CineVibez Fanzine #15

Satanic Vibez Part II: Satanic Cultz

Welcome back to CineVibez Fanzine, where every movie has a vibe. You’re getting today’s ‘zine four six eight ten eleven twelve weeks later than intended. If these delays genuinely concern any of you - that’s adorable. To everyone else, you get what you pay for.

Today’s new releases go back to April and there’s a pretty big backlog, so you’re only getting short capsule reviews. After that is the moment you’ve all been waiting for - Part II of The CineVibez Fanzine Film Guide Series: Satanic Vibez. Part II inducts 25 of the weirdest, most obscure satanic cult movies into the CineVibez Canon.

By the way, the CineVibez Canon is something new. Zine #14 mentioned a CineVibez Stamp of Approval, which is my way of saying the movies I recommend share core values celebrated at CineVibez HQ (core values to be established later). A great idea in theory, but stamp-making is a highly technical craft I couldn’t crack. So, instead, we’re going to develop a new film canon. Subscribe below FOR FREE to see if my idea sticks.

Now, onto new releases!

New Releases

F1

The racing sequences were excellent and had me on the edge of my seat. Brad Pitt was as charming as ever. The supporting cast around him gazed into his eyes while daydreaming as anyone should. That's not my problem with this movie. The onslaught of advertisements in the F1-verse could be interpreted as a way to differentiate Pitt's character from the F1 world - so it's not even that.

My problem with this movie is that disgusting glossy shine new movies have. David Cronenberg was right about this new digital look being a choice. The Surfer (see below) shot on digital but looks lovely. I’m beginning to think filmmakers choose this gross shiny look. It’s a bad choice if I’m right. But don’t skip this one. It’s fun.

28 Years Later

Danny Boyle’s triumphant return to his British wasteland first revealed in 28 Days Later had me in tears. Yea its a zombie movie, but its also a beautiful film about the inevitability of death. Boyle told his cinematographer to avoid perfection and make the shots a little messy. The result is the most beautiful zombie movie I’ve seen. Highly recommended.

The Phoenician Scheme

The Wes Anderson Collection of Emotionally Detached Seniors

Whether it be excessive output, an easy to mimic aesthetic, disinterest in Asteroid City (a position I disagree with), or the $350 price-tag on the new Criterion boxed set, I’m feeling Wes Anderson fatigue. I still enjoy his films, but I’d like to see him start something new, totally from scratch. With that being said, The Phoenician Scheme is a fun movie. As someone actually diagnosed with OCD (unlike you posers on TikTok), I appreciate the way Anderson frames and plots his films. The introductions by order of appearance was especially pleasing.

Think The Life Aquatic mixed with Royal Tenenbaums - or more aptly Royal Tenenbaum goes on a Steve Zissou-like adventure. Zsa-Zsa Korda shares a lot of characteristics with those two. All three actors give off that tired, weary look so well. Go see The Phoenician Scheme, but wait to get a used copy of that new Criterion set.

Another Simple Favor

Next up, Another Simple Favor - the newest stop on Blake Lively’s attention seeking tour. I enjoyed A Simple Favor for what it was, but we didn’t need another … simple favor. And sure enough, this movie is a mess with nothing to say - much like the rest of Paul Feig’s filmography. Blake Lively’s presence doesn’t help this movie; in fact, she’s a distraction. Skip it.

Thunderbolts* (New Avengers)

still funny 21 years later

Another Marvel came out, meaning we get more journalists asking talented filmmakers if a Marvel is art. Scorsese likens them to theme parks. Villeneuve dismisses them as copy-pastes of older Marvels. The first “wave” of Marvels ripped off different, established genre films we already knew and loved - much like a Trojan horse. Guess what. You like heist movies, not Ant-Man. You like action-packed political thrillers, not Captain America. The Hulk? Just another creature-feature ya big dummy.

Thunderbolts is no different. This time, the rip-off du-jour is ‘Blumhouse trauma’ - a relatively new sub-genre popularized by Jason Blum’s production company. Gen Z loves that stuff. Blumhouse movies rely on supernatural threats or psychological terror as substitutes for more relatable traumatic experiences. For example,The Invisible Man is an allegory on gaslighting.

I’m not saying Blumhouse movies are subtle, but the team behind Thunderbolts must think audiences are really dumb. The villain’s name is the Void - he represents a literal void, as in the personification of feelings of emptiness and worthlessness. In the words of Ariana Grande, “Thank you, next.”

The Friend

In The Friend, Naomi Watts adopts an adorable Great Dane named Apollo when his original owner (played by Bill Murray) dies. The film’s conflict is unintentionally hilarious: Watts lives in a rent-controlled NYC apartment and she’s violating the terms of her lease. She’d be insane to give a rent-controlled apartment up, but this dog looks so damn cute when he’s depressed. We’ve got a real Sophie’s Choice: keep the dog or the rent-controlled apartment.

Apollo is a Good Boy

The Friend makes a mistake with the setting; it’s a social circle of pretentious writers. Not the most warm and fuzzy group for a movie about a cute dog, but you can’t win ‘em all. Watch it on a rainy afternoon.

Mission Impossible - Final Reckoning

Final Reckoning is three-hours of nonsensical exposition interspersed with mind-blowing stunts. Between the exposition and strained connections to the earlier movies, Tom Cruise jumps, dives, and flies his way around the world to stop AI from taking over Hollywood the world’s nuclear arsenal. Don’t ask me how, but this mess of a movie works pretty well.

The exposition borders on absurdity at times, but the cast delivers their dialogue in a nicely paced cadence. Plus - nobody beats Tramell Tillman’s line delivery - maybe the best performance in the movie. Anywho, stop reading this and go find the biggest screen in town -- preferably glorious IMAX with Dolby sound - to watch Hollywood’s last movie star risk his life for your entertainment.

The Surfer

Arkadian Cinema & Bar hosts a monthly movie night called Drinkolas Cage where the staff pairs a random Nicholas Cage movie with an equally random drinking game. Makes sense for the star of Vampire’s Kiss, but not necessarily the guy who did Pig. The Surfer, Cage’s newest Ozploitation psychological thriller, finds a nice balance between his two extremes. His performance reminds me of a bomb squad’s controlled explosion - a contained mess.

Cage portrays the Surfer as a man imprisoned by nostalgia. He divorced his wife, but still hopes to fix the relationship. No one directly says it, but it clearly pains the ex-wife and son to watch our titular surfer refuse to accept reality. I loved this movie - it was well shot (fish-eye lens fans rejoice!) and looked great, too. It’s a good example of an aesthetically pleasing shot-on-digital film.

Sinners

Next up is Sinners - a weird western directed by Ryan Coogler. Set in the 1930s in the Mississippi Delta, twin brothers, both played by Michael B. Jordan, come home after spending some time working with the Chicago mob. They use the money earned to purchase a barn they plan to retrofit into a bar/dance hall. Given the setting, you’d be right to think white people will stand in the way, but this villain’s skin is paler than usual. What follows is a genre-mashup tour-de-force, doing exactly what a genre film should do - respect past films and tropes while, at the same time, subverting audience expectations with new ideas moving the genre forward.

Sinners shares DNA with John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13 and The Thing, Robert Rodriguez’s The Faculty, Phillip Kaufman’s Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Quentin Tarantino’s entire filmography. You should definitely Sinners, my favorite 2025 release.

The Shrouds

David Cronenberg’s newest film borders on experimental, but it’s a fascinating watch nevertheless. Vincent Cassel plays a guy mourning his wife’s death by watching a video feed of her decaying body via an app he invented. Hmm.

Among other things, the film questions whether Cassel’s character is a devoted husband in mourning or just kinda kinky. I think the question is definitively answered in a very funny way. Its even more wild when you realize Cassel essentially plays an avatar for Cronenberg (who just lost his wife).

Cronenberg also spends time exploring the conspiracy theories we create to make our lives and the lives of loved ones more meaningful. In my side-gig as a personal injury defense lawyer, I see it all the time. This is a very unique study on one’s inability to accept the concept of death. I liked The Shrouds, but its certainly an acquired taste.

Fight or Flight

Here is your newest reminder that Josh Hartnett is a bright, shining star. This movie is a really fun action spectacle - think Smokin’ Aces on an airplane. Hartnett plays a blacklisted assassin who went off the grid after some personal issues. The cause of those issues reenters his life to request help bringing in a security asset. The only problem is a high bounty on the asset’s head brought all the world’s greatest assassins on the same plane. What ensues is a lot of action in the center aisle. Action fans will love it, especially the Hartnett performance. General audiences may find this movie annoying.

Exorcism & Possession Addendum:

Prince of Darkness - I initially categorized John Carpenter’s Prince of Darkness as a Satanic Cult movie, but those homeless folks didn’t have a choice. They were possessed by the green goo! I have no choice but to include Prince of Darkness as the 25th Exorcism & Possession film in the CineVibez Canon.

Satanic Cults

Now for the main event! Let’s welcome the following films into the CineVibez Canon. Movies about worshipers of Satan and practitioners of the occult go as far back as 1922 with movies like Haxan and Nosferatu. However, my focus is on the post 1960s free-love backlash and the subsequent hysteria in the 1980s-90s known as Satanic Panic. I also include some modern 21st Century films.

The Satanist (1968): In the 1960s, the counter-culture movement adopted satanism as its own, but that version is more like a kinky form of paganism. I think it adds a little mystique to swinging.

Here, new neighbors posing as intellectuals show a straight-laced couple a devilishly good time. It leads to a horny black mass with straight-laced wife on the altar. The cult forces the husband to watch as each member “inducts” the wife into the club. The only dialogue is husband’s narration, which gives the movie a National Geographic feel to it. Stay for the twist ending.

The Devil Rides Out (1968): This Hammer film takes a more classical approach to satanism. Here, we’ve got a clear-cut battle between good and evil that plays out really well. This movie has it all - satanic circles, cult leaders, sacrifices, and a man-goat (who might be Satan himself). The surprising twist? Christopher Lee plays the good guy!

I Drink Your Blood (1970): Starring the late, great Bhaskar, a man known more for folk Indian dancing than acting. In fact, his only credit is I Drink Your Blood. The film opens in a small town with the arrival of a group of hippie cosplaying as a satanic cult. The locals get a little nervous about the new guests. A tubby little boy notices the town’s anxiety, so he devises a plan to drive the cult out of town by adding a new ingredient to his mom’s famous meat pies. I’ll stop there.

The Brotherhood of Satan (1970): This movie can get confusing at times, but it concerns a small California town run by a group of elderly satanists. They kidnap children after murdering their parents to transfer their souls into younger, healthier bodies. It reflects the society’s growing fear of satanism post Charles Manson.

Werewolves on Wheels (1971): A wild battle between a satanic cult and biker gang eventually turns into a creature feature. This is what the film going experience is all about.

The Devils (1971): This Ken Russell film starring Vanessa Redgrave and Oliver Reed. Redgrave’s performance is astounding. She plays a nun who becomes obsessed with Reed’s priest who is accused of practicing satanism. This film is a phenomenal masterpiece that honestly might be too good for the CineVibez Canon. It’s going in anyway.

All the Colors of the Dark (1972): A stylish satanic cult nightmare turned into reality directed by Sergio Martino, a favorite at CineVibez HQ. Edwige Fenech demands your attention when she graces the screen, and her performance in All the Colors of the Dark is no exception. In fact, I’d argue this film is her greatest work.

Enter the Devil (1972): Overtly racist and xenophobic, but I think the cast and crew felt like they’re being progressive. That adds some comedy to this dull weird western about an investigation into a Mexican satanic cult.

Necromancy (1972): This film is about a town run by Satanic cult led by Orson Welles, but all you need to know is that it includes lines like this one: “Hey do you know what I found in this doll’s pocket? Fingernail clippings. Isn’t that strange to put fingernail clippings in doll’s pocket?” Twin Peaks Sheriff Harry S. Truman is in the cast!

Legacy of Satan (1974): This film directed by the guy who made Deep Throat mostly consists of a bunch of horny little freaks get off on sucking each other’s blood. The best part of the movie is its 70 minute running time, but it includes a lot of fun, crazy sequences including a great opening black mass and plot defying monster appearance. The synth score isn’t bad either.

Satan’s Children (1975) - Bobby doesn’t like his living situation. His dad’s always on his back and his stepsister keeps picking on him. This leads Bobby to a diner full of sexual predators. One tricks him into going home with him, but he’s eventually saved and brought in by a local satanic cult. This is one of the weirdest fucking movies you’ll ever see. I own it on blu-ray.

Satan’s Cheerleaders (1977): A really fun movie about high-school janitor who kidnaps the school’s cheerleaders to perform a virgin sacrifice. Turns out, he got a little more than he bargained for.

Satan’s Blood (1978): This satanic cult movies shares a lot of DNA with the Danish horror film, Speak No Evil. Sometimes, its okay to be rude.

Alison’s Birthday (1981): This Ozploitation classic depicts the day’s leading up to the titular Alison’s 19th birthday. Alison’s friends and family act weird, almost like they’re keeping secrets from her. Eventually, they’re revealed to be a satanic cult planning a ritual on Alison’s birthday to swap souls with a demonic entity. One cult member looks like an adorable koala bear.

Trick or Treat (1986): You could almost consider this a prequel to Longlegs. It’s about a loner kid in high-school who hears hidden messages by playing vinyl from his favorite deceased rock star backward. While its not overtly about satanic cults, its a direct response to the insanity of Satanic Panic.

Through the Fire (1988): One of the neon nightmares homaged in MaXXXine. This one concerns a desperate woman who seeks help from a cop to find her missing sister. The only clue is a medallion used by Satanic Cults.

The Burbs (1989): Joe Dante’s action comedy stars Tom Hanks as a guy who’s got it all - a nice house in the suburbs, a lovely wife and kids, and friendly neighbors. All that success frees up our family man to spy on his neighbors and think of wild conspiracy theories about a new, mysterious neighbor - is he misunderstood or a satanist? Great performances by Rick Ducommun and Bruce Dern.

The Ninth Gate (1999): Roman Polanski’s satanic cult film that re-imagines satanic cult members as avid book collectors. It’s unintentionally funny.

End of Days (1999): Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as a man who lost his faith in God as he battles a satanic cult dead-set on resurrecting Satan at the turn of the millennium. It’s not a great movie, but there are some wild action sequences. Arnold’s acting is fun, as always.

The Babysitter (2016): Fuck Netflix, but this is a pretty fun teen comedy/horror mashup starring the always lovely Samara Weaving. This movie gives off strong Almost Famous vibes. Weaving’s babysitter drugs the kid she’s watching so she can conduct her black mass in peace. Unfortunately, the kid spit out his drink and saw the whole thing.

Drive Angry (2011): A confusing, undecipherable mess about a man who escapes the pits of Hell to get revenge on the satanic cult leader who sent him there. There’s a scene where Nicholas Cage has a mid-coitus shootout with a gang of cult members.

Satanic Panic (2019): In this dark comedy, a satanic cult lucks out when they order pizza for their upcoming black mass. Turns out the pizza delivery girl is a virgin, which is exactly what this cult needs.

MaXXXine (2023): The conclusion to Ti West’s X trilogy is a neon nightmare homaging (or spoofing) 1980s erotic thrillers like Angel or anything by DePalma, our most treasured and horniest student of Hitchcock. While this movie isn’t overtly satanic, it plays off the hysteria created by Satanic Panic. For that reason, it makes the cut.

Longlegs (2024): Longlegs plays out more like a 90’s Fincher movie, although it includes a psychic connection horror trope you’d often see in the 1970s and 80s. In the movie, Longlegs made his own little satanic cult of members who help him bring Satan into the homes of unsuspecting victims.

28 Years Later (2025): Adding 28 Years Later: Part I to satanic cult vibez is a bold choice, but I don’t see much of a difference between a satanic cult and a group of guys dressed as Jimmy Saville wearing upside down crosses. Can’t wait for Nia DeCosta’s sequel.

Conclusion

This one took a while, so I appreciate your patience. Up next, CineVibez Fanzine #16 continues Satanic Vibez with Part III: Satan’s Minions. We’ll cover vampires, witches, Succubi, and Warlocks, among other supernatural followers of the devil.

On August 15, you can find me on The Oscar Project, a podcast about Oscar-nominated films by Jonathan Ytreberg. We discuss Cecil B. Demille’s Dynamite from 1929 - it was a good movie and a great conversation. I hope you guys listen.

Satanic Vibez closes out with Faustian Bargains in #17. After that, we start a new Vibe! I’m still thinking Ozploitation, but Hong Kong is right around the corner.

I’ll keep trying to get a consistent publishing schedule but the side-gig gets overwhelming at times. Although - if you think about it - money might motivate me to publish more often. I’m too inconsistent to charge you a monthly fee, so I’ll just leave this QR code here and you can do what you want with it:

International Bank of CineVibezHQ

Until next time, Happy Watching and have a great 4th of July.