As film fans, especially if you’re a faithful reader of this site, you’re probably someone that loves watching indie films, as well as revisiting the classics. That means that in the age of streaming, finding a service to cater to your needs can be pretty difficult. Folks like us had FilmStruck, but that service eventually died. We’re about to have the launch of The Criterion Channel, which is probably going to satisfy the wants and needs of many cinephiles. However, what about film fans that want something a bit more genre-focused? Or those films that aren’t quite Criterion-level but also not mainstream, either? Well, I’d like to make the case for a streaming service that many film fans might not consider, but could be what you’re looking for – Shudder.
(Note: This is not a paid advertisement. The folks at Shudder didn’t even reach out to me and ask me to write about the service. This is purely my thoughts on where folks, such as myself, with unique tastes might be able to find what they’re looking for in the chaos that is the Streaming Wars.)
There seems to be a new streaming service popping up almost monthly, at this point. Each studio and distributor wants in on the streaming game and everyone is trying to compete with Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. So, it really does take something unique to stand out and separate itself from all those other streamers that are trying to carve out their piece of the pie. For fans of horror, thrillers, cult films, and indies, I feel like Shudder is a service that should be required spending.
This point was driven home, as I was glancing over the new content hitting Shudder in April. First, there is the release of “Lizzie,” starring Chloe Sevigny and Kristen Stewart, which went through the festival circuit and had a limited run in theaters, but was likely missed by many film fans. Now, the film debuts on Shudder, which is the only streaming service to carry it. (And believe me, Shudder has a laundry list of really great exclusive films like last year’s “Mandy” and “Revenge,” to name a couple.)
After noticing “Lizzie,” I was glancing down through the list of films coming to the service over the course of the month and I noticed that the “Pusher” trilogy, from Nicolas Winding Refn, is hitting the service at the end of April. As is apparent every time we post about the filmmaker, Refn is someone that fans of this website hold in high regard, and many of those folks have probably not even seen the “Pusher” films. Again, Shudder is the streaming service that will have all three.
Obviously, if you’re a fan of the horror genre, even slightly, Shudder is a no-brainer. But for those that still aren’t convinced, April also brings the debut of “The Haunted,” a 1991 made-for-TV film about Ed and Lorraine Warren, based on their novel. The Golden Globe-nominated film has never been released on DVD or Blu-ray and features an early look at a story featuring the couple that would go on to inspire “The Conjuring” franchise.
Is every film on Shudder a winner? Not even close. In fact, there are tons and tons of low-budget, terrible horror films on the service. But hey, there’s even an audience for those out there, too.
Basically, in a world where everybody is asking for your streaming dollars, don’t just waste your time scrolling through Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon, trying to find a hidden gem. How about supporting the little guys like The Criterion Channel and, of course, Shudder?