What Sleeps Beneath is an online magazine that explores the horror genre as one of the most important cultural vehicles of our time. It is a home for all horror-loving nerds, and a space to investigate what the genre tells us about ourselves. We write book and movie reviews, conduct interviews, and write original academic research.


Browse the full archive, or search for a specific article. Not sure where to start? Use the drop-down to browse by topic, format, or subgenre.

Archive
Recipes Noah J. Welter Recipes Noah J. Welter

Macabre Spirits and the “RFL”: A Cocktail Recipe

Recently, I was able to get my hands on a bottle of Macabre Spirits, a new limited release sotol (we will discuss this soon) sourced by Matthew Lillard and Mike Flanagan. Included with the bottle of sotol is a novella, written by Mike Flanagan. The book details the consequences of greed, all for the sake of enjoying the finest beverage one’s hands (and money) can get ahold of. 

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Slashers Ande Thomas Slashers Ande Thomas

WSB x Moving Picture Review: Clown in a Cornfield

Directed by Eli Craig and based on the novel by Adam Cesare, Clown in a Cornfield stars Katie Douglas as Quinn, a teen forced to move to Kettle Springs with her father Glenn played by Aaron Abrams following the death of her mother. After finding herself in detention on her first day of school, Quinn falls in with the local gang of amateur YouTubers who’ve built their following on a web series that turns the town’s de facto mascot into a crazed masked killer.

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Lists, Holiday Horror Destiny King Lists, Holiday Horror Destiny King

Mothers Who Hate Their Daughters

This Mother’s Day, honor the moms who haunt your nightmares. From Carrie’s fanatical matriarch to the chilling mothers of Pearl, Run Rabbit Run, Orphan, and more, these films dive deep into the horrors of maternal control, neglect, and obsession. Because sometimes, the scariest place to be is in your own family.

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Ghosts & Hauntings Ande Thomas Ghosts & Hauntings Ande Thomas

Presence (2025) [Movie Review]

Presence follows the Payne family as they settle into their new suburban home, and almost immediately, cracks begin to show in the family dynamics. When Chloe senses the presence in her bedroom, Rebekah and Tyler dismiss her as attention-seeking and disruptive, but soon enough, they all witness the poltergeist-like activities firsthand.

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Folk Horror Ande Thomas Folk Horror Ande Thomas

Shudder Original: Frewaka (2025) [Movie Review]

Fréwaka stars Clare Monnelly as Shoo (short for Siubhán), a primary care worker tasked with looking after Peig (Bríd Ní Neachtain), a recovering stroke survivor who exhibits signs of dementia and delusions, and who finds herself mixed up in a supernatural struggle between realms.

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Cosmic Horror Ande Thomas Cosmic Horror Ande Thomas

Call of the Void (2025) [Movie Review]

Call of the Void is a new supernatural folk horror film from writer and director James B. Cox, starring Caitlin Carver (I, Tonya, Dear White People) and Mina Sundwall (#Horror, A Good Marriage) about a woman who, following the death of her brother, retreats to a cabin in the woods, hoping for a refresh. Needless to say, her idyllic escape doesn’t end up going as planned.

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Gendered & Queer Horror, Lists Destiny King Gendered & Queer Horror, Lists Destiny King

20 Weeks And Counting: Part One Of Watching Pregnancy Horror When Expecting

Exploring the rise of pregnancy horror in 2024, this article dives into the terrifying yet thought-provoking themes of bodily autonomy, survival, and maternal instinct. Written from the unique perspective of a pregnant horror fan, this piece examines how these films challenge boundaries, evoke real-world fears, and create a space for expecting mothers who love the genre.

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Upcoming Horror From Women Authors

Never in my lifetime has it felt so important to recognize the contributions of women—in my own life, in my community, and especially in the genre we all love. So for International Women’s Day, and as a kick-off article for our celebration of Women in Horror Month, I want to highlight some of the most exciting and highly anticipated horror books of 2025 written by women authors, but I also don’t feel like I can stop here. This is only the beginning.

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Thrillers, Cults & Religious Horror Ande Thomas Thrillers, Cults & Religious Horror Ande Thomas

A Priest and an Alcoholic Walk Into a Bar: ‘Thou Shalt Kill’ (2025)

Directed by Richard Friedman and written by Nathan Illsley, Thou Shalt Kill is a new serial killer thriller available on Amazon that stars Augie Duke as Shannon, a recovering alcoholic whose soon-to-be ex-wife Jamie (Delilah Andre) decides to seek sole custody of their son Alby (Ayden Lozano). When Shannon is kidnapped by a “Priest” (Vince Lozano), a righteous killer bent on making the world fear God again, her despair frustrates the Priest’s demands that she must feel fear before he kills her.

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Guest Writer Guest Writer

Horror Cameos: From ‘Creepshow’ to Modern Streaming Series

Horror anthologies have evolved from being creepshows to becoming modern streaming series for their audiences. Films with a focus on horror stories have used several techniques to lure new people into watching classic horror movies on digital platforms. Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Apple TV+, have made horror anthologies accessible to netizens across their favorite digital devices to help people find the latest thrillers. 

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Lists, Holiday Horror Destiny King Lists, Holiday Horror Destiny King

Six Romantic Horror Films We Love to Love

Move over cheesy rom-coms, this year the folks at What Sleeps Beneath are putting a stake in the heart of traditional Valentine’s Day films and are relishing in the romantic (and sometimes twisted) horror movies. Contrary to popular belief, amidst all the jump scares, gore, and hauntings, a few love stories are hidden within the otherwise dark and spooky genre. Whether you’re binge-eating candy hearts and chocolate or avoiding the holiday altogether, we hope that you’ll find new reasons to gush over the occasional story where love and horror intertwine.

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