Match: The Halloween Hit Shaking HorrorTok with Incest, Gore & a Shocking Mouse Trap Scene!

CAUTION: SPOILERS: This piece reveals details about the movie “Match,” available now on Tubi.

As October rolls in, the arrival of horror films in cinemas and on streaming platforms is a given. Predicting which film will capture the hearts of horror enthusiasts is always tricky. This season, a Tubi exclusive featuring a monstrous antagonist named Henry has caught viewers’ attention.

Released on October 3, “Match” is a film on the ad-supported streaming service Tubi that quickly became a topic of discussion despite limited advertising and no screenings at horror film festivals. The buzz on HorrorTok, fueled by its particularly gruesome scenes, helped the movie gain rapid attention. Within a fortnight, headlines such as the Daily Mail’s “Why Tubi Horror Film ‘Match’ Is Making People Sick With its ‘Repulsive’ Scenes: ‘Sickest Thing I’ve Ever Seen!’” began circulating.

Danishka Esterhazy, the director of “Match,” expressed that the reactions to the film suggest it has effectively resonated with audiences.

“It feels rewarding,” she remarked. “Our entire team was aware we were crafting a dark, intense narrative, and we fully embraced that challenge. It’s amusing that reactions on TikTok often start with someone declaring it the most revolting thing they’ve seen, only to add that they absolutely loved it. This tells me we’ve managed to stir the right emotions, providing a sort of cathartic experience that great horror is meant to evoke — something that you experience physically, not just mentally.”

For those who haven’t seen it, “Match” follows the story of Paola (played by Humberly González), who risks meeting a seemingly perfect match from a dating app at his home. She soon finds herself trapped by Lucille (Dianne Simpson), a desperate mother who wants Paola to carry her grotesquely deformed son Henry’s (Jacques Adriaanse) child. The narrative unfolds as Paola tries to escape from the deadly intentions of mother and son.

Despite the grim premise, the film’s over-the-top violence and dramatic sequences provide moments of intense discomfort interspersed with nervous laughter. Esterhazy believes the script, penned by Jon and Al Kaplan, allows viewers to connect deeply with Paola, even as the events spiral into bizarre territories.

Esterhazy aimed to create a journey that starts in the mundane reality of dating apps, then catapults into a nightmarish scenario once Paola enters Henry’s home. “I focused on crafting an atmosphere of darkness and obscured visibility, akin to a labyrinthine trap where danger lurks in the unseen corners,” she explained.

Among the film’s most shocking scenes are ones involving grotesque sexual acts, including Lucille’s disturbing way of teaching Henry about sex, and Paola’s desperate act of self-defense involving a mousetrap. Reflecting on the latter, Esterhazy mentioned it was pivotal in her decision to direct the film. “It subverted typical exploitation horror tropes, blending horror with unexpected comedy, which I found wonderfully cathartic,” she noted.

“When discussing the project with Tubi, I emphasized the need to authentically portray these scenes, particularly the mousetrap scene. It breaks the typical taboo around male nudity, which I find unnecessarily stigmatized compared to the frequent depiction of female nudity,” she added.

Esterhazy praised her production team for their meticulous planning, ensuring the safety and comfort of everyone involved during the film’s more intimate and extreme scenes. “We had extensive discussions with our prosthetic team and intimacy coordinators to ensure everyone was aligned and comfortable with the portrayal of these scenes,” she said.

Tubi supported the film’s bold vision, providing Esterhazy with the creative freedom necessary to explore and push boundaries. “Working with Tubi has been liberating. They truly empower their directors,” she affirmed.

Adam Lewinson, Tubi’s chief content officer, explained that “Match” fits perfectly within their strategy of producing distinctive horror films that stand out. “The concept of extreme dating horror really slices through the noise and captures attention,” he stated.

“Match” is contributing to Tubi’s reputation as a haven for horror enthusiasts, drawing viewers not just to new releases but also to its extensive catalogue of horror films. “It’s thrilling to see new viewers diving deep into our library, exploring various subgenres of horror,” Lewinson shared.

Esterhazy appreciates the horror community’s role in making “Match” a success. “The engagement from HorrorTok has been phenomenal. Despite our modest budget and lack of traditional marketing, the film has resonated widely, all thanks to word-of-mouth among passionate horror fans,” she concluded.

While not currently planning a sequel, Esterhazy is open to the possibility, given the film’s open-ended conclusion and ongoing engagement with fans.

Below are exclusive behind-the-scenes photos from the set of “Match.”

Watch the trailer for “Match” below.