A fresh horror film from Shudder is soon to be available on streaming platforms.
Shudder has established itself as a premier destination for horror enthusiasts, providing a mix of original films and series alongside licensed content. Over the recent months, Shudder has debuted several acclaimed original films such as The Ugly Stepsister (2025), V/H/S/Halloween (2025), Good Boy (2025), Influencers (2025), Bodycam (2026), and The Mortuary Assistant (2026). These films typically enjoy a brief theatrical run before they are released on the streaming platform, and another new title is set to continue this trend.
Forbidden Fruits, a new original from Shudder, is scheduled for streaming release on Friday, June 26. This release follows its initial debut at the SXSW Film Festival on March 16 and a subsequent limited theatrical run in North America starting March 27.
The R-rated Forbidden Fruits, directed by Meredith Alloway, is a horror-comedy about a coven of manipulative witch saleswomen at a mall. The plot thickens when a new employee, Pumpkin (played by Lola Tung), joins and inadvertently sets off a chain of lethal events. The cast also includes Lili Reinhart, Victoria Pedretti, Alexandra Shipp, Jordan Duarte, and Zach Thompson.
The anticipation for Forbidden Fruits has been high, and it has been well-received by critics, holding a solid 75% on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience rating on the Popcornmeter is slightly lower at 73%.
In a review by ScreenRant, critic Graeme Guttman gives the film a seven out of 10. He commends the film for its distinctive style and the performance of Lola Tung, while also noting director Alloway’s skillful blend of various film influences into a unique product. Guttman states:
“With its memorable lines, trendy mall attire, and the wildly over-the-top violent finale, Forbidden Fruits offers more entertainment than deep thematic exploration. Subtlety is absent, and the film, a hybrid of Mean Girls and The Craft, thrives on overt drama and sharp, humorous insults. It marks a revival of the rebellious chick flick genre that has been missing in recent times.”
Despite only amassing $2.4 million in its limited theatrical outing, the upcoming Shudder release promises to expose Forbidden Fruits to a broader audience. This is particularly significant for Meredith Alloway, making her feature directorial debut with this film. Alloway, who also co-wrote the script with Lily Houghton, might see this project as a stepping stone to more ambitious work.
Given the potential success of Forbidden Fruits, it could pave the way for future projects for Alloway. Although it’s uncertain what she will choose to work on next, her distinctive directorial debut suggests she could be a key player in future horror projects, possibly in collaboration with Shudder. For now, subscribers can look forward to this intriguing new addition to the Shudder library in just a few weeks.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
