They Wait in Shadows (2026) Review

They Wait in Shadows (2026) Review

A sudden death, a family reunion, a Ouija board and a seemingly haunted house-the perfect cocktail for a supernatural nightmare from underground filmmaker Sam Mason-Bell (Millennial Killer).

This new British horror, starring Jessica Hunt (The Truth Will Out) and Meghan Adara (Therapy), follows estranged sisters Ingrid (Hunt) and Jenny (Adara) as they reluctantly return to their isolated childhood home following their mother’s death.

But as they unearth buried family secrets hidden in the floorboards, a chance decision to experiment with an old Ouija board unleashes a horde of paranormal entities into the house.

The film boasts a pleasingly lurid, grimy aesthetic, frequently recalling the spirit of low-budget British horror from the 1980s. Unfortunately, inconsistent sound quality and the relentless bickering between the two sisters—and virtually everyone they encounter—soon becomes wearing. At times, it feels like watching an episode of EastEnders filtered through a grimy exploitation-horror lens.

Writer-director Sam Mason-Bell (Exhibition of Evil) clearly relishes the abrasive character dynamics, and he stages the all-too-infrequent horror sequences and childhood flashbacks with genuine flair. However, the central female characters remain difficult to sympathise with, while the narrative relies too heavily on depicting men as cruel and abusive towards women in pursuit of cheap shocks rather than meaningful dramatic impact. Although the film succeeds in creating an effectively sleazy atmosphere, its overreliance on unpleasant character interactions ultimately undermines the horror it is striving to deliver.

They Wait in Shadows is on digital 20 July from Miracle Media