Member Reviews
𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒍𝒚......🔪🔪🔪
Special thanks to @williammorrowbooks @paulgtremblay and @netgalley for this #gifted eARC.
➡️ swipe for synopsis 👉🏼
MY REVIEW:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
This book was WILD!
(It's also my first by Mr. Tremblay)
The pent-up suspense for the ending had me shook til the very last page.
Picture this, some teens get a wild hair to make a movie, a horror movie of all things, and it's based around this creepy mask and one kid. So they cast themselves and an aquintance to be "the thin kid". (That's LITERALLY the character's name) Then, as filming goes along, the thin kid gets .... a little "too" into character. Weird stuff starts happening and eventually by the end of the movie a very large "work place accident" happens and shuts doen filming completely.
Done.
Finito.
The movie never gets to be fully edited or shown like they wanted, but some of the clips are leaked and years later it's getting a second chance and The Thin Kid is the only cast member left alive to make sure the original story is kept intact.
I mean, if that doesn't intrigue you....you may be on the wrong bookstagram page 😆😆😆
I will say, I was hoping for a bigger ending, but either way I really enjoyed this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time!
QOTD ❓️⁉️❓️ Did you ever watch the Blair Witch Project? Would you ever participate in something like that or this book?
.
.
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#mysteryandthrills #thrillerlover #booklover #bookbuzz #horrormovie #paultremblay #netgalley #williammorrow #tbr #bookcommunity
This was a very middle-of-the-road read. To be entirely honest, my previous experiences with this author may have caused me to have too high expectations. Entertaining enough, but it certainly didn’t seem too unique from every other teen horror books and movies that you’ve endured before. No huge plot twists or big reveals at the end. It will no doubt achieve some success based on the author’s reputation and its position in the retail market, but if you are an adult reader looking for genuine horror/terror, you need to keep looking. To be completely honest, it was entirely underwhelming and I’m scratching my head at why Mr. Tremblay would write something so beneath him. I do understand that not everything is for everyone, but….In one word—stale!
Oh my! I have so many conflicting emotions swirling in my heart! I felt terrified, rattled, and deeply disturbed while reading this book. There were parts that I found distasteful and irritating, but the creativity and uniqueness also left me in awe. If this horror movie script were adapted for the big screen, it would undoubtedly be one of the most soul-crushingly terrifying experiences for viewers, leaving them talking about it for days, sleeping with the lights on, and hiding under their blankets at every creaking sound, fearing that Thin Kid might be lurking in their room.
This slow-burn book, which could be considered a short novel or novella, defied my expectations as an avid reader. I anticipated finishing it in a few hours, but the dense material required more time to absorb fully. After reading a few chapters, I found myself allowing the themes to percolate in my mind like a complex coffee blend, taking days to fully appreciate. The scenes from the movie played over and over in my mind, creating a hellishly scary experience. Despite its slow pace, the narrative structure, shifting between different timelines to reflect Thin Kid's perspective—now a middle-aged man revisiting his past—added depth to the eerie atmosphere. The fragments of the original script and present-day production process were like scattered puzzle pieces, gradually revealing the bloody history of the cursed movie.
The main storyline revolves around the remake of the infamous "Horror Movie," originally filmed in 1993, featuring four main characters: Valentina (also the director), Cleo (the screenwriter), Karson (the male lead), and Thin Kid (a mysterious, masked figure experimented on to become a monstrous creature). Traumatic incidents on the set hinted at throughout the reading, with only three scenes from the cursed movie resurfacing online years later, leading to the idea of a remake 30 years later, involving the sole survivor, the actor who played Thin Kid, and a new generation of cast and crew. As the narrative unfolds, we piece together the clues surrounding the old movie set, becoming increasingly disturbed and unsettled by the events.
Without revealing too much, I can honestly say that this book offers a profound analysis of the monsters hidden within human beings. It's raw, bleak, dark, and terrifyingly sinister, with the most horrifying aspect being the realistic portrayal of evil incarnate in the human mind. It's certainly not for everyone, and if you're not prepared to confront your deepest fears and endure sleepless nights, this book may not be suited to you.
I award this book four disturbing, insomnia-inducing stars and bid farewell, ready to embrace more sleepless nights.
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with this digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
As a huge fan of the cursed film trope, I was excited to get an ARC of Horror Movie. While I haven't ready any Paul Tremblay books before, I've seen nothing but rave reviews of his work and I am very grateful to finally have read one of his books.
That said, this book, while well-written, wasn't the right one for me.
First, I'm just not a fan of the timeline hopping especially as there are 3 different time periods under the heading "Then" and, yes, I did get confused at least twice regarding which time period I was in. Having to go back and figure out when and where I was in the story was annoying and pushed me out of immersion which I really dislike.
Secondly, and this could just be me and not every reader so take this part of my review with all the salt, I disliked all of the characters and felt like the whole first act was a pretentious look not only at film making but at horror fans as well. It got to the point that there were so many characters like this I started wondering if this is how the author himself feels about horror fans and, if so, why write in the genre. Perhaps this was to help out with the unlikable, unreliable narrator but it just made the first section of the book a slog that took me back to college film studies when pretentious upper classmen would wax poetic about movies in a form of philosophical masturbation and look down at people who just enjoyed a good horror flick.
The main thing that irritated me was while I dig the unreliable narrator, I hate how the story back tracks and corrects itself about a big plot point. It erases all the thoughts and Ideas I had about the power of the cursed film and turned the story into a tacky thriller for me. I don't want to spoil it but readers of the book can guess the 2 variations on an incident that I am referring to.
Lastly, this isn't necessarily a dislike but a heads up to other readers - this is a very slow burn. When it does get going (about the half way point, maybe a lil after) things go quick....unfortunately, for me, they putter out by the end and the final scene felt like a let down. For a book that lets you know what is going to happen before it does, it doesn't really ramp up the tension or grab you like I needed it to.
Now that I've bitched and moaned, I will get to what I did enjoy.
Like I said before, I love the cursed media trope. Its one of my favorites and I'll pick up any book or movie or story that has that trope in it and give it a chance because I don't think there's enough of it out there. This one did something I haven't seen much of and it tells you exactly how that cursed film was created and that was the scariest part of the whole novel. (In fact, if this had been a short story just about the film creation, It would probably be a 5 star fav of mine. I'm still thinking about the creation of Horror Movie the original.)
I enjoyed the take on the danger, the horror of method acting. This is a much discussed topic not only in horror but among film buffs and movie makers in general. While Hollywood raves about method actors (specifically white male method actors if we're being real here) so often said method acting is toxic and dangerous (see Heath Ledger's and Jared Leto's method acting of Joker). This book takes that to the extreme of course but I enjoyed the look into that mindset in the main character and narrator.
Lastly, the scene that I think was the best written was when Feral FX created the silicone mold on the unnamed MC (the Thin Kid, the Weird Guy). The feeling of claustrophobia was very real and every detail was given in such a way that I was uncomfortable and very aware of my own breathing while reading. Great job.
On the whole, Horror Movie is very well written book and fans of Paul Tremblay will likely be happy with this new addition to their shelves. I will give his work another chance in the future but this one is not a favorite.
It took everything I had not to DNF this book. Wow, where do I start? I literally did not care about our main character, or any of the characters at all. He was so pretentious and self-indulgent, it felt like the book was using his musings on life to add padding, since there was nothing else going on. It felt very much like “putting a cigarette in your mouth but not lighting it because it’s a metaphor” kind of cringe. I am not someone who needs a super intense plot, but nothing really happens during this book at all. It felt like these little things that were happening were supposed to be impactful and keep us on our toes, but they fell flat big time. It was also extremely obvious where things were going, so you never got the shock. For being a horror novel, there was nothing unsettling or haunting like I was hoping. I truly felt nothing except annoyance at how bad this was. I just couldn’t believe this was written by such a successful, well-liked author. This was my first time reading Paul Tremblay and honestly will probably be my last.
ARC provided by NetGalley
In June 1993 two young filmmakers, their cast and crew spent four weeks making “Horror Movie,” an art-house, well, horror movie. Only three scenes were ever publicly released but they garnered a great deal of attention and now, thirty years later, there’s talk of a big budget reboot.
There is only one surviving member of the original cast and key crew, the actor who played “The Thin Kid,” and as he prepares for his part in the new movie his memories of the first come flooding back. What demons lie within “Horror Movie?”
My favorite subgenre is probably horror and movies so I was so excited for this and I loved it….til the very end, and others may love that too, I don’t know. The main character is done so well. I love that he has no name, just “The Thin Kid” or weird guy is enough, because that is really who he becomes in his life.
Valentina and Cleo are well-rounded, well-drawn characters, filled with life. Loved the “Fire Walk With Me” shout out. There’s so much deliciousness about this that I can’t share for fear of giving too much away. For me a five star read, but for the end, and either way a must read for horror fans.
Cursed movie very creepy and weird!! Time lines jump a lot which to be honest I got along the way. Definitely a bit of a wild ride this book!
This is my first time reading anything by Paul Tremblay and, though the book was well written, it was a miss for me. I was not a big fan of the MC or his narrative and I didn't find the story to be scary, at all.
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for the chance to read this ARC.
Actual rating: 4.5 stars rounded up to 5
Horror Movie is Paul Tremblay's best work to date. Visceral and emotionally haunting, Tremblay showcases his knowledge of the genre in a story about human monsters. The exploration of each person's darker side is nuanced and relatable. This book was a terror and delight to read.
I have not read anything by Paul Tremblay prior to this novel, though I have heard much buzz about his works previous. It took a minute for me to get into the conversational tone of the main character in this story, but once I did I was hooked into the story. I loved the slow burn plot line as we hopped back and forth between the two filming shoots of Horror Movie. Ultimately though, the ending fell flat for me. It's not that it was confusing, but just not exactly the ending I was hoping for I guess. I'm sure Tremblay fans are going to love this story as it was the perfect blend of gory horror, suspense, and nods to the old school slasher films of the 80's and 90's.
This one had a great concept but the dragging out of the original films story had me lost in parts. I feel like if this were shorter it would have made for a more gripping tale.
THIS WILL BE PUBLISHED ON June 1, 2024 per publisher's request.
Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay is an obsessive, psychologically chilling, and suspenseful feat of storytelling genius that builds inexorably to an unforgettable, mind-bending conclusion. The novel dives deep into themes of obsession, memory, reality versus fiction, and the blurred lines between them. With its unique narrative style that weaves between different timelines, movie screenplays and perspectives seamlessly, Tremblay keeps readers on edge throughout.
In June 1993, a group of young guerilla filmmakers spent four weeks making Horror Movie, a notorious, disturbing, art-house horror flick. The weird part? Only three of the film’s scenes were ever released to the public, but Horror Movie has nevertheless grown a rabid fanbase.
Three decades later, Hollywood is pushing for a big budget reboot. The man who played “The Thin Kid” is the only surviving cast member. He remembers all too well the secrets buried within the original screenplay, the bizarre events of the filming, and the dangerous crossed lines on set that resulted in tragedy. As memories flood back in, the boundaries between reality and film, past and present start to blur. But he’s going to help remake the film, even if it means navigating a world of cynical producers, egomaniacal directors, and surreal fan conventions—demons of the past be damned.
The characters in Horror Movie are complex and multi-dimensional. The protagonist's journey through his past experiences on set and his present-day struggles creates a sense of unease that lingers long after finishing the book. Tremblay excels at creating atmosphere and tension through his vivid descriptions and psychological insights into his characters' minds.
One of the standout aspects of Horror Movie is its meta-narrative exploration of filmmaking and horror as genres. Tremblay delves into the darker side of both industries, exposing their manipulative nature and how they can blur perceptions of reality. The behind-the-scenes look at creating a horror movie adds another layer of intrigue to an already captivating story.
The pacing of Horror Movie is relentless as it hurtles towards its mind-bending conclusion. Each twist and turn keeps readers guessing. Tremblay masterfully combines elements of horror with psychological thriller to create a truly unique reading experience that will leave you questioning what is real and what is imagined.
While the style of writing may be unconventional, Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay is an engrossing and unsettling read. With its intricate plot twists, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes, this book will go down has one of Tremblay's best yet.
I'll start by saying, I DNF'd this book.
The reason being was the format in which the book was being told. I understand it's a movie script, but the formatting just didn't work for me at all.
I lost interest due to the way the book was laid out. I'm not going to default on my rating because this honestly is a personal preference that I've found and not of the authors fault at all.
I think if you enjoy movie scripts you'll love this.
Are monsters born or created?
In Horror Movie, Paul Tremblay explores the idea of creating monsters. He sets up the world of 1993, a low-budget horror movie set, and contrasts it with the present time when the movie is being rebooted. The tension builds throughout, and I kept checking doorways for the Thin Kid as I read.
The structure of Horror Movie is more unique than most horror books. It flashes between the past and present, using chapters titled Then or Now, making it easy to follow. What makes it unique is the screenplay interspersed throughout the book to help tell the story.
Horror Movie was an enjoyable, easy read. The dialogue was relatable, and I could imagine the early 90s and how the movie could achieve cult status without ever being released. The characters were flawed from beginning to end but still seemed to have some growth. You don’t necessarily like these characters, but you like reading about them.
The biggest downfall was the ending. It didn’t feel like it fit the build-up of tension and the climax. It seemed… too easy of an ending for what felt like a complicated theme. I thought there would be a less obvious ending, for lack of a better word.
Horror Movie fit the genre and tropes of horror but not in a cliched way. I wanted to keep reading to discover what would happen to the characters. I could see a couple of the arcs but wasn’t sure how they would end. It was the perfect mix of familiar yet different.
If you like horror that makes you think, this might be the book for you!
4.7 Stars rounded up to 5
Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for sending me an ARC of Horror Movie. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for this free eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is my second Paul Tremblay book; my first was The Cabin at the End of the World. I gave that book 5 stars, so I had high expectations going into Horror Movie. Unfortunately I was let down. It's obvious that Tremblay is a skilled writer, but I think this one just wasn't for me. I was expecting lots of high-thrill action, like in The Cabin at the End of the World, but this is more of a creepy-vibes book without a lot of action. I loved the very last scene- that is the kind of book I would rather read. However I understand what Tremblay was going for with this writing style in Horror Movie, a kind of ominous slow burn. And the theme of transformation was interesting.
I'm not sure if we were supposed to feel attached to the characters or not. I didn't really care about any of them, and the narrator was the only one who was remotely interesting to me. And why did Karson have zero personality and barely any role to play outside of the movie? I wish we could have gotten more from him.
There is definitely an audience for this book. I would recommend it to horror lovers who are also film buffs and/or involved in acting/movie production.
This book was:
Mesmerizing. Chilling. Terrifyingly creepy. Half the story is written through the lens of the screenplay for the horror movie, but once you get adjusted to reading from that frame of reference, it is unputdownable. The main character is an unreliable narrator spinning an intense, disturbing, demonic and frightening tale that blurs the lines of reality. I was creeped out, disgusted, and transfixed. I highly recommend this book to any horror, thriller and suspense lovers. Dark and twisted and I loved it.
I cannot describe in words how horrifically unsettling this book is.
About -
Back in 1993, three college age kids set out to film a horror movie. Only three scenes were ever released to the public. Nevertheless, the movie developed a massive fan following in the days of the internet. Thirty years later, Hollywood is pushing for a reboot with a huge budget. The only survivor of the films original cast is brought onto the project.
Thoughts -
This was everything that I didn't know I needed in a horror book. The book is told between the present day and the past, as the horrors of what happened on set of the original movie are slowly played out. The original movie they were filming was completely unhinged, and I was absolutely hooked on finding out what the movie was about as well as what actually happened on set. Valentina, the director, Cleo the screenwriter, and Karsen all play themselves in this low budget film. They bring in their friend to play, "The Thin Kid," whose face in the movie is not shown, and his name is never revealed. There is mention that in the movie, you will think you remember hearing his name or seeing his face, but you don't. The man who played "The Thin Kid" is the main character in the present, and come to think of it, I am not sure his name was ever revealed, and I didn't realize it until just now.
This book was not only a story about an incredibly unhinged movie in the 90's, but also about the psychological damage it caused to those that were involved.
I absolutely loved that the past felt like the 90's. And the present felt like today. You could completely imagine this as something that would happen today. If all of a sudden, three scenes from a 90's horror movie that was never released due to the horrors on set were leaked online, you can certainly believe the internet would go absolutely crazy for it.
Bottom line, this book had me absolutely hooked all the way through because I needed to know what happened on multiple fronts. Horror readers need to read this one. I am already calling this as a top contender for one of my favorite books of the year.
Okay so listen. I got a love hate relationship with Paul (which I confidently announce just because he said during a meet and greet that he doesn’t read his own reviews). What I mean is he is a fantastic storyteller, but I either hate or love completely his books.
When I saw the description of this one, picture me sitting at the mailbox already waiting. This is exactly my type of book. But again, lingering worry that I wouldn’t like it.
The results are finally in. I’ve waited a long time for this book and it was totally worth it! Here’s the things I loved: mixed media, the script writing was phenomenal, and the unreliable narrator. I haven’t felt this good about one of Paul’s books since “a head full of ghosts.”
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for this ARC. Truly was an honor. This will be out in June!
Another slam dunk for Paul Tremblay fans and for fans of intelligent horror novels in general. What I most loved is how emotionally engaging this one was while the genuine horror ratcheted up. Mr. Tremblay never loses sight of his characters and delivers another ending that will stay with the reader long after the final page is turned.
Damn… where do I begin?
This novel… this novel is everything that makes a horror (movie) novel just that.
A group of young adults decide to make a horror movie with a small cast and crew with a small budget, what could go wrong? (We’ve all seen this kind of hook before) but as you read on it does not go anywhere near that hook we’ve all seen before. After the film in the story is made it’s never released (except for three key scenes and some stills from the film and its screenplay) but fans go nuts over a movie that exists but never really existed (to the fans at least.) As we fall down this rabbit hole to really find out can a movie really be cursed or is it all just hype up or an urban legend of sorts? Well Hollywood is all in on “Horror Movie” no matter what the fact is behind the original and do what Hollywood does best! REBOOT! But as the story unwinds and unfolds there is no film that can be made or any kind of money to be spent to match the blood sweat and tears that went into the original. This haunting tale is Paul Tremblay at his best (which hard for me to say from his past work) An instant horror classic is here to stay and to watch from the shadows with the Thin Kid. Easily my favorite novel of 2024 (so far)