Succubus is a 2024 horror film about a new father struggling with fatigue, emotional insecurities, and a failing marriage who joins a dating app, only to swipe right on what may be an inhuman presence.
The movie was written, directed and co-produced by R.J. Daniel Hanna (Hard Miles; Miss Virginia). It was produced by Sydney Aucreman, Braden R. Duemmler, Anna Elizabeth James, Ari Novak and Todd Slater. Executive produced by Jennifer Ambrose, Tyler Gould, Matthew Helderman, Scott Martin, Brian Scofield, Jack Sheehan, Michael Thomas Slifkin and Luke Taylor.
The co-production stars Brendan Bradley, Olivia Grace Applegate, Rachel Cook, Emily Kincaid, Derek Smith, Ron Perlman, Rosanna Arquette, Elliott Henderson, Nnamdi Kanaga, Ben Youcef, Darren Kelley and Rob Story.
Plot:
Coached by his over-sexed friend Eddie, Chris, an emotional new father, joins the StarCrossed dating app “just to see what’s out there,” and soon concludes he should probably rekindle things with his estranged wife.
However, when he matches with Adra, a seductive young woman with a mysterious past, his curiosity gets the better of him, and he finds himself getting sucked into her world even as his own life falls apart. As Chris, Eddie, and Adra’s stalker, Doctor Zephyr circle her, Adra’s power grows, finally revealing her harrowing true nature…
Writer-director R.J. Daniel Hanna has commented: “Succubus is a first-and-foremost a wild and brazen mystery-horror film about the most terrifying series of events that could ever befall a guy who let his nether regions do the thinking for him. But beyond the body horror, which is ample, it also comments on the very real vampire that’s sucking us all dry — our screens. As our hero is drawn by an online siren into her dark yet enticing world, he’s forced to face all he’s left behind, his whole real, meaningful life beyond the glowing rectangle he keeps in his pocket, and try to find a way back to it.”
Reviews:
“Succubus starts strong with a unique and clever take on the horror genre, offering effective early scares and a fresh approach that makes it worth watching. However, the film struggles to maintain its initial brilliance as it reaches its climax, with the design of the succubus not being as terrifying as some might hope and the story losing its way towards the end. Despite these shortcomings, Succubus still delivers a seductive and entertaining journey into darkness…” CineDump
“Many genre films refuse to deal with sexual moments other than in parody or from a distance. Succubusshows sexuality with the subtle leather peeling away to reveal lace. Just enough so you know what is happening without it turning to more extreme moments, pivotal to a story of this nature. It is necessary to the plot and is tastefully handled while still being titillating.” 7/10 Film Threat
“Even though she often sounds like an AI, Rachel Cook makes an appropriately sinister (and demonic) femme fatale. Succubus marks a radical departure from Hanna’s previous feature, the uplifting school voucher drama, Miss Virginia, but he skillfully builds tension from the Spartan setting. It is one of the more successful horror films with significant computer screen time since Rob Savage’s Host.” J.B. Spins
“If you judge the beginning, the middle, and the end of the film, they’re good but what this combination brings onscreen is a complete disaster. By the end of the movie, I was laughing and thinking about why I watched this film in the first place. After the answers to all the questions are provided, they don’t make any sense and the concept seems bizarre.” 4/10 Midgard Times
“Succubus sometimes treads into predictable territory, particularly as the climax nears. Introducing a few unexpected plot twists could have enhanced the film’s impact, steering it away from typical genre traps and enriching its fresh perspective. Nevertheless, its reflective use of horror to echo real-world anxieties leaves a lasting impression that transcends traditional scares.” ★★★½ Overly Honest Reviews
“With Succubus, writer and director R.J. Daniel Hanna has given us the kind of horror film which is not about giving audiences a jump scare every five minutes, but instead to deliver a WTF cinematic experience which, whether or not you think it rivals the average Ari Aster flick, will leave you deeply unnerved. This was especially the case when I saw the horrified expression on a certain character’s face at the end. Just when you think the terror is over, it isn’t.” ★★★½ The Ultimate Rabbit
Trailer:
Ron Perlman interview:
Release date:
Succubus was released on DVD and VOD by Shout! Studios on September 24, 2024.
Shout! Studios’ Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Originals, Jordan Fields enthused: “My favourite horror thrillers are ones that have something to say about human beings, and in Succubus, Daniel has crafted a chilling metaphor for the clutch that screens have on us. This will disturb and resonate, like the best of the genre.”
Cast and characters:
Brendan Bradley … Chris, Olivia Grace Applegate … Sharon, Rachel Cook … Adra, Emily Kincaid … Charlisse, Derek Smith … Eddie, Ron Perlman … Doctor Orion Zephyr, Rosanna Arquette … Denise, Elliott Henderson … Baby Mikey, Nnamdi Kanaga … Goat Herder, Ben Youcef … Filming Villager, Darren Kelley … First Responder, Rob Story … Paramedic.
Country of origin:
United States
Technical specs:
1 hour 43 minutes
