Horror Movies to Watch This Halloween
Some of the best parts of October are pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, and of course, watching scary movies! Below is a compiled list of a few hidden gems that are perfect to watch this October. There are a lot of gory movies, so watch with discretion.
Skinamarink (2023), directed by Kyle Edward Ball
Produced in 2023, Skinamarink, is a Canadian supernatural horror film that can be viewed on Hulu. This film is centered around two young children who have woken up in the night to find their father is gone and things around the house are missing. This movie plays on themes of nostalgia and childhood fears and has an element of child-like naiveté to it. The film creates an entrancing story by juxtaposing this innocence to the absolute evil that terrorizes these children. Though it has gotten mixed reviews, the movie can be an interesting watch when the viewer understands that it is not a clear-cut story with a classic horror plotline. Lighting plays a big role in this movie, and it can sometimes be hard to make out figures in the darkness. Is that just a pile of clothing or is someone standing there? Skinamarink is very atmospheric and based more on feeling rather than plot. It has a lot of gaps where the viewer is supposed to draw their own conclusions. I think this is a great film to watch if you are looking to be scared in the same way the dark, or more so what is hiding in the dark, might have scared you as a child.
Barbarian (2022), directed by Zach Cregger
Don’t trust a sketchy Airbnb. Barbarian has a great cast and an interesting way of storytelling. It is a horror/mystery that will leave you on the edge of your seat. It can be found on Disney+. Barbarian has plenty of good, classic jumpscares. It also teases the awkward tension of certain scenes out to create genuine horror. This film takes a generic premise and transforms it into a brilliant piece that is suspenseful and rich in moral themes. This movie is constantly asking the viewer to think about what defines a “good person”. Not only does it understand famous horror tropes, but it also completely re-imagines them. Barbarian also provides insight into its characters and their motivations. It is very suspenseful and has an amazing twist to the story, as well as a great lesson in learning to trust your instincts.
One Cut of the Dead (Kamera Wo Tomeruna!) (2017), directed by Shinichirou Ueda
Don’t trust your first impression of this film at all. One Cut of the Dead is a Japanese zombie movie that is just crazy. It is hard to not give away anything, even in such a short review. Though the movie starts off slow, it is worth the wait. One Cut of the Dead integrates the very overused zombie trope and re-imagines it. This film is very inventive and is a masterclass on how to properly do a movie inside a movie. It takes great liberties to create an incredibly funny and thought-out storyline. This movie integrates the resourcefulness and collaboration that comes with hands-on filmmaking. It had an idea of what it wanted to be, and it absolutely delivered. Even though this movie starts out somewhat confusing, the ending really ties everything together. It can be rented on Apple TV.
Annihilation (2018), directed by Alex Garland
Annihilation is a spine-chilling film. It has plenty of incredible actors like Natalie Portman, Oscar Issac, Tessa Thompson, and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Annihilation uses scientific explanation and theories that help make the story feel real. Another feature that makes this story realistic is the appropriate use of CGI; nothing feels over-exaggerated, or cartoon-like. Horror movies have a pretty bad rap for creating flat, two-dimensional female characters, take Ellen Brody from Jaws (1975) or Rachel Creed from Pet Sematary (1989). Female characters from many cult classics are either poorly imagined or constantly sidelined by the male protagonist in their respective films. Annihilation has a well thought out group of female characters, very similar to Alien (1979). Natalie Portman’s character is properly fleshed out and does not feel disjointed or two-dimensional. This film has beautiful visuals and does a great job using music to convey emotion. Even though the ending is divisive and peculiar, not only does it not take away from the overall idea, but it also perfectly keeps in line with the narrative.
If a movie needs multiple twists, check out One Cut of the Dead and Barbarian. If some good music is important, check out Annihilation. In general, since these movies are all so wildly different, hopefully at least one thing on this list makes a good impression and satisfies that horror crave this October.