Tom Holland: Some of My Movies Are 'S-t' - Don't Watch

Tom Holland, the veteran horror filmmaker behind such genre touchstones as “Child’s Play” and “Fright Night,” has issued a startlingly candid assessment of his own filmography. In a recent statement that has ricocheted through the industry, Holland declared that some of his movies are “s-t” and that audiences “shouldn’t” watch them. The blunt self-criticism comes as the director prepares to bring his latest anthology, “Twisted Tales,” to screens - a project that, according to the film’s official logline, dares viewers to join him for “nine nerve-shredding, totally Twisted Tales.”

Holland’s remarks have already sparked debate among horror fans and critics, many of whom have long championed the director’s work. Yet the man himself appears unafraid to separate the wheat from the chaff. While the quote may seem harsh, it also suggests a level of artistic honesty rare in an industry where self-promotion often outweighs self-reflection. Holland’s willingness to steer audiences away from his own lesser efforts could paradoxically burnish his reputation as a filmmaker who values quality over ego.

Holland’s Candid Self-Assessment

The exact context of Holland’s statement has not been fully detailed, but the director’s frustration with certain entries in his own catalog seems genuine. Over a career spanning decades, Holland has delivered iconic horror moments, but not every project has aged gracefully in his eyes. His admission - “Some of my movies are ‘s-t’ and you ‘shouldn’t’ watch them” - reads as both a warning and a dare. It acknowledges the unevenness that can plague even the most celebrated directors, particularly within the low-budget, high-concept horror arena where Holland has made his name.

For the film community, the quote raises questions about which films Holland considers disposable. His credits include the original “Child’s Play” (1988), which spawned a franchise and introduced the world to Chucky, as well as the stylish vampire thriller “Fright Night” (1985). Those are unlikely candidates for his disdain. More plausible targets might be lesser-known efforts or anthology segments that didn't meet his standards. The timing of his comment, just ahead of the release of “Twisted Tales,” suggests he is making a distinction between work he stands behind and work he does not.

About ‘Twisted Tales’

“Twisted Tales” is an anthology horror film released on April 1, 2014, and directed by Holland himself. With a runtime of 144 minutes, the film delivers a “mind-bending assortment of the macabre,” according to its official synopsis. It promises a “seriously freaky festival of fear” that weaves together multiple storylines: a new drug that lets users glimpse the future with beastly consequences, a murderous husband stalked by his own cell phone, a jilted lover who wreaks satanic vengeance, and worlds haunted by dark magic, demonic possession, vampires, witches, and more.

The cast includes a mix of horror familiar faces and cult favorites. James Duval, Amber Benson, and Angela Bettis appear in the segment “Shockwave.” AJ Bowen stars in “Fred and His GPS.” Ray Wise takes the role of Mongo the Magnificent in “Mongo’s Magik Mirror.” Danielle Harris and William Forsythe team up for “To Hell With You,” and Noah Hathaway appears in the segment “Boom.” Despite this ensemble of genre talent, the film holds a modest TMDb rating of 4.4 out of 10, a number that might align with Holland’s own dim view of some of his output - though whether he considers “Twisted Tales” among his “s-t” movies is unclear.

The anthology format, long a favorite in horror, allows directors to experiment with tone and style. Holland’s approach here is deliberately baroque: “fine-tuned to keep you on the edge of your seat,” as the logline states. Yet the low critical rating suggests that not every twist landed for audiences. Holland’s recent comments may reflect a broader frustration with how some of his more ambitious projects have been received - or with his own decisions in the editing room.

Industry Reaction and Legacy

Holland’s bluntness has drawn mixed reactions. Some admire his candor in an era of carefully managed press appearances. Others wonder if such a statement could hurt the commercial prospects of his back catalog, or even “Twisted Tales” itself, if viewers assume the director is warning them away from everything he has made. But Holland’s quote is worded selectively: “some of my movies,” not all. By his own logic, he must believe others are worth watching - perhaps including the very anthology he is now promoting.

For now, “Twisted Tales” remains available for those brave enough to ignore the director’s blanket advisory. The film, with its nine segments and near-two-and-a-half-hour runtime, offers a dense, uneven but undeniably ambitious horror experience. Whether it qualifies as one of the movies Holland calls “s-t” is a question only he can answer - and perhaps one that viewers will have to decide for themselves.

Source: Variety