October 2021: Horror
Can’t think of anything spooky to watch on Halloween? Here are some horror films that are sure to add fright to your night.
Kirk’s Rec
Carnival of Souls (1962)
The biggest misconception about horror films is that they have to be scary, but so many of the greatest movies of the genre rely on genuine tension and spooky atmosphere. Case in point, Herk Hervey’s low-budget Carnival of Souls. The film’s chock-full of memorable imagery, haunting make-up and an anxiety-inducing score and sound design. If you’ve ever wanted to get into old-school horror, Carnival of Souls makes for a creepy Halloween movie night choice.
Chris’ Rec
Evil Dead 1 & 2 (1981 & 1987)
Our resident horror expert Kirk included Evil Dead in his recent ranking of the top 31 horror film performances, which is why it’s on the top of my mind. I love Evil Dead 1&2, both of which I’m including because they are complementary and yet very distinct from each other. The films as a pair play with the supernatural fright trope. Often, the supernatural horror is either unstoppable or can only be destroyed by an equally supernatural force. In Evil Dead 2, our hero Ash mentally and physically becomes a supernatural force, and it is done in such a delightfully ridiculous fashion that your mind is caught between fear and fun. Between the prosthetics, the stop-motion, and Bruce Campbell’s unrivaled face acting, you will enjoy every minute of these films.
Stephanie's Rec
Carrie (1976)
Carrie is one of the many horror movies my parents subjected me to as a child, and it has been burned into my memory ever since. As an elementary schooler, I was convinced that this was what high school would be...and was it that far off? This coming of age classic is a cautionary tale of the dangers of bullying and the film itself has become an iconic cultural moment.
Dylan’s Rec
Malignant (2021)
I don't watch sports and the closest thing I have (RuPaul's Drag Race) hasn't been exciting since Alyssa Edwards and Tatiana destroyed the runway with their lipsync to "Shut Up and Drive". Watching Malignant is 111 minutes of touchdowns, slam dunks, hat tricks, death drops, lip sync assassins, birth of a child, New Year's Eve, and literally anything that makes you cheer. Literally any movie is better the less you know about it, but go in knowing that this movie is camp to the highest degree and in the hands of an absolute master in James Wan. And anyone who tells you the first half is boring and stupid, just know that they are boring and stupid.
Jesse’s Rec
IT (1990)
The Ring (2002)
There are two horror movies whose influence have set me back decades in this genre. The first is IT, the 1990 mini series that my dad allowed me to watch at the age of 6. Not only did this horrify me away from horror movies for years, but I refused to take a shower for a solid month, which for a 6-year-old I’d say was 100% justified. Lots of healing and emotional growth followed that incident, and I was doing ok with scary movies all the way until my early adolescence when I saw The Ring in 2002. This not only set me back to my childhood cinematic trauma state, but ruined my newly earned privilege of having a TV in my bedroom which I no longer wanted anything to do with. I have since been incredibly careful with the genre, even having to watch Hereditary in the middle of the day with the windows open. Though I made it through that showing, somewhere in the back of my head I’m just waiting for the next regression to hit at the suggestion of one of my many, many horror-obsessed movie friends. I’ll do my best.