Member Reviews
Received a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley.
This was the first book I’ve read by this author and now I’ll be going back to read everything else they have written. This was an incredibly well written story. I really enjoyed the screenplay aspects and the depth of each of the characters. The internal perspective of the main character was intriguing. Much like the public in the story, I too would enjoy seeing this as a movie.
Tremblay is hit or miss for me. This one fell sort of in the middle. I feel like this would have been better suited to a novella. I liked the story and plot, it just felt like I was reading a lot of filler.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC! This book was not for me. I didn't find the plot to be interesting.
Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC. Normally, I really enjoy thrillers, but this story was a little one note for me. I found the climax a bit of a let down, but more importantly, I didn't understand the motivations of the characters. Since there is a twist at the end, I don't think the narration led to that twist, if that makes sense. It was creepy, and fun, but it didn't come together at the end for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay!
Tremblay is always an auto-read. I often find myself struggling to recommended ONE of his books for first time readers. Each read is vastly different and a new type of horror you did not know would keep you up at night. Horror Movie may be my answer going forward. Horror Movie is a book for fans of horror. Every line is perfectly placed and keeps up the creepy feeling that something is about to happen at any min. Loved this one.
interesting idea, but I found the jumping timeline, with the use of the scripting a bit disjointed. I would have connected better if one style was continuous throughout the book.
There have been a few cursed film and behind the scenes plots lately and this one did it the best. I will continue to recommend this title. Thank you to the publisher for a copy and will add to my home library.
Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay is a chilling psychological thriller about a cursed 1993 horror film with a rabid fanbase despite only a few scenes being released. Thirty years later, the sole surviving cast member, “The Thin Kid,” is tasked with helping remake the film, forcing him to confront dark memories of the original shoot. As the boundaries between past and present blur, the novel builds an eerie, suspenseful atmosphere centered around obsession and trauma.
I enjoyed the past/present shifts in time, however the present-day storyline felt a bit underdeveloped. The inclusion of script portions throughout the book adds to the eerie atmosphere, but was also somewhat distracting and took away from the momentum of the main narrative. While the retro 80s film references and the growing tension around the cursed nature of the movie are intriguing, the pacing falters in the latter half. For those who enjoy a slow-burn psychological thriller and don’t mind a fragmented storytelling style, Horror Movie may be a compelling read. However, for those expecting more action or clarity in the present-day plot, it will likely leave them wanting more.
An excellent book from beginning to the end. Definitely horrifying! The ending will creep me out and give me nightmares for years to come.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.
So it took awhile to get into the book. I picked up and put it down a lot. I finally got the audio which help but I still didn’t like the format. Overall a good story.
Paul Tremblay delights again with this mind-bending meta-story. It's a masterclass example of the unreliable narrator, bringing us slowly closer to the main character just as the edges of reality start to blur. The subverting of expectations and artful unrolling of the larger backstory kept me rapt. You keep reading, craving certainty, hoping for some safe ground to stand on. But this is Paul, so you may or may not get that safety, and you may or may not like it when you get it. This one is in my top three Tremblay reads, just behind A Head Full of Ghosts and Survivor Song.
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this as an ARC. Paul Tremblay did too well in writing this novel. I couldn't finish it. So, I have mixed feelings. In one respect, he did an amazing job in creating tension for me as the reader. On the other hand, I started to feel sick to my stomach with dread every time I picked it up. I knew something awful was coming, and I couldn't take it. I give this novel 3.5 stars- and I continue to wish that I could give half stars on Netgalley and Goodreads!
Really tough to get through. Had high hopes but they were continually dashed as I went through. Didn’t like the characters, writing or actual story.
This book brings readers a bone-chilling experience that masterfully switches between past and present, a storytelling approach that adds layers to its unsettling atmosphere. The transitions between time periods are seamless yet jarring, heightening the suspense as past horrors seep into the present. Tremblay’s work echoes the raw, nerve-rattling fear reminiscent of Poltergeist—the kind of creeping dread and rage that defined horror in the 80s. His unique voice and eerie twists make Horror Movie a must-read for anyone who craves a haunting, immersive tale.
This novel was a masterpiece. It is the perfect read for spooky season for sure. *Horror Movie* by Paul Tremblay is a gripping and eerie take on the "cursed film" trope, blending psychological suspense with metafiction. The novel follows the lone surviving cast member of a notorious 1990s horror film, who is drawn back into its dark and twisted legacy when a Hollywood reboot looms. As he revisits the disturbing memories of the film's production, the boundaries between reality and fiction blur in unsettling ways. Tremblay expertly builds tension and unease, offering a clever commentary on fame, art, and the costs of revisiting past traumas. With its eerie atmosphere and mind-bending twists, *Horror Movie* is a captivating and thought-provoking read for horror fans.
This book was an amazing experience throughout. I specifically loved pairing it with the audio book because it really sounded like a plan for someone producing a movie. The audiobook really changed the rating for me since the reader was telling a story. Reading it was as significant meanwhile listening to it felt like I was going through old tapes I have stumbled upon.
Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay is a masterfully crafted descent into creeping dread and unsettling tension. Tremblay excels at creating an atmosphere that lingers long after the final page is turned, building unease with a slow boil that keeps readers on edge. As the story unfolds, the subtle but powerful psychological horror becomes more pronounced, leading to a conclusion that is not unexpected but very unsettling.
While the book is undeniably effective in its slow-burn horror, it does occasionally feel a bit too long. Certain sections could have been trimmed to maintain a tighter pace, as there are moments where the tension lulls slightly before picking up again. Despite this, the unsettling atmosphere and the disturbing ideas Tremblay explores are well worth the read. Fans of psychological horror and slow-building suspense will find much to enjoy in Horror Movie. It’s not a fast-paced thrill ride, but rather a deeply unnerving experience that sticks with you long after you've put it down. I would highly recommend it to those who enjoy a slow, creeping terror that is as psychologically disturbing as it is atmospheric.
Wow, I found this so unreadable. Not only was the format jumping unnecessarily confusing, it also wasn't even scary! What's a girl gotta do to find a spooky book!
2.5/5;
I feel like the story dragged a bit… I was a bit spooked at the beginning but the ending was a bit of a letdown. I thought it would be spookier for spooky szn…