TERROR FILMS RELEASING Digs Up Killer Fun With “GRAVEYARD SHARK” (2025)
Courtesy of Terror Films Releasing
There’s a certain charm to what Terror Films Releasing does for the horror genre. In a cinematic world dominated by sleek studio productions and endless reboots, this company acts as a beacon for indie horror filmmakers who still believe in blood, grit, and pure creative madness. Terror Films doesn’t just distribute horror, they resurrect it. They do so by giving the weird and wonderful a platform where it can thrive and be introduced to an audience of all types of horror fans. Their catalog celebrates filmmakers who dare to blend comedy with carnage, and “Graveyard Shark” is one of their latest glorious oddities. Written/Directed by Matthew A. Peters, the movie is everything its title promises and more. Its a campy, low-budget gem that swims right into your heart with teeth bared and tongue firmly in cheek.
LETS DIVE INTO THE MOVIE:
“Graveyard Shark” tells the story of a YouTuber/Cryptid Hunter investigating a string of disappearances in a small town plagued by rumors of a monstrous creature haunting the local graveyard. As she digs deeper, she discovers that the culprit isn’t your typical ghost or ghoul, it’s something far stranger. What lives within the fenced walls of the already eerie graveyard is a land-walking shark born of blood, betrayal, and something distinctly unholy. Yes, you read that right. A shark. On land and in a graveyard. Kind of gives off the vibes of what a live action “Street Sharks” movie would be like if they decided to eat people instead of fight crime (which I would totally watch).
Stephanie Ward stars as the determined cryptid hunter trying to uncover the truth, and she brings a balance of sincerity and self-awareness that fits the movie perfectly. She’s the kind of protagonist who could easily exist in an “X-Files” episode that went completely off the rails and in the best way possible. Her investigation into the bizarre goings-on of the town is full of deadpan humor, creative kills, and enough small-town weirdness to make you feel right at home in this twisted little world.
The supporting cast leans all the way into the film’s over-the-top tone. Michael John Gilbert and Ryan Santiago play locals who can’t quite decide if they’re terrified or thrilled by the shark’s existence, while Olivia Walton and Madisen Zabawa bring a mix of sass and scream-queen energy to the chaos. Yet the true standout is Berdele March as Captain Seyburn. He is a larger-than-life captain with the bravado of Quint from “Jaws” and the comedic timing of a midnight-movie icon. Seyburn is every exaggerated seafarer cliché rolled into one gloriously unhinged package. Every line he delivers sounds like it was carved out of a whiskey barrel and polished with sea salt. He’s both a town drunk, someone with a redemption story and ridiculous. Every moment he’s on screen is pure gold. His interactions with the townsfolk and his unapologetic belief that he’s the only one warning people not to look for the Graveyard Shark makes him the film’s pulse and punchline rolled into one. Without a doubt, he’s my favorite part of the entire movie. Lets just say he has quite the hilarious and unexpected slap in the face comment to a group of survivors of the Graveyard Shark that made me have to pause so much from laughter.
The film’s charm comes from its complete lack of pretension. Peters and his team know exactly what kind of movie they’re making, and they don’t shy away from it for a second. “Graveyard Shark” doesn’t try to be high art; it’s here for the fun, the scares, and the sheer joy of creating something so absurd that it circles back to genius. In that sense, it channels the energy of a classic Troma movie. Think The “Toxic Avenger” meets “Sharknado” by way of “Night of the Demons”. It’s gleefully self-aware, poking fun at the very tropes it embraces, but it never feels lazy or mean-spirited. You can feel the affection for the genre in every frame, from the rubbery creature effects to the exaggerated reaction shots.
Courtesy of Terror Films Releasing
What makes “Graveyard Shark” work so well is that it’s not just a joke stretched into a movie. There’s an actual story beneath the camp. The film explores themes of betrayal, grief, and obsession wrapped in the bloody fin of a creature feature. The shark itself, though obviously a man in a suit, has an oddly captivating presence. Instead of hiding the seams or the occasional visible zipper, the movie flaunts them. It’s a refreshing throwback to the days when horror filmmakers weren’t afraid to show their monsters in full light, even if the masks didn’t line up perfectly or the prosthetics creaked a little. Those imperfections add personality, reminding us that horror doesn’t need to be polished to be powerful.
Peters’s direction brings an old-school sensibility that feels both nostalgic and energetic. The lighting, set design, and camera work harken back to the era of late-night VHS treasures. It is the kind of movies you’d discover in the horror section of a mom-and-pop video store, complete with faded cover art and hand-written staff recommendations. Every frame looks like it was made by people who love horror, not just people trying to cash in on it. That love bleeds through, sometimes literally, and makes the movie impossible not to enjoy.
Courtesy of Terror Films Releasing
The humor is the glue that holds everything together. “Graveyard Shark” is never afraid to make fun of itself, whether through knowingly clunky dialogue, exaggerated gore, or characters who react to the absurdity with a perfect mix of disbelief and acceptance. The film walks a fine line between parody and sincerity, and it does so with surprising grace. It’s not mocking horror, it’s celebrating it. Every cheesy one-liner and overacted scream feels like a love letter to the genre’s most outlandish moments. It’s the kind of movie that makes you laugh not because it’s bad, but because it’s having the time of its life.
There’s also a noticeable heart to the production. You can tell the cast and crew had fun making it, and that energy is infectious. The dialogue is peppered with quotable lines, the kills are inventive, and the soundtrack hits all the right notes of eerie yet playful. The pacing keeps things moving briskly, never letting the silliness overstay its welcome. It’s the cinematic equivalent of a midnight pizza binge—messy, indulgent, and exactly what you didn’t know you needed.
By the time the credits roll, “Graveyard Shark” has given you everything it promised: laughs, scares, and a monster that defies logic in the most delightful way possible. It’s a film that thrives on imagination over budget, proving that passion and creativity can turn even the strangest concept into something genuinely entertaining. This isn’t the kind of horror that keeps you up at night—it’s the kind that keeps you smiling long after it’s over.
Courtesy of Terror Films Releasing
Ultimately, “Graveyard Shark” captures what makes indie horror so special. It’s fearless, funny, and completely unapologetic. Terror Films Releasing once again demonstrates their knack for finding projects that embody the heart of true independent filmmaking: raw creativity unfiltered by corporate polish. For fans who miss the days of DIY monsters and tongue-in-cheek terror, this movie is a breath of fresh, salty graveyard air. It’s the kind of film that reminds you why you fell in love with horror in the first place because sometimes, the best scares come wrapped in laughter and latex.
If you’re looking for a horror flick that doesn’t take itself too seriously, that revels in its own chaos, and that gives you a captain you’ll be quoting for weeks, “Graveyard Shark” is your next great catch. Grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and dive right in the water’s weird, but it’s fine. “Graveyard Shark” is now available to rent or buy on VOD.
Whether it’s slashers in the woods, ghosts in the attic, or killers in the cornfield, ILHM Reviews brings you the frightful horror flick recommendations worth watching. Follow us on Instagram, be sure to listen to the the "I Love Horror" podcast and remember that if you’re a true fan of horror, every night can be a FRIGHT NIGHT!
