Book Review: The October Film Haunt by Michael Wehunt ♡

3/5

Alright, so The October Film Haunt is definitely one of the weirdest horror books I've ever read. It's got this super unsettling, almost fever-dream quality that really pulls you in, but at the same time, it left me feeling unsatisfied? Like, I wanted to love it more than I actually did.

Wehunt nails atmosphere. The book feels like an old, cursed VHS tape that sneaks up on you, and I found myself genuinely creeped out at times. As someone who loves true crime, I loved that eerie, investigative feel unraveling a dark mystery, but the deeper you go, the more messed up it gets.

I found myself struggling to care about what was actually happening. I get that Wehunt is going for this dreamlike, Lynchian horror vibe, but sometimes it felt like it was trying too hard to be horror instead of just telling a gripping story. I wanted more from the characters, more of a connection to them. Instead, it felt like they were just there to serve the aesthetic and atmosphere rather than being fully developed.

Overall, I say if you love horror that leans into the surreal and experimental, you'll probably get a lot out of this. It has that slow, creeping dread that sticks with you. But if you prefer a more structured, traditional horror story with clear answers, this might leave you feeling a little cold. Not a bad read, but not a new favorite for me either.

♡≧◠‿◠≦✌

At first, the pacing moves with a slow, almost deliberate tension, laying down breadcrumbs of unease before pulling the reader into a web of intersecting perspectives. While the multiple POVs can feel overwhelming at times, they serve a greater purpose—expanding the depth of the story in ways that a single voice never could. Interwoven with blog posts and articles, the narrative unfolds like a puzzle, teasing the reader with pieces that don’t fully connect until much later.

This book doesn’t just explore trauma; it makes you *feel* it. There’s a line—“This memoir has made her so tired. The traumas in it weigh so much they’ve almost become her own.”—that perfectly captures what it’s like to read a story that doesn’t just tell, but transfers its weight onto the reader.

Horror movie tropes make their way into the text, sometimes feeling a little on the nose, but ultimately fitting given the protagonist’s own obsession with the genre. There are “Final Girls,” “don’t-go-out-there” moments, and the creeping dread of something unseen lurking just out of frame. But more than the horror references, what lingers most is the book’s ability to *unsettle*—not just through scares, but through the slow realization that the pieces of this story are sliding into place in ways you don’t expect.

By the halfway mark, the tension coils tight, and everything begins to unravel in breathtaking ways. The connections between characters, the past bleeding into the present, and the unsettling realization that some mysteries are darker than they seem—it all comes together in a way that makes the back half of the book impossible to put down.

There’s something almost hypnotic about the writing itself. Lines like *“Memory is its own cancer”* or *“She’s the worst kind of final girl, the one who survives because she pointed the main characters into the woods, and the camera followed after them”* linger long after you’ve read them, sharp and haunting. It’s the kind of book that gets under your skin, leaving behind echoes of its story even after the final page is turned.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely!

This was so close to being a good book. Closer than the skin on my bones. Closer than the air I breathe. But you know what they say… close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

I was pulled in by the premise and by the early pacing. 25% in, and I thought I could be reading one of the better horror novels of the year. Then, I ran headlong into an immovable brick wall. And that brick wall demolished every molecule of positive sentiment I had built, and turned me into a bitter, reluctant reader the rest of the way. I don’t know how long this book was (my version didn’t have a page count), but it felt like a 500 page slog. There could have easily been 100-200 pages edited out of this monster. There really is a good story buried somewhere below all this superfluidity.

I think this story is unique, compelling and unnerving. It just needs all the boring filler, impenetrable prose and jarring perspective jumping dialed back… like a lot.

I do appreciate the opportunity to provide an honest review, and thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy.

This is a terrifying sublime look into cursed film, social media influence, and the power of belief to make a supernatural demon from pure faith.

Jorie and her two friends had a blog called the October Film Haunt. They would spend time at the filming locations of various cult horror movies. One move stood out and an errant blog post drove the internet against them to the point of separation. One member died from a drug overdose and the other two have been estranged ever since.

But when a "sequel" to this cult film starts trending on social media, and people start performing a certain ritual from the movie begin to post horrifying videos before disappearing,Jorie and Beth from the original October Film Haunt uncover something dark, something occultist, and something that brings a supernatural terror into the real world.

This novel doesn't fail to bring goosebump inducing scares as it explores extreme fandom and the negative influence social media can have. With plenty of twists and turns and a wickedly horrifying narrative, this book delivers on all fronts.

I highly recommend it.

This book is like stepping into one of those cursed horror films where you know something bad is going to happen, but you just can't look away. It’s eerie, atmospheric, and dripping with that obsessive horror fandom energy—like, if Reddit threads and VHS tapes had a baby and it grew up to haunt you.

Jorie is a great protagonist, and her past as a horror blogger-turned-recluse makes for such an interesting setup. She’s basically living her best “I’m done with horror” life until the genre literally knocks on her door (or, you know, lands in her mailbox). The creeping paranoia? Chef’s kiss. And the whole idea of a cult horror film coming back to claim its final girl? SO GOOD. Wehunt clearly knows his horror, and I loved all the meta layers sprinkled throughout.

Buuuut, the pacing did lose me at times. Some sections felt drawn out, and while I usually love mixed media elements, the blog excerpts and scattered formats didn’t always hit the way I wanted. The writing also had a few clunky moments that made it harder to stay fully immersed. Still, the unsettling vibes, the horror nostalgia, and the “is this real or am I losing my mind?” energy totally make up for it.

Would I recommend? Absolutely—especially if you love that slow-burn, creeping dread kind of horror. Just be prepared for a little unevenness along the way.

Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Good idea overall, just falls short in a few spots. I like the tie in to social media because of the way the world is today, but something didn't connect.
Overall still enjoyable and had it's moments.
The writing seemed weird at times.

If you love horror, then its very likely that your favorite month is October.

October is the month when its more than okay to love horror movies and books and monsters. Its no surprise that people want to visit a haunted house or dress up like your favorite creature, especially if you’re a kid. Though adults who love horror to still love all that stuff. We’d have every month be October if we could!

We also wish some of that stuff was real, sometimes even the creatures, even the dark stuff. We want to be in a real-life horror movie with monsters and mayhem. Its all very weird but so is horror.

The October Film Haunt by Michael Wehunt, my latest review book from Net Galley, is about three fans who love horror movies and how that love gets twisted and turned into something really frightening. One character, Colin, dies and the other two, Jorie and Beth, are haunted by what happened and what will happen. Years after Colin dies, a sequel to a movie that haunted them is being made…and they’re in it whether they like or not!

The book is told from multiple point of view perspectives: Jorie, Beth, and other characters. I loved the parts told from Jorie’s perspective, even from Beths, but I wasn’t a fan of the other perspectives. I found one of the character’s povs to be especially dreamlike and that didn’t connect with me very well.

I didn’t understand what the point of the character was or what some of the imagery meant even after it was revealed where things were going. I kept wanting this part of the book to be over so we could get back to Jorie.

Without a doubt, Jorie is the best character of The October Film Haunt. For most of the book anyway. There was just so many well written lines during Jorie’s part. And so many parts where I had to stop and go “Oh hey, wait a second.”, read a line again, and then go “Oh noooo” and then have the character realize a little bit later that “Oh that isn’t right!” I loved those parts. It felt like the reader was in on something. I think Beth even had one moment like this. It wasn’t exactly a jump scare, it was a creepy though.

There were definitely jump scares in this book too and they were great. I was horrified (and delighted) by a lot of Jorie’s story.

However, later in the book, as it made its way toward the conclusion, even Jorie’s part became more dream like. The book became too strange and the ending didn’t work for me. I have never been a fan of that kind of ending…

Despite not caring for the ending or the dream-like quality of some of the book, I absolutely loved The October Film Haunt’s concept, backstory and most of Jorie’s narrative.

Truth be told, even the dream-like stuff was well written. Michael Wehunt is a very good writer. I do like the book. I’m glad I read it. I just wish some things had been done differently.

I love October. I love horror. And this book is all about October and horror. This book lives in October. It haunts October.

The October Film Haunt isn’t perfect, but it is a good book and sometimes a really great book. There are going to be some people who absolutely love this book.

I love pieces of this book. I think Jorie is such a wonderful character. There are moments of this book that I will never ever forget.

The October Film Haunt is well worth checking out. Perhaps you’ll enjoy it even more than I did. The Haunt is waiting.

The October Film Haunt releases on September 30th, 2025. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing an early digital copy of this book for review.

I wanted to love this. Some parts of it were quite creepy and really had me going. The characters are interesting and there are blog posts, script, etc.; to help flesh out the story more. My problem is the writing. It felt clunky, it felt like it wasn’t flowing well, and it really caused my attention to wane. So all in all good story, rough writing.

Thanks to NetGalley for the copy of this ARC. This will be out in September of 2025.

Jorie Stroud—her name a tribute to Laurie Strode? is that a reach?—and her two friends became horror sensations when they launched their blog, October Film Haunt, where they shared their experiences of visiting the filming locations of their most beloved horror movies. It all came crumbling down when their visit to the location of “Proof of Demons”, was published and tragedy ensued.

Now, ten years later, Jorie is living with her son in a quiet suburb where she can keep her past life and anything to do with horror shut away. When VHS tapes and strange notes, all linked to “Proof of Demons”, start showing up on her doorstep, Jorie knows she must confront her past if she wants to protect herself and her son.

Wehunt does a wonderful job creating an intensely unsettling atmosphere, providing a terrifyingly accurate depiction of paranoia while mixing in occult themes and meta angles, blending the psychological with the supernatural. The chapters are broken up by epistolary pieces—excerpts from the Wiki page about “Proof of Demons", blog posts, reddit posts, etc. I found them enjoyable; a way to bring readers in closer to the horror of the film that ultimately destroyed many lives. The plot here is incredibly unique and it provokes an indescribable sense of nostalgia in me.

Unfortunately, the execution lacked and the writing really messed with me. It was clunky and sentence structures were often confusing, ruining the flow of the narrative, making the book challenging to get through, and making it feel longer than it needed to be. Still, it is undeniably suspenseful. There is a really good plot line and story within in these pages but I can’t decide if it needs a heavy editing comb before it goes to print—it does—or if it’s just the way Wehunt writes. I’m tempted to rate higher because as I said, I think there's something special to this story and that it just needs more workshopping but as it stands, I can’t budge. 2.5 overall.

Thank you St Martins Press for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Available Sep 30 2025

This book presents an eerie and immersive dive into the lasting grip of cult horror cinema, obsession, and the blurred lines between reality and fiction. At its heart is Jorie Stroud, once a passionate horror enthusiast whose blog propelled her to online fame—until one fateful night at a haunted filming location changed everything. A decade later, she’s distanced herself from that world, raising her son in seclusion. But when a cryptic videotape lands in her possession and unsettling figures from the past resurface, Jorie finds herself ensnared in a chilling sequel she never agreed to star in.

Wehunt masterfully builds a slow-burning, unsettling atmosphere, weaving in psychological tension with supernatural horror. His characters feel authentic, and the exploration of horror fandom, devotion, and the price of notoriety adds layers of depth to the narrative. The novel excels at capturing the creeping dread of being watched, of past sins never staying buried.

However, the pacing stumbles in places, with moments where the length is felt, and the execution loses some of its grip. Despite this, the eerie concept and rich horror elements keep the story engaging. A solid, unsettling read for those who appreciate atmospheric terror with a meta twist.

3.5 stars

A big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this advance copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

Such a great book. Couldn't stop reading it. Thank you for my advance reader copy. Can't wait to look up other books from this author.

First thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Netgalley and the Author for an Advanced Copy

This book is like watching a horror movie you know is cursed but pressing play anyway because, hey, what’s the worst that could happen? (Spoiler: plenty.) The October Film Haunt throws you into the world of a forgotten cult horror film that refuses to stay forgotten, mixing supernatural dread with just enough real-world paranoia to make you question your own reflection. It creeps up on you in that slow, insidious way—like when you hear a noise at night and try to convince yourself it’s definitely just the house settling.

Wehunt’s characters feel real, like actual people you’ve met—maybe even people you’ve had movie debates with. They’re drawn out in a way that makes the story hit harder, making every unsettling moment feel more personal. And the horror film references? Chef’s kiss. If you’re a horror fan, it’s like finding all your favorite weird, obscure movie conversations wrapped into one book. It really shows that Wehunt loves the genre and I really dig that.

That said, there are a few moments where the demons say some truly nasty things—stuff that could definitely offend, especially for Christian readers. The horror is visceral and the POV work is excellent, but some of those lines could have been dialed back without losing any of the impact (the “horrible” things can be said without being used as “shock”). Still, if you like your horror with creeping dread, obsessive film deep dives, and the lingering feeling that your TV might be watching you, this one’s a blast, I had fun with it. Just, uh, maybe follow it up with something lighthearted. Or at least make sure your screen doesn’t flicker weirdly before you turn it off.

Okay DNF@ 40%. I was very excited to start this book because two of my favorite authors had blurbs that made it sound phenomenal. I am so disappointed. The writing style is not for me at all. It felt almost pretentious? I was so bored and a premise that should be good just fell extremely flat for me. The characters felt so one dimensional and I feel like the mixed media feeling was done very poorly. Maybe that will be changed for the actual book.. hopefully. For instance- the Wikipedia article and plot part was so boring and way too long. Didn’t feel like a wiki page at all. Maybe this book just needed a better editor? Funny because she is an editor. Can she edit this book? Anyways, truly not a book for me.

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The October Film Haunt by Michael Wehunt
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Thriller/Horror
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: September 30, 2025

🔪 Multiple POV
📱 Social Media/Bloggers
📍 Set in Vermont

I didn't love this one. I found my mind wandering in the chapters that were written as blog posts, I think? There are a LOT of mentions of social media (ie. blogs, X/Twitter, Reddit, etc.) which is fine, but I know a lot of readers have mixed feelings about it. It's very slow and this genre is best when it's fast-paced and exciting.

DNF @ 35%, mainly for this passage:

"She mused to him that the Christian God was essentially a demon himself or itself, as she preferred- and that only a musty cobbled-together book claimed otherwise. If it existed, God was as likely to tremble the planchette on a Ouija board as any spirit."

Thank you so much for the digital review copy, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley.

⚠️ mild gore, demons and occult, grief, mild domestic abuse (not explicit), doxxing, drug overdose

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. It has a great premise, but the execution is severely lacking. My advice is to give this book a major edit before publication so that it flows better. There’s a good story in here…it just needs some work.

Thanks for the opportunity to read!

Jorie became a cult horror icon after launching The October Film Haunt, a website where she and her two best friends visited the filming locations of classic horror movies and documented their terrifying experiences. But everything ended in tragedy when Jorie stretched the truth about staying overnight in the graveyard from Proof of Demons, a legendary film directed by the elusive and unsettling Hélène Enriquez. A fatal accident that could have been avoided shattered the group—and the project—forever.

Now, ten years later, Jorie is living quietly in Vermont, raising her son and cut off from the only friend who survived. But when mysterious notes and videotapes start arriving, all linked to Proof of Demons, she realizes that someone—or something—wants to pull her back in. Desperate to protect herself and her child, Jorie reaches out to the past she tried to forget.

All signs point to Hélène Enriquez resurfacing, ready to make a new film—one where Jorie is cast as the ultimate final girl.

This book is scary, twisted, and utterly fresh—a horror-thriller that digs into obsession, urban legends, and the terrifying power of film itself. A must-read for fans of atmospheric horror and psychological suspense.

#MichaelWehunt #TheOctoberFilmHaunt #StMartinsPress