New Orleans is known for being the most haunted city in America, but it just got a lot scarier. The Overlook Film Festival has officially wrapped, leaving horror fans and social media influencers buzzing about a fresh crop of nightmares. From established stars like Jessica Rothe and Adam Scott to viral creators making the jump to the big screen, the festival proved that the “horror renaissance” is far from over.
Between the haunted panels and live experiences, a few titles emerged as the clear favorites of the “horror-stan” community on X and TikTok. Whether it is “Ozempic-age” body horror or a gory twist on childhood nostalgia, these are the moments that have everyone hitting the “remind me” button for their theatrical releases.
Jessica Rothe’s Emotional—and Violent—Return
If there is one name that makes horror fans perk up, it is Jessica Rothe. The ‘Happy Death Day’ star is officially back in “Affection,” and the buzz on social media says this might be her most intense performance yet. Directed by BT Meza, the film follows a woman who wakes up in a life she doesn’t recognize with a family she doesn’t remember.
While Rothe is famous for her physical comedy, “Affection” takes a much darker turn. Fans are already praising her “visceral” performance, with one festival-goer tweeting, “Rothe is a physical acting genius, but this time there is absolutely no laughter—just pure, bone-chilling dread.” Mark your calendars: “Affection” hits select theaters on May .
Keegan-Michael Key as a… Murderous Unicorn?
Yes, you read that right. Casper Kelly, the mastermind behind the legendary viral sensation ‘Too Many Cooks,’ is back with “Buddy.” The film stars Keegan-Michael Key as a giant bipedal unicorn named Buddy who leads a s-style kids’ show. However, things take a gory turn when Buddy’s possessive nature and murderous temper are revealed.
The film, which also stars Cristin Milioti and Topher Grace, is already being hailed as a “gory, anxiety-inducing trip” that eviscerates childhood nostalgia. TikTok is already flooded with clips and fan theories about Buddy, who is being positioned as the next major horror-comedy icon.
The ‘Ozempic Age’ Gets a Body Horror Twist
In one of the most timely entries of the festival, Natalie Erika James brought “Saccharine” to the screen. The film tackles the weight loss drug industry with a terrifying twist: a med-student (Midori Francis) discovers a non-FDA approved pill composed of human ash.
The film is sparking intense debates online regarding body dysmorphia and “body acceptance culture.” Given the current global conversation around weight loss drugs, “Saccharine” is being called “horror for the Ozempic age.” It is set to stream on Shudder later this year.
The YouTuber Breaking the Box Office
Director Curry Barker, who built a massive following on YouTube with his short films and sketches, proved he is ready for the big leagues with “Obsession.” The film stars Michael Johnston and Inde Navarette in a story about a “wish” gone horribly wrong.
The social media reaction to Navarette’s performance has been nothing short of electric. “The faces she’s able to pull off… it almost feels supernatural,” one reviewer noted. “Obsession” arrives in theaters on May , and it is already being predicted as a breakout sleeper hit for .
Irish Folklore and Adam Scott’s ‘Bone-Rattler’
Finally, Adam Scott stars in “Hokum,” a film by Damien McCarthy that blends Irish folklore with masterfully crafted jump scares. Scott plays a depressed author who breaks into a locked “Honeymoon Suite” in a haunted Irish hotel, only to find that the “hokum” he dismisses as superstition is very, very real.
With “Hokum” releasing on May st, horror fans are bracing themselves for what is being called a “true bone-rattler” that finally brings McCarthy’s unique, eerie voice to mainstream audiences.
Which of these scares are you brave enough to watch? The conversation is just beginning!
