This article contains parts spoilers for “Correspondence”.
Horror nerds have long become accustomed to Tubi as the place to get an easy fix. The ad-supported streaming service is a spectacular treasure trove of genre films. You could spend as much time looking through their collection of mainstream hits, cult classics, and obscure oddities – as I so often do – and be constantly amazed by the depth of their library. Tubi differentiates itself from services you actually have to pay for, like the inclusion of movies and TV shows from before 1980. Where else will you find “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” next to a bunch of Dark Castle Entertainment movies from the early 2000s? However, over the past four years, the streamer has joined Netflix and Hulu in producing its own original films. You probably haven’t heard of most of them, but within this collection of ultra-low budget horror films like “Slay” and “RL Stine’s Pumpkinhead” is one of the craziest genre films of 2025.
If the idea of having to navigate all those countless dating apps scares you, then the cleverly titled “Match” is the reason you need to finally exorcise them from your phone. At the center of the hellish meeting is Paola (Humberly González), an intelligent, beautiful, And loves watching classic Turner films. Things seem to end in her favor when she meets a seemingly nice guy named Henry. Although their meeting via video chat comes with its share of setbacks, Paola decides to take a leap of faith and meet Henry at his home. But when Lucille (Dianne Simpson), Henry’s mother, opens the door for him, Paola finds herself plunged into a maze of sinister secrets and… fluids (to say the least).
Match by Danishka Esterhazy is a dark and funny exploitation horror film, cousin to Barbarian
If you’ve ever wondered what the exploitation-horror cousin of Zach Cregger’s “Barbarian” would be like, then “Match” is your answer. Danishka Esterhazy, the director behind “The Banana Splits Movie” and the 2021 reimagining of “Slumber Party Massacre,” turns something as simple as a first date into a battle for survival. What’s most impressive is how Esterhazy, alongside writers Al and Jon Kaplan, plays with tonal fluidity. The taboo subject matter ingrained in the material is very real and disturbing, but often leads to bouts of dark humor that test what you’re willing to laugh at. Every time you think “Match” couldn’t keep the momentum going, it surprises you with a series of crazy developments that had me screaming “what the fuck” at my television. several times. It’s a shame this was never released theatrically, if only to have a shared experience of the scene where one character gives another a “hand” with something.
“Match” depends on Paola as she overcomes the many obstacles scattered around the house, whether they be mousetraps, creepy dolls or (something I can’t talk about here). Like “Barbarian,” this is one of those films where it’s almost better to know as little as possible. I could tell you that it also brings to mind “Don’t Breathe”, “Castle Freak” and “Adult Swim Yule Log”, and even that won’t prepare you for how they merge into his own beast. Esterhazy understands the appeal of playing with disgusting gags in poor taste, while still making an insightful commentary on sex, violence and the dangers of upholding the social contract. It also features one of the most messed up encounters of the year.
Social media made Match a surprise hit for Tubi
Even though “Match” would have been a great watch during the Halloween season, the thrill-ride still remains one of the most entertaining horror films of the year. Part of that is because Esterhazy leaned into low-budget sleaze, which the folks at Tubi had no qualms about (via Variety):
“One of the best things about working with Tubi is that they really give their directors a lot of creative freedom. There aren’t a lot of restrictions. They put their trust in their directors and let us play and explore and push the boundaries. So I had a lot of support, and it was a pretty easy process.”
The only downside to “Match” being exclusively on Tubi is that, like most streaming originals, it tends to lose momentum after a few weeks. I probably wouldn’t have even known about it if social media circles within the horror community hadn’t taken over. Fortunately, the film doesn’t just depend on WTF, as its central performances are quite good. González always remains quick on his guard and is an incredibly likeable presence who you want to see escape his predicament. Simpson is equally great as the filthy, overprotective mom figure who likes to go above and beyond to make everyone’s lives hell.
It goes to show that sometimes the most surprising horror gems lurk in the margins, just waiting to be found and pushed aside, especially those that feature a character who gives Samson from “28 Years Later” a run for his money. If you know, you know.
“Match” is currently streaming for free on Tubi.
