Ninth Life and Hel's Eight double review Stark Holborn

Double Review: Hel's Eight and Ninth Life

by Stark Holborn (@starkholborn.bsky.social)

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (X @cleric20, Bluesky @cleric20.bsky.social)

In the gritty, gunslinging cosmos of Stark Holborn’s imagination, the West meets the weird, and survival comes at the sharp end of wit and grit. Having read, enjoyed and reviewed Ten Low (Step aside, traditional space westerns, Ten Low strides in like a dust-choked gunslinger, revolver in one hand and a shot of adrenaline in the other. Holborn delivers a protagonist for the ages in Ten Low, an ex-army medic turned convict scraping by on the unforgiving edges of the universe. Haunted by her role in the interstellar war and desperate to atone for her past, Ten finds her fragile existence shattered when she rescues Gabriella Ortiz, a teenage girl who’s anything but ordinary. Ortiz, a product of a military genetics program and an opposing General in the war, survives a spaceship crash that Ten quickly realizes was no accident- it was an assassination attempt. The two forge an uneasy alliance as they navigate a treacherous, lawless moon, battling bandits, military hit squads, and an all-female road gang led by a ruthless one-eyed leader. Their journey is a race against time to get Ortiz off-world, but darker forces loom, threatening not just their lives but also the secrets Ten has buried deep within herself). Read my review and interview with the excellent Stark here.

Then comes Hel's Eight

Hel’s Eight hits the ground running and never lets up, delivering a wild, high-octane clash of law and lawlessness in the far reaches of the galaxy. Ten Low is back, grittier and more battle-worn than ever, riding the desert wastes of Factus and walking the razor’s edge between justice and chaos. Holborn once again proves their mastery of the space western, blending whip-smart action with an undercurrent of existential weight.

Ten “Doc” Low is a medic haunted by her cursed connection to otherworldly forces. For the sake of her safety, and that of others, she keeps herself isolated. But when she foresees a cataclysmic conflict that threatens the lives of her former comrades, she’s forced to reenter a world of shifting alliances and simmering rebellion. With the Accord’s grip on the Outer Moons slipping and a ruthless tycoon snatching up planets for his own sinister agenda, Ten faces her greatest challenge yet.

Holborn’s signature world-building shines brighter than ever. The desert moon Factus is vividly rendered, a desolate yet strangely magnetic backdrop for this gripping tale of survival and sacrifice. From shadowy saloons to roaring wasteland skirmishes, every scene brims with life and tension.

Ten’s journey is one of both action and introspection, as she gathers unlikely allies and confronts the ghosts of her past. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and Holborn doesn’t pull any punches. With rebellion brewing and sinister corporate machinations at play, every choice Ten makes carries weight and often a devastating cost.

Key moments explode off the page: a visceral ambush in a shantytown; a desperate high-speed chase across the dunes; and a climactic showdown that pits Ten and her ragtag crew against impossible odds. The pacing is relentless, yet Holborn still finds time to weave in moments of quiet humanity and biting humour.

Thematically, Hel’s Eight wrestles with control: of power, of land, of the future itself. It’s a story of rebellion and resilience, of standing tall against forces that seek to crush individuality and freedom.

Out of a potential 5 - you have to go with a Darkmatters:

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(4 - A scorching, adrenaline-packed triumph!) 

 

And now Ninth Life 

If Ten Low is the grit, and Hel's Eight the expanse, Ninth Life is the strange and spectral shadow that creeps up behind them. Holborn switches gears but doesn’t lose a fraction of intensity, delivering a tale that blends noir, existential dread, and relentless action into a headlong romp across the stars. After forty years of terrorizing the galaxy, Gabriella Ortiz is back, once a decorated general, now the infamous outlaw known as Nine Lives and it looks like she has finally run out of chances. 

Shot down in a backwater at the system’s edge, she is reluctantly rescued by the naive Deputy Marshal Havemercy Grey. Hav is a straight-shooter in every sense, determined to bring Ortiz to justice and claim the 20-million bounty on her head. But escorting the galaxy’s most dangerous fugitive is no easy feat, especially when every outlaw with a pistol is gunning for their prize. Ortiz offers Hav a deal: she’ll keep them alive, as long as Hav listens to the stories of her nine lives. But there’s a catch: everywhere they go, during every brawl, gunfight, and explosive escape, one warning echoes—don’t let her talk. Holborn’s mastery of character and dialogue shines as Ortiz’s tales unfold, blending lawlessness and heartbreak with sharp wit. 

Hav’s relentless moral code plays beautifully against Ortiz’s chaotic brilliance, creating a dynamic that crackles with tension and unexpected humour. Key moments include a deadly brawl in a crowded spaceport, an ambush under a cascade of starlight, and an unholy alliance with a crew of bounty hunters in a zero-gravity skirmish. The stakes are personal and galactic, but it’s Ortiz’s haunting charisma that steals the show, leaving you questioning every truth she tells. 

Thematically, Ninth Life delves into the weight of memory, the nature of redemption, and the cost of survival. It’s a rollicking, high-stakes ride with an undercurrent of existential dread that lingers long after the final page. 

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

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(5 - Excellently unhinged and exciting space western masterpiece

...)

Holborn has crafted three wildly different but equally compelling tales. They showcase a writer at the top of their game, unafraid to blend genres and push boundaries. Whether you’re in the mood for a dust-blown duel or a star-drenched mystery, Holborn has you covered. 

These are essential reading for fans of the dark, the daring, and the downright extraordinary. Titles that deserve a place on your shelf - preferably within reach of a good stiff drink.

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Miami Blues - appreciation review

Miami Blues (15)

Dir. George ‘Grosse Pointe Blank’ Armitage

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (X @cleric20, Bluesky @cleric20.bsky.social)

"Your turn to notify the next of kin?"

"No way. I did the fat lady that sat on the kid. That's good for two.”

Miami Blues is just a delicious madness of a movie, I can still remember loving it on VHS when my pal Mike and I rented it on spec with a bottle of Thunderbird, a Chinese take away and the possibility of Jennifer Jason Leigh going topless - we were in our teens 😄… 

 “Your husband must have been glad he died!” snarls a grinning, dead-eyed Alec Baldwin in Miami Blues, a crime-em-up that dances on the razor’s edge between deranged comedy and gritty neo-noir. Directed by George ‘Grosse Pointe Blank’ Armitage, this cult gem sizzles with the unhinged energy of Baldwin’s psychotic antihero, Freddy Frenger Jr., a man whose moral compass is very wonky. From the moment he steps off the plane and snaps a Hare Krishna’s finger in an airport shakedown, you know you’re in for a wild ride. It echos the humour of Airplane!’s religious nut-thumping scene, but with a deadly spin. 

Baldwin picks up the topless mantra - manly man hair 

Baldwin doesn’t just chew the scenery—he devours it whole, turning in a performance so electric it’s almost hypnotic. His Freddy is a charming psychopath, a man who treats crime like performance art, complete with stolen cop badges and a penchant for violence that feels both absurd and terrifying. But Baldwin isn’t the only star here. The aforementioned Jennifer Jason Leigh brings a disarming sweetness to Susie Waggoner, a wide-eyed hooker with dreams of domestic bliss, while Fred ‘Southern Comfort’ Ward’s Sgt. Hoke Moseley is a grizzled detective trying to piece together the trail of chaos Freddy leaves in his wake. Watching their bizarre cat-and-mouse game unfold is like witnessing a slow-motion car crash, equally horrifying and riveting. 

pretty woman vibes

The film’s Miami setting is a neon-soaked fever dream, perfectly complementing the offbeat humor and escalating mayhem. Armitage deftly balances moments of brutal violence (there’s a finger chopping scene that will 100% have you shout ‘arrgggghh’ and then smirk as the victim tries to gather up his lost digits) with laugh-out-loud absurdity, creating a tone that feels both unpredictable and dangerously fun. What makes Miami Blues truly special, though, is its gleeful defiance of convention. This isn’t just another slick crime thriller, it’s a twisted exploration of moral decay, where even the heroes are flawed, and the villains are disturbingly human. 

sh*t happens when you party naked

Baldwin’s manic energy propels the film into cult classic territory, making Freddy Frenger Jr. one of cinema’s most memorably (and criminally unseen) unhinged criminals. So, if you’re brave enough for a crime flick that breaks the rules and delivers big on unpredictable thrills, Miami Blues is my tip for you. With stolen teeth that bite, this madcap descent into Miami’s seedy underbelly just dares you not to love it. 

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

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(4 - Excellently unhinged...) 

Additional similar vibe viewing:

Raising Arizona (1987)

“When love isn’t enough, steal a baby!” Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter light up this Coen Brothers crime caper with a madcap blend of absurdity, action, and oddly touching moments. Think Miami Blues with nappies. 

 After Dark, My Sweet (1990) 

Jason Patric smoulders as a broken-down boxer lured into a treacherous kidnapping scheme. This neo-noir’s slow-burn tension and doomed romance evoke a Miami Blues-style fatalism, but with even more psychological grit. 

Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) 

What happens when a professional hitman (John Cusack) crashes his high school reunion? Hilarious existential musings, some stellar ’80s music, and a body count that makes Miami Blues look tame. A black comedy with killer instincts. 

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) 

Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer riff off each other in Shane Black’s razor-sharp murder mystery. It’s hilarious and brutal, with a self-aware edge that makes it a perfect spiritual cousin to Miami Blues. 

In Bruges (2008) 

Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson navigate Bruges, guilt, and hitman ethics in this bleakly funny existential thriller. Miami Blues fans will appreciate the mix of absurd violence and unexpected pathos.

Filth (2013) 

Meet Bruce Robertson (James McAvoy), a corrupt, drug-fueled Scottish detective spiralling into madness. Filth is a turbocharged crime-comedy drenched in dark humour and shocking depravity—imagine Miami Blues filtered through Irvine Welsh’s twisted worldview. Caution: not for the faint of heart.

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Top Film Picks for 2025

New year - new films on the way...

Matt Adcock X @cleric20, Bluesky @cleric20.bsky.social)

picks some he's looking forward to:

Wolf Man

Director: Leigh Whannell

UK Release Date: January 17, 2025

Universal tries again with the reimagining of classic monsters - and things are going to get a bit hairy - so step up for the Wolf Man, directed by Leigh Whannell (The Invisible Man). Starring Christopher Abbott as the furry fiend, this promises to be a gothic horror and psychological torment. Add the excellent Julia Garner and this modern update could be a gritty, atmospheric horror experience - and let's face it, can't be worse than the last attempt with The Mummy!?

The Monkey

Director: Osgood Perkins

UK Release Date: February 21, 2025

Based on a Stephen King short story, The Monkey is directed by Osgood 'Longlegs' Perkins. This horror film centres on a cursed cymbal-clapping toy monkey that brings terror to a small town. Am looking for a bone-chilling horror with a nostalgic '80s vibe, a retro horror with just enough chills to have you questioning every innocuous childhood memory. Let the freaky nightmares begin, and probably the a boost in monkey figure sales? 

Mickey 17

Director: Bong Joon-ho

UK Release Date: March 7, 2025

What happens when you’re a disposable clone sent on a one-way trip to alien hell? Bong Joon-ho’s Mickey 17 answers that with a mind-bending journey of survival and soul-searching. Robert Pattinson stars as the titular Mickey, who’s probably wishing he had better life insurance. Expect existential crises served with stunning visuals and thought-provoking themes. 

Alto Knights

Director: Barry Levinson

UK Release Date: March 21, 2025

Mob bosses, moral ambiguity, and Margaret Qualley stealing every scene she’s in - Alto Knights is set to deliver a crime drama so gripping you’ll feel like you’re dodging bullets. Barry Levinson’s slick direction makes this one a must-watch for fans of dark alley deals and double-crosses. Just don’t get on their bad side with Robert De Niro in a dual role as 1950s mob bosses Vito Genovese and Frank Costello - capiche? 

Final Destination: Bloodlines

Directors: Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein

UK Release Date: May 16, 2025

A wild card entry. Death’s favourite game of cat and mouse is back, and it’s playing for keeps. Bloodlines promises more of those jaw-dropping, cringe-as-you-see-death-coming scenes that made the franchise iconic. If you’ve ever felt a twinge of paranoia, this film might push you over the edge. You can run, you can hide, but you can’t escape death... 

F1

Director: Joseph Kosinski

UK Release Date: June 27, 2025

Joseph Kosinski follows the Tony Scott playbook and brings his Top Gun: Maverick flair to the racetrack - will this be a Days of Thunder or a motorway pileup of carnage? Forget speed limits, F1 looks like offering a high-octane experience, bringing the drama, rivalry, and danger of the racing world to the big screen. With a cast of young hotshots and seasoned pros *cough Brad Pitt*, this film might just make you feel the need for speed :). 

Superman

Director: James Gunn

UK Release Date: July 11, 2025

James 'Guardians of the Galaxy' Gunn takes the reins of the DC Universe. Can he deliver a Superman film brimming with hope, charm, and enough jaw-dropping action to make you believe a man can fly… again. As a huge Superman fan, I'm hoping this isn’t just another cape-and-tights flick; I'm hoping for a love letter to the world’s greatest superhero. Don’t miss it, unless you hate fun.

Predator: Badlands

Director: Dan Trachtenberg

UK Release Date: November 7, 2025

The iconic alien hunter returns in Predator: Badlands, Elle Fanning will play more than one character. Gotta hope this kicks more butt than the messy The Predator as the humans face intense challenges dramatically and physically as they try to fight the seriously hard-to-kill badass dreadlocked space killer. I want to believe so let's get to the chopper and see! 

The Running Man

Director: Edgar Wright

UK Release Date: November 7, 2025

I'm old enough to have caught the original Running Man at the cinema back in '87. So I'm excited to see what Director Edgar 'Shaun of the Dead' Wright does with this fresh adaptation of Stephen King's story. Presenting a visceral take on the deadly game show where survival is the only prize, here's to cutting-edge effects and a timely critique of media culture. Warning: side effects may include an uncontrollable urge to cancel your streaming subscriptions.

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M. Chu

UK Release Date: November 21, 2025

Part one blew the magical doors off and now my favourite musical gets the second part of this cinematic treatment in Wicked: For Good. Directed again by Jon M. Chu, there are rumours of a mash-up bonus with additional Wizard of Oz material incorporated. I'm expecting more dazzling visuals, more soaring songs and sheer soul-boosting joy - so I'll be grabbing my broomstick and getting ready for a magical showdown. Wicked: For Good should leave fans singing their hearts out so get ready to defy gravity - or at least resist the urge to ugly cry.

Bridget vs Zombie Darcy FTW

Which of these future blockbusters have you most excited? My wife is rooting for Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy - which brings Colin Firth's Darcy back, even though he died - my fingers are crossed that he'll show up as a zombie!? 

Speaking of zombies am also really hoping that 28 Years Later will be good as loved the first two movies!

What are you looking forward to? You can comment below and as always, let the darkness guide you...

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Top books 2024

Matt Adcock's Top 5 Books 2024

By Matt Adcock (X @cleric20, Bluesky @cleric20.bsky.social)

Page Turners 

Pat Mills

Mills is a big believer in Muses – and the way he explains the way they work, prompt and interact with writers and creators, I think I’m in agreement (and will be actively courting mine!)… 

There is so much good stuff here, from actual scripts reproduced with his notes and the thinking process behind them, through to how to best submit your written work and to who.

My review and interview with Pat: PAGE TURNERS

Scarred

Jon Richter

‘The sword laughed as it slid into his belly, its blade strangely cold, as though he had impaled himself on an icicle. He closed his eyes as he felt his stomach open, blood and bile and the vitriol of years suddenly dispersed, like the opening of some monstrous release valve…’

 

You are not ready for this.

 

Forget your standard Fantasy novels – old master Richter who has delivered superb, crime, horror and cyberpunk books, now rewrites the rules, subverts and expands the fantasy genre. And he does it in fine style!

My review: SCARRED 

Starfolk Rising

Martha Dunlop

Starfolk Rising, the concluding chapter of the trilogy, takes all the threads of the previous books and weaves them into a grand tapestry of resolution, revelation, and transformation. This novel is not only about the love but also the cosmic forces that have shaped destinies. As the story reaches its climax, Dunlop takes readers on a journey that is both epic in scale and deeply personal.

Read my review here: STARFOLK RISING

Conditions are Different After Dark

Owen W Knight

Come to the country they said. It will be peaceful and good for the soul. It's definitely not going to end up in a folk horror scenario either... Or will it!?

Conditions are Different After Dark is the new thriller from Owen W Knight (he of the excellent Another Life and The Visitors novels). And I'm delighted to say that Conditions is his best yet!!

My review here: CONDITIONS ARE DIFF AFTER DARK

Reawakening

Alethea Lyons

The stories range from the unsettlingly creepy to the fantastically strange, starting strong with "The Cleansing," where a blood moon illuminates York’s ancient streets, revealing hidden supernatural threats. Lyons effortlessly weaves mythological creatures, religious figures, and urban legends into a dark and compelling narrative. Her vivid descriptions make the haunting streets of York feel as tangible as the shadows lurking in its corners.

My review here: REAWAKENING

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Reanimation Ltd PC review

Reanimation Ltd – A Darkly Humorous Descent into Office Horror

Created by Jon ‘Hosts in the Shell’ Richter (X @Richterwrites)

By Matt Adcock (X @cleric20, Bluesky @cleric20.bsky.social)

Ever wondered what would happen if the monotony of corporate life collided head-on with a full-blown monster apocalypse? Enter Reanimation Ltd, a comedy horror RPG that fuses the quirky charm of Undertale with the satirical bite of The Office.

You step into the shoes of Eddie, a beleaguered office drone whose passion for life has been sapped by the daily grind. Just when he’s bracing for another soul-crushing day at work, chaos erupts as monstrous entities overrun the office. It’s up to Eddie to rally his eccentric colleagues, solve mind-bending puzzles, and confront the horrors that have turned his workplace into a nightmare.

Richter has crafted something cool here with RPG Maker, and Reanimation Ltdoffers a nostalgic pixel art aesthetic that belies its intricate gameplay. Players navigate an open world teeming with bizarre side quests, formidable creatures, and a host of peculiar characters. The game introduces an addictive in-game card game, reminiscent of Triple Triad, providing a delightful diversion from the main narrative.

Combat is turn-based, demanding strategic thinking as you manage your party’s unique abilities to overcome a variety of enemies, including a particularly obstinate printer that serves as a memorable mini-boss. The puzzles are cleverly designed, striking a balance between challenge and accessibility, ensuring players remain engaged without unnecessary frustration.

Where Reanimation Ltd truly excels is in its writing. The dialogue is sharp, witty, and laced with dark humour that skewers corporate culture while embracing the absurdity of the supernatural scenario. The characters are well-developed, each bringing their own quirks and backstories that enrich the narrative and provide a satirical lens on office dynamics.

The pixel art style is charming, with detailed environments that capture the sterile ambience of an office juxtaposed against the grotesque invasion of otherworldly horrors. The soundtrack complements the gameplay perfectly, featuring eerie melodies that heighten tension and more upbeat tracks that underscore the game’s comedic elements.

Reanimation Ltd is a testament to the creativity and potential of indie game development. It delivers a unique blend of humour and horror, wrapped in engaging gameplay that keeps you hooked from start to finish. 

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öööö

(4 - Reanimation Ltd is well worth your time...) 

Get your copy here: https://jonrichter.itch.io/reanimation-ltd 

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Stranger Things: The First Shadow review

Stranger Things: The First Shadow – A Stage Phenomenon with Upside Down Potential

By Matt Adcock X @cleric20, Bluesky @cleric20.bsky.social)

Somewhere in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana, a shadow is creeping – and it’s not just the one lurking beneath the stage. Stranger Things: The First Shadowcatapults us back to the days before Eleven cracked open the gates to the Upside Down, to a time when Henry Creel was just a troubled boy and the town’s darkest secrets simmered beneath the surface. 

This live-action stage prequel is a bold experiment. Can the world of Stranger Things translate from screen to stage, especially without our beloved gang of misfit heroes? The answer, it turns out, is a resounding “yes.” The play not only honours the tone of the original Netflix series but also brings something new – an intimate and haunting experience that feels like a séance conjured right in front of your eyes. The set is the first thing to draw gasps, a kinetic marvel of shifting walls and glowing portals. The creative team has outdone themselves, melding 1980s nostalgia with spine-tingling horror. 

Superb effects...

As lights flicker and eerie soundscapes envelop the audience, the Upside Down’s presence is almost tangible. The story, penned by Stranger Things show creators the Duffer Brothers alongside playwright Kate Trefry, follows young Henry Creel (yes, that Henry), exploring his descent into villainy and the strange forces taking root in Hawkins. But this isn’t just his tale. We meet a young Jim Hopper, a teenage Joyce Byers, and even a charmingly goofy Bob Newby – characters who will later form the heart of the series. Watching their formative years unfold is a delight, full of Easter eggs and poignant foreshadowing. The cast deliver powerhouse performances. 

Henry Creel is portrayed with chilling intensity, his transformation from fragile boy to something far darker leaving audiences enthralled. Meanwhile, Joyce and Hopper bring an emotional depth that grounds the supernatural thrills. What truly sets The First Shadow apart is its ability to weave dread into every scene. The Upside Down’s influence is felt in the creeping vines that encroach on the set, in the unspoken horrors hinted at in the dialogue, and in the bone-rattling climaxes that leave you breathless. This is Stranger Things at its best: an emotional rollercoaster wrapped in supernatural terror. 

 For die-hard fans, there’s plenty to chew on – from tantalizing new lore to breadcrumbs that deepen the main series’ mythology. Yet the play is also welcoming to newcomers, offering a self-contained narrative that doesn’t require prior knowledge of Demogorgons. The action sequences, are cleverly choreographed and rival their on-screen counterparts. And what the play sacrifices in spectacle, it makes up for in intimacy and emotional resonance. 

As the curtain falls, you’ll be left with a tingling sensation that the Upside Down is closer than you thought. Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a bold, mesmerizing addition to the franchise – a must-see for fans and a thrilling introduction for those stepping into Hawkins for the first time. Prepare yourself: the shadows are calling, and they demand your attention.

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööööö (5 - You’ll feel Stranger Things!)

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