-invasion thriller, a welcome addition to the canon of socially on-trend genre movies.
Plus, there are premieres of two shorts, both from up-and-coming Scottish filmmakers. MOUSE is a pin-sharp stalker thriller from Ewan j Fletcher and SUBJECT 73, is a twisty morality tale from Reiff Gaskell.
SUBJECT 73
FrightFest Weekend Passes are £83 and available from noon on Friday 19 January 2024. Passes will be exchanged for admission wristbands, which must be worn at all times to access all FrightFest films on Fri 8 March and Sat 9 March ONLY.
Tickets for YOU WILL NEVER FIND ME, plus individual tickets for the Fri/Sat films are on sale Mon 29 January, from noon. Price: £11.80 / £9.50 (concessions).
Please note that all films contain graphic scenes of strong violence and sustained threat.
Telephone: 0141 332 6535 (£1.50 fee per transaction, voice-mail available during peak business periods.
In person: Glasgow Film Theatre, 12 Rose Street, Glasgow G3 6RB.
Pass Booking opens Friday 19 Jan at 12:00, individual films open Mon 29 Jan at 12:00
Glasgow Film Theatre Cinecard members get 4 days early-access to individual films from January 26 at noon, as well as discounted tickets for each performance.
Programme details
THURS 7 MARCH – GFT Screen 1
20:50 YOU’LL NEVER FIND ME (UK Premiere)
Directors: Josiah Allen & Indianna Bell. Cast: Brendan Rock, Jordan Cowan. Australia 2023. Ihr33min. 18.
Synopsis: An isolated man living in the back of a desolate caravan park is visited by a desperate young woman seeking shelter from a violent storm. As the savage storm worsens, these solitary souls begin to feel threatened- but who should really be afraid?
FRIDAY 8 MARCH – GFT Screen 1
13:00 TBC
15:25 THE DEEP DARK (UK Premiere)
Director: Mathieu. Turi Cast: Samuel LeBihan, Amir El Kacem, Jean-Hughes Anglade. France 2023 1hr41m 18.
Synopsis: It’s 1856 and in the historic coal mines of Northern France a group of miners find themselves trapped in the subterranean depths after a cave-in. But they are not alone…Decades later veteran miner Roland accompanies Professor Berthier underground to take samples. A sudden landslide prevents them from surfacing, and they too must face the ancient mutant that constantly craves blood.
18:00: THE INVISIBLE RAPTOR (UK premiere)
Director: Mike Hermosa. Cast: Mike Capes, Sean Astin, Sandy Martin. USA 2023 1hr52m 18.
Synopsis: The Tyler Corporation has figured out how to genetically engineer a prehistoric raptor, but they didn’t stop there…they also made it invisible. Unfortunately for them, he’s a really smart invisible raptor. After breaking out of it’s enclosure, it’s now up to amusement park palaeontologist, Dr Grant Walker and hapless Security Guard, Denny Denielson to stop the predator before it wreaks havoc on the entire community of Spielburgh County.
20:45: WAKE UP (UK Premiere)
Directors: François Simard, Anouk Whissell, Yoann-Karl Whissell. Cast: Turlough Convery, Benny O. Arthur, Jacqueline Moré. Canada 2023 1hr20m 18.
Synopsis: A group of young activists set out to make a political statement by vandalizing a home superstore as it closes. But their plan goes terribly wrong when they become trapped inside and must face a deranged security guard with a gruesome passion for primitive hunting. As the night fills with violence and terror, a desperate fight for their lives begins.
Synopsis: A young woman faces great danger as she walks home at night through a predatory city. Or does she?
23:05 KILL YOUR LOVER (UK Premiere)
Directors: Alix Austin, Keir Siewert. Cast: Paige Gilmour, Shane Quigley Murphy, May Kelly. UK 2023 1hr17m 18.
Synopsis: Dakota has had enough of her toxic relationship with Axel, but the feeling isn’t mutual. As she tries to end things, Axel begins turning into something different, something monstrous. He gradually succumbs to the poison of the decaying relationship, becoming a creature with increased aggression, a touch that melts skin and worst of all, he’s contagious.
SATURDAY 9 MARCH – GFT Screen 1
10:30 MOM (World Premiere)
Director: Adam O’Brien. Cast: Emily Hampshire, François Arnaud, Christian Convery. USA/Canada 2023 1hr36m 18.
Synopsis: Meredith is a struggling mother abandoned by her family and partner after the appalling death of their newborn son. Alone in her house, she becomes more isolated, unaware that the death of her baby has caused the birth of something far more sinister.
13:00 THE FUNERAL (Scottish Premiere)
Director: Orcun Behram. Cast Ahmet Rifat Sungar, Cansu Türedi, Tekin Temel. Turkey 2023 1hr48m 18.
Synopsis: Cemal, a lonely hearse driver, has been entrusted to secretly transport the body of a murdered young woman, Zeynep, to her parents’ home at their final request. But during the journey the woman’s body comes back to life, Cemal falls in love with the undead woman. Now he must constantly feed her flesh by committing his own murders.
Synopsis: Jasper and Harriet are arthouse pornographers struggling to make ends meet. Their stock in trade is producing custom made erotic films for an exclusive clientele into the forbidden, the shocking and the strange. As they hit rock bottom that’s when they encounter ‘The Audience’, a mysterious client offering life-changing money to perform strange rituals on videotape.
Plus, SUBJECT 73(World Premiere)
Director: Reiff Gaskell. Cast: Freya Warsi. UK 2023. 7 mins.
Synopsis: In a mysterious experiment, a participant’s pursuit of wealth unravels as money and morality clash.
Synopsis: Lisa Gray (Lauren LaVera), a budding art restorer, travels to the small Italian village of Sambuci just outside Rome to bring a medieval painting back to its former glory for a wealthy and titled client. Little does she know she is placing her life in danger from an evil curse and a monster born of myth and brutal pain.
20:25 ALL YOU NEED IS DEATH (UK Premiere)
Director: Paul Duane. Cast: Simone Collins, Olwen Fouéré, Gary Whelan. Ireland 2023 1hr30m 18.
Synopsis: A young couple records and collects folk songs in rural Ireland, selling them to a mysterious, rich buyer. When rumours of a song never-before-heard reach the couple, they find themselves in an uneasy alliance with a music professor to discover an ancient song, a taboo ballad that may end up unlocking some dark truth from the forgotten past that will alter all their isolated lives.
22:45 LAST STRAW (UK Premiere)
Director: Alan Scott Neal. Cast :Jessica Belkin, Jeremy Sisto, Taylor Kowalski. USA 2023 1hr21m 18
Synopsis: A rural roadside diner becomes the host of a maniacal killing spree – leaving young waitress Nancy to clean up the bloody mess. After firing the staff at her dad’s diner, she covers the last shift of the night by herself. Little does she know though; she is far from alone. The day is coming back to haunt her and when things begin to spiral out of control, she must fight for her life over the course of one long night.
FrightFest, dubbed “the Woodstock of Gore” by director Guillermo Del Toro, was set up in 2000. It has grown in size and stature since its cult roots at the Prince Charles Cinema and today is internationally renowned for discovering exciting and original horror fantasy genre films and for supporting the talent behind them, helping to launch the careers of such directors as Simon Rumley, Christopher Smith, Eli Roth, Neil Marshall and Simon Hunter.
Over the years the festival directors, Greg Day, Alan Jones, Paul McEvoy and Ian Rattray, have developed FrightFest into a brand leader for horror film, expanding its footprint in the UK by hosting special events throughout the year and joining forces with the Glasgow Film Festival, where they run an established three-day event. They have teamed up with FAB Press to publish a series of ‘The FrightFest Guide To…’ books and have an exclusive partnership with Signature Entertainment to release films under the festival’s thriving label ‘FrightFest Presents’. You can catch the documentary FRIGHTFEST: BENEATH THE DARK HEART OF CINEMA on Amazon
Glasgow Film Festival (GFF) is firmly established as a key event in the UK’s cultural calendar. Launched in 2005, GFF has grown greatly in significance and is now a key launching pad for films and one of the top film festivals in the UK. GFF continues to grow and develop its international reputation. Held annually, it presents a unique programme of feature film premieres, special events, live and interactive experiences, and an Industry Focus programme for filmmakers at every stage of their career.
GFF was named the Big Screen Event of the Year at Screen International’s Big Screen Awards in November 2022 for achieving a record high of 73% audience capacity at its first in-person edition post-Covid.
Previous GFF guests include Richard Gere, Alan Rickman, John C. Reilly, Saoirse Ronan, George MacKay, Richard Dreyfuss, Karen Gillan, Jessie Buckley, Sir. Michael Palin, Josh O’Connor, Ben Wheatley, Armando Iannucci, Jack O’Connell, Dexter Fletcher, Peter Mullan, George Sluizier, Peter Capaldi, Ty West, Richard Ayoade, David Dastmalchian, and Jean-Pierre Jeunet.https://www.glasgowfilmfest.org/home/
You can access a range of stills from the GFF Fright Fest line-up here: {X}
For more information or interviews, please contact Rebecca Garvey, GFF Press Coordinator: rebecca.garvey@glasgowfilm.org
Coming to NYX UK from Saturday 20th Jan is a treat for horror fans – FrightFest Saturday Scares with Alan Jones, a brand new show, where our favourite genre critic, author and broadcaster goes behind the scenes with some of his favourite films, sharing personal anecdotes, revealing rarely known facts and sharing why the films have made such a lasting impression.
Broadcast twice a month, we kick off with Mario Bava’s archetypal giallo BLOOD ON BLACK LACE at 9pm on Saturday 20 Jan. In a first for a live streaming Fast TV channel, Alan will introduce the film, take over the ad breaks and conclude at the end of the screening. Shockmeister William Castle’s 13 GHOSTS is the second film in the series, screening at 9pm on Saturday 27 Jan. It is produced by FrightFest’s Ian Rattray and Greg Day.
Alan commentated: “When NYX offered me the opportunity to talk about some of my favourite titles they have in their impressive and extensive library, I jumped at the chance. This FrightFest-produced show allows me to share my memories, fun facts and rarely reported information, but primarily to delight the NYX audience who will hopefully make ‘FrightFest Saturday Night Scares with Alan Jones’ an appointment destination”.
The channel also celebrates John Carpenter’s birthday on Tues 16 Jan with a screening of his underrated supernatural shocker THE WARD, starring Amber Heard, and ‘Hammer Sundays’ continues its popular run, highlighted by SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA, on Sunday 14 Jan, which marks the final pairing of Lee and Cushing as Count Dracula and Van Helsing in the Hammer Dracula series.
Other juicy January delights include Norwegian found-footage thriller TROLL HUNTER, Jess Franco’s provocative erotic horror FEMALE VAMPIRE, THE HOUSE BY THE CEMETARY , helmed by the ‘Godfather of Gore,’ Lucio Fulci, and THE HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK, directed by Ruggero Deodato, who is well-known for his controversial film “Cannibal Holocaust”.
Films in transmission order:
Sat 13 Jan @ 21:00 – TROLL HUNTER (2010)
One of the most original found footage movies of recent times, Troll Hunter takes the genre to the next level. A group of university students have decided to investigate the story of a bear poacher and find the suspected hunter, Hans. But whilst following and filming Hans, they discover that he hunts down something far more deadly.
Sun 14 Jan @ 21:00 – SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA (1973) part of Hammer Sundays
Set in 1970s London, Scotland Yard investigator Murray (Michael Coles), enlists the help of occult expert Lorrimer Van Helsing (Peter Cushing) and his granddaughter (Joanna Lumley) to uncover a mysterious and powerful Satanic cult led by the enigmatic D.D. Denham. As they delve deeper, they discover that Denham is none other than Count Dracula (Christopher Lee), who has returned to unleash a deadly plague upon humanity.
Tues 16 Jan @ 21:00 – THE WARD (2010) To celebrate John Carpenter’s birthday
Set in the 1960s, Kristen (Amber Heard), is a young woman who is involuntarily committed to a psychiatric institution after setting an abandoned farmhouse on fire. As Kristen struggles to come to terms with her new surroundings, she encounters a group of fellow patients, each with their own distinct personalities and histories. Soon, the patients begin to experience terrifying encounters with a malevolent ghost haunting the ward.
Fri 19 Jan @ 23:00 – FEMALE VAMPIRE (1973)
Countess Irina von Karlstein (Lina Romay) , a mute vampire, sustains herself not on the blood, but on the sexual energy of her victims, leaving them drained of life force, reaching their deaths in a state of orgasmic bliss, marking an erotic twist to the vampire trope. Irina’s life takes a dramatic turn when a journalist, Raymond (Jack Taylor), comes to the island.
Sat 20 Jan @ 21:00 – BLOOD AND BLACK LACE *Channel premiere Part of FrightFest Saturday Scares with Alan Jones
Max Morlan runs a fashion house, which becomes the scene of a series of gruesome murders. When a young model is killed, her diary, filled with damning secrets about her colleagues and employers, disappears, and the subsequent victims are those whose unscrupulous activities were detailed in the diary. As the body count rises, the authorities scramble to unmask the mysterious, faceless killer.
Tues 23 Jan @ 21:00 – THE HOUSE BY THE CEMETARY(1981)
The Boyle family – Norman, his wife Lucy, and their young son Bob, move from New York to a quaint house in New England, only to discover that it hides a grotesque history of murder and mystery. When strange, inexplicable occurrences begin to happen, and Norman’s research into the house’s previous owner uncovers a nightmarish reality, the family finds themselves trapped in a vortex of terror.
Fri 26 Jan @ 21:00 – THE HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK (2011)
Alex (David Hess) and Ricky (Giovanni Lombardo Radice), are two disturbed and violent small-time crooks who operate a car repair shop by day, engaging in random acts of violence by night. When a wealthy and sophisticated couple brings in their car for repair, Alex and Ricky seize the opportunity to infiltrate an exclusive party at the couple’s upscale suburban home. Once inside the party, Alex and Ricky take the guests hostage, initiating a night of terror and degradation.
Sat 27 Jan @ 21:00 – 13 GHOSTS (1960) Part of FrightFest Saturday Scares with Alan Jones
When occultist Dr Plato Zorba leaves a huge ramshackle house to his nephew Cyrus and his impoverished family, they are shocked to find the house is haunted. Their new residence comes complete with Doctor Zorba’s housekeeper, Elaine Zacharides, plus a fortune in buried treasure and twelve horrifying ghosts. However, there is someone in the house who is also looking for the money and is willing to kill for it…This infectious supernatural horror is directed by William Castle and stars Charles Herbert, Jo Morrow, Rosemary DeCamp, Martin Milner and Donald Woods.
Happy new year!
Editors’ notes:
NYX Corporation, based in Canada, is a global media content distribution network specialising in the horror genre. The company delivers high-quality programmed content across linear digital broadcast TV networks. First launched in the UK late 2022, NYX will also move into the US markets in 2024. NYX is dedicated to curating a unique and entertaining blend of horror films and TV series and invites genre fans to delve into a world of carefully selected horror content – for free!
The new year on LEGEND kicks off in action-packed style with ten Channel premieres including Hal Ashby’s electrifying murder thriller 8 MILLION WAYS TO DIE, starring Jeff Bridges and Rosanna Arquette, the mystery serial-killer thriller STRIKING DISTANCE, starring Bruce Willis, hard-hitting historical epic ROBERT THE BRUCE, brutal crime drama KILLERMAN, and Rutger Hauer stars as a blind, sword-swinging Vietnam vet in Philip Noyce’s BLIND FURY, a US adaptation of Japan’s popular Zato-ichi films.
Other channel premieres include Aussie sci-fi mend-bender PREDESTINATION, starring Ethan Hawke, slick, gun-toting neo-noir thriller. HITMAN REDEMPTION, starring Ron Perlman, ASSASSINATION GAMES, in which Jean-Claude Van Damme and Scott Adkins play deadly assassins and the classic 1964 epic ZULU, staring Stanley Baxter and Michael Caine.
This month’s THE VINTAGE VAULT strand on Sunday nights is headlined by the Channel premiere of supernatural horror HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, starring Vincent Price. Other genre gems include DRACULA (1958), THE MUMMY (1959), THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN and CIRCUS OF HORRORS.
Plus, prime-time highlights on LEGEND XTRA, include Paul Hyett’s flesh-biting HOWL, Sci-Fi tech terror KILL COMMAND, cosmic chiller STRANGE INVADERS, serial-killer thriller DEADLY FORCE, classy vampire road movie STAKE LAND, Walter Hill’s car-chase classic THE DRIVER, the ever-haunting PARANORMAL ACTIVITY and intense thriller STANDOFF.
Legend premieres in transmission order:
Thurs 4 Jan @ 21:00 – ROBERT THE BRUCE (2019) *Channel Premiere
Robert the Bruce (Angus MacFadyen) crowns himself King and takes the ambition of Scotland’s freedom as his own. But he cannot overcome England’s power: defeated again and again, his army is scattered, and Scotland’s nobility abandons him. But his determination to do what is right, regardless of the cost, reinvigorates his passion to rise again. It’s not revenge he desires. It’s freedom.
Sat 6 Jan @ 21:00 –STRIKING DISTANCE (1993) *Channel premiere
Convinced that a newly active serial killer is the same gunman who murdered his father, disgraced cop Tom Hardy (Bruce Willis) is working outside of his jurisdiction to catch the murderer. At odds with his new partner (Sarah Jessica Parker), he goes around the system, as he races the clock to find the real killer before the wrong man is executed for the crime.
Thurs 11 Jan @ 21:00 – PREDESTINATION (2014) *Channel Premiere
A Temporal Agent (Ethan Hawke) is sent on an intricate series of time-travel journeys designed to ensure the continuation of his law enforcement career for all eternity. Now, on his final assignment, the Agent must pursue the one criminal that has eluded him throughout time.
Sat 13 Jan @ 21:00 – 8 MILLION WAYS TO DIE (1986) *Channel Premiere
Matt Scudder (Bridges) is an ex-cop with a bad drinking problem who freelances on jobs other cops won’t touch. When he accepts a fat fee to help a sex worker get free of her pimp, Scudder lands in the middle of a savage murder that hits too close to home, especially when he meets the enigmatic Sarah (Rosanna Arquette).
Wed 17 Dec @ 14:20 – ZULU (1964) *Channel premiere
Now a classic epic, made 50 years ago, this is the true story of the defence of a missionary station and hospital called Rorke’s Drift, where 139 soldiers of the South Wales Border regiment held off 4,000 Zulu warriors during the Zulu War of 1879. Stars Stanley Baker and Michael Caine.
Thurs 18 Dec HITMAN REDEMPTION (2018) *Channel Premiere
Asher (Ron Perlman), a former Mossad agent turned gun for hire, lives an austere life in Brooklyn. Approaching the end of his career, he breaks the oath he took as a young man when he meets Sophie (Famke Janssen) on a hit gone wrong. In order to have love in his life before it’s too late, he must kill the man he was for a chance at becoming the man he wants to be.
Sat 20 Dec @ 22:50 – BLIND FURY (1989) *Channel Premiere
The kid is a brat, and the bus ride from Miami to Reno is long, but Nick Parker (Rutger Hauer) promised the boy’s dying mom that he’d deliver the child to his father (Terry O’Quinn). She was killed by gangsters, and if not for Nick, they’d have the kid, too. Now the two are on the run, and thugs are waiting for them around every corner.
Sun 21 Dec @ 21:00 – HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL (1959) *Channel Premiere *Part of The Vintage Vault
Eccentric millionaire Steven Price (Vincent Price) offers his party guests $1 million if they stay the night in a mansion that was once an insane asylum. Not knowing Price has rigged the house with spooky contraptions, the guests think they’ll make some easy money and leave unscathed in the morning. But, along with Price’s bogus scares, a very sinister — and real — spirit lurks in the house.
Thurs 25 Dec @ 21:00 – KILLERMAN (2019) *Channel Premiere
When NYC money launderer Moe Diamond (Liam Hemsworth) wakes up from a car crash, he’s left with no memory, millions in stolen cash, and an insane crew of dirty cops hunting him down. With a stranger (Emory Cohen) who says he’s his best friend and a fiancée he doesn’t remember, Moe must race against the clock to discover his own identity and escape his past, before it destroys any chance at a future.
Sat 27 Jan @ 22:50 – ASSASSINATION GAMES (2011) *Channel Premiere
Vincent Brazil (Jean-Claude Van Damme) and Roland Flint (Scott Adkins) are elite assassins – but unknown to each other. While Conway is a master sharpshooter, Chase is equally skilled with a knife. The two rival assassins form an uneasy alliance to take down the head of a drug cartel, which is backed by the DEA.
Ahead of NYX UK’s season of Simon Rumley films in December, the award-winning director talks candidly about therapeutic filmmaking, his past fear of contracting AIDS/HIV and being kicked of out BAFTA.
Q: Simon, how pleased are you that NYX UK, the country’s only free-to-air horror channel, are presenting a season of your films?
Very! I’ve spoken to a few festivals over the years to do a small retrospective of my films, but it’s never panned out. So, it’s great to see all the films curated and playing under one umbrella.
Q: A tricky question, but which is your personal favourite?
Ha. Indeed. Impossible to say, of course! I love them all (which I wouldn’t say about every film I’ve made) and they all have different qualities and, actually, I’m proud of the fact that they’re all so different from each other – visually, stylistically, narratively, aurally.
Q: Is it true that THE LIVING AND THE DEAD is partly influenced by events in your personal life?
Indeed, it was ‘inspired’ by watching my mother die of cancer which happened only a few months after my father died of a heart attack. I wrote it initially as a nightmare, a way of trying to communicate the emotions I went through during this time. But as a few investors read it, I made it more grounded in a reality before going to the nightmare/crazed extreme that it does go to. But yes, it was a kind of therapy for me and very cathartic.
Q: RED, WHITE and BLUE is a controversial film which you described as a horrific descent into revenge, terror and tragedy. What inspired you to make it?
Well, this was also personal in its own way and came from my fear of contracting AIDS through having one-night stands. Back then, 2009, when I wrote the script, AIDS/HIV wasn’t quite the death sentence it was in previous years, but it was still close. I also loved the reaction to The Living And The Dead which we premiered in Rotterdam and then played at many non-horror festivals. The question I got from almost everyone was ‘Is this a horror film?’ I liked that duality of the film’s existence and wanted to do something similar with RWB – a horror film which isn’t obviously a horror film…
Simon Rumley on the set of RED, WHITE and BLUE with Amanda Fuller and Noah Taylor.
Q: One of the powerful themes of RED, WHITE AND BLUE is the relationship between sex and death – which you again take on with ‘Bitch’ in the horror anthology LITTLE DEATHS. What drew you to the story?
Well, as above, but with RWB, I wanted to get across that contradiction of doing something that is supposed to be very enjoyable (sex) being also something that could kill you. With Little Deaths, the story is more a perverse revenge story so less about the death aspect and more about how love goes bad.
Q: Your short film THE HANDY MAN, draws you into the world of serial killers. Was it this theme that attracted you to the project?
The theme and the well written script. I didn’t write it, but it won a British Short Screenplay Competition as judged by Kenneth Brannagh. It was a neat, twisted, twisty, self-contained script which was a perfect vehicle for two great actors. It also had that timeless American Gothic feel to it and reminded me of paintings by Grant Wood and Andrew Wyeth. It was very evocative, therefore, too, and I felt we could have a lot of fun with it.
Q: What was it like directing Greta Scacchi?
Fantastic, as you’d hope and expect. She was a great collaborator, asked good questions, brought her own identity and interpretation to the character. As with all world-class actors, every take was compelling, and the hardest thing was deciding which ones not to use rather than which one to use.
Q: You’ve been described by Screen International as one the great British cinematic outsiders. Does this chime with you?
Simon Rumley with one of his film heroes, Nic Roeg
Ha. Well, it’s nice to be called ‘great’. And I’m thinking that some of the other great British cinematic outsiders would include Ken Russel, Powell and Nic Roeg. They were all summarily ignored by the greater part of our industry and if I’m lumped in with them, then very happy. And, yes, given the amount of support I’ve received from the industry at large, it does chime with me, and I was even kicked out of Bafta because I was too busy writing/producing/directing RWB in Austin to pay my membership on time.
Q: You’ve just written your first novel, THE WOBBLE CLUB. Are you pleased with the reception?
Yes, very much so. It turns out it’s a lot harder to get ‘official’ reviews for novels than it is for films but so far, the few I’ve got have been overwhelmingly positive which is gratifying. And I recently received the first reporting and have already sold half the first print run in about five weeks so much better than I was expecting!
Q: it deals with the very tricky subject of eating disorders. How challenging was it balancing sensitive issues with a darkly comic undertone.
Well, I was reading Martin Amis’ The Information during some of the writing and that was quite informative in its own way. A lot of his humour comes from word play and there’s a fair amount of that in my novel but it’s also been fantastic to hear people tell me they’ve had laugh out loud moments with The Wobble Club. There’s a laconicism to the humour, I think, and it’s never directed at the characters; I wanted them to maintain their dignity throughout.
Q: What projects are you currently working on?
Well, I have a few films in development/at casting stage. A couple are horror, a couple revenge type thrillers, a crime noir. Come January, I’m hoping to return to novel-writing if none of the films happen and that’s more obvious horror than The Wobble Club…
Fri 8 Dec @ 21:00 – RED, WHITE AND BLUE (2010) *Channel premiere
Fri 15 Dec @ 21:00 – THE LIVING AND THE DEAD *Channel premiere
Fri 22 Dec @ 21:00 – LITTLE DEATHS (2011) *Channel premiere
Following all three films is a special presentation of THE HANDY MAN.
Fans of leading Indie filmmaker Simon Rumley, described by Screen International as one the great British cinematic outsiders, are in for a treat this December as NYX UK premieres three of Rumley’s outstanding works – his intensely disturbing feature debut THE LIVING AND THE DEAD, starring Roger Lloyd-Pack, brutal slack revenge thriller RED, WHITE & BLUE, staring Amanda Fuller, Noah Taylor and Marc Senter and his shocking short film ‘Bitch’, part of the acclaimed Brit-horror anthology LITTLE DEATHS. Following all three films is a special presentation of one of Rumley early short films, THE HANDY MAN, starring Greta Scacchi.
Red, White and Blue
All three films will screen on Friday nights, 9pm throughout the month. And there’s more Rumley treats in store, as, in January, NYX UK will show FASHIONISTA
Other demonically delicious December premieres include Axelle Carolyn’s haunting feature film debut SOULMATE, starring a riveting Anna Walton, WW2 vampire horror RETURN OF THE VAMPIRE, starring Bela Lugosi, Roger Corman’s B-movie sci-fi adventure ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTER, two superior Brit sci-fi fantasies: THE HYBRID and THE CRAWLING EYE, and Paul Leni’s classic silent movie THE MAN WHO LAUGHS. This is part of Silent Sundays at 6pm, as is the remarkable 1911 version of DANTE’S INFERNO.
On Christmas Day, there’s a welcome outing for the ultimate seasonal genre classic, BLACK CHRISTMAS, Bob Clark’s 1974 seminal slasher.
To celebrate Barbara Steele’s birthday on December 29, NYX UK will be screening BLACK SUNDAY at 9pm, followed by Cronenberg’s SHIVERS at 11pm.
Plus, Giallo fans can enjoy Dario Argento’s THE CAT O’ NINE TAILS. Umberto Lenzi’s SEVEN BLOOD-STAINED ORCHIDS and Chris Alexander’s neo-giallo slasher GIRL WITH A STRAIGHT RAZOR.
Films in transmission order:
Fri 1 Dec @ 21:00 – RETURN OF THE VAMPIRE (1943) *Channel premiere
England during the Blitz. The grave of centuries-old vampire Armand Tesla (Bela Lugosi) is disturbed by a bomb, and he is inadvertently revived by a stray piece of shrapnel that removes the stake from his heart. Once resurrected, Tesla, masquerading as a scientist, seeks revenge against those who had vanquished him. Directed by Lew Landers, the film is particularly notable for Bela Lugosi’s captivating performance, echoing his iconic role as Count Dracula, and for bringing a war-torn context to the vampire genre.
Sat 2 Dec @ 21:00 – ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTRS (1957) *Channel premiere
A group of scientists arrive on a deserted island to study the effects of nuclear radiation from atomic tests conducted earlier. However, they discover that the radiation has had a terrifying effect on the local crab population, mutating them into gigantic, intelligent monsters with telepathic abilities. The team must find a way to escape the island, all while combating the giant crustaceans that seem unstoppable. Directed by Roger Corman, this is a classic example of 1950s science fiction and horror cinema.
Sun 3 Dec @ 18:00 – THE MAN WHO LAUGHS (1928) *Channel premiere part of Silent Sundays
17th-century England. Gwynplaine, a young man disfigured as a child on the orders of King James II. His face is left with a permanent grin, a grotesque reminder of his past. Abandoned and alone, he is taken in by a traveling showman who pairs him with a blind girl, Dea (Mary Philbin). As they grow up, Gwynplaine and Dea develop a deep bond, with her loving him despite, or perhaps because of, his disfigurement. But trouble lies ahead. This significant work of the late silent film era is based on Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name.
Fri 8 Dec @ 21:00 – RED, WHITE AND BLUE (2010) *Channel premiere Part of Simon Rumley Season
Erica (Amanda Fuller) spends her nights trawling the bars and beds of Austin. She is damaged, emotionally withdrawn, never connecting with anyone, until she meets the mysterious Nate (Noah Taylor). Despite his quiet air of danger, the two form a hesitant bond. But one of Erica’s casual sexual encounters, the hot-headed Franki (Marc Senter), is about to bite back. Rumley’s 2010 twisted love story is a grim dissection of the human psyche at its most raw. A violent tale of revenge, need and want and utterly compelling, it has become a cult favourite.
Sat 9 Dec @ 21:00 – THE HYBRID (2014) *Channel premiere
Set in the war-torn landscapes of Eastern Europe, the story centres on a group of mercenaries led by hardened soldier Powell John Lynch). They are hired by a mysterious corporation to infiltrate a heavily guarded research facility deep underground. Their mission is to retrieve genetic samples, but on arrival they quickly discover the facility harbours much more than they bargained for. Directed by Billy O’Brien. This is a compelling piece of science fiction that succeeds in combining action, horror, and a thought-provoking narrative.
Fri 15 Dec @ 21:00 – THE LIVING AND THE DEAD *Channel premiere Part of Simon Rumley Season
Lord Donald Brocklebank (Roger Lloyd Pack), his terminally wife Lady Nancy (Kate Fahy), and their mentally ill son, James (Leo Bill) living in a deteriorating English country manor. When Lord Brocklebank leaves on a trip to find the funds for his wife’s care, James takes over the care of his mother. What ensues is a harrowing descent into madness. leading to devastating consequences for both him and his mother. Rumley delves deep into the realms of mental illness, desperation, in a darkly powerful tale that lingers long in the mind.
Sat 16 Dec @ 21:00 – THE CRAWLING EYE (1958) *Channel premiere
While on a climbing holiday in Switzerland two sisters become embroiled in a series of mysterious and deadly incidents. They are drawn to the town of Trollenberg, where a cloud that never moves lingers ominously over the mountainside. As climbers and locals are found decapitated, it becomes clear that the cloud is harbouring something sinister and otherworldly. Also known as “The Trollenberg Terror,” this a British science fiction horror film directed by Quentin Lawrence that taps into the fears and fascinations of the Atomic Age.
Fri 22 Dec @ 21:00 – LITTLE DEATHS (2011) *Channel premiere Part of Simon Rumley Season
“Little Deaths” is an unsettling anthology horror film from three outstanding British filmmakers Simon Rumley, Sean Hogan and Andrew Parkinson, each boldly exploring taboo subjects and pushing boundaries in their portrayals of deviant sexual desires and the horrors that can arise from them.
BITCH, directed by Simon Rumley, explores a volatile relationship marked by sexual fetishism and psychological manipulation, as couple’s increasingly dangerous games of dominance and submission, culminate in a shocking and brutal conclusion.
HOUSE & HOME, directed by Sean Hogan, presents a twisted tale of a wealthy, sadistic couple who prey on homeless women. Their routine of luring these women under the guise of charity takes a horrifying turn when they encounter a woman who is not what she seems.
MUTANT TOOL, directed by Andrew Parkinson, ventures into the realm of body horror, following the story of a woman addicted to a drug, made from a substance produced by a deformed man.
Sat 23 Dec @ 21:00 – SOULMATE (2013) *Channel premiere
Audrey (Anna Walton) is grappling with profound grief and guilt after the tragic death of her husband. In an attempt to find solace and a new beginning, she retreats to a remote cottage in the Welsh countryside. However, instead of peace, she finds herself drawn into a mysterious and unsettling presence within the house. Directed by Axelle Carolyn, her debut feature elegantly weaves together elements of psychological drama and supernatural horror.
Mon 25 Dec @ 21:00 – BLACK CHRISTMAS (1974)
We are in a sorority house during the festive season, where the sorority sisters begin to receive disturbing and anonymous phone calls. Unbeknownst to them, the calls are coming from an intruder who has taken up residence in their attic. As the calls become increasingly menacing, the girls start to go missing one by one. The police scramble to trace the calls, but their discovery comes too late to prevent a series of chilling murders. This film is often cited as one of the first slasher films and is credited with pioneering elements of the genre. Its combination of horror and mystery set against an ordinarily joyful holiday season has made it a classic in the annals of horror cinema.
Happy Xmas!
Editors’ notes:
NYX Corporation, based in Canada, is a global media content distribution network specialising in the horror genre. The company delivers high-quality programmed content across linear digital broadcast TV networks. First launched in the UK late 2022, NYX will also move into the US markets in 2024. NYX is dedicated to curating a unique and entertaining blend of horror films and TV series and invites genre fans to delve into a world of carefully selected horror content – for free!
Strap yourself in for a seasonal tsunami of action and suspense this December as LEGEND unwraps a six-pack of Channel premieres including ESCAPE PLAN 2, the second instalment of the electrifying franchise, with Sylvester Stallone and Dave Bautista once again starring. There’s also a first showing for MAN DOWN, with Shia LaBeouf and Gary Oldman headlining this gripping, post-apocalyptic thriller.
Other channel premieres include gruelling crime thriller SOUTHERN FURY, starring Nicolas Cage, siege drama ROGUE HOSTAGE with Tyrese Gibson and John Malkovich, cult Western THE SPOILERS, starring screen legends John Wayne and Marlene Dietrich and BONE TOMAHAWK, in which Kurt Russell stars as a vengeful gunslinger in a gritty, action-packed thriller chronicling a terrifying rescue mission in the Old West.
This month’s ever popular THE VINTAGE VAULT strand on Sunday nights continues with classic tales of terror and torment, including THE GHOUL (1933), SON OF FRANKENSTEIN, TARANTULA and THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN, and one of the channel’s favourite cult series continues as THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN reaches its conclusion with season 6.
Plus, welcome to LEGEND XTRA, a brand-new channel that brings viewers a thrilling mix of genre cinema, series and all-time favourites.
Launched on Nov 22, primetime highlights for December include David Robert Mitchell’s creepy break-out hit IT FOLLOWS, sci-fi fantasy LAWNMOWER MAN 2: BEYOND CYBERSPACE and British espionage thriller THE INTERNECINE PROJECT, starring James Coburn.
Then there is slick revenge Western HANNIE CAULDER, apocalyptic horror HOSTILE, the murderous, Halloween-themed FRIGHT FEST, Ralph Nelson’s brutal Western SOLDIER BLUE, psychological thriller THE RESIDENT, starring Hilary Swank. and THE HOUSE THAT
DRIPPED BLOOD, a superior anthology series starring Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Denholm Elliott, Ingrid Pitt and Jon Pertwee.
On the 25th of December, viewers are treated to Johnny Kevorkian’s Christmas Day-set mind-bending body horror AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS, which stars David Bradley, Holly Weston and Sam Gittens.
Legend premieres in transmission order:
Sat 2 Dec @ 21:00 – SOUTHERN FURY (2017) *Channel Premiere
When a ruthless crime boss (Nicolas Cage) kidnaps his mobster brother, JP (Adrian Grenier) must go against the odds, out-ranked and out-gunned to save his brother’s life. With his brother’s old detective pal Sal (John Cusack) by his side, they now face an army of relentless war-thirsty gangsters.
From Wed 6 Dec @ 19:00 – THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN: SEASON 6 (1977) *Channel premiere
This series ranks as a cultural touchstone and one of the greatest superhero TV events of all-time. Guest stars included Farrah Fawcett, Lindsay Wagner, and Louis Gossett, Jr. This Emmy-nominated series was one of the highest rated programs of the 1970s.
Sat 9 Dec @ 21:00 – ROGUE HOSTAGE (2021) *Channel Premiere
An ex-military operative (Tyrese Gibson), now working as a child protective services officer, must save an immigrant child from a dangerous criminal who has trapped them, and other hostages, in a super store owned by his stepfather (John Malkovich
Sat 16 Dec @ 21:00 – MAN DOWN (2015) *Channel Premiere
Homebound from Afghanistan, Gabriel Drummer, a hard-nosed US marine, (played by Shia LeBeouf), returns to his hometown and is devastated to find it in ruins and his wife and son missing. Also stars Gary Oldman.
Sat 23 Dec @ 21:00 – ESCAPE PLAN 2 (2018) *Channel Premiere
Years after Ray Breslin (Syvester Stallone) fought his way out of an escape-proof prison, he’s organised a new top-notch, for-hire security force that includes some of the best in the business. But when one of his team goes missing, Ray ventures back into the secret lock-up.
Wed 27 Dec @ 22:50 – THE SPOILERS (1942) *Channel Premiere
Prospector Roy Glennister (John Wayne) is continually persecuted by Alexander McNamara, who has the law on his side, until the two decide to settle their dispute man-to-man. Screen legend Marlena Dietrich plays saloon-hall gal Cherry Mallote, who becomes the romantic bone of contention between Glennister and McNamara.
Sat 30 Dec @ 22:55 – BONE TOMAHAWK (2015) *Channel Premiere
When a group of cannibal savages kidnaps settlers from the small town of Bright Hope, an unlikely team of gunslingers, led by Sheriff Franklin Hunt (Kurt Russell), sets out to bring them home. But their enemy is more ruthless than anyone could have imagined, putting their mission – and survival itself – in serious jeopardy.
Menacing mind readers, psychotic dogs, winged marauders, evil entities and mutant babies invade NYX UK in November, as the channel, now on Freeview 289, presents six classic premieres, including sci-fi favourite INVADERS FROM MARS, thrilling creature feature THE GIANT CLAW, Larry Cohen’s memorable cult horror IT’S ALIVE (1974), terrifying canine chiller MAN’S BEST FRIEND and Hammer’s mysterious X THE UNKNOWN, which headlines the popular 9pm ‘Hammer Sundays’ strand.
It’s Alive
There is also a channel premiere for the timeless gothic horror MURDER IN THE RUE MORGUE (1932), starring Bela Lugosi, and to celebrate Boris Karloff’s birthday on November 23rd there is a double-bill of T Hayes Hunter’s enduring THE GHOUL (1933), co-starring Ralph Richardson in his movie debut, and Roger Corman’s infamous THE TERROR (1963), co-starring Jack Nicholson.
Other monthly highlights include Pete Walker’s seminal seventies British horror FRIGHTMARE, werewolf thriller THE BEAST MUST DIE, feminist slasher THE SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE, Sergio Martino’s masterful giallo YOUR VICE IS A LOCKED ROOM AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY and gripping horror-infused crime thriller THE CIRCUS OF FEAR, starring Christopher Lee and Klaus Kinski.
Plus. Friday late-night horror is given a visually enthralling Gallic flavour with four Jean Rollin classics: THE NUDE VAMPIRE, DEMONIACS, LIVING DEAD GIRL and THE IRON ROSE.
Primetime films in transmission order:
Fri 3 Nov @ 21:00 – INVADERS FROM MARS (1953) *Channel premiere
A young boy, David, witnesses a flying saucer bury itself in a sandpit behind his house. He starts noticing strange behaviour in the adults around him, beginning with his own parents, and realises that humans are being brainwashed by the Martian invaders. Who does David turn to for help? Directed by William Cameron Menzies, this is a quintessential 1950s science fiction film, capturing the era’s Cold War paranoia and the fear of unknown threats.
Saturday 4 Nov @ 21:00 – THE GIANT CLAW (1957) *Channel premiere
When a strange flying object is spotted, it is believed to be a UFO. However, it turns out to be an extraterrestrial bird made of anti-matter which leaves a trail of death and destruction in its wake. “The Giant Claw” stands as a testament to the creature features of the 1950s, combining elements of science fiction with the ever-present fear of the unknown during the Cold War era. Directed by Fred F. Sears.
Sun 6 Nov @ 21:00 – X THE UNKNOWN (1956) *Channel Premiere *Part of Hammer Sundays
Dr Adam Royston (Dean Jagger), stars as a nuclear scientist tasked with understanding and ultimately halting this radioactive menace. As the entity moves and consumes, it leaves a trail of death and devastation, melting anything, and anyone in its path. Emerging from the prolific era of 1950s British science fiction and horror, this Hammer production, directed by Leslie Norman, stands as a chilling foray into the realm of the mysterious and the unexplained.
Wed 8 Nov @ 21:00 – THE SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE (1982)
A high school senior, Trish, decides to throw a slumber party while her parents are away. However, unbeknownst to the partygoers, an escaped killer with a penchant for power drills, is on the loose. As the body count rises, the young women must band together to battle the relentless killer. Directed by Amy Holden Jones and penned by feminist author Rita Mae Brown, the movie is often recognised not just for its visceral thrills but also for its undercurrents of social commentary, particularly on gender roles and exploitation.
Thursday 9 Nov @ 21:00 – YOUR VICE IS A LOCKED ROOM AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY (1972)
Set in a decaying mansion, Oliviero (Luigi Pistilli), a failed writer and alcoholic, subjects his wife, Irina (Anita Strindberg), to constant psychological torment and humiliation. Into this tumultuous setting arrives Floriana (Edwige Fenech), Oliviero’s enticing niece. As tensions rise, a series of murders unfold, and the mansion’s inhabitants find themselves trapped in a web of suspicion and deceit. Directed by the prolific Sergio Martino, the film is an intricate maze of deceit, depravity, and deadly intentions, all wrapped up in a compelling narrative inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Black Cat.”
Sat 11 Nov @ 21:00 – MAN’S BEST FRIEND (1993) *Channel premiere
Ambitious TV journalist, Lori Tanner (Ally Sheedy), breaks into the research facility where Max, a genetically engineered Tibetan Mastiff is being held, to expose the unethical experiments being conducted there. She inadvertently releases Max but seeing him as just an innocent dog subjected to cruel experiments, she adopts him. However, she is unaware of his deadly genetic modifications and his need to hunt. Directed by John Lafia.
Fri 17 Nov @ 21:00 – FRIGHTMARE (1974)
Dorothy and Edmund Yates (played by Sheila Keith and Rupert Davies respectively) are released from a mental institution after 18 years. They attempt to reintegrate into society and lead a quiet, secluded life in the English countryside, but unknown to those around them, the couple harbours a dark and gruesome secret. Directed by Pete Walker, who was known for his inclination towards suspense and thriller genres, the film is notable for its uncanny blend of domestic drama and gruesome horror.
Sat 18 Nov @ 23:00 – MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE (1932) *Channel premiere
Dr Mirakle (Bela Lugosi), a carnival sideshow entertainer, exhibits Erik the Ape as the missing link between man and ape. However, his interests are far more sinister than mere showmanship. Obsessed with proving his theory of evolution, Mirakle kidnaps women to forcibly mix their blood with that of Erik, hoping to find a compatible match. This atmospheric pre-Code horror film is directed by Robert Florey and inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s short story of the same name.
Thurs Nov 23 Oct @ 21:00 – THE TERROR (1963) *To celebrate Boris Karloff’s birthday
Set in the 18th century, in a desolate, crumbling castle, a French soldier encounters a mysterious woman while searching for his regiment, entangling him in a web of supernatural occurrences and dark secrets. This Roger Corman-directed horror film, starring Boris Karloff and a young Jack Nicholson, has gained cult classic status.
Thurs Nov 23 Oct @ 23:00 – THE GHOUL (1933) *To celebrate Boris Karloff’s birthday
Egyptologist and Professor Henry Morlant (Boris Karloff) thinks an ancient jewel will give him powers of rejuvenation if it is offered up to the god Anubis. But when Morlant dies, his assistant steals the jewel. While a gaggle of interlopers, including a fake vicar (Ralph Richardson), descend on the professor’s manor to steal the jewel for themselves, Morlant returns from the dead to punish everyone who has betrayed him. Directed by Hayes Hunter, this marks Ralph Richardson’s feature film debut.
Fri 24 Nov @ 21:00 – THE BEAST MUST DIE (1974)
Wealthy big-game hunter Tom Newcliffe invites a group of people to his isolated mansion, suspecting that one of them is a werewolf. As the guests are picked off one by one, the survivors must confront their fears and uncover the true identity of the beast before it’s too late. The film’s innovative use of a “werewolf break,” in which viewers are given a chance to guess the identity of the werewolf, adds an interactive element that sets it apart from other horror films of its time.
Sat 25 Nov @21:00 – IT’S ALIVE (1974) *Channel premiere
Expectant parents Frank and Lenore Davis are excited to welcome their second child. But their joy turns to sheer horror when their baby is born as a mutated creature, with an inexplicable and violent bloodlust. Larry Cohen, a filmmaker known for his knack of blending social commentary with genre cinema, delivers one of the 1970s’ most memorable cult horror films. In a decade replete with films exploring societal anxieties, Cohen’s tale of a monstrous newborn tapped into the deep-seated fears surrounding childbirth, pharmaceuticals, and genetic mutations.
Sun 26 Nov @ 21:00 – THE CIRCUS OF FEAR (1966)
Following a daring armoured car heist in London, the loot mysteriously finds its way into Barberini’s Circus. At the circus, an enigmatic lion tamer named Gregor (Christopher Lee), always masked and shrouded in mystery, takes centre stage as the potential suspect. But when a series of gruesome murders start occurring, the suspects list grows. A British-German co=production directed by John Moxey.
Editors’ notes:
NYX Corporation, based in Canada, is a global media content distribution network specialising in the horror genre. The company delivers high-quality programmed content across linear digital broadcast TV networks. First launched in the UK late 2022, NYX will also move into the US markets in 2024. NYX is dedicated to curating a unique and entertaining blend of horror films and TV series and invites genre fans to delve into a world of carefully selected horror content – for free!
Q: Simon, how pleased are you that NYX UK, the country’s only free-to-air horror channel, are presenting a season of your films?
