Invoking Scream (2026) Review

Invoking Scream, is the sequel to 2023 Chilean found footage metal horror movie Invoking Yell, and it delivers a mixture of enough thrills, scares and extreme metal talk to satisfy rabid horror buffs and metalheads. If that isn’t enough, the film is an hour and a half of building dread that evolves into all-out mayhem, with a few laughs thrown in to break the tension.

The film contains flashbacks and elements of the found footage from the first film to give another perspective of the story that underpins it all. This is the horrific tale of Chilean black metal band ‘Invoking Yell’ that formed in the first movie. This fast-paced follow-up sees the cousin of Invoking Yell lead singer Andrea Fernandez and her two compatriots making a documentary about what happened to her relative. When the group find an old VHS tape from 1997 (when the first movie took place), and more importantly, a book of witchcraft, things take a sinister turn for the trio, and what follows is an unravelling of the past that leads to a suitably grisly conclusion.

This is a film that has a horrific edge throughout. And while there is that element of lighthearted tomfoolery – mainly with japes from the trio – that lightens the mood and shows the camaraderie that they have, the joviality never lasts long. The horror that (both known and unknown) unfolds at a rapid pace, and leads to a head-spinning finale that concludes things in a completely. All the nods to the first film that occur throughout tie things up brilliantly.

The horror effects are suitably raw. This works particularly well with the flashback/found footage aesthetic, and while some are quite fleeting with little time on screen, the ‘less is more’ approach makes a huge impact. As you might expect, the subject matter is tantalisingly gruesome.

The extreme metal element of the film is handled extremely well. There is a clear love for the music and culture, with the film conjuring memories of the infamous Norwegian black metal inner circle from the early 1990s. The brutality that unfolded there, is transported to a similar time in Chile. It is obvious that the filmmakers know their black metal history and the passion is palpable, which gives the movie a level of high energy. There are also constant metal references, which will please many fans with a whole host of bands from Death to Deftones referenced.

Even if you haven’t seen Invoking Yell, the sequel can stand alone and is a very watchable, enthralling film. There is plenty to enjoy for horror and metal maniacs alike, but for an extra special treat, watching Invoking Yell and Invoking Scream back-to-back to get the full impact – the grisly story of Chilean metal mythical band – allowing you to be enchanted by all its witchcraft and sacrifice-laden charm.

Movie Rating:

Invoking Scream teaser trailer