The 2025 Flickering Myth Horror Awards

      EJ Moreno and Flickering Myth celebrate the year in horror...

      Welcome to the third Flickering Myth Horror Awards, a platform dedicated to showcasing the finest in our cherished spooky genre. From popular horror hits to esteemed films, this past year marked a significant moment for horror, pushing further into the mainstream while still embracing its independent roots. With another robust year in the books, it’s safe to say horror is thriving more than it has in decades. Our Flickering Myth Horror Awards will feature traditional categories like Best Picture, Actress, and Actor, as well as unique awards such as Unexpected Horror Hit and Best International Horror.

      To start, let’s announce the second inductee into the Flickering Myth Horror Hall of Fame…

      HORROR HALL OF FAME

      Guillermo del Toro

      Being able to finally realize your long-awaited dream project is a moment every filmmaker craves, and this year, horror maestro Guillermo del Toro fulfilled that dream with his adaptation of Frankenstein. While consistently drawing from Mary Shelley’s classic horror story, we’ve never witnessed the esteemed Mexican filmmaker delve so deeply into the narratives of the creature and its creator. It seems the wait paid off, showcasing a scale and vision only a seasoned director can imagine. It’s like witnessing a true visionary at work.

      Not only did Guillermo del Toro create a personal triumph with Frankenstein, but he also gifted actor Jacob Elordi with his best role yet and allowed the production team to explore his audacious vision of Catholic gothic imagery. This was not merely a filmmaker living out his cinematic dreams, but a passionate father of film guiding everyone to an almost flawless finish.

      UNEXPECTED HORROR HIT

      Weapons

      After Weapons, Zach Cregger's work can no longer be placed in an unexpected category. He has now proven himself twice as someone who excels at evoking genuine scares within a wild universe. With Barbarian, I wasn’t entirely convinced by Cregger’s approach. While it wasn't completely undeveloped, I noted areas for growth. Then came Weapons, and he proclaimed, “I’ve improved” with undeniable confidence. This second foray into horror showcased enhanced world-building, a compelling mystery, and one of the best characters of the year, Aunt Gladys.

      The film's success is worth noting; Weapons grossed $269 million on a $38 million budget, making it one of the year’s top box-office hits. It also garnered attention during awards season, with multiple nominations for Amy Madigan’s performance and some recognition for Cregger’s screenplay.

      BEST INTERNATIONAL HORROR

      The Ugly Stepsister

      The Midnight section at the Sundance Film Festival is often a treasure trove for exciting horror films. This year, The Ugly Stepsister emerged as a personal favorite of mine for 2025. While the modern trend of “horror retellings” of classic family stories can be tiresome—think Winnie the Pooh or Steamboat Willie—the story of Cinderella offers ample horror elements, allowing The Ugly Stepsister to feel inspired as it forges its own path. “Carve” is indeed the perfect term, as the film quickly escalates to grotesque levels.

      With nominations for its special effects makeup and strong critical acclaim, it’s gratifying to see such an unconventional film gain its moment in the spotlight. The Ugly Stepsister could have easily been overshadowed in a year brimming with horror offerings, but it remained true to its essence and found a community within the genre. It’s quite a lovely fairytale ending.

      BEST HORROR DIRECTOR

      Ryan Coogler – Sinners

      If you had told me at the start of Ryan Coogler’s career that he would create a vampire film, I would have been astonished. Horror didn't seem to fit his artistic identity, but I was proven wrong. Everything about Sinners manifests the work of a filmmaker who knows and loves horror; from insane vampire kills to the intense, fear-inducing tension, Coogler shows his adeptness in the genre. Moreover, this film features one of Michael B. Jordan's finest performances, which is surprising considering their previous collaborations.

      My main concern now is that Coogler may not return to horror, similar to how Steven Spielberg created a classic like Jaws and never fully reentered the genre. This isn’t to say Coogler must solely focus on horror from here on out, but it would be a pity to let his remarkable talents for creating scares go unutilized. Sinners resonates with the message, “you have more to offer.”

      BEST SUPPORTING HORROR ACTOR

      Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein

      The tall, broodingly handsome actor from Euphoria shouldn’t excel in portraying one of pop culture’s most iconic monsters, yet it seems 2025 is about defying expectations. Jacob Elordi took on the role of the creature in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and delivered one of the most assured performances of the year. This performance didn’t appear as a young actor experimenting in artsy roles but