While we can always hope for the fun of an Abominable, Syfy’s track record when it comes to its original films is still pretty dismal. But the channel will have yet another in its endless list of opportunities to rectify that in the next month, when it kicks off its annual “31 Days Of Horror” programming block that dominates the month of October every year. Dread Central reports that, in addition to new episodes of the reality series Ghost Hunters and Paranormal Witness, Syfy will air four all-new horror films on Saturday nights. And yes, you can go ahead and call bullshit on the channel for not doing five original movies—what, Saturday the 31st, the actual Halloween night, doesn’t count, Syfy? We’re disappointed. Still, let’s take a look.
Night of the Wild (New original movie, Saturday, October 3, at 9 p.m.)—When a large meteor crashes into a quiet town, pet dogs become mysteriously aggressive, attacking and killing the residents. Night of the Wild stars Rob Morrow (“Northern Exposure”), Kelly Rutherford (“Gossip Girl”), and Tristin Mays (“The Vampire Diaries”).
So, sort of a cross between Cujo and Night Of The Lepus, then? Thank God the only thing a “large meteor” affects when it crashes into a small town is the dogs. This could’ve been much worse.
Ominous (New original movie, Saturday, October 10, at 9PM)—Michael and Rachel are devastated when their six-year-old son dies in a tragic accident. When a stranger offers to bring the boy back to life, they take the offer. However, the child who returns is not the child they once knew. Ominous stars Barry Watson (“Masters of Sex,” “7th Heaven”) and Esme Bianco (“Game of Thrones,” “The Magicians”).
Stephen King might want to explore his legal options.
They Found Hell (New original movie, Saturday, October 17, at 9 p.m.)—When a group of gifted college students run a secret teleportation experiment, they accidentally open a portal to another dimension, trapping them in Hell. One by one they are hunted, tortured, and killed by the denizens of Hell who are bent on stealing their souls. They Found Hell stars Chris Schellenger (Hacker’s Game), Katy Reece (When the Pile Is Crooked), and Austin Scott (Prep School).
Okay, this one combines a few different tried-and-true concepts for a horror movie mashup, so we’ll give it that. Plus, getting trapped in hell conjures pleasant memories of Bill And Ted’s Bogus Journey. We’re rooting for you, They Found Hell.
The Hollow (New original movie, Saturday, October 24, at 9 p.m.)—On Halloween three troubled sisters attempt to find tranquility by moving in with their aunt, but instead face a mysterious creature that threatens to kill everyone on their secluded island town. The Hollow stars Stephanie Hunt (“Californication”), Alisha Newton (Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters), and Sarah Dugdale (Sorority Murders).
Secluded town? Troubled sisters? Mysterious creature? While these are all phrases that would nicely fill out a game of “build-a-horror-movie” mad libs, this description also mentions that it takes place on Halloween, which really drives home the question of why it’s not airing on Halloween. Someone seems to have forgotten to imagine greater.
Syfy will also be airing other horror and horror-related movie fare, both good and bad, including Blade II; Underworld; The Fog; Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning; The Cabin In The Woods; The Omen (the crappy 2006 one); The Last Exorcism; Fright Night (the also awesome 2011 version); Hostel; and Silent Hill: Revelation. Of course, if you’re like us, you’ll be spending most of the month watching Shudder, but it’s still nice to know Syfy is trying.