Every Halloween, people make lists to showcase their favorite frightening flicks, and I am no different. Because horror is one of the most polarizing film genres out there, everyone has a different opinion (Just ask “Mike A,” an opinionated commenter on “10 Terrifying Films You’ve Never Seen”). All tastes, despite their venom, are welcomed in the horror genre. So, kudos to Mike A for being honest about his.
With the spirit of All Hallow’s Eve in mind, we’ve created two lists in hopes of inspiring your inner horror connoisseur to come out in full force. Here is Part 1:
8. “The Innocents” (1961)
“The Innocents” is Gothic horror at its finest. It’s a classic supernatural tale of possession and family dysfunction, with Deborah Kerr leading the way toward some very special, very unique scares. The film is based on Henry James’ novella “The Turn of the Screw” and focuses on a governess (Kerr) tending to a wealthy bachelor’s (Michael Redgrave) niece and nephew. Redgrave’s character has zero interest in his siblings’ relations and desperately wants to travel abroad without them. His departure is the beginning of the end for Kerr’s character, Miss Giddens, as she discovers a serious haunting in the home, as well as a disturbing possession in the children. It’s a slow-paced film that is perfect for fans of aged thrillers. If you like Jack Clayton or Tod Browning, you’ll enjoy “The Innocents.”
Via: Vegas Chatter
7. “Motel Hell” (1980)
A film that is a bit more enjoyable to watch with a group of friends, “Motel Hell” focuses on two sadistic motel owners (who are also siblings), their farm and their crazed roadside stand. Vincent (Rory Calhoun) and Ida (Nancy Parsons) are the core scare factors of the film, divvying up their time spent taking care of the farm and attached motel (Motel Hello with a flickering ‘O’) and choosing which sadistic method they should use to torture their customers (victims) with next.
6. “Cube” (1997)
Although “Cube” is advertised more as a sci-fi thriller, this film makes the list solely because of how many times you’ll end up sitting at the edge of your seat, clenching your fists and hoping the vehement puzzle-piece torture will end. This film is packed with moments that will make you cringe over and over again. In this way, it stands apart from the rest of the list. Instead of diverting your eyes from macabre in a goalie mask, you get to involve yourself in an intricate plot where each character is seemingly essential and the rules of the game are, in layman’s terms, pretty fucked up. Seven people are stuck in a maze riddled with traps. Everything that could go wrong does. “Cube” is a go-to film for Halloween.
5. “The Beast Within” (1982)
“The Beast Within” is loosely based off of Edward Levy’s novel of the same name. It tells the story of the aftermath of a violent rape by a man-creature. The film doesn’t necessarily sexualize rape, but it is essential to the process of the man-creature’s lineage. The monsters are born from unwanted sexual advances and Michael (Paul Clemens) is no exception. At seventeen, he begins his descent into cannibalism and murder, and it’s up to his parents (real father excluded) to find a cure. Philippe Mora made one of the best directorial choices ever when he asked Tom Burman to create the transformation scene. It is iconic and is still debated to this day.
Via: Movies at Dog Farm
4. “Dog Soldiers” (2002)
Speaking of beasts and fantastic transformations, “Dog Soldiers” is another essential, must-see flick on the list. With a DVD cover that reads, “‘Jaws”, “Alien”, and “Predator” with a werewolf twist” and a production budget backed by the Sci-Fi Channel, you know it’s going to be bad. And it is bad. It’s awful. But, it has just the right amount of shoddy production value to put it in the realm of campy (enjoyable, even). If you dig films like “The Cabin in the Woods”, “Southern Comfort”, or “The Stuff”, you’ll probably find “Dog Soldiers” satisfactory. It involves a military experiment run amuck and has some very impressive kill scenes. Drink a good beer and watch this film.
3. “Black Christmas” (1974)
Directed by Bob Clark and also known under the titles of “Silent Night, Evil Night” and “Stranger in the House”, “Black Christmas” is a unique run-off of a holiday cliché. It is also one of the first films to be labeled as a ‘slasher flick.’ The movie is basically just that, with a killer laying low in an attic during a sorority Christmas party and meowing to gain attention from his victims. One by one he offs the guests, leading to an investigation and circulating speculation on the motive of the girls’ “disappearances.” This film is a father to the horror genre and the 2006 remake doesn’t hold a candle to the original.
2. “Demons” (1985)
I actually had the fortune of showing this to a super cute boy who had never seen or heard of the film before, and to my delight, he loved every second of it.
“Demons” takes place in a movie theater in West Berlin where all the customers are trapped, killed and possessed by 1980s gremlins. (They’re supposed to be demons, but their ridiculous appearances are definitely debatable.) The kills intensify as the movie progresses and the payoff is totally worth it. And yes, the Italian film is dubbed in English. You literally have no excuse not to watch this.
I recommend you find a cutie (boy or girl) and watch this movie, whether it be on your laptop or the big screen.
Via: Alex Kittle
1. “The Devils” (1971)
“The Devils” is one of my absolute, all-time favorite movies. It is a historical-narrative based on a little town in France where, in the 17th century, hysteria and demonic possession are frequent. The film is directed by Ken Russell (“Altered States”, “The Who’s Tommy”) and was originally rated ‘X’ in both the United States and in Britain. It has been banned in several countries and most versions of the film are heavily edited. That being said, this film is still as eerie as they come. There is an influx of heavy political and religious parody throughout “The Devils” (as it reflects the era and it’s naivety) and David Watkin’s cinematography seems to pay homage to Alejandro Jodorowsky and Pier Pasolini’s works’ in a beautiful, flawless way.
I recommend seeing this with close friends or solo. It isn’t comedic and it isn’t necessarily ‘scary’ but it definitely leaves an unsettling impression.
There’s more where these came from, so stay tuned for Part 2 of our Halloween Flick Picks.
Feature photo courtesy of: Zeke Film
