2025 RIR Award Winners

The horror community is abuzz with excitement as we celebrate the most terrifying and thrilling films of 2025. This year’s Rabbit in Red Awards season has featured standout performances, pulse-pounding frights, and clever storytelling.

Fans have voted, and we’re thrilled to reveal the winners in five tight categories, honouring the most unforgettable horror experiences and performances of the year.

Top Scream Queen of 2025

Winner

Vera Farmiga / The Conjuring: Last Rites

Vera Farmiga delivers a mesmerizing performance as Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring: Last Rites, bringing depth and nuance to the iconic role for the sixth time. Her incredible portrayal is a standout aspect of the film’s success, cementing her status as a reigning scream queen.

2nd Place

Jennifer Love Hewitt / I Know What You Did Last Summer 

3rd Place

Alison Brie / Together

Nominees

Julia Garner / Weapons 

Madelaine Petsch / The Strangers: Chapter 2 

Madelyn Cline / I Know What You Did Last Summer 

Mia Goth / Frankenstein 

Sophie Thatcher / Companion 

Top Horror Hunk of 2025

Winner

Tyriq Withers / Him / I Know What You Did Last Summer

Horror’s hottest newcomer, Tyriq Withers, sizzled in dual roles this year, first as the hot-headed, but overprotective Teddy in I Know What You Did Last Summer and then as rising football star Cameron in Him. Withers brings a captivating blend of sex appeal and charisma to both films, solidifying his place as a horror hunk to watch for.

2nd Place

Mason Gooding / Heart Eyes 

3rd Place

Michael B. Jordan / Sinners 

Nominees

Dave Franco / Together 

Freddie Prinze Jr. / I Know What You Did Last Summer 

Jacob Elordi / Frankenstein 

Josh Heuston / Dangerous Animals 

Theo James / The Monkey 

Top Director of 2025

Winner

Zach Cregger / Weapons

Zach Cregger’s Weapons is a powerful film that exceeds expectations, masterfully blending tension and dark humour to create something truly unique. Cregger continues to prove himself as a fearless storyteller, following up Barbarian with another unpredictable narrative that subverts expectations and delivers something far more layered and unsettling.

2nd Place

Danny & Michael Philippou / Bring Her Back 

3rd Place

Michael Chaves / The Conjuring: Last Rites 

Nominees

Christopher Landon / Drop 

Jennifer Kaytin Robinson / I Know What You Did Last Summer 

Guillermo del Toro / Frankenstein 

Michael Shanks / Together 

Osgood Perkins / The Monkey 

Top Slasher Film of 2025

Winner

Heart Eyes 

Heart Eyes is a wildly entertaining mashup of horror and romance, cleverly blending 80s/90s slasher nostalgia with sharp rom-com wit. Josh Ruben directs this campy popcorn flick with a script co-penned by Phillip Murphy, Christopher Landon, and Michael Kennedy. The result is a delightfully unhinged experience that’s equal parts sweet and savage.

2nd Place

I Know What You Did Last Summer  

3rd Place

Clown in a Cornfield 

Nominees

Black Phone 2 

Bone Lake 

Night of the Reaper 

Strange Harvest 

The Strangers: Chapter 2

Top Horror Film of 2025

Winner

Sinners 

Written and directed by Ryan Coogler, Sinners is a dark, stylish, and genuinely fresh take on the vampire genre. Michael B. Jordan is magnetic, playing twin brothers Smoke and Stack, each with their own vibe and personality. The film takes risks with tone and style, blending dark humour with a bluesy, soulful score that’s full of musical ingenuity. With amazing performances and a gripping narrative, Sinners is a true standout in the genre this year.

2nd Place

Weapons

3rd Place

Bring Her Back

Nominees

28 Years Later 

Companion 

Final Destination: Bloodlines 

Frankenstein 

Together

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Congratulations to our winners, runner-ups, and nominees! We’re thrilled to celebrate another outstanding year of horror excellence. And a massive thank you to the horror community for voting and celebrating with us – we couldn’t do it without you!

#rirawards25

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