The first horror movie of 2025 has been released in theaters, debuting with a strong Rotten Tomatoes score.2024 was a good year for horror movies, withA Quiet Place: Day One,Smile 2, andAlien: Romulusleading the way with critical acclaim and box office success.Each turned a profit by thrilling audiences and using strong word-of-mouth to draw viewers to theaters. Notably, every one of these releases was also related to a pre-existing franchise. That happened to track with other genre trends, as the rest of the box office faced similar sequel and prequel success.
As Hollywood prepares for 2025,box office expectations could change. The lingering effects of the2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikesshould be behind the industry, with 2025 filled with many releases from franchises. Depending on the impact of streaming services and pandemic-related disdain for theaters, theatrical success could continue to be restrained to event movies. Still, the success of horror movies indicates that audiences still have a taste for some quality original theatrical releases. One new horror movie could be preparing to capture that success.
The Damned’s Rotten Tomatoes Score Is Exceptional
The Strong Reviews Should Draw Notice
The first horror movie of 2025,The Damned, has earned an exceptional response from critics. The international movie stars Odessa Young (A Million Little Pieces) as Eva, a widow looking after her late husband’s fishing site. After coming across a shipwrecked crew, Eva and her own workers kill the hateful sailors and are swiftly haunted by their former enemies.At nearly an hour and 30 minutes, this short horror movie tackles psychological terror and severe moral questions.
10 Exciting Horror Movies To Look Forward To In 2025
Fans of horror can look forward to many exciting releases in 2025, including new takes on classics and projects from horror-savvy directors.
In tackling these serious topics,The Damnedhas achieved critical acclaim,securing an 86% Tomatometer score onRotten Tomatoes. However, the ratings from audiences have been somewhat less favorable. While there have not been enough reviews from general audiences, their responses indicate a divisive release. Some praise the writing and acting, while others argue that the pace was too slow to remain entertaining. Most do reflect on the beauty of the setting and the skilled cinematography.
Our Take On The Damned’s Rotten Tomatoes Score
This Is A Great Sign For Horror In 2025
Having seen such positive responses from critics,The Damnedshould join the ranks ofLonglegsandAlien: Romulusas a successful release with immense respect from professional reviewers. However, there is a potential risk sinceoriginal properties have struggled at the box officein recent years, and this movie does not have thename recognition that Nicolas Cage affordedLonglegs. Fortunately, good word-of-mouth could help the movie secure a strong run. WhileNosferaturemains a strong competition, success is a distinct possibility, especially when it heads to streaming someday.
The Damned
Cast
Starring Odessa Young and Joe Cole, The Damned is a tense psychological horror film that follows a 19th-century widow who is tasked with making an impossible choice when a ship sinks off the coast of her isolated fishing outpost during the middle of an especially cruel winter. With provisions running low, Eva and her close-knit community must choose between rescuing the shipwrecked crew and prioritizing their own survival. Facing the consequences of their decision and tormented by guilt, the inhabitants wrestle with a mounting sense of dread and begin to believe they are all being punished for their choices.
