This one just didn’t work for me. It was difficult for me to get into Paul Tremblay’s writing. I almost DNF’d three or four times. I did enjoy the script that was interspersed throughout the book, however, it did take me some time to understand what was going on. I ended up getting into it, but by then the pay off was too late.

This was a story about the void- it’s always watching and always hungry.

As a huge fan of cult classic horror films- this book was absolutely up my alley. This was an exploration of the lines between what define a story vs a film & the ways in which we are consumed by art if it’s done well enough. Bonus points for the things @paulgtremblay always does- please continue to keep the scary moments for the parts where I’m least expecting them, bc I’ve been lulled into false security.

Thanks you so much @netgalley & @williammorrowbooks for the eArc!

Candidly, I did not enjoy this book. I felt like the writing was not for me. I felt that the writing ruined the delivery of the store. And I felt that it was such an interesting premise as well.

This latest from Paul Tremblay is slow-burn horror, with a simmering creep factor and explorations of the darker parts of the human psyche.

The story unfolds in past and present. The past follows a group of friends who reunite to shoot a low-budget horror film in an abandoned high school. The present follows a key cast member of that shoot, who is the last remaining one alive following a series of tragedies that befall the others, as he collaborates on an upcoming 'remake' of the horror film, which was never actually completed and released but ended up having a cult following regardless due to the mystery surrounding the shoot. In addition, portions of the original screenplay are weaved into the narrative.

For me, these portions of the screenplay were one of the most interesting elements, along with the past story of the original shoot. There's one part of the screenplay, in Chapter 16, which I thought was genius in its exploration of the uncertainties and fears we all have deep within us around the unknown and our own mortality.

This book is not traditional horror, but rather more an exploration of what underpins the horror genre and why it resonates with us. It is unsettling and intellectually engaging -- a must-read for fans of Tremblay.

Thank you for William Morrow for the ARC!

I am quite stunned by this book. I enjoy Paul Tremblay’s writing but this has to be my favorite so far. Without spoilers of course, this book did not go the way I thought it would. I enjoyed the jumps in time in this book, and I normally find them confusing, Very well written and kept me engaged from the beginning.

I've enjoyed Tremblay's horror books (and movies) in the past. This one was a bit too graphic and disturbing for me. Admittedly this built up during the book in a surprising way (but you really had an inkling all along). But won't he surprised if this also sees the big screen.

I struggled through this book. Maybe it was the writing style/narrator. The main character was very pompous and full of himself. I couldn’t relate and didn’t enjoy reading this.

I tried twice to get into this book but I just couldn't. It was so odd and I disliked the writing style. I finally gave up. I am still giving it 3 stars as so many people loved everything about it. It wasn't for me but I am one person! I'd still recommend it to other Horror Fans though. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is such a weird book. I always like how tremblay plays with the format of his books. This book has pieces of the script throughout. I don’t know. It was good. It was ok. It wasn’t great. It was missing chunks. It felt unfinished, but I also feel like that is on purpose.

This creepy novel is told from the main POV of the actor who played the “Thin Man” in an unreleased horror movie from the ‘90s. The storyline skips around quite a bit, from the past to current time, and even from real life to the movie script.

I really loved the premise of this book, but I got bogged down in the movie production details. I also felt that so much was left unexplained. I really didn’t feel a connection with any of the characters, either.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Tremblay is a master and this may be his best yet. Cult horror is not a subject for the squeamish, but layer in the concept of not/belonging, and making art, and the end product is a nuanced and terrifying work. This is a strong addition to the "cursed film" subgenre of horror that feels much more personal and painful, and less strictly plot-driven, than other recent "cursed film" books like Silver Nitrate or Burn the Negative. This is a great answer to "What would you do for art?"

I didn't normally read horror, but this book has me reacting to see what would happen next. This horror novel is fast paced and the characters are interesting enough to keep you engaged. I loved the story within the story and I really appreciated the different firms that the book took on. It's part audiobook, part screenplay, part poem, and it's all engaging. It was definitely a great read. Thank you, #NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for honest opinion. #HorrorMovie 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Honestly, this book is arduous. It took SO LONG for me to finish this little 213 page books when I can finish a novel 2-3 times that size in just a couple sittings if I am into it. I wasn't into this one. It's my own fault, though, because I went into thinking it would be a different kind of book. I wanted it to be a completely different story. It is a slow burn, but also predictable. I'm giving it 3 stars because it is very well written and probably a great horror story for some.... Just not the right horror story for me.

Tremblay is one of my favorite authors and this latest book of his reminds me if Scream became a movie, and the BG of what it takes to make a horror movie. Such a fun ride.

This is a mashup of a cursed movie trope and a take on monstrosity. The cursed movie didn't feel all that cursed, mostly from the format where there is a remake and the story of the original that was never finished. I found the take on monstrosity a bit confusing - think method acting like Heath Ledger and the Joker plus some magical realism body horror? I've been struggling with how to explain it, and this is where I've landed. It was interesting, but never felt resolved, possibly because the "big reveal" wasn't a revelation? It was where that train was headed the whole time and so just came with an "oh, we're there" feeling.

That said, the ride was a fun slasher / monster flick and perfect for a not scary but campy, somewhat light read.

One of the more haunting books I've read in a long time! In the early '90s, a small group of budding filmmakers came together to make a the aptly titled Horror Movie. Thirty years later, its a *almost-complete* project that lives on in infamy due with just a few clips, images, the screenplay and a singular member of the group remaining. He returns to the project that shaped his life as a remake is underway, revisiting the story, his experience making the movie and the tragedy that cemented the unfinished film's cult status. This structure of the book is so well-done—really lending itself to the sinister, twisty nature of the story. Definitely one that will sit with me for a while.

I received an ARC from my auto read King of Horror author in exchange for my honest review. With that being said Paul Tremblay is an auto read because even though I haven’t enjoyed all his books when he writes one that knocks it out of the park reading the others that aren’t so great is worth it. Horror Movie is creepy and delivers a can’t put this book down speed read.

Going into this book I knew it had to do with a Horror Movie set and that was about the extent of my knowledge, and I'm glad I didn't seek out more information as it really helped me to go in and just enjoy the ride. I was so intensely creeped out by some of the Thin Kid scenes and the evolution of fictional monsters to real life ones, and would've loved even more of the movie transcript elements. Fans of Tremblay's previous work will really enjoy this one! Huge thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for my early review copy.

Loved this so much. One of the best horror books of this decade easily. Perfect for slasher fans, monster fans, and movie fans.

What a complete mindfuck of a book. I was completely gripped to the story while going through a range of emotions from rattled, tense, spooked to deeply disturbed. Regardless of that, the book will stay with me for awhile as it gives you a very personal look at the human condition and the monsters that hide beneath the surface. This was a slow burn and unlike anything I’ve read this year. Definitely recommend.