BACKROOMS - Liminal horror goes mainstream as Kane Parsons mysterious and dangerous world makes the jump from YouTube to cinema screens. Iain MacLeod reviews a striking and eerie debut that more than delivers on the promise of its web series and suggests a new direction for horror cinema.

PASSENGER - André Øvredal returns with a road set horror that sees a young couple on the road pursued by a mysterious demonic figure. Iain MacLeod reviews this horror-road movie but finds next to nothing to get revved up about in this completely pedestrian tale.

NORMAL - Don’t let the title fool you, Bob Odenkirk’s shoot ‘em up directed by Ben Wheatley is anything but. Iain MacLeod reviews this off kilter action flick that does just about enough to differentiate itself from the one time comedians other action films that have given his career such a shot in the arm.

OBSESSION - Be careful what you wish for as a young man's crush on his best friend takes a truly unsettling and terrifying turn in Curry Barker’s OBSESSION. Iain MacLeod reviews the film that will please his online fans as well as a new legion who will find much to admire in this expert mix of cringe inducing comedy and truly unnerving horror.

HOKUM - Struggling author Ohm Bauman visits the Irish hotel so beloved by his deceased parents only to discover the local legend of a malevolent witch could be the least of his worries. Iain MacLeod reviews Damian McCarthy’s latest film, that proves he is one of the genres most exciting talents with one of the scariest and most entertaining films of the year.

MOTHER MARY - Anne Hathaway plays the titular and literally haunted popstar in need of a dress from her estranged friend played by Michaela Cole in David Lowery’s underwhelming attempt in melding horror and pop music together. Iain MacLeod reviews a film that plays everything in a timid coy fashion that becomes severely patience testing.

LEE CRONIN’S THE MUMMY - The Egyptian creature of classic Hollywood gets yet another look, but not really, in Lee Cronin’s sprawling, messy yet entertaining film. Iain MacLeod reviews the grisly take on an old favourite that is often at odds with itself in a number of ways.

EXIT 8 - The Japanese video game adaptation arrives on cinema screens to kick off the new wave of liminal horror. Iain MacLeod reviews this eerily effective tale of a commuter getting lost in an subterranean infinite loop and finds much to be entertained and unnerved by despite an unfamiliarity with the source material.

UNDERTONE - Debut director attempts to make podcasting spooky and terrifying in this tale of a female host trying to discover the truth behind a batch of sinister audio files. Iain MacLeod however finds nothing more to look at or listen to than a woman on her laptop and listening to spooky noises in a disappointingly thin attempt to update familiar ghost story tropes for the 21st century.

THEY WILL KILL YOU - A young woman takes a housekeeping job at the sinister, foreboding hotel unaware that it’s run by a bunch of evil Satanists. Unfortunately for them she has her own secrets and a big bag of weapons to back them up. Iain MacLeod reviews a film packed full of action beats that feels all too familiar and far too thin when it comes to the plot.

READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME - The long, long awaited sequel finally arrives on cinema screens. Once more Samara Weaving returns to do battle with the forces of darkness who ruined her wedding night and now threaten not only her life but her little sisters too.Iain MacLeod reviews a fun sequel which also features the added bonus of Sarah Michelle Gellar to the genre that made her name.

THE BRIDE! - Time for a re-evaluation? Steven West springs to the defence of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s recent revisionist take on Mary Shelley and her immortal creations and finds much to admire in a film that hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

SCREAM 7 - The delayed sequel arrives onscreen after losing its two main stars from the previous two films, hoping Neve Campbell’s return will appease longtime fans. Iain MacLeod reviews this uninspired and pedestrian entry in a long running franchise that splutters onto the screen with none of the verve or wit that made the first film so entertaining and fun.

GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE - Stop looking at your phones! Gore Verbinski returns to directing duties with Sam Rockwell travelling back in time to stop a lethal AI from taking over the world with the help of a mismatched group of diners. Iain MacLeod reviews a film packed full of familiar tropes and beats but still finds much to be amused by.

WHISTLE - An Aztec death whistle causes all sorts of problems for Dafne Keen and her high school friends in Corin Hardy’s latest film. Iain MacLeod reviews this pleasing horror, with its familiar elements executed in fun and stylish fashion.

SEND HELP - After 17 years, Sam Raimi returns to horror with SEND HELP. Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien play the put-upon worker and alpha-bro boss stranded on a deserted island, finding themselves stuck in a bloody, gory battle for survival. Iain MacLeod reviews this gleefully cruel return to form from one of the genre’s most recognisable directors.

IRON LUNG - Another week, another video game adaptation, this time with the added bonus of being directed by and starring a YouTube personality. IRON LUNG however bucks the trend with its oppressive location and hints of cosmic horror that leaves reviewer Iain MacLeod impressed by Mark Fischbach’s debut.

A friendly chimpanzee runs riot with rabies in Johannes Roberts creature feature throwback. Iain MacLeod reviews this gleefully gory horror that makes the most of its simple premise in fun, face ripping style.

Christophe Gans returns to the much loved horror video game franchise with this adaptation of the second game in the series. Iain MacLeod reviews and struggles to engage with a film that amounts to little more than a replication of the feeling you have watching someone else play a game while you wait for your own turn.

One more trip to the ravaged lands of Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s infected UK, courtesy this time of new director Nia Dacosta. Iain MacLeod reviews the massively entertaining entry that brings Ralph Fiennes’ kindly Dr Kelson and Jack O’Connell’s evil Sir Jimmy Crystal face to face in a film which while only being released in the second week of January could end up being one of the best of the year.