Harder builds tension with fantastic fake outs which know precisely when to and when not to cheap out on a scare. The beautiful cinematography makes the most of a meager budget, often looking far bigger than its indie foundations.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 3, 2024

Despite its low-budget, the movie can deliver chilling scares without being unreasonably gory and a twist that will satisfy fans of the genre.

| Jul 20, 2023

Spiral reminds viewers that hate can hide anywhere, and while the primary targets of that hatred may change, the people in power never do.

| Dec 27, 2022

A challenging and topical consideration of the queer experience, filtered through a racialized 90s lens. Bowyer-Chapman is great and while Spiral doesn't have the supportive gay relationship some viewers want, it's still valuable LGBT representation

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Mar 9, 2022

It feels like Spiral thinks it's a cleverer film than it actually is, becoming unclear and vague in the process. It's trying for symbolism, but succeeding only with uncertainty.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 31, 2021

While Spiral doesn't really offer any scares, it's a tense and affecting horror-thriller with a star-making turn from Bowyer-Chapman.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 10, 2021

Spiral insists on pulling its punches, opting instead for cheap scare tactics ... and stupid plot twists.

| Jun 5, 2021

There are some predictable plot elements, but the horrors of bigotry are laid effectively bare.

| Mar 31, 2021

Though it's not the scariest, wittiest or most original contemporary horror out there, Spiral is nevertheless an enjoyable and satisfyingly creepy flick that genre fans won't regret seeing.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 29, 2021

With its on-the-nose messaging, Spiral isn't exactly subtle, but its harrowing and bloody denouement will leave you reeling.

| Original Score: B- | Jan 29, 2021

No matter how bad I wanted to root for this LGBTQ horror film, the messy script and lackluster filmmaking override any truly praise-worthy moments.

| Jan 29, 2021

Spiral uses the threat of a demonic cult to explore the real-life horrors of being gay in a small town in the to chilling effect.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Dec 30, 2020

It was pretty muddy. I really wanted to like Spiral more than I did, but too many open questions, neat endings, and unexplained actions left me empty.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Oct 29, 2020

Timely in many ways, including a message about it being unsafe "for people to stand out... in this country," the movie is another frightening case of the more things change, the more they stay the same.

| Original Score: B | Oct 21, 2020

Shades of Rosemary's Baby and Rear Window are sprinkled about but the filmmakers also have their own points to make. And scares to deliver.

| Oct 19, 2020

The social and political message about exploiting fear makes the themes in Spiral as timely as they are horrifying.

| Original Score: 3 / 5 | Oct 8, 2020

It manages to be both decidedly dark yet with a hope for humanity. I was pleasantly surprised by the film.

| Oct 2, 2020

A queer, chilly spin on a "town with a secret" horror-thriller -- that unfortunately feels like a mere tin-eared simulation of a homophobic nightmare.

| Original Score: C | Oct 1, 2020

Get Out meets Rosemary's Baby, Spiral demonstrates the horrors of othering in a way that is both modern and classic.

| Sep 29, 2020

Spiral is spooky fun, yet far from sensational or even satisfying.

| Sep 28, 2020