If you love psychological contemporary cosmic-horror, a good “cursed media” trope, and you were a big fan of the movie The Ring, prepare to be mind-blown. Read on for my full review of This Movie Doesn’t End the Way We Want.
Summary
A woman, haunted by the disappearance of her sister and best friend thirty years ago uncovers the terrifying urban legend behind the last film they watched together, in this chilling riff on the cursed film subgenre by the Bram Stoker award-winning author of Queen of Teeth.
Perfect for fans of Gretchen Felker-Martin and Andrew Joseph White.
In November 1994, three girls visit their local movie theater to see an obscure film. Only one of them is ever seen again.
Thirty years later, Val McQueen has never forgotten the day she lost her little sister and best friend, but she’s closed the curtain on it, certain she’s moved on despite her parents’ resentment and hounding by true crime enthusiasts.
That is until a stranger’s murder brings it all screaming back—a terror she’s tried to tell herself is only a movie. Enlisting the help of cinephile and former classmate Roxie de la Fontaine to find the film, Val soon realizes that hers is not the only pursuit. Someone, or something involved with the movie is on the hunt, too…
… For the girl who got away all those years ago.
My Review
Hailey Piper takes a premise that could have been silly – the Toad Man – and instills a deeply eerie tone from chapter one. Thanks to her vivid imagery, especially during the creepy stranger’s entrance in the theater, this book had one of my favorite hooks in a long time. I could picture the entire scene, right down to the 90s nostalgia (a total treat for millennial readers) and the specific smells that progressively enveloped my mind.
Fast-forward 30 years, and the story shifts into a horror mystery as the main character, Val, confronts her past. Was The Blood Curse of the Toad Man actually a real movie? If so, why does it leave almost no trace on the internet except for the occasional obscure mention? And how could Val’s sister and best friend just vanish without a trace? As an avid mystery/thriller reader, I loved that I couldn’t predict where this was going. Parallel to the mystery, Val is forced to confront her deeply buried childhood trauma as the story unfolds.
As the book reached its climax, the surreal imagery and philosophical inner monologues became a bit disorienting. I had to reread a few scenes just to make sure I was following along – it felt like one massive trip for the characters (or maybe just for me!). By the end, the story evolves into a thought-provoking metaphor for original filmmaking and the rise of AI-generated media. And in true horror fashion, the author leaves the reader with an “it’s not over yet” twist ending.
This book is still sitting with me because of its heavy, thought-provoking commentary on modern issues. It’s the kind of horror novel that begs to be unpacked in a book club – I desperately wanted someone to discuss it with!
Rating: 4/5 stars. Dropped one star for the slightly confusing climax, but heavily recommended for its dark, beautiful imagery, original but recognizable premise, and lingering themes. I’d love to see this adapted for the screen!
Available September 15, 2026!
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- Book Review: This Movie Doesn’t End the Way We Want - September 8, 2026