PREVIEW: Golden (2026 Film) - Written and directed by Nick Leisure

Preview by Jon Donnis

Golden shifts Brian Austin Green away from familiar territory and drops him into a far more dangerous world, where quick decisions and bad luck collide. Set against a backdrop of crime, deception, and rising tension, the film follows an ordinary man pushed into extraordinary circumstances, with consequences that spiral fast.

Written and directed by Nick Leisure, the thriller draws from a shocking true story and builds its momentum around a simple but risky idea. Frank, approaching his fiftieth birthday and stuck in a life going nowhere, decides to take a chance. Using his father's printing business, he begins producing counterfeit money, crossing into Mexico to exchange it for real cash. At first, it works. The plan feels almost too easy, and the rewards come quickly.

That early success does not last. As suspicion grows and the cracks begin to show, Frank finds himself pulled deeper into a world he cannot control. What started as a desperate attempt to change his life soon becomes a dangerous game involving criminals, corrupt police, and a cartel linked to stolen gold. Each step forward brings greater risk, and the sense of control slips further away.

The film leans into its tension, building a story where ambition and fear constantly clash. Frank is forced to think on his feet as the pressure mounts, facing enemies who are always one step ahead. The stakes rise steadily, turning his gamble into a fight for survival as much as success.

Golden arrives on UK digital platforms on 6 April through Miracle Media, offering a fast moving thriller built on risk, greed, and the thin line between getting away with it and losing everything.

PREVIEW: This Is Birmingham (2026 Film) - Bringing a Ruthless Crime Story to the Streets

Preview by Jon Donnis

This Is Birmingham drops straight into a city defined by tension, power struggles, and a criminal underworld that never really sleeps. The film paints a stark picture of Birmingham as rival gangs clash for dominance, with drugs, violence, and control shaping every move. It sets the tone early. This is not a polished crime tale. It is rough, direct, and focused on the consequences of life inside that world.

Marking the directorial debut of Kay S. Ubhi, who also takes on a central role, the film leans into a grounded and hard hitting style. After building attention on the festival circuit, it arrives on digital in the UK on 6 April through Miracle Media, bringing with it a reputation for intensity and a willingness to confront uncomfortable realities. The influence of modern British crime dramas is clear, but the story keeps its focus tight on Birmingham and the people caught within its orbit.

At the centre is the Kaleo family, long established as a force within the city's criminal network through extortion and racketeering. When their leader Al Kaleo is arrested, that control begins to slip. His son Asher steps forward, eager to prove himself but lacking the restraint his father once imposed. His rise comes at the worst possible time, as a London based rival led by Ruvelle moves in, turning an already unstable situation into open conflict.

The violence spreads quickly, drawing in those who were never meant to be part of it. TJ, a teenager on the fringes, becomes one of the film's emotional anchors as he is pulled deeper into a world he barely understands. His story adds weight to the chaos around him, forcing a choice between escape and being consumed by the life unfolding on the streets.

As tensions escalate, the film pushes towards an inevitable clash where loyalty, ambition, and survival collide. With its mix of action and emotional pressure, This Is Birmingham presents a grim look at power and consequence, asking who will rise and who will fall when the dust settles.

On digital 6 April from Miracle Media

On Apple TV - https://apple.co/4v1RL9n

COMPETITION: Win Vampyros Lesbos on Ultra HD and Blu-ray

From Severin Films this Jess Franco cult classic, his 'magnum opus' VAMPYROS LESBOS.

This is the worldwide UHD Premiere. Released on two-disc 4K UHD / Blu-ray Edition, complete with stunning packaging and a slew of special features on 30 March 2026.

And to celebrate we have a copy to give away!

Synopsis:

Eternally stunning Soledad Miranda stars as a vixen vampire who lures women to a Mediterranean island to satisfy her insatiable hunger for female flesh in “a distinctive work of art and beautiful must-see” (Classic Horror) that seductively corrupts the Dracula mythos forever. Ewa Strömberg (SHE KILLED IN ECSTASY), Dennis Price (THEATRE OF BLOOD), Paul Muller (COUNT DRACULA) and the director himself co-star in “Franco’s masterpiece” (The Digital Bits), now scanned in 4K from the original camera negative, with 5 hours of Special Features that include an interview with Jess filmed shortly before his death, an all-new In the Land of Franco, an appreciation by Oscar® winning writer/director Sean Baker (ANORA) and more.

Pre-Order from https://amzn.to/4139P5h

Enter now for a chance to win.

Who directs Vampyros Lesbos?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here

1. Closing date 13-04-26

2. No alternative prize is available

3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.

4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

PREVIEW: Scarborn (Kos) (2026 Film) - Starring Bartosz Bielenia

Preview by Jon Donnis

Prepare for an exhilarating ride with Scarborn (Kos), a Polish period drama inspired by true events, hitting Viaplay UK on 27 April 2026. Set in 18th-century Poland, the film blends historical intrigue with high-octane action in a style reminiscent of Tarantino, offering audiences both intensity and drama.

The story follows Ignac, an illiterate peasant played by award-winning Bartosz Bielenia (Corpus Christi), who discovers he is the illegitimate son of a nobleman. When his father dies, Ignac must flee his scheming half-brother and deliver a stolen will to court within two days to claim his heritage. Along the way, he crosses paths with Domingo, a loyal friend of the revolutionary General Tadeusz "Kos" Kościuszko, portrayed by Jacek Braciak (Leave No Traces). Domingo is played by Jason Mitchell (Straight Outta Compton, Mudbound), who brings depth to the story of loyalty and unexpected alliances.

The backdrop is spring 1794, a Poland on the brink of rebellion. Kościuszko plans an uprising against Russian forces while being pursued by the ruthless Russian captain Dunin (Robert Więckiewicz). Ignac, initially distrusted, finds himself at the centre of these historic events and must decide whether to chase his own ambitions or stand with Kos in the fight for freedom.

Scarborn has already claimed top honours at the Gdynia Film Festival, winning the Golden Lion for Best Film, alongside awards for Best Editing, Best Makeup, and Best Supporting Actor for Więckiewicz. With a Directors Guild of Poland nomination and multiple festival accolades, the film promises a gripping and modern tale of courage, unity, and justice.

UK Premiere on Viaplay UK, 27 April 2026 - https://amzn.to/4c7bCwm

Polish with English subtitles

PREVIEW: Itch! (2026 Film) - Starring Bari Kang

Preview by Jon Donnis

Bari Kang steps into the horror spotlight with Itch!, a tense and unsettling debut that has already stirred attention following its UK premiere at Grimmfest. Set for a digital release on 20 April 2026 through Seven Tales, the film arrives with a strong sense of purpose and a premise that feels uncomfortably close to the bone.

Kang wears several hats here, writing, directing, producing, and taking on the central role of Jay. It is a bold move, but one that gives the film a clear, personal edge. Jay is not a typical horror lead. He is a widower, weighed down by grief, trying to hold himself together as the world around him begins to unravel. That emotional grounding becomes the backbone of the story, giving the chaos that follows something human to cling to.

The outbreak at the centre of Itch! is as brutal as it is immediate. A fast spreading infection known as The Itch drives its victims into violent, self destructive states, turning everyday people into unpredictable threats. Against this backdrop, Jay and his daughter, played by Kang's real life daughter Olivia Kang, search for safety in a city that is quickly losing any sense of order.

Their refuge comes in the form of a convenience store, a setting that feels ordinary at first glance but soon reveals itself to be anything but safe. What begins as shelter becomes something far more claustrophobic. The danger is not just outside. It seeps into the room, carried by fear, suspicion, and the fragile instincts of survival.

As tensions rise within the group trapped inside, the film leans into the psychological strain of confinement. Trust becomes a luxury no one can afford. Every glance, every decision carries weight. The infection is relentless, but the real question is how far people will go when pushed to the edge. It is here that Itch! finds its sharpest edge, exploring the uneasy space between protecting others and preserving oneself.

The relationship between Jay and his daughter adds a layer of emotional urgency that cuts through the horror. Their bond is tested at every turn, shaped by loss, fear, and the desperate need to endure. The film does not shy away from the cost of survival, building towards a climax that promises to leave a lasting impression.

With a cast that includes Patrick Michael Valley, Ximena Uribe, Mia Ventura Lucas, and Douglas Stirling, Itch! positions itself as more than just another outbreak thriller. It aims to unsettle not only through its premise, but through the choices its characters are forced to make.

Arriving in the UK on 20 April and the US a day later, Itch! looks set to deliver a bleak, gripping experience that lingers long after the credits roll.