This story managed to keep me guessing until the very end. I really enjoyed how much it felt like a 90's-00's horror story. There were so many great types of horror injected into this story. Tremblay does such a fantastic job of taking you through the Thin Kids thoughts. The slow descent into madness while jumping through different times in his life really keeps you guessing. The character's metamorphosis really leaves a lot open for you to form your own opinions on what happened.

I... don't even know where to start with my thoughts on this book. This is the weirdest one I have read in quite a while! I was confused, shocked, and thrilled, sometimes all within the same page. 

Horror Movie follows a man whose claim to fame is his role as "The Thin Kid" in a low-budget horror film from the 90s, aptly named Horror Movie. Although only three scenes from the movie were ever released to the public, it has a cult following. As the only surviving cast member, he is navigating the world of film production as he tries to get a reboot of the film made. Interspersed with the journey to a reboot, our narrator shares his memories of the bizarre events surrounding the creation of Horror Movie back in the 90s, as well as the original screenplay. 

It took me about 25% to really get into the story, but once it gets going, the horror in Horror Movie does not stop. I read the remaining 75% in less than 24 hours. The tension builds between the two timelines and blurs the line of what is real as we learn the fate of the other cast members and the original Horror Movie. Our narrator remains unnamed throughout the story and is only ever addressed by his character name, "The Thin Kid” which added a layer of eeriness and distrust. Horror Movie does not hold back on the gore and gives all the creepiness I want from my horror books and movies.

Horror Movie is not for everyone- it is unsettling and disturbing and left me with unanswered questions- but I do think it will appeal to fans of old school teen slashers and other “cursed films” (such as The Ring).

I love a great meta horror novel. A great, engaging read! Though the original "horror movie" was in the past, the crazy fanbase and the fact they are making a remake really reflected today's filmmaking realities.

3.5 stars

Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay poses as a story about the making of a supposed cursed film called “Horror Movie.” It never made it to the big screen and was abandoned on the cutting room floor for several terrifying reasons. The original director leaked three disturbing scenes on YouTube which gave birth to the lore, mystery, and cult movie status of a film that never came to fruition. Now Hollywood wants to cash in on it and make a reboot with the only living member of the cast, Thin Kid. Is it a reboot if it was never booted in the first place?

The real star of this book, in an allegorical sense, is the found object - a green mask. Cleo, the suicidal screenwriter supposedly found the mask on a head sitting on top of evil scribbles on the floor in an abandoned classroom. She believes the “mask” is haunted, but her motives throughout making the film are very questionable.

The book is told narrative style in first person point of view by Thin Kid, now in his 50s. It reads like a realistic memoir mixed with the original script with actors Cleo, Valentina, and Karson playing themselves. Thin Kid switches from back then to the present often. The scariest place is inside Thin Kid’s own broken, twisted mind. While reading I couldn’t help but draw parallels between Thin Kid’s and Heath Ledger’s dangerous preparations for their perspective roles. Except, Thin Kid was merely acting as himself in a very small b-film. He is simply an unreliable and unlikeable narrator. If he’s so traumatized by the original experience WHY would he dare volunteer revisit it?

I had so many questions while reading Horror Movie in all its allegorical glory. I personally found the story a bit boring, slow and too predictable for one reason only - I work in the entertainment and film industry. I have a little too much knowledge of cursed films, horror fandoms, found objects because I’ve written about and studied the subject in depth. So, unfortunately this book wasn’t a novelty for me, I knew what was going to happen. I wasn’t phased even during the “cigarette attack” scene. I found myself thinking, “omg just do it already!” The exaggeration and possible lies about the film by Thin Kid just adds to the cult like status and lore, which is how most Cursed Films become “cursed” in the first place. Well that plus a horrible accident involving cast and crew.

I’m not saying Horror Movie isn’t a great book, because it definitely is. I just so happen to be in a super small niche of people that have already heard the basic premise. Read it and decide for yourself! But seriously, watch out for Thin Kid, he’s been wearing that mask his entire life. They all have.

Enjoyed it. Listened and read along. Loved the setting but not so much the characters. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

🎊🎂🎈𝙷𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚢 𝙿𝚞𝚋 𝙳𝚊𝚢!🎈🎂🎊
𝚃𝚒𝚝𝚕𝚎: HORROR MOVIE
𝙰𝚞𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚛: Paul Tremblay @paulgtremblay
𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚛 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#atmospherichorror #cursedfilm #unusualstructure

𝙼𝚢 𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚌𝚔 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎:
I'm a sucker for unsettling, atmospheric horror that plays with expectations and lingers in your thoughts long after your done reading, so I loved this book! Paul Tremblay exemplifies that brand of horror and this novel is a masterclass. The creeping tension builds through out but it entangled me in a way few other novels had, because not only did I find myself making guesses at what was really happening and what was to come, the rather meta narrative called me out on it in such a compelling way. The varying timelines and screenplay format which could easily be tiresome in the hands of other authors, was constantly engaging. As with other works of his, the finale is at once satisfying and left me haunted with possibilities long after.

𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚘𝚙𝚜𝚒𝚜:
In 1993 group of young filmmakers set out to make an unconventional horror film. Only three scenes are ever released, yet it grows a rabid fanbase.
Years later the only surviving member of the original production is asked to return for the remake. As fiction and reality and as the past and present blur, he unmasks the long buried secrets of the bizarre and tragic events of the original "cursed" production.

Thank you @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for access to the eARC in exchange for this honest review.

I also ordered a physical copy and I'm so excited to receive it. I got the @barnesandnoble exclusive signed edition that was part of they're Midday Mystery Virtual Event and it looks fantastic 🖤

This was a slow burner, hooking its claws readers one timeline flip flop at a time. This book has the hard task of telling us multiple stories at one time, and it ends up succeeding in such wildly fascinating and at times devastating ways. Tremblay explores his characters with such a coercive hand that he in turn demands the audience to examine ourselves as characters in his story.

Truly a superb addition to the horror genre.

Oh Paul Tremblay…what have you created here? I have a feeling this will be an either love it or hate it novel for many. I’m definitely in the love it camp. Told via dual timelines, past and present (as well as including some sections writing as parts of the movie’s screenplay). The book revolves around a horror movie (simply titled Horror Movie), the creation of the original (one that has become a cult classic despite never really releasing) and the attempt at a remake by a major studio, told from the point of the view of the only still living member of the original team, the man who played the character of ‘the thin kid’. This is dark, twisted, and often times unsettling. The frequent time jumps and just the nature of the story (the movie scenes sprinkled throughout the narrative) may make it a little confusing at times, but I enjoyed the overall experience quite a bit. This may actually be one of the rare cases where a movie version might make it a bit easier to follow. Thanks so much to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/horror-movie-paul-tremblay/1144117219?ean=9780063070011&bvnotificationId=fd0deb11-2805-11ef-ad70-0afff49ecd55&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=gmail.com#review/311583320

Tremblay Takes Terrifying Turn in "Horror Movie"

Paul Tremblay's "Horror Movie" delivers a chilling exploration of fear itself. The novel weaves a haunting narrative about a group of online horror film aficionados whose lives intersect in disturbing ways. Tremblay's masterful storytelling blurs the lines between reality and fiction, leaving readers questioning what is truly terrifying. Fans of psychological thrillers and meta-horror will find "Horror Movie" a compelling and unsettling read.

This was my preorder pick for the month of June, and after finishing up an eARC of Horror Movie, I’m so excited to add it to my shelves. I’ve read a bunch of cursed object / film books over the past year and absolutely loved them all. This might be one of my favorite horror sub-genres now, especially after finishing this one up.

Horror Movie is creeeeepy and weird, and I absolutely loved it. Told in flashbacks from the past while the movie was being made, and in present day with a reboot in the works, I couldn’t put this one down. I loved the segments of screenplay sprinkled in as well, and found them so immersive that I had to keep reminding myself that these segments were “fiction within fiction.”

The movie that this book is based around, Horror Movie, sounds SO TERRIFYING and I’m glad it’s not an actual movie. Check this one out if you like scary movies, creature features, slasher films, the 90s, and cursed objects!

**Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the eARC!! Quotes below may not be exact in the finished copy.**

“The mask is ugly and grotesque and familiar, and we cannot stop staring at it because all monsters are mirrors.”

“Everything is about us, and we realize we are alone even when we’re not.”

“We weren’t able to pull the parachute’s rip cord because we were mesmerized by the Earth rushing up to meet us.”

I've been seeing a lot of horror film subgenre titles lately, and I have to admit I'm getting burned out on it. From Silvia Moreno-Garcia's "Silver Nitrate" (which I DNFd), to Chuck Tingle's "Bury Your Gays" (which I thoroughly enjoyed) to Stephen Graham Jones's horror-obsessed protagonist Jade Daniels in the "Angel of Indian Lake" trilogy, I was getting tired of having horror movies act as a backdrop, almost big enough to be a background character, in horror novels. I was a bit apprehensive for what Tremblay's "Horror Movie" had in store, but I had faith in Tremblay's trend of bending genres and tropes to make something altogether his own.
I was glad I went forward with reading this book! Yes the backdrop is a cursed horror movie, as the title would have you believe, but Tremblay does a great job as always of getting into the mental repercussions of what experiences and traumas can have on his characters. The horror movie in this book does not take the form of "I am a fan of slashers and here are the rules," but works with a film that was never successfully released and the remake that reawakens the chaos it produced.
I don't want to say more, in fear of giving away spoilers, but Tremblay does what he does best with this book: chronicling a downward spiral of a character and stripping away the false veneer of said character thinking he is a normal person with everything under control. Read this book!

This messed with my head and freaked me out. I read this and listened to it and am still unsettled. This is def going to be one of my fav horror books of the year.

I was pulled in by the cover, and title and was not disappointed. I enjoyed this new book by Paul Tremblay I have read a few of his others and enjoyed them as well. His writing style is a little different in this book and I appreciated that for this type of book. He goes back and forth from present to past and even includes pages of script with placement for the characters. I couldn’t give it a full four stars as I felt the ending was rushed and after such a huge buildup I was just left wanting something more in the end. I finished reading and just felt like it was a bit of a let down after all the characters had gone thru to just be over so quickly. In there end I did enjoy the book and am so thankful to the publisher, author, and a netgalley for this reading opportunity.

Paul Tremblay has perfected the art of true horror writing, his books are filled will terror and suspense and Horror Movie is his best yet.

Horror Movie is told through dueling timelines of the Past and Present, and is the story of a “cursed” horror movie, that was made, but never released due to the finale ending in tragedy.

Since being made, all the main people involved have died, one by one, with the exception of the villain of the movie, The Thin Kid.

The movie, which would acquire a type of cult following, inspires a remake, and The Thin Kid, is asked to participate. Through the course of the story, it becomes evident the effect the movie had on him, is intense and dark, and he’s stilling living with the fallout in the present day.

This is definitely the horror book of 2024, and is not to be missed.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

'Horror Movie' by Paul Tremblay
FIVE STARS!!
Releases tomorrow, June 11! Snag your copy now!!

Three decades ago, a group of amateur film-makers set out to make ‘Horror Movie’, a low-budget experimental horror film fueled by a blend of artistic ambition and a chilling backstory. However, tragedy struck on set, preventing the film’s full release. Yet, when snippets of the film surface online, a fervent cult-following emerges, igniting a clamor for a lavish reboot by movie producers.

In ‘Horror Movie,’ Tremblay masterfully weaves together interviews with the sole surviving cast member who portrayed ‘The Thin Kid’, excerpts from the original script, and fragments of memories from the original cast. True to Tremblay’s signature style, the narrative blurs the lines between reality and screenplay, resulting in an unsettling journey that gripped me until the final page.

Immersing oneself in ‘Horror Movie’ is akin to embarking on a descent into a realm where reality intertwines with the macabre artistry of filmmaking. Tremblay’s storytelling prowess shines as he skillfully crafts an experience that lingers long after the book is closed. I found myself unable to tear away from its grip until the chilling finale. ‘Horror Movie’ not only cements Tremblay’s status as an auto-buy author but also emerges as a standout contender for the best read of the year for me!

🎥 Perfect for fans of:
* Found footage & cursed films
* Psychological horror
* Mind-bending creepiness with really unique storytelling

Thank you so much to Netgalley and William Morrow for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I’ve already pre-ordered the special edition from Barnes & Noble and will be rereading the final copy asap! #HorrorMovie #NetGalley

Somebody, anybody, everybody go check on Paul Tremblay because WHAT?! And also WOW at the same time. I am not okay after reading this, and that is absolutely the point.

Paul Tremblay is always a good choice! I had to read this book because the blurb reminded me of a game I played and liked, Nightmare Frames. Anything about horror movies that get made but never actually shown will always suck me in!

This book…I’m not even sure what I read. All I do know it was super creepy and disturbing in parts. The multiple timelines did slow it a bit for me, but I did like the additions of the screenplay being intermixed. That said, this book is not for every reader. Honestly, it isn’t my favorite by Tremblay. I almost didn’t stick with it because character development is so off kilter, but the ending is worth the effort! I’d give this one 3.5 stars because of the pacing for me.

I have read other works by Paul Tremblay but "Horror Movie" is probably my favorite of his. It checked a lot of my boxes as a lover of horror movies as well as thriller books. I've read similarly themed books but I liked the dual timeline as well as the screenplay excerpts.

If you are a fan of Stephen Graham Jones or Grady Hendrix you will enjoy "Horror Movie".

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in advance of publication.

3.5 This is not my favorite of Tremblay's. The idea is original, but I found the plot and the pacing off. I think many readers will find it slow and ending when it should be just beginning. I liked the screenplay format--it provides a sense of grounding in a story that is sometimes confusing. As always, Tremblay's writing is solid and, overall, the story is creative and entertaining.