October Film Haunt is an online group consisting of Jorie, Beth, and Colin. The group has amassed a large following by visiting filming locations of cult horror movies, searching for any lingering energy from the eerie movies they love. The group’s fame comes crashing down after their visit to the filming location of Proof of Demons, an eerie cult classic directed by the elusive Helene Enriquez. Their downfall begins when Jorie claims that they successfully summoned the Pine Arch Creature, the demonic entity from Proof of Demons. This claim led their followers to attempt to summon the Pine Arch Creature themselves, ultimately leading to the death of Hannah Kim and the world blaming Jorie, Beth, and Colin. Years later, a now-reclusive Jorie receives a mysterious VHS tape in the mail with an alternate copy of Proof of Demons at her house in Vermont, catapulting her into a sequel that she did not sign up for.

I personally LOVE books that incorporate the online world to help drive the storyline. October Film Haunt has a good combination of different types of mixed media, ultimately helping make the story feel more immersive. Wehunt did an excellent job at creating an eerie atmosphere, making me feel scared to look out of my windows at night or check my closet. The bedroom scene towards the end.... pure nightmare fuel!!

The only drawback was how long the book felt, though this may have been because my copy did not have page numbers. While the story isn’t meant to be fast-paced, the first half moved quickly, making the slower second half feel even longer. However, the pacing suits the storyline and flows well overall.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book concept was good and creepy, but I just couldn’t get into it.

Jorie and two of her friends had an internet group showing behind of scenes of their favorite horror movies. They came to a location of “proof of demons” when things didn’t go quiet as planned. Years later after one of the group members passed and Jorie became estranged from the other, a VHS tape arrives and her last nightmares come back.

If you are a film junkie and a horror fan this book is definitely for you!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the arc!

La historia sigue a Jorie Stroud, quien, junto a sus amigos Beth Kowalczyk y Colin Davies, formó hace diez años un exitoso blog llamado October Film Haunt. Este grupo de entusiastas del cine visitaba locaciones de películas de terror famosas, buscando si los mitos y leyendas urbanas relacionadas con ellas eran reales. Sin embargo, tras una visita al cementerio donde se filmó Proof of Demons, una película de culto dirigida por Hélène Enriquez, su vida cambió drásticamente. Un trágico incidente en el que una joven murió al intentar recrear un rito de la película los llevó a la oscuridad, separando al grupo y dejando a Jorie alejada del mundo del cine de terror.

Diez años después, Jorie vive en una tranquila casa en Vermont con su hijo Oli, intentando dejar atrás su pasado y la controversia que desató su entrada en el mundo viral. Sin embargo, todo toma un giro perturbador cuando recibe un VHS con imágenes inquietantes, y pronto descubre que está siendo observada por un culto obsesionado con Proof of Demons, liderado por la misteriosa directora Hélène Enriquez. Lo peor está por venir, pues Jorie se ve arrastrada de nuevo al horror, en un giro escalofriante donde la realidad y la ficción se confunden.







Disfrute de la historia, aunque hubo algunos capítulos que me desconectaba. Los povs de Trevor y Coleman se me hicieron innecesarios.




Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"This riveting and layered horror novel unleashes supernatural terror in a world where truth can be manipulated, and nothing is as it seems. Beautiful and horrifying, with an unforgettable cast of characters, The October Film Haunt will shock and delight readers all the way to its breathless final page."
Honestly, I wish Proof of Demons was a real film and that I could be magically whisked away into this book! Ok, maybe as an observer and not a main character. I love cult horror cinema, and this book was absolutely fabulous at capturing the atmosphere. This was an absolute 5 star read for me! Definitely a must read for horror fans!

So technically this was 3.5⭐️ but rounded up. Now let’s chat about the book! First I want to thank NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for approving this ARC. This story had me pulling the covers over my eyes the 1st half of the book. I do feel it fell a little flat toward the end though. It was really all over the place with the multiple POVs but I did enjoy the story & I think it will be a great spooky read when it releases in September!

The story reminds me of what would happen if The Blair Witch Project, The Ring & Scream all got together & had a baby! This story follows Jorie & her 2 friends Beth & Colin. Years ago they created The October Film Haunt & they’d visit former sites of haunted scary movies to see if the haunts were “real” & that turned them into an internet sensation.
On the heels of this stardom fans quickly became obsessed with a film called Proof of Demons by a filmmaker named Helene Enriquez & sadly a recreation caused a girl to die. That girls family blamed Jorie & her group causing them to leave the limelight & their friendships severed. Flash forward to present time & Jorie now lives in her grandparents house in a quiet town in Vermont with her son Oliver. Oli has become “attached” to a creepy doll found in the attic named Agatha (this comes into play later). Jorie starts noticing things happening & figures out she being watched & learns she’s being “cast” into a sequel film of Proof of Demons with a neighbor that isn’t quite who she thought she was. This story had some twists & turns that had my hands over my mouth gasping but overall a thrilling read.

Again this book was gripping & freaked me out a little so I’d definitely recommend it! Thanks again to St. Martin’s Press & NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

5 stars

Fans of Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay are going to love this book!

The story is told from multiple points of view, including some epistolary sections which read like portions of a screenplay or scenes from a movie. The basic premise revolves around a cult-classic horror movie called Proof of Demons. Our main character, Jorie, along with friends Colin and Beth, created a web show/blog called October Film Haunts. The trio would camp out at the filming locations of famous horror movies, including a segment on Proof of Demons. This episode was the catalyst for the death of a teenage girl named Hannah, who in a "Slender Man" style with her friends, tried to recreate the summoning of a the demon from the movie.

Colin died and Beth and Jorie became estranged, with Jorie now trying to create a life with her 8 year old son Olie in Vermont. But apparently there is a sequel to Proof of Demons in the works and Jorie is part of the cast, whether she knows it or not.

I have been a voracious horror reader for over 50 years and this book was scary. There was a scene with Jorie in her home alone one night that was as close to a jump scare as I've experienced on the page. I stopped reading and replayed that scene in my head, how I thought it would play on a screen, and it scared me all over again.

The pacing of the book is excellent, in my opinion. The creepiness starts early and keeps going until the very, very end. The horror builds steadily, both the very human type along with paranormal. The thing that stands out the most to me is that the climax of the story does not devolve into the ridiculous, as so often happens in horror. The darkness emerges slowly and even as we get to the final section of the story, that darkness maintains it's mystery and believability.

If you enjoyed Burn the Negative by Josh Winning, How to Make A Horror Movie and Survive or Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie, or Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay, I really think you'll love this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much for the ARC copy. This book held my attention pretty well, but it dragged on for a long time. I was very intrigued with the premise but it fell flat for me unfortunately.

DNF, honestly it was my fault for requesting a horror book without having read many on this genre. I learned my lesson.

Thank you for the ARC.

I enjoyed this one! I liked Jorie's sections the most, but overall I really liked the whole book. I loved the portions about the film, and I thought it did atmospheric horror really well. I loved the interstitial sections! Very creepy and highly recommended, especially for people that love horror movies!

I really wanted to love this one. Despite the wonderfully eerie and ominous vibes of the story and despite the fact that I myself would have loved to join a young Jordi on her film haunts, I was left disappointed. The book ended up dragging and what I originally felt was atmospheric became tedious. I would be willing to give the author another chance in the future but unfortunately this one didn't work for me.

I think this concept had potential, but honestly I was bored by this book. I found myself wanting to skip long sections, especially the interlude chapters which didn’t feel like they added anything new to the lore we already got from the narrative. I also didn’t think that including Trevor’s POV was necessary; you could have removed all those chapters and the book would’ve had the same plot structure. [SPOILER HERE] Jorie wasn’t nearly freaked out enough by Beth’s death (which was so annoying because I actually liked Beth as a character) in my opinion. That scene was like two pages, but we spent ten reading blog posts about demons? [END SPOILER] The ending was way too abrupt, especially in a nearly 400 page book. It felt really unsatisfying to spend all that time and (sometimes excruciatingly slow) build up to kind of just… end. [SPOILER HERE] Also, the “Helene Enriquez is Leah Compton” reveal was somehow both entirely predictable and completely nonsensical since we got so little characterization of Leah beyond “she’s kind of a strange neighbor.” Plus Enriquez was SO corny as a villain at the end. [END SPOILER] The author clearly loves the analogue horror genre, and again I liked this concept and the imagery of the film, but overall I was not super engaged with this book.

"The October Film Haunt" is a short story by Michael Wehunt, an American author known for his work in the horror and weird fiction genres.

Michael Wehunt's work is often praised for its atmospheric and unsettling storytelling, and "The October Film Haunt" is no exception. The story explores themes of horror, nostalgia, and the power of film to shape our perceptions of reality.

Michael Wehunt's The October Film Haunt is a captivating horror novel that delves into the unsettling intersection of urban legends, the influence of media, and the collective psyche. The narrative centers around a cursed horror film that blurs the lines between fiction and reality, ensnaring its viewers in a web of fear and obsession.

Wehunt's prose is both poetic and chilling, creating an atmosphere that is as thought-provoking as it is terrifying. The novel's exploration of how shared beliefs can manifest tangible horrors is reminiscent of classic horror tales, yet it offers a fresh perspective that resonates with contemporary anxieties. The blending of past and present timelines adds depth to the story, allowing readers to witness the origins of the curse and its evolution over time.

The characters are well-developed, each grappling with their own demons and connections to the haunting film. Their personal journeys are intertwined with the overarching mystery, adding emotional weight to the suspenseful plot. The novel also raises intriguing questions about the nature of belief and the power of media in shaping our realities.

While some readers may find certain aspects of the plot predictable, the novel's emotional depth and exploration of modern themes offer a fresh take on the horror genre. The atmospheric storytelling and complex characters make it a worthwhile read for fans of psychological horror and those interested in the darker facets of human nature.

In conclusion, The October Film Haunt is a masterful blend of horror and psychological thriller, showcasing Michael Wehunt's talent for crafting stories that are both intellectually stimulating and genuinely frightening. The novel's exploration of media influence, collective belief, and personal trauma offers a compelling narrative that will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page.

The October Film Haunt is a perfect read for fans of cursed movies / films and possession stories! This was very much a cover-read for me at first, because wow, that cover is absolutely gorgeous and unsettling; and this turned into a great experience of judging a book by its cover.

Jorie and her friends once ran a successful internet group about their favorite films, sharing their love of movies through behind-the-scenes, on site explorations. But when they got on location for the infamous movie “Proof of Demons”, things went very wrong. Years later, a VHS tape is mailed to Jorie, and she learns that the nightmare that began that night is not over yet.

I really enjoyed the mixed-media elements in The October Film Haunt; I am a huge fan of mixed media incorporated into novels, especially horror books. It draws me into the story and makes everything feel unnervingly realistic, and I thought this book did that very well. For me, the atmosphere of The October Film Haunt is probably its strongest element; the whole book had this creeping sense of dread and paranoia that compliments the story beautifully.

There are parts of the book that were a little slower for me, but the pacing makes sense for the story; this book isn’t a slasher, it’s more of a dread-inducing slow burn. There were a few characters I didn’t relate to as much as others, but Josie the main character is very well written and sympathetic, so that balanced the story out for me.

I would recommend this book to fans of Silver Nitrate and Burn the Negative, as well as to readers who love stories about cursed films with elements of mixed media and dread-inducing pacing.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc! All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Proof of Demons a mysterious film by an unknown occult film creature, the Pine Arch Creature, a demonic entity summoned by a transfiguration ritual that also opens up a moving hole that allows you to look into hell, the October Film Haunt, a group of three who travel to horror film locations and document their findings, COUNT ME IN!

After the October Film Haunts episode on The Proof of Demons leads to a teen death, harsh backlash from the online community, and the breakup of the group (Jorie, Beth, Colin) Jorie moves away with her young son trying to put it all in the past. Over ten years later a VHS film shows up and recommences the mystery of the film with the start of a potential sequel. Jorie is forced to play out the sequel and all its evilness in reality.

The set up was exceptional, Jorie the main character and her son were engaging, and the demonic entity was hair raising. The pacing lagged a bit in the middle of the book, could have cut a bit out, but the intensity of the ending makes up for it. The book was a nice blend of the supernatural, the occult, and reality. Fans of found footage films and books will definitely love this one. It was a very entertaining read so put this one on your list. The book was based on a short story in Greener Pastures written by Wehunt, I’ll need to read that as well. The book will be available September 30, 2025.

I wanted to love this one but unfortunately it was a struggle to finish. Some parts were amazing while other parts dragged and felt clunky. I loved the elements and overall premise but it also felt entirely predictable. It was more of a good try, not so good execution.

The October Film Haunt
Michael Wehunt
Publication Date: September 30

4.5 / 5
I friggin loved this book.

VERY ominous and creepy, atmospheric horror.
Nothing about this book is fast paced though, so it's not going to mesh with everyone's horror sensibilities, but I thought it worked perfectly as a super eerie, "haunted film", meta-horror slow burn.

A smorgasborg of horror... this book felt like a hybrid of Suzuki's Ringu, Tremblay's Horror Movie, Pessl's Night Film, and Danielewski's House of Leaves .... with a healthy dose of creepy pasta on the side.

If my comparisons intrigue you in any way, I urge you to pick it up, and give it a read... It's a hard novel to shake.

4.5 / 5

The title of this book is the name of a trio who visit horror film sites and blog about them. One film, titled ‘Proof of Demons,’ gains a hardcore following, and after a real life tragedy, a sequel is being made by a cult of the film’s fans. But now, Jorie, a member of the Film Haunt who has left the horror scene, is being forced to star in the sequel by the original film’s fans/cult and director, who have oddly enabled a supernatural creature to help them.

I’ve been loving the trend of horror film-themed novels, and author Wehunt blends this with another recent trend, Internet influence, and has created a genuinely unsettling tale where the reader is often required to decipher what’s actually happening or what is part of an otherworldly slant.

This could’ve used a bit of tightening up, as a few areas drag for a bit, making the story slow down at times, which is difficult to say about an otherwise very well-written novel. But the payoff is certainly worth the reader’s time, and one chapter features a possession scene from the human point of view that hasn’t been done this effectively since Michael Laimo’s novel THE DEMONOLOGIST 20 years ago.

A fine addition to the crop of horror film-themed horror novels, Wehunt’s debut was well worth the wait for those who have been following his short fiction (he has two published collections). I’m eager to see what’s next.

5 stars

Ten years ago Jorie Stroud, Beth Kowalczyk and Colin Davies made up the October Film Haunt, a popular online group that visited the locations of their favorite film haunts. They were really going places…until the night it all went bad, when they visited the Arden, North Carolina (my parents used to live there! It’s a suburb of Asheville.) graveyard location for the cult classic “Proof of Demons,” a film by Helene Enriquez. What did they see that night? What did they experience? And why did a high school student named Hannah Kim have to die?

Now Jorie lives life as a semi-recluse with her young son Oli when she gets a VHS tape in the mail. Is someone filming her? Is there a connection to “Proof of Demons?”

This horror story won’t necessarily work for everyone, but I absolutely loved everything about this. First, I’m a sucker for well done stories about haunted film…NIGHT FILM by Marsha Pessl is one of my all time favorites. This has that vibe. The story is told primarily from Jorie’s POV, but also from several others and there are also scattered Interludes which are articles, blog posts, etc. The story works as great horror but also has interesting things to say about religion and faith. It’s not a perfect book, but it was perfect for me and I appreciated everything the author had going on here. Gimme more!!!

I really struggled with this one. The writing felt clunky, making it hard to stay engaged, and the story dragged more than it built suspense. It’s definitely more in the realm of cultish, found-footage-style horror—think Blair Witch rather than anything remotely like Stephen King. The atmosphere was unsettling, but the execution didn’t work for me. The disjointed storytelling, mixed media elements, and slow pacing made it a challenge to push through. If you enjoy ambiguous, meta-style horror, this might be for you, but it wasn’t for me.