"Grimmfest 24: Tales From the Void - Series Review and Analysis"

Tales From The Void delivers a menacing anthology of macabre, Reddit-inspired tales, intertwining unnerving narratives with masterful performances across six captivating episodes.

This is the best time in history for creatives who love the dark and macabre. Writers, filmmakers, and social media influencers now have the ability to produce content across multiple platforms, often sparking cross-genre appeal. Those of us who’ve been lurking on the internet for years, bouncing between Tumblr, 4Chan, and other social hubs for the twisted, eventually found ourselves on Reddit, where the creepypasta phenomenon took off. Stories of Slender Man, haunted video games, and the dark web became part of everyday conversation. With shows like Black Mirror paving the way, the curiosity for the unknown remains a universal human fascination.

Enter Tales From The Void, a new anthology series inspired by some of Reddit’s most haunting tales, including those from the popular /nosleep subreddit. Making its initial premiere at Panic Fest, the series continues to gain momentum. We caught it at Grimmfest ‘24 and were thoroughly entertained by its approach. It feels reminiscent of Black Mirror while showcasing the talent of some of the best behind-the-camera creatives in the industry. Directed by the likes of Joe Lynch, Toby Poser, John Adams, Maritte Lee Go, and series creator Francesco Loschiavo, with writing contributions from HMU friends like Tricia Lee, Tales From The Void brings a fresh spin to the world of social media-driven horror. Overall, we’d rate the series 3.5/5. While it presents an exciting new direction in horror, it also gives hope that we’ll discover the next breakout star somewhere within the Void. We encourage viewers to seek out the original stories these episodes are based on—some are even more terrifying than their adaptations.

Episode Summaries:

EP 1: Into the Unknown - Directed by Joe Lynch

Based on the /nosleep story “The Black Box,” this episode explores the rising anxiety within an apartment complex when a mysterious black box appears. It effectively captures how quickly humans gravitate toward questionable leadership in times of uncertainty. While the episode is well-executed, it leaves viewers scratching their heads with its Black Mirror-style visuals. 2.5/5

EP 2: Fixed Frequency - Directed by Francesco Loschiavo

A love letter to babysitter slasher films, this episode brilliantly uses a walkie-talkie and baby monitor narrative. The strong performance by the young lead helps maintain the pacing. While it leaves you wanting a bit more, it’s still a solid entry and a nice shift in tone from the first episode. 3.5/5

EP 3: Starlight - Directed by Francesco Loschiavo

This episode examines the price of fame in a world obsessed with social media influencers. It’s a sharp social commentary on how chasing online fame can lead to darker, more sinister consequences. As the episode delves into these unsettling truths, it reminds us how easily we can be consumed by the digital world. 4/5

EP 4: Carry - Directed by Maritte Lee Go

The standout of the series, Carry intertwines themes of motherhood, religion, and Roe v. Wade in a creature-feature horror that feels both timely and terrifying. With its focus on faith versus bodily autonomy, this episode is rich with depth and could easily stand alone as a full-length film. 5/5

EP 5: Plastic Smile - Directed by Toby Poser & John Adams

This haunting episode tackles themes of family and drug abuse, with the unique touch that Poser and Adams are known for. The emotional weight is palpable from the start, and the young protagonist’s interactions with a doll named “Betsy” lead to a jaw-dropping conclusion. This is a story about escaping the nightmares of our own lives while being blinded to the real horrors. 4.5/5

EP 6: Whistle in The Woods - Directed by Francesco Loschiavo

As expected, folklore finds its way into Tales From The Void in this final episode. Though well-constructed, it doesn’t quite live up to the terrifying nature of the original /nosleep story it’s based on. However, it still serves as a fitting end to a well-executed anthology. 3.5/5

Bloody Disgusting and Screambox are unleashing the new original series Tales From The Void, just in time for Halloween. The anthology will feature six chilling tales based on stories from r/NoSleep, with two episodes premiering exclusively on Screambox every Sunday between October 13 and October 27 in the US, with next day release on SUPER CHANNEL in Canada, and availability to buy or rent via electronic sell-through platforms the following Tuesday.