The Most Anticipated Horror Films of 2015: Wyrmwood, It Follows and More!

In the last Wise Words... post we had a look at the most anticipated horror blockbusters of 2015 and as expected, there is the usual barrage of sequels and remakes, in addition to one or two vehicles of nostalgia, set for our multiplex screens. Whilst mildly entertaining for some, these mainstream horror releases are by no means original... or exciting. So what can we expect from the smaller screens this year?

As we all know, this particular market is forever shifting and new releases are a daily occurance. Horror-romance Sping (17th April), supernatural horror-comedy Kitchen Sink (6th November), zombie showdown Scouts vs. Zombies (30th October) and Christmas release Krampus (4th December) are all surfacing this year. By no means comprehensive, it's a fine example of what we can expect from the horror genre in the next few months. No finer, than the three horror films featured below, which stand out in terms of anticipation, integrity and downright asininity.

First up and due for release on the 13th of February is the eagerly awaited Australian horror, Wyrmwood. Set in the heart of Australian bushland, this zombie apocalypse feature follows Barry (Jay Gallagher) and Benny (Leon Burchill) on a mission to save Brooke (Bianca Bradey), Barry's sister, from a psychotic doctor and team of soldiers.


From the looks of things, Director Kiah Roache-Turner has had a blast in combining the beloved zombie sub-genre with Australian humour, and the pace and aesthetics of the forthcoming Mad Max vehicle. In other words it looks positively bonkers, and a laughing riot for all horror fans out there seeking a gory, mindless thrill.

Away from the Ozpocalypse (but no less bizarre) is the forthcoming Marjane Satrapi oddity entitled, The Voices. Due for release March 20th, this American-German horror-comedy follows the mentally-ill Jerry Hickfang (Ryan Reynolds), whose withdrawal from anti-psychotic medication results in a fairly violent turn of events. Sounds serious enough, but throw in a talking cat called Mr Whiskers and the very vocal, decapitated head of Gemma Arterton, and we've got a dark, absurdist comedy on our hands. Met with warm acclaim at last year's Sundance Film Festival and boasting a cast further bolstered by Anna Kendrick, this looks to be a delightfully dark journey into the human psyche.

Last but not least is It Follows, due for release 27th February. This small, independent chiller, directed by  David Robert Mitchell, received heavy praise during its festival circuit last year, lauded as both a "progressive" feature and "dream come true" for today's horror fan. The film tells the story of Jay (Maika Monroe), a 19-year-old  girl who, after a seemingly innocent sexual encounter, is subsequently plagued by strange visions and the inescapabe feeling that something, or someone, is following her.

Sex and horror have always been interchangeable tropes which allow for fascinating exploration into humanity, both physically and psychologically. As such, the pairing of the two has been a long-standing pinnacle of the horror genre and It Follows should prove no different. This contemporary, metaphoric exploration of sexual trauma and the threat of sexually transmitted disease will provide a claustrophobic, intense and thought-provoking terror for horror fans to enjoy and film theorists to revere.

 

That's it for the most anticipated horror films of 2015! Although stay tuned for some Wise Words... on the forthcoming 31, Phantasm V: Ravager and Cooties.