In The Web Series Thriller L.A. Macabre - A Terrifying Cult Awakens

L.A. Macabre unnerved the hell out of me.

Set in Los Angeles as a series-within-a-series, we follow a trio of young documentary filmmakers as they produce a web series investigating a defunct Manson-like cult called "The New Family."

Show host Ryan (Ryan Hellquist), director Colin (Aidan Bristow), and Ryan's younger sister Jamie (Ryan Bartley) make contact with Callie (Corsica Wilson), an ex-member of The New Family.

Callie reluctantly agrees to be interviewed on condition of anonymity.

However, Colin soon becomes captivated by her, and Callie quickly begins exerting a disturbing control over him.

Exacerbating matters further, eerie events begin to occur signifying The New Family may still be operating - and targeting the filmmakers.

Is Callie truly out of The New Family, or does the dangerous cult still have a hold over her?

L.A. Macabre excels in building an unrelenting sense of tension and dread.

From the group's initial meeting with Callie to the pulse-pounding season finale, the series maintains its spooky, uncomfortable vibe.

Adding to the chilling tone is the incorporation of real historical details about the Manson Family's ghastly exploits.

On the production side, the entire cast gives superb performances as ambitious young filmmakers in way over their heads.

Watch the compelling series trailer here ...

The producers launched a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund a second season of the series. Since season one ended on a major cliffhanger, knowing a second season is planned is terrific news.

To watch the series, visit its YouTube channel.

To learn more about the show, visit its Facebook page.

L.A. Macabre is a compelling and creepy psychological thriller.  Definitely check it out to discover why it has earned numerous well-deserved accolades.

---

Help Keep The 7th Matrix Independent and Ad-Free!

Storytellers The Web Series - A Tale Of The Supernatural By Joey Graceffa

Storytellers is a web series that looks like it could the be pilot for a show on the CW network.

Created by - and also starring - popular YouTube vlogger Joey Graceffa, Storytellers opens on a small group of teens telling each other stories around a bonfire.

As the series progresses with each teen taking their turn spinning a tale of suspense, you learn they are close friends bound together by more than just friendship.

They each have ties to the supernatural that will alter their lives forever.

The six episode web series is constructed similar to an anthology, with each installment revealing the background of a separate character.

The episodes are named for the main characters centered, and are as follows:

• Hunter Crowley (Joey Graceffa) the scion of a rich, dysfunctional family. Though he is the most popular kid at his high school, Hunter is grappling with a dark secret

• Mai Himura (Jessica Lu) Mai is a very self-possessed young woman who must come to terms with her family's unique heritage

• Skyler Evans (Kristina Cole) Kristina is Hunter's girlfriend who is growing increasingly frustrated with his mood swings and growing emotional distance

• Finn Avery (Jake Thomas) The self-deprecating Finn is deeply concerned over the secrets threatening to rip his friends apart

• Celia Crowley (Devyn Smith) Hunter's troubled younger sister who is chafing under their father's high expectations

As each episode of Storytellers unfolds, the backstories of the characters intertwine to form a single story arc that culminates in a mystical battle between good and evil.

Admittedly, I'm not the typical demographic for this project, but I still appreciate a well-told story with solid production value.

This series most definitely has both of those qualifications.

The writing by Whitney Milam and Michael Gallagher is solid, avoiding much of the cringe-worthy dialogue indicative of most teen dramas. 

Also, the direction by Michael Gallagher is sensational. 

He adroitly weaves disparate scenes and sequences together to create a cohesive whole.

The series co-producers - Graceffa, Milam, and Michael Wormser -  should be commended for giving the production network-quality polish.

However, what was most impressive was the performances of the young actors. 

Honestly, I didn't expect much in the way of dramatic range from the cast, but they acquitted themselves handsomely. 

Each actor was able to convincingly relay a varied range of emotions essential in bringing the story to life.

Get a taste of the tone of the series by watching the trailer here ...

Storytellers surprised me with its well-crafted narrative structure, skilled direction, intriguing story, and capable young cast. 

The first season ended on a cliffhanger, so there may be a second to resolve the story completely.

The series is available for viewing via its channel on YouTube: Storytellers.

---

Help Keep The 7th Matrix Independent and Ad-Free!

Beware 'The Outer Darkness' A Chilling New Horror Web Series

The Outer Darkness horror anthology web series is the latest project from the acclaimed U.K. filmmaking team of:

• Producer/Directors Ben Franklin and Anthony Melton

• Screenwriter Joel Morgan

• Director of Photography Jonny Franklin

The first episode, simply titled 'Part 01,' was released on Valentine's Day 2015 - and it is a 20-minute, mesmerizing showcase of skin-crawling horror.

The series centers on a most unusual support group led by Father Jonathan Crowe (Jonny Phillips). 

Each member of this support group is bound together by horrific, supernatural traumas no one else believes.

In 'Part 01,' new group member Jenny (Isla Carter) recounts the chilling and tragic tale of how she, her husband, and her parents all participate in a supernatural game of chance to regain something very precious to them that was lost.

Hosted by the demonic entity only known as The Croupier (Ross Mullan), Jenny and her family pay a devastating price to obtain their heart's desire.

What makes The Outer Darkness succeed where many other horror web series fail is it creates a very palpable sense of tension and dread.

This unnerving atmosphere is achieved with a winning combination of a genuinely unsettling premise, masterful cast performances, and exceptional production value (see the character design of the nightmare-inspiring The Croupier as exhibit A!).

Watch the official teaser trailer here ...

The Outer Darkness is an impressive new foray into psychological and supernatural horror that shouldn't be missed.

The series is available for viewing online on the ALTER YouTube channel: The Outer Darkness.

---

Help Keep The 7th Matrix Independent and Ad-Free!

After - A Web Series About Horror Beyond Death

What happens after we die?

This existential question has been pondered by humanity since the dawn of civilization.

In the sci-fi horror web series After, one man discovers terror isn't just relegated to the living.

Produced by Frostbite Pictures, the same studio behind the exceptional horror web series Divine - a top favorite here a The 7th Matrix - the series opens right after the murder of a young man named Matt.

The victim of a botched robbery, Matt (Robin Dunne) awakens in his apartment, but quickly surmises something is very wrong.

His home is a pale, decrepit shadow of its former self. His family moves throughout the house like whispers. 

Soon Matt realizes it is he who is the specter in the midst of his wife and child.

As Matt grapples to come to terms with his dire predicament, he discovers the afterlife is a decaying, dismal parallel of the world of the living.

To make matters worse, there are terrifying creatures that haunt the dead.

It seems not even the dead are safe.

After is both chilling and compelling. The credit for this can be attributed to the project's high production value, and the charisma of its lead actor Robin Dunne.

Robin Dunne is best known for his role as Dr. Will Zimmerman in the former SyFy channel series Sanctuary (which, ironically enough, first began as a web series).

As Matt, Mr. Dunne brings an everyman quality to the role that is very endearing. You instantly sympathize with him, and his ghastly circumstances.

Watch the official series trailer for a sneak peek inside the After ...

The series was actually completed in 2012, but has not been available for viewing online until recently, due to the studio working to secure distribution.

Fortunately, the complete pilot episode is available via the video sharing platform Dailymotion: After On Dailymotion.

I hope the reminder of the series become available online soon. The chilling and mysterious world After's pilot alludes too is one worth exploring.

---

Help Keep The 7th Matrix Independent and Ad-Free!

Shadow Bound The Web Series - A Stylish Noir Tale of Horror

Shadow Bound is the extraordinary web series that pays brilliant homage to the halcyon Hollywood era of silent movies and film noir - while also being heavily influenced by the delirious horror of Lovecraft.

Set in the fictional city of Veritas in 1931, the series tells the story of Jack Pickman, a famous pulp magazine writer of horror and suspense tales.

Having left town as a young man, Jack returns to investigate the strange circumstances surrounding the death of his father, a veteran police detective, and the subsequent mental breakdown of his younger brother.

As he digs deeper into the horrific last case his father was working on, he stumbles into a nightmare involving ritualistic murders and the occult.

Something very dark and dangerous is happening in Veritas. An unspeakable evil bound to the shadows long ago is breaking free ...

Shadow Bound is a sensational combination of style and substance.

True to classic noir, the series is filmed entirely in gorgeous black and white.  The adroit cinematography helps give the project an authentic retro look.

The interplay of light and shadow creates an eerie, slightly ethereal atmosphere, effectively giving rise to a palpable sense of dread necessary for this kind of horror.

Another series standout is the production design.  

Like The True Heroines, another exceptional period web series, it's obvious tremendous effort was made to reproduce everything from hairstyles, to props, to costumes as period accurate as possible.

However, the project's main hallmark is its narrative structure.

Outside of the elegant musical score, there are no other sound effects, and not a word of dialogue is spoken.

Authentic to silent films of yesteryear, dialogue is presented using title cards. While this may sound distracting to our modern sensibilities, it's not, and it works perfectly to complement the project's aesthetic.

Of course, this device would fail miserably if the actors' performances were not up to par.  

No worries there.

The entire cast, led by series creator and writer Nathan Shelton, turn in magnificent performances.

With just their facial expressions and body language, the actors impressively convey a full range of emotions necessary to communicate the terror of Mr. Shelton's chilling script.

With its visual flair and panache, Shadow Bound is a genre standout.

Here is the intriguing series trailer ...

Frankly, I was blown away by Shadow Bound's lush production design, sensational performances, and sharp script.

The entire series is available for viewing on YouTube.

---

Help Keep The 7th Matrix Independent and Ad-Free!

Ragged Isle The Web Series: A Spine-Tingling Supernatural Mystery

2014 Starts Off With A Bang

2014 is getting off to a great start here at The 7th Matrix,  since the very first web series featured this year turns out to be one of the best.

Ragged Isle is described by co-creator Barry Dodd as a supernatural mystery inspired by genre classics such as Twin Peaks, Dark Shadows,  and The  X-Files.

I would have to whole-heartedly agree.

The Dark Heart of An Island

Ragged Isle is set in a tiny fishing community located on an island right off the coast of Maine. 

One eventful summer,  a young woman named Vicki Burke  (Meghan Benton) arrives on the island  to accept a job with the local newspaper - and reconnect with her twin brother who resides there.

However, the self-assured Vicki quickly finds herself smack in the middle of bizarre events that crack open the island's darkest and deadliest secret.

Soon after her arrival, citizens of the island start turning up dead.  

The manner of their deaths? Drowning - on land, nowhere near the water, with their clothing completely dry.

As Vicki begins to piece together the truth behind the mysterious deaths, she and the residents of the island slowly begin to realize dark forces are at work.

Forces that may never let anyone leave Ragged Isle again.

An Impressive Showcase

Produced by local digital media company Entertainment Experiment, the project is filmed entirely on locations in the state of Maine.  

You first notice you are watching something special from the moment the exquisite opening credits roll.

The producers use the gorgeous local scenery to full effect.  You can almost  smell the salt in the sea air.   

In fact, the locale is another main character in the piece.

The breathtaking cinematography features azure skies, foam-capped waves, verdant island foliage, and a picturesque New England town.

The  plot of Ragged Isle  unspools gradually, but not too slowly.

 Its precise pacing  serves to build suspense, since you are uncovering the island's unnerving secrets along with the characters.

Another series highlight is the cast.

The acting prowess of not only the main cast, but also the background players, is nothing short of first-rate.  

The dialogue is written in the way people actually speak - and the actors' delivery makes you feel as though you are eavesdropping on personal conversations.

Also, I would be very remiss if I failed to mention the sensational soundtrack.

Complied with original songs spanning folk and rock genres, the music is seamlessly integrated into the  narrative - helping to give the project a very distinct identity.

Visit Ragged Isle

Currently Ragged Isle is in the middle of its third and final season.  

The good news? 

You can catch up on every single episode  by visiting the official series web site:  RaggedIsle.com.

Here is the trailer for season one:

Ragged Isle is a seductive siren song of mystery and suspense. 

Highly recommended!

---

Help keep The 7th Matrix independent and AD-FREE

Horror Hotel The Web Series - Where Weirdness Checks In

Horror Hotel is a new anthology web series heavily influenced by classics such as The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits. 

Created by Ricky Hess, Horror Hotel is an eclectic mix of sci-fi, horror and film noir set against the backdrop of a seedy motel on a road to nowhere.

The first season is comprised of six episodes. Each one is a morality tale populated with weird, quirky characters who live on society's fringe. 

Like most anthologies of any media, Horror Hotel''s main strength is also its weakness. 

Being an anthology, the series is episodic instead of serialized in nature. This is a positive, because you are able to fully invest in characters and plots that resonate with you - without the burden of deciphering a complicated, overarching story.

However, some episodes are narratively stronger than others.  This unevenness serves to lessen the full dramatic impact of the whole.

Still,  this fault is ultimately overcome by excellent production value, and quirky characters you won't soon forget. 

Standout episodes include: 

•  Guillotine  A beautiful starlet is willing to pay any price for a mystical artifact rumored to make any  woman irresistible

• Invader A neurotic woman fears another motel resident is an alien spying on earth as a prelude to invasion.  Shot in gorgeous black and white, this episode hearkens back to the paranoid, post-World War II science fiction movies of the 1950s.   

To get a feel for life as a guest at the Horror Hotel, watch the season one trailer: 

 The entire first season is now available on YouTube: Horror Hotel. 

If you are looking for a genre web series that is truly unique,  pay a visit to Horror Hotel.  Its unique blend of sci-fi, horror, and, well, weirdness is certain to be just what the doctor ordered.

---

Help Keep The 7th Matrix Independent and Ad-Free!

Zombie With A Shotgun - The Web Series Review

To say zombies are white-hot is as obvious as stating water is wet. 

Due in part to the explosive success of the Image Comics title and AMC network series The Walking Dead, zombies have left an indelible mark on pop culture. 

Despite their popularity,  stories about the living dead are not my personal favorite.

However, there are some projects that use them more compellingly than others.  I wrote a review several months ago about such a project - the terrific web series Project S.E.R.A.

Zombie With A Shotgun (ZWAS) is another such project. 

First, the web series name is an attention-getter.  The name alone intrigued me enough to check it out!

Written and directed by filmmaker Hilton Ariel Ruiz, ZWAS tells the story of Aaron (Braeden Baade), a man who has contracted a virus that will gradually transform him into a zombie.

While there is action, ZWAS is most definitely a character-centric piece.

On the run with his girlfriend Rachel (Lynnea Molone), you are made privy to Aaron's inner life as he struggles with the agonizing knowledge he will inevitably succumb to the virus.

Rachel is also distraught as she is confronted with the horrible reality the man she loves is gradually slipping away.

 ZWAS has excellent production values as well - especially for an independently produced web series. The lighting and editing create a sense of claustrophobia which serves to heighten the dramatic tension.

The musical score is also superb, with creepy beats, tones, and various sound effects certain to set you on edge. 

As of this writing, four episodes approximately 5 minutes in length each have been released. 

Watch the premiere episode below to experience a sample of the series tone: 

To watch all current episodes, visit the series channel on Vimeo. 

For more information about the production, visit the project's official Tumblr blog. 

---

Help Keep The 7th Matrix Independent and Ad-Free!

Malice: The Web Series - A Supernatural Coming Of Age Story

Malice The Web Series is weird.

It's a coming-of-age story dressed up as a creepy supernatural thriller - and it's fantastic! 

Created, written, and directed by Philip Cook, Malice tells the story of Alice Turner, a 16-year-old girl who seems to be a typical teen.  She has an older sister she spars with, and parents who are dealing with their own personal demons.

In the beginning of the series, Alice and her family move into her recently deceased grandmother's home.  With the move, her father is hoping for a fresh start for his family.

However, it soon becomes clear to Alice that something is very wrong. 

There's a presence in the house. One that thrives in darkness and has a sinister connection to Alice's family. Soon she finds herself  battling to save her loved ones from a bizarre supernatural horror.

Overall Malice succeeds in telling a story with some real chills.

 It is very atmospheric with cinematography that makes effective use of the play between light and dark to create a sense of dread. The wonderful soundtrack adds a layer of foreboding.

The writing is smart  and the plotting is tight. There are no superfluous storylines to detract from the main narrative.

It's also important to note the supernatural threat Alice contends with is not your typical horror movie monster. It isn't a vampire, werewolf, or zombie - but something quite unique.

The acting of the main cast is competent, but the standout is series star Brittany Martz.  

This young actress fully embodies a vulnerable young woman who yearns for the healing of her broken family. 

Yet Alice is no shrinking violet.

In one pivotal scene later in the series, she finds herself embroiled in a very tense situation. Instead of going into hysterics, she steely says "I will not be helpless!" and proceeds to take action.

Hell yes!  Buffy Summers move over. There is a new heroine on the scene and her name is Alice Turner. 

Watch the series trailer here:

Malice is a independent production funded completely by its audience.

Two seasons totaling 19 episodes (this includes special one-offs) have been produced that complete the first story arc.  A third is currently being planned.

Update:  The third season of Malice, entitled Malice: Metamorphosis is now online!

You can watch all current episodes on the online network on YouTube.

For more information about the production and how you can help support it, please visit Eagle Films.

---

Help Keep The 7th Matrix Independent and Ad-Free!

Haywire: The Series - A Horror Story Where The Mundane Becomes Monstrous

Often the most bone-chilling horror stories are derived from tales of average people having to cope with extraordinary circumstances. 

Capitalizing on this fact is what has helped make Stephen King one of the world's most successful authors. 

Director Scott Klein has followed suit with his creation Haywire: The Series.  The result is a  very unsettling tale of a suburban community gone mad.

Insanity's Herald

This project has a very unique and compelling premise: one bright, sunny Saturday afternoon in the city of Monroe, NY,  an explosion of brilliant light occurs high in the sky.  

Everyone who witnesses this strange phenomenon immediately suffers a horrible side effect:  their minds becomes acutely fixated on the last task they were involved with.

No matter how routine or mundane the task is (walking the dog, mowing the grass, jogging, etc.), the victims are compelled to perform it over and over.  

What's even more bizarre? Those affected will become homicidal with anyone who attempts to interfere.

Those unaffected by the light phenomenon must deal with a world gone completely "Haywire."

The series follows various groups of survivors as they attempt to navigate their new, terrifying existence. 

A Disturbing Vision Well Executed

I found the compelling premise to be the chief selling point of this series. Director/Series Creator/Executive Producer Scott Klein has constructed almost every episode to end with a mini-cliffhanger, which gives the project a sense of forward momentum.

The acting is often wildly uneven, with some performers far more convincing than others. But as a whole,  the cast succeed in conveying a sense of disorientation, paranoia, and fear  essential in selling the central premise.

The makeup effects for the victims, or "raccoons" as they are referred in the series, is minimal yet very effective in serving as a visual cue for their madness.  

Another production highlight is the use of comic book inspired artwork for the fantastic opening title sequence.  

Kudos to the art team including pencils by Victor L. Castro, Jr., inks by Steve Hoveke,  coloring by Hassan Godwin, with lettering by Arlene So (who also is a series producer).

Finally

Haywire: The Series is an independent production of the Lights Out! Film Group.   

So far, two seasons have been completed - 19 episodes in total. This alone is quite an achievement for a sci fi web series produced with a limited budget.

 I enjoyed this ambitious series, and want to continue to explore the mysteries presented. My hope is there will be more episodes produced so the journey can continue. 

Below are two series previews: 

You have a few options for viewing the complete series:

On YouTube 

For more information about the production, please visit the official web site:  

Haywire: The Series 

---

Help Keep The 7th Matrix Independent and Ad-Free!

Blood And Bone China - A Chilling, Gothic Vampire Web Series

No one can deny vampires are the superstars of the horror genre. 

However, many feel these once most terrifying of monsters have lost their edge.  Vampires  in popular media have now mostly become sympathetic, romantic anti-heroes, the objects of desire instead of a source of terror - see Twilight.

So when a tale based on actual Eastern European vampire folklore arrives on the scene,  it can seem like a breath of fresh air.

Blood And Bone China is just that sort of story.  This 12-part gothic web series delivers on all fronts.  

Set in the English city of Stoke-On-Trent in 1897, the series reveals a citizenry under siege by dark terrors.  

Drawn into the mystery are a trio of unlikely heroes:  a skeptical country veterinarian,  a progressive female journalist determined to make a name for herself, and a mysterious man in black - who has secrets of his own.

Written and directed by Chris Stone, Blood And Bone China showcases a chilling script,  phenomenal cast,  deft cinematography, haunting score, and authentic Victorian-era props and costumes.

However, the crowning achievement of the series is it being filmed on location in the city of Stoke-On-Trent.  

The town itself is a character in the story, seemingly frozen in the 19th century. The result is you feel as though you have actually been transported back in time to Victorian England. 

In fact, many of the buildings used during filming were built in the 1800s.  Also, the director based the story on an actual incident which occurred in the city in 1972.  

He was so intrigued by the case, he also created a short documentary entitled Vampire of the Villas. 

My main criticism of the project is the unfortunate use of a rock song as the main theme.  The track is at jarring odds with the Victorian setting of the series. An instrumental piece contemporary to the period may have been been a better choice.

Still, this is a minor quibble with a terrific, well executed horror series.  

For your convenience, the first two episodes are available below:

For more information about the project, and to view the complete series, please visit its official web site:  Blood And Bone China.

---

Help Keep The 7th Matrix Independent and Ad-Free!

Project: S.E.R.A. - Not Your GrandPa's Zombie Story

View fullsize

Image © IGN Entertainment

Project: S.E.R.A. is the sleek sci fi web series produced by the premiere entertainment  company for gamers, IGN.

The story focuses on the efforts of Gillian Eames (Julia Voth) and Lt. Riggins (Derek Theler) to stop the black market sale of an experimental serum developed by the United States military.  

This serum was developed to hasten the recovery of wounded veterans in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, this compound has an unexpected, horrific side effect which makes it extremely desirable as a biological weapon.

Project: S.E.R.A. is a compelling, exciting, and entertaining take on zombies - a subgenre threatening to become overdone.

What helps set the series apart is a number of notable factors including:

• A smart screenplay by Bill Kirchen and Nathan Miller

• Exceptional direction by director/creator Benjamin Howdeshell

• Dynamic fight and action sequences

• Superb visual and special effects

Another main attraction of Project: S.E.R.A. is the stellar performances of the main cast - especially Julia Voth. 

Ms. Voth imbues protagonist Gillian Eames with depth and complexity.  Yes, Gillian is a certified, grade A bad ass. Yet, beneath the surface is a woman of quiet vulnerability and keen intelligence.   It's not hyperbole to say Gillian Eames has a place among other top genre heroines such as Ellen Ripley or Alice, respectively of the Alien and Resident Evil films.

Project: S.E.R.A. is a six episode series, but there is a strong possibility more is yet to come.

I certainly hope so!

Below is a behind-the-scenes featurette: 

Here is the complete first episode:

 Update: Since the 2013 debut of Project: S.E.R.A., zombies have become even more widly popular. From The Walking Dead spinoffs to the Marvel Zombies Show, zombies remain all the rage. But Project: S.E.R.A. remains unique in its take.

Please visit IGN's START Channel on YouTube to view Project: S.E.R.A. in its entirety.

---

Help Keep The 7th Matrix Independent and Ad-Free!