The underrated slasher Stream is now available for free on Tubi, and here's why horror fans should check it out

Since its release in 2024, Stream has gained somewhat of a cult following. I say that because whenever I attend a horror event, I see genre fans dressed in Stream hoodies and T-shirts. The movie sort of flew under the radar when it released two years ago, but it's increasingly finding an audience.

The slasher, produced by Phil Falcone and the folks behind the Terrifier franchise, is bloody as heck and a treat for gorehounds. It also feels like a throwback movie, even though its concept is more contemporary. Now, the movie is available to watch for free on Tubi. Here's why horror fans should check it out.

What is Stream about?

Co-produced, co-written, edited, and directed by Michael Levy, Stream tells the story of a vacationing family who stays in a small hotel. Its owner the unleashes four masked killers on them, involving live-streaming activities. The Keenan family consists of father Roy (Charles Edwin Powell), mother Elaine, played by scream queen Danielle Harris, younger son Kevin (Wesley Holloway), and older daughter Taylor (Sydney Malakeh).

The family decides to go away for a weekend after Taylor is caught stealing alcohol and police show up at the family's front door, with Taylor in custody. Meanwhile, the hotel's owner, Mr. Lockwood (Jeffrey Combs), claims the hotel has no wi-fi, which seems absurd. What hotel doesn't have wi-fi? Yet, the family stays there anyway, with the parents hoping it'll reset everything after Taylor's lawbreaking. However, the family sees cameras being placed in various locations around the hotel, which raises some suspicions. Not long after, the family and other guests are terrorized by four masked killers.

Stream features an all-start horror cast

Part of Stream's increasing appeal is that it has an all-start cast of horror celebs that seem to have a lot of fun in their roles. As already mentioned, Danielle Harris, best known for the Halloween franchise, plays a major role as Elaine. Jeffrey Combs, who appeared in several 80s and 90s horror movies, most notably Reanimator, is great at playing a diabolical villain and the mastermind behind the vicious killings.

Additionally, icon Dee Wallace also has a role in the film's opening, and without spoiling anything, I'll just say it's a heck of a grisly sequence. Other horror stars include David Howard Thornton, best known as Art from the Terrifier movies. He plays a killer again in this movie, and he uses some of same body language and comedic beats that made Art so popular in the first place. Dave Sheridan, from the Scary Movie franchise, also has a small role, as do horror legends Tim Curry and Tony Todd, in one of his final performances in film prior to his death in November 2024.

Stream has impressive special effects and lots of gore

Stream has some brutal kills, and that aspect, coupled with the nudity, makes it feel like an old-school slasher with a modern upgrade because of the streaming and tech twist. No kills are quite on part with the grotesque salt scene in Terrifier 2, but there's plenty of bloodshed here. This is likely because Terrifier's writer/director/creator, Damien Leone, did the effects for this movie. So, when a throat is slit, blood gushes everywhere and the practical effects look great.

Further, the film's four killers look cool, with their black masks that sometimes light up. They're mostly silent throughout the film, but that makes them more chilling. They're relentless and pick off the hotel guests one by one. Thornton is especially great with his playful attitude towards the role.

Don't take my word for it, though. If you like slashers and if you dig horror movies that are all kinds of bloody, then give Stream a watch for free on Tubi this month.