After such a strong year horror had in 2024, the first three months of 2025 have offered an interesting variety of options for horror lovers. From horror rom-coms to straight paranormal dramas, the year has begun on a steady note. While we may not have had the heaviest of hitters yet, we feel like there is something for all sorts of horror fans. The early months are never strong for any genre, and we felt it a bit this year. But even with that, we still had a couple of options to pick from to narrow down to make our list.
Companion
As technology continues to grow exponentially, all we can do is daydream about its capabilities. Futuristic flying cars, life-saving medical technology, AI sex bots, etc. Companion follows Iris (Sophie Thatcher), an AI companion robot who discovers her sentience after her boyfriend Josh (Jack Quaid) and his friends try to exploit her software to rob a billionaire. Sophie Thatcher delivers an excellent performance that lends a lot of humanity to her robotic circumstances and Jack Quaid channels his Richie Kirsch “not all is right behind the lovable charm” vibe from Scream 5. The supporting cast helps blend comedic and emotional moments into this film, all while providing some excellent kills as well.
Presence
This is not your typical ghost story. Steven Soderbergh’s first feature of the year, Presence follows the Paynes family as they move into a new home from the perspective of the apparition already presiding there. You might think the first-person perspective used the entire film is gimmicky but I found it very fascinating. We become a fly on the wall as the drama of this family unwraps itself as they settle into the house and horrors are welcomed into their home. Presence is not a normal horror movie- there aren’t jump scares and the presence isn’t a sinister one. But the movie fills you with discomfort as you watch the drama unfold and dread as the movie plays itself out towards the end. It is very well acted by Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, and Eddy Maday, particularly Callina Lang. Lang is the center of our focus and she drives the story forwards. Presence is a tight movie that will leave you devastated by the end. It may not be for everyone because of its style, but if you haven’t checked it out yet, I’d highly recommend it.
Heart Eyes
Josh Ruben deserves more recognition as a horror director. While his films often lean toward comedy, the horror elements provide a perfect balance. Heart Eyes is a Valentine’s Day film that is primarily a romantic comedy but includes slasher elements. It follows two coworkers who are mistakenly identified as a couple by a notorious serial killer known as Heart Eyes. Mason Gooding and Olivia Holt share great chemistry in the lead roles. At the same time, horror veterans Devon Sawa and Jordana Brewster offer strong supporting performances that ground the film, leading to a predictable yet entertaining conclusion. Heart Eyes will likely be one of the funniest horror movies of the year while delivering memorable kills.
Dead Talents Society
John Hsu’s Dead Talents Society feels like a unique blend of Monsters, Inc. and a classic ghost film. The story mainly unfolds in the ghost realm, where urban legends and scare tactics employed by ghosts serve as their primary source of entertainment. The world-building in this film is some of the best I’ve seen in a horror movie, effectively portraying the ghost realm as a competitive playground where ghosts strive to scare the living and achieve viral fame. It has a very meta quality, reminiscent of how The Cabin in the Woods serves as a blueprint for many group slasher films. Dead Talents Society introduces an additional layer to ghost films. The characters and locations are so captivating that I could easily see this being adapted into a TV show that follows urban legends and their attempts to terrify the living. Although this movie isn’t particularly scary, it does an excellent job poking fun at ghosts and exploring the false realities behind urban legends.
The Rule of Jenny Pen
The Rule of Jenny Pen is not only our fifth favorite horror film of the first quarter of 2025 but also may be one of the most uncomfortable films of the year. The story follows a New Zealand judge, played by Geoffrey Rush, who is sent to a senior living facility after suffering a stroke. Unfortunately for him, he finds himself in a senior living hell, primarily due to the resident bully, Dave Crealy, portrayed by John Lithgow. Crealy is notorious for terrorizing the tenants of the facility, and Rush’s character wants nothing to do with his antics. This leads to a clash between the two elderly men, pushing Crealy to escalate his terror and forcing the audience to witness some truly unthinkable actions. While the film can be uncomfortable at times, The Rule of Jenny Pen serves as a stirring commentary on the living conditions and hidden abuse faced by the elderly. Typically, the culprits of such abuse are staff members or even family, so it’s shocking to see one of their own be so cruel. Lithgow delivers an unforgettable performance with an emphasis on being unforgettable.
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I've always been a movie fan, but I first got big into cinema watching Whiplash when I was younger. That movie led to a greater appreciation of films and got me to dive into the medium. My favorite genre is horror movies, but I’ll always have a secret soft spot for rom coms and musicals. When I'm not podcasting or watching movies, I love working out and going hiking, and I currently work in business analytics with the degree I got from Western New England University.
MY FAVORITE MOVIES: Good Will Hunting, Spiderman: Into The Spiderverse, Whiplash, Moneyball, Top Gun: Maverick
Ever since my mom took me to go see The Blair Witch Project in theaters when I was 7 years old I’ve been obsessed with not just movies but the horror genre. When I’m not watching movies you can find me thrifting, attending a local horror convention, or collecting physical media. I attended the University of Central Florida with a degree in Cinema Studies and use my degree to rant about movies online.
MY FAVORITE MOVIES: The Cabin in the Woods, Cabaret, Seven Samurai, The Blair Witch Project, Inglourious Basterds