We don’t usually put a ‘th’ at the end of dates, but today we are making an exception.

Friday The 13th, whenever it falls, has a long history of being thought of in the same vein as black cats, slasher films, and other relatively general horror cliches. We’re all well aware of the fact Chritsmas is usually considered a time to share love and happiness with those that matter most, but here at UTG we decided to use this special opportunity to share 5 recent VOD releases perfect for making the most of Friday the 13th from the comfort of your own home. No need for gloves, no need for mittens. Just grab some popcorn and settle into your favorite piece of furniture. We’re confident the selection below will help create a night you won’t soon forget.

We have been hyping Contracted since production commenced in 2012, but this IFC Midnight release only recently found its way onto the VOD market. The story follows a twenty-something who, following a night of partying and casual sex, wakes up to find herself rotting from the inside out (literally). She thinks she drank too much, or that perhaps there was something wrong with whatever she ate last, but as time goes on and the body count begins to rise our lead must soon face the reality something much worse is taking place within her tiny frame.

This film is NOT for the squeamish. Consider yourself warned.

The only thing I love as much as great original horror is comedic takes on the horror genre that are actually funny. Hellbenders is one such rare treat, and until February 2014 the only to view it is on VOD. The film follows a secret group of elite demonologists in a Brooklyn diocese that battle a terrifying supernatural force that threatens their lives and faith. These are not your normal demonologists however, these guys actually believe in sinning as much as possible so that they themselves are more accessible to demons. It’s wild, raunchy, and offers incredibly well-designed CGI (especially considering the almost nonexistent budget).

Sometimes referred to as The Dyatlov Pass, Devil’s Pass adds a few fresh ideas to the often predictable ‘found footage’ sub genre. Five american students are issued a grant to visit the site a strange series of deaths in the belief that they can uncover and document the truth of what really happened at Dyatlov’s Pass. But what they find is more shocking than anything they could have imagined. Their trek through the Ural Mountains, retracing the steps of that ill-fated journey, is plagued by strange and increasingly terrifying phenomena, all of which suggest that in spite of their desolate surroundings, they are not alone.

Need we say more? With Pacific Rim raking in big bucks over the summer and Godzilla set to do the same in 2014, it’s safe to say the world of film is revitalizing the era when monster films reigned supreme. Big Ass Spider is the latest indie effort to try and survive this sometimes problematic genre, and the results are a solid mix of gags and death that leave you wanting more. It’s far from the perfect monster movie, but in age where films like Two-Headed Shark Attack exists it’s safe to say you could do a whole lot worse.

The word ‘horror’ can cover a variety of stories, and I think it’s very safe to say there is no other story in cinema this year quite like the plot of +1. Following in the footsteps of movies like Triangle, this film is bound to leave a few of you a bit confused. Three college friends go to the biggest party of the year, each looking for something different: love, sex and a simple human connection. When a supernatural phenomenon disrupts the party, it lights a fuse on what will become the strangest night anyone has ever seen. As the three friends struggle to find what they’re looking for, the party quickly descends into a chaos that challenges if they can stay friends or if they can even stay alive.

Okay, so we may have featured this film in our recap of VOD hits from the summer, but seeing how it has begun cropping up on ‘best of’ lists we figured bringing it to your attention once more wouldn’t hurt. If you like comedy, horror, fun and gore all ground up into one bloody good time, then you’ll definitely enjoy the Australian film, 100 Bloody Acres. In the vein of films like Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil, 100 Bloody Acres brings loads of dark comedy laughs with a great cast and simple yet entertaining ideas. The story revolves around small business owners, the Morgan Brothers, that run an organic fertilizer business and start using dead car crash victims that they find to bulk up their supply. When sources get low, well…desperate times, you know?

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James Shotwell

James Shotwell is the founder of Under The Gun Review. He loves writing about music and movies almost as much as he loves his two fat cats. He's also the co-founder of Antique Records and the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. You should probably follow him on Twitter.

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