All through October, I’ll be posting reviews of the best of the best films in the horror genre released since October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. As an added bonus, I’ll be adding a secondary review that may be somewhat related to the main review or slightly missed the countdown by inches. Follow along the countdown every day in October. Feel free to agree, disagree, or better yet, give me your own picks for your favorite horror movies of the year. Happy Halloween!

22. THE DEVIL AND THE DAYLONG BROTHERS (2025)

Released on January 31, 2025, and streaming on Tubi from Quiver Distribution!
Directed by Brandon McCormick.
Written by Brandon McCormick, Nicholas Kirk.
Check out the trailer here!!

A trio of brothers Ishmael (Brendan Bradley), Enoch (Nican Robinson), and Abraham (Jordon Bolden), work for the devil’s henchman Clarence (Mark Ashworth) to track down souls that have escaped hell in hopes to earn enough credit to find their father Nehemiah (David Carradine) who sold their souls to the devil long ago in this Southern Gothic Musical Horror film.

A Southern Gothic Musical Horror film? I’ve never put that sentence together before and because of that is the first reason I recommend this unique film but it’s not the only one. One of the things I look for in a horror movie is something I haven’t seen before, and THE DEVIL & THE DAYLONG BROTHERS truly is a unique one.

Now, I know there are those who hate musicals and I respect that, soulless heathens that you are. But as long as the music is good and meshes will with the story, I have been known to tap a toe and shed a tear at musicals. Well, this film will make you stomp your feet and holler aloud, because that’s what happened to me. The songs were surprisingly catchy and well done, given the smaller size and scope of the film. And they function like good musical numbers should, they highlight the inner monologues and share themes of the story. No, this isn’t like JOKER which has people burst into a trendy song that sometimes has something to do with the situation or sometimes is just a song that the singer likes. I don’t know where Brandon McCormick and Nicholas Kirk comes from, but I guarantee they are theater folk as this film feels like an expansive stage play come to life. Everyone knows about how Southerners like to sell their soul to the devil at the crossroads and I’ve actually seen some films, with music, that actually attempt to tell that story (like the under-seen classic CROSSROADS and of course, TENACIOUS D’S PICK OF DESTINY) but never has it played out as grungy and electrifying as it does with THE DEVIL AND THE DAYLONG BROTHERS.

It helps that the cast can sing like the dickens. All three of the leads, the titular Daylong Brothers, sing their hearts out as they go on this blood-soaked adventure to reclaim their souls. Each get their chance to express their inner souls with at least one song, making each of them unique and memorable. The trio also have distinct looks, wearing clothing that feels worn and individual. These filmmakers and actors have clearly put a lot of time into developing these characters and that work again, makes this a film like few others.

On top of the brothers, sometimes even, is Frankie played by Margaret Qualley’s sister Rainey. She plays a seductress and seeker of her own redemption and sports one hell of a voice. While the Brothers take center stage the entire film, Qualley does her best to steal every scene she is in with her scandalous beauty, devilish charm, and powerful singing voice.

And damn, David Carradine’s role is small, but does he get a scene that is some of the more powerful and soulful performances I’ve seen from the actor, since…well…ever.

As I said before, this film feels like an adapted stage play, which is fun, but if I have to criticize this one a bit, I’d say that more often than not, the actors playing the Daylong Brothers are playing for the cheap seats. They are supposed to be rambunctious brothers who get into scuffles and then forget about it five minutes later, but man are they a hyper trio, constantly threatening each other, getting into each other’s faces, and stomping around in anger. I get it. These guys have theatrical training and need to project themselves all the way to the back of the theater, but subtle, is not how I would describe these guys’ acting style.

But that’s what makes this film so highly explosive. The Brothers are constantly on the run from Demons, Devils, and their own pasts. The bullets fly furiously, and I love the way the filmmakers animate the bullets so we can see them streaming past the Brothers like mad fireflies. There is a pure creative energy pulsing through each and every scene. Seeing these filmmakers make such a vivid movie has made me a life-long fan and I can’t wait to see what they have planned next.

This is a movie that makes me nostalgic for the days of the music video, as THE DEVIL & THE DAYLONG BROTHERS plays like a series of videos from the same band that tell a distinct story. This is one hell of a suitable time. I’ve seen it twice and plan to share it with as many people as I can. It plays like a musical version of JUSTIFIED meets BRIMSTONE. Does anyone remember BRIMSTONE? Man, I loved that show. Gone too soon. That BRIMSTONE. Anyway, THE DEVIL & THE DAYLONG BROTHERS is just a unique gem of a film that exemplifies the creative potential of the horror medium. Crank up the volume and rock out to this mashup of Southern Fried gothic crime, soul selling horror, and tunes that will burrow into your brain.

Worth Noting: THE SEVERED SUN (2024)

Released on May 6, 2025, and available On Demand on Amazon Prime from Dark Sky Films!
Directed/Written by Dean Puckett.
Check out the trailer here!!

In a small religious community run by the charismatic Pastor (Toby Stephens), his daughter Magpie (Emma Appleton) murders her abusive husband and blames it on an accident. Though the Pastor accepts the cause of death, the rest of the community does not, labeling Magpie and her two sons as heretics. As the Pastor deals with a crisis of faith in his daughter, a darkness known as the Beast (James Swanton) lurks in the woods threatening to tear apart this tiny village.

THE SEVERED SUN is another look at the extreme paranoia that rose during the time of the witch trails. While things are set during that time where anyone acting out of order or not following one distinct path of worship are branded heretics, there are no specifics as to where or when this film occurs. This gives the film a sort of timeless feeling, though one would hope this would be far from present-day. Still, the lesson here is that a lot of things like ostracizing the other and going against convention are not something we only deal with today on social media.

THE SEVERED SUN tells a simple, yet haunting story of one woman pushed too far and despite her upbringing and despite the beliefs of her family, Magpie stands on her own and goes her own way. That’s not to say that her way is the right thing to do. She murders her husband in the opening moments, sleeps with whomever and I mean, whomever she wants, and seems to know the Beast in the woods on a first name basis. Have no doubt. Magpie is evil, but so are the people who make her an outcast and try to punish her. This is a very nihilistic vison where no one is without sin, so don’t look for any clear good versus evil fight.

Though the budget is pretty low on this witchy, folk horror-esque tale, THE SEVERED SUN makes up for it with wonderful scenes of the beautiful mountain and prairie landscape. It’s an interesting juxtaposition with these small disputes cast against this wide expanse of nature and might be saying something about how petty all of this rage and paranoia really is.

The performances are strong as well as the scenery. Emma Appleton steals every scene she is in. She packs a lot of power in such a solid frame and stands eye to eye against the imposing Toby Stephens as the Pastor. I last saw Stephens on Netflix’s LOST IN SPACE and the fantastic low-fi sci-fi THE MACHINE. Here he embodies a complex character in the Pastor, torn between the love of his rebellious daughter and the responsibility to serve his flock of worshippers and the word of God. Stephens definitely plays the character as pious but also adds a humanity that usually isn’t associated with this type of character.

THE SEVERED SUN is a story of creeping evil that slowly encompasses an entire village, exemplified with some very rudimentary slime effects and a nightmare-fueled full body costume worn by James Swanton as the Beast. I love the way no shadows appear around the Beast, and it stands like a living shadow in the woods. There have been quite a few witchy stories since THE VVITCH was released that centered around the persecution of women who think for themselves. This is another one to add to the list, but THE SEVERED SUN is a good one that’ll definitely leave a lasting impression.

The Best in Horror Countdown 2024-2025
#31 – GET AWAY (DARK MATCH)
#30 – PABRIK GULA (#MISSINGCOUPLE)
#29 – YULE LOG 2: BRANCHIN’ OUT (THE LAST VIDEO STORE)
#28 – FREWAKA (THE SURRENDER)
#27 – FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES (V/H/S/BEYOND)
#26 – ALMA AND THE WOLF (CUSTOM)
#25 – LOOKY-LOO (THE CREEP TAPES)
#24 – DANGEROUS ANIMALS (THE MAN IN THE WHITE VAN)
#23 – THE MONKEY (THE DAMNED)
#22 – THE DEVIL AND THE DAYLONG BROTHERS (THE SEVERED SUN)