This was such a slow book with very little character development that just didn’t do it for me in the end.

Full review: I did not have much luck with horror books the past few weeks. I started "Horror Movie" more than a month ago and finally forced myself to finish it so I could move on. Honestly, I almost DNFed it a few times. There was nothing compelling to me about this book.

"Horror Movie" follows the only survivor of a horror movie from the 1990s. The narrator, is the so-called "Thin Kid" who played a kid in a movie called "Horror Movie" that starts to blur the lines between what is acceptable. We follow the back and forth between him in the past filming the movie, and in the present, about to be part of the 'reboot'. And then we also get to read the screenplay that the movie followed.

Eh. This wasn't good. Sorry, I can't really do books written as screenplays. I still to this day, have not read "Storm of the Century" because it started working my nerves too much. And this one wasn't that great because the screenplay gives you character motivations, etc. which I don't think any screenplay really does? I don't know. It just started taking me out after a while and I was so uninterested in it.

And I didn't really get the horror of the whole book/movie. We know upfront there was a tragedy and then it takes about 80 percent before we get there and it made zero sense and I maybe said okay and tried to move on.

The characters are shallow as anything. I didn't like "Thin Kid", Valentina, Cleo, etc. We never get enough time to spend with them to even really get what they are trying to do. The "Thin Kid" motivations for everything seem to change at the drop of a hat and I felt his character was just inconsistent.

The writing was so-so and the flow was pretty bad because of the above jumps between past, present, screenplay.

The ending was nonsensical. Yes, I understand what Tremblay was trying to do, I was just not that impressed with it and felt irritated. I honestly have only ever really enjoyed two of his novels and one stand alone short story. I may just need to move him to, you will never like him that much and stop reading his newest offerings.

Thank you to Paul Tremblay and William Morrow via NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was the first Paul Tremblay book I’ve read and I’m now so excited to dig into his backlist! I found his writing style to be easily readable and very captivating. His characters are simultaneously authentic and plays on archetypical horror roles. This book is told between two timelines (Then and Now) and a screenplay. I thought Tremblay did a great job at navigating us through the story using all three of these narratives.

I look forward to seeing what Paul Tremblay writes next. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves teen slashers, the idea of a cursed film, and a character arc that gets wild.

Paul Tremblay's "Horror Movie" is captivating. The story weaves between past and present, blending scenes from the original film with real-life events. This narrative style constantly made me question reality and intent.

We are introduced to "The Thin Kid," the only surviving actor from the original movie. Now an adult, he lives in obscurity, with only three clips of the original film ever released online. These clips have gained a cult following, leading Hollywood to plan a remake of the unreleased movie.

I found this book thoroughly enjoyable. It starts as a slow burn but becomes increasingly compelling as more of the original film's hidden content is revealed. I’m eager to buy a physical copy and am grateful to Paul Tremblay and NetGalley for the early access ARC.

I read this at a similar time to reading Stephen Graham Jones' new novel "I Was a Teenage Slasher" and the subject matter although different, the tones of the main characters were so similar! Both have main characters that are reflecting on a time period and are clearly writing with an audience in mind as a sort of exposé and warning. In Horror Movie (the novel), our main character is the man who starred as "The Thin Kid" in Horror Movie (the movie that was never fully released except for three scenes) as he reflects on what went into creating this "cursed" film all those years ago and what it's been like filming the reboot (or remake depending on who you ask).

Tremblay does a great job of giving a nod to notorious horror films that have been said to be cursed. He also gives some insight into the film industry. The vibes I got while reading this book were eerie and chilling. It's soooo slow and the build-up gains in intensity. I loved the parallel between how the movie was supposed to make us feel (if it had ever been released) and how in reading the book we get the same feeling! Genius.

I did feel like this book dragged on and even though I recognize this was intentional for the reason I just stated, it did make me want to rush the book. What I loved most about this book were the descriptive flashback scenes of what took place during filming and how Tremblay blurred the lines between what actually happened and the reader realizing that the narrator is not only unreliable but is suspicious as we read the modern-day scenes. I also have to give a nod to the idea of "The Thin Kid" as a character and how well he is written. We feel bad for him but also want to stay away from him. The three other characters/cast mates that star with him are fascinating on their own too as they try to isolate the thin kid on and off the set to create an environment where the thin kid is just as alone on set as he is in the movie. There is a scene where the three classmates torture the thin kid and it's terrifying in a psychological way. We also learn that the man who played the thin kid is the only survivor and learning about how one particular cast member died during the filming is chilling. This is a really unique book with a horrifying ending.

This absolutely rocked. I think the screenplay format used for parts of the book was really fun, and I’d be really curious to see the finished book or audiobook even as I think that medium would lend very well to the story
I think the plot and pacing were great, and the overall message really had me thinking

I was SO excited when the publisher granted my wish for this book and it did not disappoint. I know "horror movie" is the trope of the summer, but I'm going to make a prediction and say this is the best one.

it did take me a while to get into the format, but once I realized that the narrator is creating an audiobook based on his experiences as the surviving cast member from the 90s movie and being involved in the present day remake, it made a lot more sense. I also didn't love the alternating chapters with the original screenplay at first, but I got into the groove with that too and after a while I realized that it is essential to the story.

This might not feel like a horror novel on the surface. There isn't much that's "scary," but that's not what this book is about. It's about the subtle undercurrent of horror that flows in all of us—it's about the potential for horror, I think. And that is scary! For the whole book I wondered WHY—why the kids did what they did. And there is no answer... and that makes it scarier.

Readers who like their stories tied up in a neat bow probably won't like this. But if you like ambiguous, open-ended narratives that will turn over and fester in your brain for weeks after, like I do, definitely pick this up.

Honestly I did not know what was going on until about 37%... buuut the ending? YES PLEASE. Multiple timelines which I have a love/hate relationship with but I thought this was written together nicely!

Many thanks to NetGalley for sending me an Advance Reader's Copy.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I am still not sure how I feel about any of it BESIDES THE ENDING. The ending made the book worth reading, in my opinion. I enjoyed the multiple timelines even if it became confusing at times. Again, the ending was well worth the confusion.
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for this ARC! I can't wait to see what others have to say about this one.

Paul Tremblay's Horror Movie is an unsettling and engrossing novel that explores the eerie and often terrifying world of a cursed film. Tremblay, known for his psychological horror, delivers a masterful narrative that blurs the lines between reality and fiction, creating a story that is as compelling as it is disturbing.

The novel begins in June 1993 when a group of young guerilla filmmakers spent four weeks creating Horror Movie, an art-house horror flick that quickly gained notoriety despite only three scenes ever being released. The film developed a cult following, and now, three decades later, Hollywood is planning a big-budget reboot. The unnamed protagonist, who played "The Thin Kid" in the original film, is the only surviving cast member and remembers all too well the bizarre and dangerous events that took place during the original production. As he revisits the past, his memories and the boundaries between reality and film start to blur. His journey through the production of the reboot and the haunting memories of the original film are both captivating and deeply disturbing.

Tremblay's writing is concise yet richly descriptive, creating a creeping sense of dread that permeates the entire novel. The narrative switches between the past and present, interweaving fragments of the original screenplay with the current production process, adding layers of complexity to the story. This structure effectively builds tension and keeps readers on edge. The themes of obsession, memory, and the impact of art on reality are explored with depth and nuance, making the story not only a horror novel but also a commentary on the power of film and the psychological toll it can take on its creators.

Horror Movie is a haunting and immersive read that will appeal to fans of psychological horror and the "cursed film" genre. Tremblay's ability to craft a story that is both deeply unsettling and thought-provoking makes this novel a standout in contemporary horror literature. The chilling atmosphere, combined with the intricate narrative structure, ensures that Horror Movie will linger in readers' minds long after they turn the final page.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

I wanted to enjoy this book since I am a big fan of Paul Tremblay’s prior work. However I just couldn’t get into it as much as I wanted to. I felt like the first section of the book was a bit dry and slow

I loved this book! Paul Tremblay has always been a fantastic story teller and this book finds him in top form! It kind of has a staccato rhythm, bouncing back and forth between the present and the early 90s. Books that are structured that way have always appealed to me, but this one has an added facet in that large parts of it are told in screenplay form. The tension and sense of foreboding build from the first pages and even though I dreaded what I suspected was coming, I couldn't stop reading! I've been telling people in the library where I work to not miss this book when it comes in, it's one of the must reads for the Summer. I can't wait until the physical copy arrives, I love the way it's packaged, both the cover and the red lining on the pages, fantastic design!!

An intriguing and effective story about the independent film industry, Paul Tremblay’s Horror Movie was an unsettling read. From someone who has been on many micro-budget and small films where things definitely went wrong, I couldn’t help but go back to those times in my head. He captured those feelings wonderfully. At first, I thought, this isn’t going to be so bad. This should be a pretty straightforward … nope. Alternating between the original film’s production timeline in the ‘90s, current day, and the original film’s script, the tension ramped up quickly.

One fear readers may have when diving into a specific world is they may not be able to relate because it’s not their normal world. Horror Movie has plenty of universal humanity to it that if you swapped out the filmmaking for another art form, I bet it’d be equally effective.

Sure, there have been other lost-footage stories, but Tremblay uses his style to great effect here. There are some great twists I’ve never read before, too. Most importantly? The characters were compelling, especially the Thin Man, the sole survivor of the original shoot who’s come back for the reboot.

There are some cool easter eggs, too, especially if you dig and enjoy indie horror and a certain found-footage film. Is there also some riffing on an author having their book adapted to the screen? Maybe. I still have not watched the screen version of Tremblay’s brilliant, The Cabin At The End of the World because the book was so frightening to me that I’m just plain not ready to go through that again.

Horror Movie got under my skin in an entirely different way. It’s hard reviewing this without giving too much away, of course. I’ll just leave it as I loved it. Another terrific, haunting book from Tremblay.

Now that was WEIRD! What did I just read?!

Horror Movie is the first book I've read by Paul Tremblay, and it definitely won't be my last! It's books like these that have brought back my long-ago love of horror novels, never mind that you can't get me to watch horror films. So it's interesting that I was sucked into this story of a "cursed" film. It took me a while to get into its rhythm, but then it grabbed me with its teeth and wouldn't let go.

A group of young filmmakers in June 1993 spent four weeks making the movie "Horror Movie". Only three of the scenes were ever released to the public, yet 30 years later the movie has a cult-like following. Hollywood is now gung-ho to produce a big budget reboot. The only surviving cast member, the man who played the " Thin Kid", has memories of the bizarre making of the film that resulted in a terrible tragedy. But he is determined to be involved in the reboot, and the demons of the past be damned.

You know what the first odd thought that came into my head when I finished this book was? That we were never told what the Thin Kid's real name was. Well, other than Weird Guy. But it actually felt right when I pondered my experience with the book. It did take me a while to catch on to the plot due to the writing style. At times we were involved in the making of the original 1993 film, and other times the current reboot. Inserted into each chapter were snippets of pages from the screenwriter. The story is seen through the eyes of the Thin Kid. Things seemed pretty straightforward at first. A cult film was being rebooted, and the only surviving cast member was invited to participate. Ok, cool. When we visited 1993, we got to know director Valentina, screenwriter Cleo, cast member Karson and director of photography/cameraman Dan. They were all great characters, but Cleo was the most compelling. And of course we had the Thin Kid, who came across as geeky and awkward during both time periods. The filming seemed normal at first, then became...odd. Something was off with this whole thing, but what? I don't want to give away any secrets, but I will describe the feelings it caused in me: curiosity, confusion, uncomfortableness, trepidation, nervousness, fear and horror. My mouth hung open, trying to take it all in. I was stunned and terrified of secrets revealed. Cleo's fate will haunt me for a long, long time. I'll never forget Karson's recitation of the poem "The Crocodile" by Lewis Carroll. (It was used brilliantly here.) Do any of us know a Thin Kid? You've got to dive into this...disturbing...story. It's unforgettable. Paul Tremblay is now a must-read author to me. I've got his other books on my TBR file; I look forward to being terrified again soon!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This is my least favorite book by Paul Tremblay so far. I've enjoyed his previous novels, and I expect a dark, twisty ride. This one was a bit too slow burning for me. I found the characters hard to connect with, so that made things difficult for me as well.
I did think it was an outstanding horror novel, and the overwhelming feeling of dread really drives that home. The reader is left with Manny unanswered questions and a sense of the depth of human depravity.
Thanks to Net Galley for the book to review.

I’m not a huge fan of horror, but I was intrigued by the “cursed film” theme, flashing back and forth between the making of a horror film in 1994 and its reboot in the present day, both told through the perspective of the only surviving member of the original production.

It wasn’t what I was expecting. Not scary. But deeply, deeply disturbing. And I couldn’t tear my eyes away. If it wasn’t for my stupid job and life responsibilities, I would have read it in one sitting.

I’m still not sure how I feel about it, but I’ve never read anything like it.

OK, wow, PHEW! Paul Tremblay does it once again in the latest, HORROR MOVIE. My mind is still reeling and I will be thinking about, processing, and recommending this book for years to come. Fans of cursed films/objects (think Poltergeist, and all the wild, real-life horrors and tragedies that occurred to those involved with the movie when I talk about a film being cursed), meta realness, unreliable narrators, and disturbing stories with a dose of anguished beauty will absolutely devour this one. There's also a layer of "Hollywood, you blood thirsty, money sucking waste of space, devoid of all creativity!" commentary here that I took in, and Tremblay is not wrong!

I love how I was not sure really what was going on (in terms of timeline) for a lot of the book. There are chapters delineated as THEN and NOW... but when and when? And then there are elements in each chapter of a screenplay (it makes sense, I promise!) but I just was not sure if this was a movie or a book in a movie in a movie or a movie inside a movie inside a book... like... what a WILD experience!

One of my favorite experiences reading this book is following along with our protagonist. Or is he the antagonist? BOTH? One way to find out! And a lot hinges on the concept of human monsters and how they are created, if they are created, and if movies/outside elements affect a person, make them a certain way, etc (which was also attempted to be claimed by Stu Macher and Billy Loomis in Scream 1995). I WAS HOOKED THE ENTIRE TIME!

Move over A Head Full of Ghosts and Cabin at the End of the World, HORROR MOVIE might now be my favorite Paul Tremblay creation to date!

I don't like ambiguous endings so I wasn't crazy about the Tremblay I read before, but I keep hearing he's great and I love horror. THIS BOOK IS IT. I was so unsettled, it was like there was something under my skin the whole time I was reading. I knew what was going to happen, but I didn't know what was going to happen.
This is a story about making a horror movie, but it's so much more. What are their motives? What is the story really about? I'm going to think about this for a while. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

Thank you Netgalley & William Morrow Publishing for an eARC 🔥

If you're looking for a book that'll keep you up all night, munching on popcorn and nervously glancing over your shoulder, then Paul Tremblay's Horror Movie is the perfect choice. This slow-burning tale of a cursed film production will have you sleeping with the lights on and wondering what's lurking in the shadows😵‍💫

At first, I was like, "What's going on here?" The story starts off slow, but don't worry, it's just building up the suspense. It's like the calm before the storm, you know? But trust me, stick with it. The story's got a weird, unsettling vibe that'll draw you in like a moth to a flame. It's like watching a train wreck - you don't want to look, but you can't help yourself.

Tremblay's writing is top-notch, building tension and dread with ease. He's like a master chef, expertly mixing together the ingredients of fear, uncertainty, and a dash of supernatural weirdness. The characters are cool, relatable, and well-developed, so you'll actually care about what happens to them (which makes it even scarier, let's be real).

The plot's got some serious twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat. It's like a rollercoaster ride of emotions, but in a good way. You'll be like, "Wait, what just happened?!" or "No, don't go in there!"

So, if you're in the mood for something creepy and unsettling, something that'll make you question your life choices, then give Horror Movie a try. Just don't say I didn't warn you... Read it with the lights on, and maybe have a comfort object nearby. You've been warned!💯

Thank you to NetGalley, author Paul Tremblay, and William Morrow for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Super spooky!! I haven't read a horror novel in a while, and this was a fun one. This was extremely fast paced, short, and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I love the flashbacks between filming the initial movie and the present in filming a reboot of the original. The inclusion of the screenplay adds a depth to the book that even more so makes the reader question the unreliable narrator. I definitely ended this still having some questions, but I overall had a fun time time with it. Definitely very creepy/gory/disturbing in some parts, so be sure to check triggers before reading.

Is this a 4? Is it a 2? Is it a 3.5? All I know is that it messed me up in a visceral way and in terms of rating I'm changing my mind every few seconds.

I devoured this book though because like the borderline torturous film being described in the book, I couldn't put it down even though I really didn't know why. By the conclusion I felt unwell and upset unsure if I loved this or hated it. It's hard to say much more without completely ruining the book, but this works on so many levels to analyze filmmaking (especially amateur filmmaking), trauma, method acting, horror fan culture, Hollywood myths, etc.

In terms of Tremblay, I see this as a blending of The Pallbearer's Club (which I couldn't bring myself to finish) and The Cabin at the End of the World (which I absolutely love); this book really is like their lovechild which explains my conflicting opinions! This is one I need to sit with for a bit and come back to and reread after engaging in some conversation about it.

My thanks to William Morrow for providing me with an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.