THE PARENTING Horror-Comedy Debuts Trailer

brian cox and lisa kudrow in the parenting trailer

Lisa Kudrow and Brian Cox are stuck in a haunted house in the trailer for horror-comedy film The Parenting. The poltergeist feature from director Craig Johnson, best known for The Skeleton Twins and Alex Strangelove, is set to debut to Max on March 13th. The film also stars Edie Falco, Dean Norris, Nik Dodani, Brandon Flynn, Vivian Bang and Parker Posey.

The Parenting centres on Rohan (Dodani) and Josh (Flynn), a young gay couple who plan a weekend getaway in the country to introduce their respective families. As tensions begin to flare between the more traditional Sharon (Falco) and Frank (Cox) and the laid-back Liddy (Kudrow) and Cliff (Norris), the families soon realise that their rental – managed by eccentric local Brenda (Posey) – is haunted by a 400-year-old, evil entity. When one parent becomes thoroughly possessed, it’s up to the young couple and their meddlesome BFF Sara (Bang) to unite the families and stop the evil entity once and for all. Or, as Flynn succinctly puts it in the trailer, “I’m stuck in a haunted house with my fucking parents”.

Johnson directs the movie from a script by Saturday Night Live veteran Kent Sublette. Chris Bender and Jake Weiner are producers on the project which hails from Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema. A release date for the picture has been long-awaited since it was filmed in early 2022.

The Parenting releases to Max from March 13th, 2025. Watch the trailer below:

Exclusive: Check Out the Trailer for French Found Footage Film STÉPHANE

Stéphane is set to become your new cult favourite when it hits ARROW and digital platforms on April 4th. Check out the exclusive reveal of the trailer below…

Deftly blending elements of Mark Duplass’ Creep with Man Bites Dog and mismatched buddy movies such as The Cable Guy, Stéphane is a darkly comic thriller set in the world of amateur film-making that is as bleakly funny as it is disturbingly twisted.

When Tim (Bastien Garcia), an ambitious and aspiring filmmaker out making his latest short film, encounters the eccentric Stéphane (played by the film’s co-director, Lucas Pastor), it seems like a match made in heaven. Stéphane claims to be an experienced special effect supervisor and stuntman and, after impressing Tim with his home-made pyrotechnics, the two embark on a journey to Stéphane’s private island to set about making a World War II epic, along with Stephane’s friend, a strange and mostly-mute refugee actress named Bianca (Eva Gregorieff). But as their filmmaking odyssey continues, it soon becomes apparent that neither men may be what they claim, and tensions quickly escalate…

Part found-footage, part sinister thriller and part self-reflexive black comedy, Stéphane is punk filmmaking at its finest and will keep you enthralled right until the final, chilling, post-credits scene.

STÉPHANE will be available to stream on ARROW and Digital from April 4th.

Beth Morris

Zendaya Joins SHREK 5

zendaya debuts as shrek's daughter in shrek 5 teaser

One of the most in-demand stars working in Hollywood today, Zendaya joining the cast of Shrek 5 is undoubtedly a boon for the 25-year-old franchise. She boards the project to voice the daughter of Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz). Also returning is Eddie Murphy as the voice of Donkey.

The feature has a December 23rd, 2026 release date from Universal and DreamWorks Animation, and is the first new release in the main series since 2010’s Shrek Forever After. Shrek veterans Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon direct, along with Minions: The Rise of Gru co-director Brad Ableson. Dohrn was a writer on Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third, and worked as head of story on Shrek Forever After. Vernon directed Shrek 2, Madagascar 2 and voices Gingerbread Man.

Zendaya has a rather packed release schedule, which includes Dune: Messiah, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, the fourth Spider-Man film for the MCU, as well as Euphoria’s third season. Last year, she starred in the tennis drama The Challengers by Luca Guadagnino, as well as Dune: Part Two.

Watch the casting announcement video, featuring some ungodly Shrek memes, below. And before we get too stressed about the new animation style, bear in mind this isn’t footage from the actual film and hopefully doesn’t reflect a new aesthetic choice.

THE ASSESSMENT Sci-Fi Thriller Releases Trailer

alicia vikander as the assessor in the assessment trailer

After premiering at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, Magnolia Pictures has finally released a trailer for the sci-fi feature The Assessment.

In a not-so-distant future, where resources are scarce and tightly controlled, even the dream of having a child is not a given. Mia (Elizabeth Olsen) and Aaryan (Himesh Patel) are one of the few couples allowed to take a mysterious assessment for the right to have a child, having successfully navigated a brutal selection process. Desperate to prove themselves eligible, they face their evaluator, Virginia (Alicia Vikander) —cold, unpredictable, and impossible to read. Subjected to seven gruelling days of challenges, Mia and Aaryan are pushed to the brink. The trials unravel into a psychological nightmare, forcing them to face their deepest insecurities, shaking the foundations of their relationship and what being parents really means to them.

alicia vikander and elizabeth olsen sitting opposite each other in trailer for the assessment film

“Over the next seven days, you’ll undergo close observation and formal testing to ascertain suitability for parenting,” Vikander tells the couple in the trailer. “I want to get to know the real you.”

Rounding out the cast are Minnie Driver, Indira Varma, Charlotte Ritchie, Nicholas Pinnock, Leah Harvey and Anaya Thorley. Fleur Fortuné makes her feature film debut from a script by Dave Thomas, Nell Garfath-Cox and John Donnelly.

The Assessment is set for release in U.S. cinemas from March 21st, 2025. Watch the trailer below:

NYX UK Celebrates Cronenberg and International Women’s Day in March

International Women’s Day and David Cronenberg’s 82nd birthday are cause for celebration in March on NYX UK, with some fantastic movies to terrify viewers.

March 8th sees the International Women’s Day channel premiere of Devanny Pinn’s The Black Mass, which presents serial killer Ted Bundy’s atrocities through the point of view of the victims. There’s also the UK TV premiere of Luna Wold’s short film Siren.

Cronenberg’s birthday, March 15th, will see two of his early films, Shivers and Rabid screened.

Another anniversary is honoured on March 4th, with the classic silent film Nosferatu reaching 102 years old. Not bad for a movie that was almost lost forever if the Bram Stoker estate had their way.

Another new series debuts in March, with The Chainsaw Sally Show beginning on Friday, March 7th.

Galvaston’s Cavern of Creeps continues on Thursday nights with unmissable screenings of Night of the Demon (1957) and Peter Weir’s creepy debut The Cars That Ate Paris (1974). Meanwhile, Tuesday’s Dark Rewind sees channel premieres of Chopping Mall (1986) and Incubus (1982).

Other films to watch out for are Honeymoon, Dread, Count Yorga Vampire, Gnaw, The Bloody Judge, and Midnight Son.

You can tune into NYX UK on Freeview 271, Channelbox App, TCL TVs, and Distro TV app. Find out more at http://www.nyxtv.co.uk/

Genre-bending Short RUBBERS Needs You!

The latest short from Moranic Productions – husband and wife team James Moran and Cat Davies – has launched on Kickstarter and is already over a quarter of the way to its goal. Rubbers is a groundbreaking, genre-bending comedy fantasy short that has already been shot in regular format for festivals and concurrently in immersive 360 format for VR headsets.

Rubbers is a genre-bending comedy fantasy about a neurodivergent woman who struggles to form relationships and explores her ‘special interest’ in stationery to unlock her fantasy world with a dark twist. It stars Rosie Holt (Mina Murray’s Journal), written and directed by Cat Davies (Connie, Blood Shed), and co-produced by James Moran (Cockneys vs Zombies). The visual aesthetic of Rubbers is primarily inspired by The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Amelie, Barbarella and other ‘50s-‘70s films, such as Danger: Diabolik and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Michael Gill Photography (c) Moranic Productions 2025

Speaking of the decision to shoot the short in 360 as well as the conventional way, Davies said: “360 offers the opportunity to invite viewers in to experience my protagonist’s stationery-loving world in a fully immersive, impactful way. It will be available for immersive festivals and exhibitions in parallel with the 2D version of Rubbers for film festivals and then digital platforms, but only once it is beautifully polished with the kind support of Kickstarter pledgers, so we can add the fantastic score by four-time BAFTA-nominated composer Ben Foster, perfect the sound mix and have a colourist work their magic.”

Michael Gill Photography (c) Moranic Productions 2025

The Kickstarter runs until March 27th, allowing the team to complete, polish, and begin distributing Rubbers. There are a host of great rewards on offer for those who pledge.

Head here to pledge and find out more.

Michael Gill Photography (c) Moranic Productions 2025

Patrick Wilson Joins Amy Adams In CAPE FEAR

the conjuring star patrick wilson cast in cape fear series

Apple TV+’s Cape Fear series adaptation has just added The Conjuring franchise veteran Patrick Wilson to its cast. The 10-episode series hails from Nick Antosca, best known for Channel Zero, who serves as showrunner, writer, and executive producer.

The official logline reads: “A storm is coming for happily married attorneys Anna and Tom Bowden when Max Cady, a notorious killer from their past, gets out of prison.“ The series is described as a tense, contemporary thriller that examines America’s obsession with true crime in the 21st century. In it, a storm is coming for a pair of married attorneys when an infamous killer from their past gets released after years in prison.

Amy Adams will play Anna Bowden, and Javier Bardem is set to play the villain, Max Cady. Wilson’s role in the series is still unknown, though he would likely play Anna’s husband, Tom Bowden.

Filmmaking heavyweights Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg serve as exec producers on the series, which is based on John D. MacDonald’s 1957 novel The Executioners, which was adapted into 1962’s Cape Fear starring Gregory Peck, and Scorsese’s 1991 remake with Robert De Niro. 

Further casting news are expected to emerge soon, so stay tuned.

Nicolas Cage Stars In THE SURFER Trailer

nicolas cage in the surfer trailer

The psychological thriller The Surfer, from Vivarium and Nocebo director Lorcan Finnegan, has debuted an official trailer. Nicolas Cage stars in the Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions film, with a screenplay by Thomas Martin.

Per the synopsis, when a man (Nicolas Cage) returns to his beachside hometown in Australia, many years since building a life for himself in the U.S., he is humiliated in front of his teenage son by a local gang of surfers who claim strict ownership over the secluded beach of his childhood. Wounded, he decides to remain at the beach, declaring war against those in control of the bay. As the conflict escalates, the stakes spin out of control, taking him to the edge of sanity.

Julian McMahon, Nic Cassim, Miranda Tapsell, Alexander Bertrand, Justin Rosniak, Rahel Romahn, Finn Little and Charlotte Maggi star opposite Cage.

“Lorcan’s movie is a stunning visual experience with an incredible palette, coupled with Nicolas Cage at his absolute best,” Lionsgate’s Lauren Bixby said in a recent statement. The film had its world premiere at the 77th Cannes International Film Festival, where it received a six minute ovation.

A cinema release date has not yet been provided. Watch the trailer for The Surfer below:

Mantic’s Christmas In February Campaign Funds Immediately

Nottingham-based games company Mantic have successfully funded their Advent Calendar Board Game Crowdfunder, bringing the joy of Christmas to the cold month of February.

The campaign is to fund four advent calendars. Each Calendar forms a unique board game when completed. It includes a game based on The Walking Dead comic book, another based on the cult video game Worms, a space combat game called Deep Space and a fantasy game called Bar Room Brawl. Those who back all four also get a set of terrain for miniature gaming.

The campaign ends on March 10th, and the games will be delivered in November, so there is plenty of time for Christmas. So, if you really like planning ahead, check out the campaign here.

HASBRO Brings Marvel Games To Life

Hasbro Pulse has announced new toys for its Marvel Legends Series Gamerverse figures, which put much-loved video games into your hands.

Inspired by the highly anticipated Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 video game, this new wave brings premium toys to your shelf. Obviously, this includes Miles Morales in his stunning Brooklyn 2099 Suit in the futuristic 2099 style. The new release will also include the Upgraded Suit Style  Miles Morales, as well as the Boricua Suit.

Peter Parker in his iconic Black Suit, as seen in the new game. This fully articulated figure allows collectors to pose Peter in dynamic web-slinging stances, complete with alternate hands and a web accessory. The Peter Parker Anti-Venom Suit Style figure is also available for those with bolder tastes.

Fans of Black Cat will also be delighted to see Felicia Hardy’s character added to the range, looking iconic.

You can find out more about it via Hasbro Pulse.