Prime Video has an underrated sci-fi thriller I can't stop thinking about — and you'll be hooked, too
Some movies captivate me without any rhyme or reason. It's not always the one with the best ratings, either. When struggling to find something to watch one night, I came across "Arctic Void" after getting tired of all my usual options.
Usually, I avoid films with abysmally low IMDb ratings, but the film's thumbnail image pulled me in to watch. It depicted an isolated boat cast out amid an icy tundra with looming dark clouds above; I couldn't help but give it a try.
Directed and co-written by Darren Mann, and starring Michael Weaver, Tim Griffin, and Justin Huen, "Arctic Void" chronicles what happens after three men are left in the middle of a frigid nowhere after everyone else disappears from a seemingly unexplainable event.
Although not without its flaws, "Arctic Void" is a slow-burn sci-fi thriller that held my attention and quickly became a personal favorite. And it's streaming now on Prime Video, so you can get hooked, too.
What is 'Arctic Void' about?
"Arctic Void" begins with two best friends, Alan (Tim Griffin) and Ray (Michael Weaver), arriving on one of the Norwegian islands. The dynamics of their relationship are quite clear from the start: Ray's energy thrives on his fame as the star of their travel show, while Alan, his director and producer, battles a growing concern about their trip and, most of all, a desire to return to his family and work on his marriage.
They arrive at a port to catch the boat that will take them on a tourist expedition into the Arctic. There, they meet their cameraman, Sean (Justin Huen), whom they've never worked with before. He's not the friendliest and is somewhat strange.
Ray can't help but notice that he wears headphones linked up to an old-fashioned metal lunchbox. Curious, when Sean heads to the bathroom, Ray puts them on only to discover it's the sound of whales.
Except that's not the only weird thing. While their guide on the boat (played by the goofy and charming Rune Temte) engages the tourists, Ray and Alan notice the animals are acting odd. A seagull is seen without eyes, and a sea lion is spotted eating its young. Something is amiss, but everyone else on the boat seems to be fine.
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And then something happens: An unexplainable, unknown event causes everyone on the boat, except for Ray, Alan, and Sean, to disappear.
Confused and puzzled, the three make their way off the boat and venture into a nearby town. This is when the haunting nature of the film begins. No one is there, either. Slowly, pieces of the puzzle emerge. Alan starts to feel sick while Ray frantically searches for answers. More happened on that boat than a simple, unexplainable event.
Why you should stream 'Arctic Void' on Prime Video
Amidst the cold tundra is a mystery that doesn't easily get explained. However, I loved the setting of this film and how it evolves into something that isn't entirely impossible.
Tim Griffin does a good job of displaying his character's fear, especially as his health dwindles. While Justin Huen remains a character of mystery, Ray's evolution from being someone overly pompous to realizing his life isn't entirely untouchable.
While this movie doesn't tie up all the loose ends, it's still a worthy sci-fi thriller. I've rewatched it several times since my first viewing and enjoy it every time. And I especially enjoy the music throughout, composed by Nick Donnelly, which adds to the spooky atmosphere.
Stream "Arctic Void" on Prime Video
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CNN
36 minutes ago
- CNN
Can You Lower Your Risk for Dementia? - Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta - Podcast on CNN Podcasts
Dr. Sanjay Gupta 00:00:03 Welcome to Paging Dr. Gupta. Thank you so much for joining us. We are really trying to be your source for answers to whatever health questions you've been mulling over. Feel free to send those in to us. This is the show where we take those questions, really dig into the science and hopefully the stories behind them. Kyra's back with us. Who do we have first? Kyra Dahring 00:00:24 Hey Sanjay. So first up today, we've got a question from Alan in Ottawa, Canada, who wrote in asking if having type 2 diabetes accelerates cognitive decline if you're over the age of 70. Dr. Sanjay Gupta 00:00:40 Alan, I am really glad you asked about this, because so many people in both Canada and the United States have type 2 diabetes. In fact, around 11% of the general population lives with diabetes, and the numbers for those over the age of 65 jump up close to 30%. Keep that in mind when we give you the answer right after the break. Dr. Sanjay Gupta 00:01:06 'Alright, so does having type 2 diabetes affect cognitive decline in older adults? Well, the short answer, unfortunately, is yes. Studies find that diabetes can increase the odds of developing cognitive decline up to two times. A 2021 JAMA study following about 10,000 men and women found that those who had diabetes at age 70 had a higher likelihood of developing cognitive decline. So, you know, older adults with diabetes do have higher instances of dementia overall, Alzheimer's disease, and also something known as vascular dementia. And it has also been shown that the risk of cognitive decline in dementia is higher for those who develop diabetes at a younger age. So the earlier the age when you develop diabetes, the more likely you are to have cognitive decline again after age 70. Now, we don't know exactly why this is, but the connection appears to be pretty strong. So much so that some people have started calling Alzheimer's type 3 diabetes. Now that might be a bit hyperbolic, but I think there's no question that we know diabetes raises the risk of heart disease and stroke, which hurt heart and blood vessels, damaged blood vessels in the brain, could contribute to cognitive decline. We also know that the brain is dependent on many different chemicals, which can become imbalanced when insulin is not working as it should. Some of those changes could trigger cognitive decline, high blood sugar all by itself is pro-inflammatory that could damage brain cells and cause dementia to develop. But all this to say that there's clearly a connection between lifestyle and dementia. In fact, if you look at some of the latest studies, probably around 40% of dementia cases are preventable through lifestyle changes -- healthy balanced diet, physical activity, exercising your brain, social activity, and yes, keeping your blood sugar in check. There was another recent study called the Poynter Study, around 2,000 participants from across the United States, people who were between the ages of 60 and 79 and were cognitively healthy, okay, so they did not have problems, but they were leading sedentary lifestyles and had a higher risk of dementia due to health issues like pre-diabetes or borderline high blood pressure. And what they did in these two groups is one was given sort of a structured lifestyle intervention program, and the other was given guidance, but they were told to sort of do it on their own. All of it was geared towards healthy behaviors. Things like 30 minutes of cardio a day plus several days of weight training, a Mediterranean DASH diet, which is basically the Mediterranean diet with even more salt restrictions, certain brain training exercises, social activities, and health monitoring. Both groups that focused on these lifestyle changes did see an improvement in cognitive function. So that was really encouraging. There was other studies that have shown people who had even been given the diagnosis of cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's disease also saw an improvement. Not only were they able to slow or stall the progression of the disease, in some cases they were able to reverse it with lifestyle changes alone. So there's this connection between high blood sugar, diabetes and cognitive impairment. But I think the evidence is becoming increasingly clear that there's a lot that you can do about it. Hope that helps, Alan. I'll be back to answer another one of your questions right after the break. Dr. Sanjay Gupta 00:04:50 All right, all sorts of pagers going off. Kyra, who's next? Kyra Dahring 00:04:55 Okay, next up we've got Cal. Now, he's wondering, can learning a new language or even picking up a new instrument, can that actually help slow down cognitive decline? Or what kind of impact does that have? Dr. Sanjay Gupta 00:05:11 'So just as keeping your body active is important, and we know it's really important, not just for your physical health, but your brain health as well, we also know that learning a new language or learning to play an instrument can have a really significant beneficial impact on cognitive decline. I love this question. I love the topic. It is true that just moderate brisk activity, physical activity, is probably the most evidence-based way to improve your overall brain health. But when it comes to doing other things, learning new skills, taking on new hobbies, the key word here is new. A lot of people focus on things like crossword puzzles, which can be really helpful for overall brain-health, but mostly what crossword-puzzles do is make you really good at crossword puzzles. What you want to do is something new! Learning a new language is kind of like a form of developing cognitive reserve, like a demanding career of some sort that's going to strengthen and organize your brain circuits, helping to fight off the initial symptoms of dementia until later in life. I really loved this one study when it came to instruments. There was a study of twins where one twin had developed dementia, the other didn't. And what they found after controlling for education and physical activity, that playing a musical instrument was significantly associated with lower likelihood of dementia and cognitive impairment. So, you know, genetically identical individuals, the only big difference was that one played an instrument. Taking that a step further, there was a study that found professional musicians who began training before age seven actually had reliably thicker areas of certain parts of the brain, such as the anterior corpus callosum, which is the very front of the brain that sort of connects the two hemispheres. Even learning an instrument later in life, was associated with improved attention, improved thinking skills, and overall better mental health. Dr. Sanjay Gupta 00:07:18 'So, Shukriya, merci, gracias for your question. Thank you very much. That's all the time we have for today. Thanks to everyone who sent in questions. I'm inspired by your curiosity. I love reading these questions, I love hearing your stories and I love your voices. That is what makes this show so special. So keep the questions coming. If there's something health related you've been wondering about send it to us, we might try and answer it next week! Record a voice memo email it to AskSanjay@ or give us a call, 470-396-0832, and leave a message. Thanks so much for listening. I'll be back next Tuesday.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
'The Summer I Turned Pretty': Lola Tung Is Ready For What Comes After Summer
All clothing, accessories, and fine jewellery, Chanel. It's sweltering hot in the sun-drenched, top-floor café on the Lower East Side that Lola Tung is using as her makeshift dressing room. The electric fans do little to battle the July humidity, and the bottled water for the crew has gone lukewarm. The actress feels the heat, too, as she changes from one Chanel look into another for her ELLE photo shoot, but she powers through. After all, she thrives in the summer. At 22 years old, Tung is the star of Prime Video's The Summer I Turned Pretty, the wildly popular TV show based on Jenny Han's bestselling book series of the same name. The television adaptation debuted in 2022 and introduced her as protagonist Isabel 'Belly' Conklin, a teenager caught in a love triangle between two of her longtime family friends: Conrad Fisher (Christopher Briney) and his younger brother, Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). With a literary fan base, a cast of good-looking newcomers, a soundtrack filled with Taylor Swift songs, and a love triangle that could rival Team Edward vs. Team Jacob, TSITP had all the makings of a pop culture sensation. And sure enough, it shot to the No. 1 slot on the streamer when it first premiered, even bringing a resurgence in popularity for Han's books and, as if she could get any bigger, Swift's own music catalogue. Tung, who was born and raised in New York and attended the famous LaGuardia School of Performing Arts, was a freshman at Carnegie Mellon when she was cast as Belly—her first on-screen role ever. Since then, she has skyrocketed to It-girl status with the wardrobe and followers (4 million on Instagram, but who's counting?) to match. 'When we were filming the show, people were like, 'Your lives are going to change,' and we were all like, "I don't know what you're talking about,"' she says later over Zoom, reflecting on earlier seasons with the cast. 'It's really wonderful to know that there are people who love the show so much and that your work means something to [them].' As evidenced by social media posts from fans, the viewers aren't just the YA demographic, but also women in their 20s and older, even moms who watch the series with their kids. (Belly's mother, Laurel, played by Jackie Chung, also has her own arc in the series.) There's just something universally irresistible about a summer coming-of-age romance set on the beach. The world couldn't help but dive in. Three years later, TSITP is back for its third and final season. As viewers lock in for one last vacation at Cousins Beach, Tung is saying a bittersweet goodbye to her breakout role and looking ahead to what's next. 'I've loved getting to play [Belly] for so long. It's kind of like graduating,' she says. 'I'm excited to show a different part of myself—and even have people see me in a different world.' Until then, fans are savoring every last episode of TSITP we have left. If you had heard the screams coming out of Bryant Park last Wednesday night, you would have thought there was a live concert taking place. In reality, it was a premiere screening of The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3. Crowds gathered on the grass with blankets, snacks, and friends in tow, cheering when the cast made an appearance and gasping along at each plot twist. 'I've never experienced that ever in my life,' Tung recalls. 'There were just so many people.' Viewers had a lot to chew on in these new episodes: Belly is now a junior in college and four years deep into a relationship with Jeremiah. However, things don't really seem to be settled between her and Conrad, even after they broke up years ago at prom. She and Jeremiah face an obstacle in season 3, episode 1, when Belly learns that he slept with another girl during a spring break trip to Cabo—twice! The circumstances of the hookup are murky; in classic Ross and Rachel fashion, Jeremiah thought he and Belly had broken up during an argument before the trip, whereas Belly believed they were still together. A dramatic series of events follows: Belly and Jeremiah fight at a frat party. She slaps him. He tries to win her back. Belly's brother, Steven, gets into a car accident and suffers a possible brain injury. After Steven wakes up safely from his coma, Jeremiah apologizes to Belly profusely at the hospital, and then proposes to her. She says yes. 'Young love is intense,' Tung says during another call days after the premiere. While fans and haters alike might classify this intensity as chaos, she walks me through how Belly is handling all of the ups and downs. First, the fight with Jeremiah: 'I think it's just pure shock for Belly,' Tung says of her character's headspace. 'This is someone who's been her rock for so many years and who she's known her entire life. It can be heartbreaking when you feel like you don't know everything [about someone].' It kind of leads Belly to wonder, What else don't I know about you? She and Casalegno rehearsed the emotional scene prior to filming. 'It was important to have a level of trust in each other, especially with the slap,' Tung recalls. 'Poor Gavin, he was like, "Yeah, you can slap me." I was like, "Are you sure? Please, I don't want to hurt you!"' Ultimately, they filmed the slap in just a couple of takes. 'I was not about to slap him 50 times otherwise. For some of the angles, I would just kind of wave my hand…I'm used to the stage slap,' she says. Now, onto Jeremiah's alleged infidelity: 'No matter whether you think that he cheated or not, it's wrong,' Tung says diplomatically, pointing to how Jeremiah rebounded with another girl shortly after the presumed split, and then hid it from Belly. 'I personally don't think they were on a break or broken up, because that argument was so quick and everything happened so fast.' However, 'Belly is not completely blameless,' she continues. 'She didn't reach out either. There is a little bit more of a mess in her own head.' So, how does Belly go from feeling betrayed to getting engaged? She was likely swayed by Steven's near-death experience. 'She's almost lost someone else in her life that's really important to her, and they both experienced a huge loss [Susannah, Jeremiah, and Conrad's mom] years before that—it's still obviously affecting them and their relationship. The thought of losing more people in her life, whether it is Steven or Jeremiah, is just not an option.' She adds, 'Jeremiah is showing up and trying to be there whenever she will let him. I think, in that moment, she's completely overcome with all of these emotions and is in a very vulnerable space. They both are, and they really want to lean on each other, because they do love each other. Even though Jeremiah did mess up, I think when it's put into perspective, it feels so silly compared to literally a life-or-death situation.' Belly also might also feel a 'little bit of guilt about not mentioning to Jeremiah what happened at Christmas. Even though nothing did happen.' Tung is referring to Belly's own secret: that she spent one Christmas alone at Cousins beach house while she and Jeremiah were dating; except she wasn't really alone. Conrad coincidentally showed up too and stayed over. Nothing romantic or physical happened between the exes, but you can feel there's still something between them. While filming those scenes, Tung and Briney wanted to convey a sense of 'ease' and that Belly and Conrad 'have a certain understanding with each other' as friends. 'It's nice that even after so long, they can sit together and watch a movie, and just exist in the same place without speaking, without having to do anything but just be,' she says. 'I think those are the most beautiful sort of friendships and relationships.' While a big part of the fandom is still rooting for a Belly and Conrad endgame—I won't spoil how the books end—Tung believes that, at least during that engagement scene, Belly's mind is solely on Jeremiah. 'I don't think she's thinking of Conrad in that moment,' she says. But Belly is aware that she and Conrad will always have an 'unspoken connection.' And to address the elephant in the room, Belly is also aware of her age. She's 20 when she says yes to Jeremiah, and based on snippets in the season 3 trailer, her mother and older brother are bound to question whether she's ready for such a commitment. 'She knows she's young, but she's also quite stubborn and is making decisions for herself,' Tung says. 'She's like, "I need to do what I need to do for myself to protect myself, and to feel safe, and to feel like I am in control of my story and my life."' While the cast and crew keep further season 3 details close to the vest, Tung cautiously teases that we can look forward to more group dynamics when the Fishers and Conklins reunite in future episodes. 'That will always be complicated, when all of them are together,' she says. Much like Han's To All the Boys I Loved Before trilogy, The Summer I Turned Pretty is fiercely beloved—sometimes to an extreme degree. As viewers debate between Team Conrad and Team Jeremiah with such enthusiasm and fervor, some comments cross the line and directly target the cast or fellow fans themselves. Days before the season 3 premiere, the official TSITP social accounts announced a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, hate speech, harassment, and doxxing. Users who break these rules will be banned. Tung supports the guidelines, saying the criticism 'can be really, really hard, especially with new cast members. It happened last year with Elsie [Fisher, the nonbinary actor who played Jeremiah and Conrad's cousin Skye]. We were all really, really upset about it, and they're so wonderful and was such an incredible addition to our cast and our dynamic. … We're human beings. A lot of times, we see what you say, especially if it's mean, and those things stick with us.' 'A lot of it is so unnecessary, especially when it's not about the characters and it's about the actors,' she continues. 'Ultimately, you don't really know these people.' Tung hopes viewers are 'respectful' to the new season 3 cast members, 'kind' with their discourse, and that they 'appreciate the characters,' even with all their flaws. 'Everyone is working really hard to make sure that the story is the best that it can be for the fans. And we love the fans, because they have given us the opportunity to make three seasons.' Tung, for her personal well-being, tries to stay off social media. 'You just can't really engage [with the comments], because then it feeds the fire a little bit. It sucks. Because people can be mean when they're behind their screens, which, I'm not saying anything new,' she says, ever so politely. On rare occasions, interactions can get uncomfortable in real life, too. Tung remembers a moment when a fan approached her in public and asked to take a picture when she wasn't feeling up for it. 'I was like, "I'm so sorry." I hate saying that, because then you feel guilty. And then he was like, "Well, I already have the camera out." I remember feeling a little like, "Oh, man," like a boundary was broken.' Tung fully understands the passion is coming from a place of 'enthusiasm and a love for the show.' She says, 'I always appreciate when people are super respectful, and just understand human-being boundaries. It can be such a lovely thing, and [I've had] such lovely conversations, and some people really stick with you, and it makes you so happy.' Thankfully, she's able to find support in her co-stars when it comes to handling the 'really weird, niche things' that come with adjusting to fame and public scrutiny. 'I think we all lean on each other,' Tung says. Han, who is a showrunner and executive producer on the series, has also been a lifeline. 'I've learned so much from Jenny. When I was working on the first season, and figuring out how to navigate the really busy schedule we had, she had a conversation with me—not in an overstepping way, because we're very close—but she was just like, "Hey, maybe start going to therapy." That was one of the most helpful pieces of advice she's ever given me.' Tung adds, 'I was a really emotional kid and teenager, and I still am a really emotional person. I was sometimes afraid of letting people see that emotion and being vulnerable in front of people. That's what this profession is all about, and that's what this show is all about. I'm forever grateful that we get to see that, especially through Belly, and then even through Jeremiah and Conrad…[showing] Conrad in therapy is huge. I think it's such an important thing for young men and boys to see.' When it comes to showing emotion in the spotlight, Tung actually felt seen by Ariana Grande during the Wicked press tour last fall. 'A lot of people were being very critical of Ariana crying in a bunch of interviews, and I was like, "What are you talking about? This was her dream! It makes me so happy to see her so overcome with emotion."' She adds, 'To see her get so emotional was nice just to see, as an actor and as someone who's in the public eye, because it made me think, Yeah, why not? Why not show that you care about something?' The Summer I Turned Pretty was an education for Tung. 'I've learned so much from Belly, and from her boldness, and from watching her take risks,' she says. But she also gleaned a lot from working on a set for the first time, and by observing other actors, directors, and crew members. She also learned how to take care of herself—and recognize when it's time to rest. Those are lessons she'll take with her as she transitions into life post-Summer. Tung has already been dropping hints of what that'll look like. Last year, she made her Broadway debut as Eurydice in Hadestown, a dream role that nourished her inner theater kid. (Legend has it she fell in love with acting after playing the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz back in middle school.) And this past April, she wrapped filming Forbidden Fruits, a women-centric horror film due in 2026 co-starring star Lili Reinhart, Victoria Pedretti, Alexandra Shipp, and Emma Chamberlain. That genre might be a major departure from the sunny beaches of Cousins, but Tung was eager to give it a try. She's recently been watching scary movies like Longlegs, Sinners, The Substance, and Jennifer's Body. 'It was transformative,' Tung says of the latter. (Diablo Cody is also a producer on Forbidden Fruits.) 'I loved getting to sit down with the director [Meredith Alloway] and talk for three hours about the dynamics of female friendships, and what that looks like in a horror setting. ... I love having conversations with all of these incredible women, and seeing them soar,' Tung says. She hopes to do more of that in the future—just like her fellow cool-girl creatives who are collaborating with one another. 'There are so many really cool women right now who are making cool art with their friends, like Ayo Edebiri, Rachel Sennott, and Molly Gordon,' she muses. Tung is excited for what's to come but admits that every new project can be daunting, whether it's adapting a beloved book series for TV or stepping into an entirely new genre. 'That's the wonderful thing about art—it's always a risk, and it's always a little bit scary, but it's so, so worth it.' Hair by Dana Boyer at The Wall Group; makeup by Misha Shahzada at A-Frame Agency; special thanks to Ludlow House. ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE. You Might Also Like Pyjamas You Can Wear All Day 10 Hand Soaps To Make Your Bathroom Feel Like A Fancy Hotel 8 Of The Best Natural Deodorants


Tom's Guide
5 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
5 top new movies to stream this week on Prime Video, HBO Max, Hulu and more (Aug. 5-11)
The start of another week means a fresh slate of movies arriving across the best streaming services. And the biggest fish in the pond, Netflix, is sitting the next seven days out, which gives Prime Video, HBO Max and more the chance to take the spotlight. However, the biggest newcomer this week can be found on premium video-on-demand platforms. Jurassic World Rebirth' is set to make the tyrannosaurus-sized leap from cinemas to streaming. And viewers looking for more blockbuster action will also want to check out 'The Pickup' on Prime Video. Plus, the summer of Pedro Pascal continues over on HBO Max. These are the top new movies you can stream this week, and if you're in the mood for a binge-watch, check out our guide to the top new TV shows this week. 'Jurassic World Rebirth' is the best 'Jurassic' movie since the original 'Jurassic World' back in 2015. OK, so when the competition is 'Fallen Kingdom' and 'Dominion,' which are, in my opinion, two of the worst tentpole blockbusters of the last decade, that's faint praise. But still, 'Rebith' represents a step in the right direction for a franchise that has so often struggled to recapture the enduring magic of the original 'Jurassic Park.' Even though I admit, it's fun but flawed. 'Rebirth' sees Scarlett Johansson play Zora Bennett, an ex-military special operative, who leads a team into one of the world's most dangerous places: A tropical island that served as the research facility for the original Jurassic Park. The mission requires them to secure three DNA samples from specific dinosaurs, but of course, the plan goes awry. Also starring Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey, it packs plenty of dino-themed fun, but the series' insistence on creating new mutated creatures does feel ill-judged. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Buy or rent on Amazon from August 5 Prime Video is following up its summer streaming hit, 'Heads of State,' with another high-stakes action comedy in the form of 'The Pickup.' This one looks perfect for viewers craving a big-budget romp, but without having to shell out for a cinema ticket and overpriced theatre snacks. Its cast list is also nothing to sneeze at, with Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Keke Palmer and Eva Longoria headlining. I doubt it'll be a critical darling, but its future as a Prime Video No. 1 looks pretty secure. 'The Pickup' centers on two armored truck drivers (Murphy and Davidson) who face the shift from hell when criminals, led by a savvy mastermind (Palmer), ambush them and attempt to steal their vehicle's cargo. What follows is an action-packed shift as these mismatched co-workers are roped into a dangerous heist with highly personal stakes. The setup seems predictable, but the trailer promises plenty of explosions and lots of slapstick comedy gags. Watch on Prime Video from August 6 'The Monkey' is one of my biggest disappointments of 2025. It's not because it's bad, but rather considering the pedigree of director Oz Perkins (the man behind last year's 'Longlegs' and the overlooked 'The Blackcoat's Daughter'), I had high hopes for this horror, and ultimately, my expectations weren't quite met. Still, there's a lot of darkly comedic fun to be found in this blood-drenched movie, and now that it's arriving on Hulu, the barrier to entry has dropped considerably. 'The Monkey' offers a series of extremely gory kills, stitched together by an off-kilter story that's a little too goofy. The movie opens with twin brothers finding a strange and very creepy wind-up monkey doll. This odd toy is actually cursed and causes a string of horrific deaths. Fast forward 25 years, and the brothers (both played by Theo James) have become estranged. But when the monkey doll resurfaces, they're forced to reunite to end the curse for good. Watch on Hulu from August 7 Comedy-slashers are back in vogue with 'Heart Eyes' blending horror and humor back in February, and 'Clown in a Cornfield' bringing the same mixture to the summer months. It's certainly no 'Scream,' but it does play with the audience's expectations in some novel ways. However, the final reveal is seriously derivative of Edgar Wright's fantastic cop comedy 'Hot Fuzz,' which lessens its impact. Otherwise, it's a slasher with some grizzly kills and some very irritating characters, ones that make frustrating decisions too often. Based on the novel of the same name by Adam Cesare, it follows high school student Quinn (Katie Douglas) and her father (Aaron Abrams) as they relocate to the small town of Kettle Springs. The quaint town has fallen on hard times in the wake of a factory fire destroying its main industry, and things get even worse when a sinister clown named Frendo starts stalking Quinn and her new pals. Watch on Shudder from August 8 If my social media feeds are any indication, Pedro Pascal fatigue appears to be sweeping the internet. However, if you're not suffering from this strange phenomenon, you'll be pleased to see 'Freaky Tales' is heading to HBO Max this week after a limited theatrical release back in April. This anthology action-comedy is split into four interconnected chapters and focuses on real historical events that took place during 1987 in Oakland, California. These individual stories focus on an eclectic cast of characters from an NBA star to a corrupt cop, a female rap duo to a group of teenage punks. Also featuring Jay Ellis, Normani, Dominique Thorne, Ben Mendelsohn, Angus Cloud and a small role for America's surrogate father, Tom Hanks, 'Freaky Tales' was embraced by critics and audiences alike. It currently holds a particularly strong 89% viewer score on Rotten Tomatoes. Watch on HBO Max from August 8