Once Upon a Time in a Horror Movie (2026)

-Written by Kyle Bain. 

2026 SCREAMFEST HORROR FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!

Not every horror movie that’s ever been released has landed. Not every one has developed a following that has stood the test of time. Some of them, however, have helped to develop Hollywood and continue to have a great effect on the modern world. Films such as Friday the 13th, Halloween, and Nightmare on Elm Street are some of those properties. Once Upon a Time in a Horror Movie pays homage to those films, consisting of a series of common horror tropes and a seemingly never-ending queue of quotes.

When a group of friends travels to an interactive haunted exhibit, they quickly realize that their participation is tantamount to the production. While all is meant to be an elaborate act, Once Upon a Time in a Horror Movie sees this cast of characters suffering at the hands of someone unwilling to play by the rules. 

Once Upon a Time in a Horror Movie is campy, full of been-there-done-that archetypes, and it lacks a certain emotional gusto that many viewers would hope for in a film. All of this is done intentionally, and Writer-Director Ashley Cahill is successful in his attempt to immerse viewers in a world that is interestingly two-dimensional, while still paying appropriate homage to the horror films of the past. I feel that campy films that are intentionally bad don’t get the recognition that they deserve; people simply don’t understand how challenging it can be to create something intentionally divisive, while managing to still be entertaining. Once Upon a Time in a Horror Movie is the perfect example of how a strong writer and director can craft something asinine—while implementing a level of energy that transcends the production and reaches viewers. 

Once Upon a Time in a Horror Movie blends rural and quasi-industrial sets that come together to create something that extends far beyond its ability in terms of resonance. It can sometimes be that remaining present on a certain set, or in a specific location, for too long can hinder a film’s ability to reach its audience. When a film becomes stagnant and stuck in one place, its ability to create an array of tones can be challenged, hindering the film’s ability to truly resonate with viewers. Once Upon a Time in a Horror Movie transitions between sets, impressively immersive ones, that keep viewers on edge while altering expectations throughout—also keeping viewers on their toes. By expanding the film’s reach, it extends its ability to terrorize viewers. 

When watching Once Upon a Time in a Horror Movie, you’re not hoping for the next great horror flick, but rather a film that is evidently self-aware, whose identity is to use what came before to propel it forward, and remains accessible throughout. Once Upon a Time in a Horror Movie is brilliantly, each of these things blended together to create something that is humorously fun and enjoyable. 

Written & Directed by Ashley Cahill. 

Starring Neeley Dayan, Shane Graham, Mabel Thomas, Julia Clarke, Allison Gold, etc. 

7/10 = WATCH IT FOR FREE