Every October, I like spending some of my free time watching horror movies and sharing my thoughts on them. So if you are staying at home for Halloween, or just want a good list of horror films to watch, you might want to check out some of these movies, most of which are available on Netflix.
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. Some of the following images are gory so do not proceed if that is not your thing.
With that out of the way, let's begin!
OCULUS
Starring popular Doctor Who alumnus, Karen Gillan, Oculus stands out because it's not gory, but instead more psychological. The story centers around an odd mirror that affects the senses of those who dare get near it.
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| "This fruit's juice tastes a little funny." |
The film has a bit of a vibe similar to The Shining, but it also has a lot of flashbacks, which serve to confuse the audience as well as the protagonists. Unfortunately, the acting is a bit uneven, with many of the main characters lacking chemistry with each other. However, Karen Gillan does a great job, although her American accent could use some work. Oculus is unique enough to warrant a look.
HELLBOUND: HELLRAISER II
If you know me, I love Hellraiser. It is a great horror film that is both gory and character driven. The sequel is not quite as good as the first, but it is still a very good film featuring even more gore than before.
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| Nah, he'll be alright..... It's just a flesh wound. |
If you want to find out more about the Cenobites, and the realm in which they reside, this film will answer those questions. However, I feel that it takes a bit of the mystique away by actually showing us what Hell is like. Nonetheless, Hellbound is a worthy successor to the first film.
CANDYMAN
This has got to be one of the best horror movies I have ever seen. The premise is simple: a grad student investigates an urban legend called "Candyman." Saying his name five times will summon him to kill you. Sounds so basic, but it is so much more.
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| "I think I overdid it with the weight loss." |
Yes, there is some gore in this film, but it is also very cerebral. The protagonist's life spirals out of control, and you begin to question what is real. Furthermore, the film doesn't lose steam in the final act, staying strong throughout. If you like horror films, this is one you need to watch.
GRAVE ENCOUNTERS
This was one of the weaker films I saw this year, though the premise is interesting. A crew of ghost hunters from a reality series encounter some real ghosts, which turn out to be deadly.
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| "Oh look, a friendly ghost. It just wants to say hi!" |
The film doesn't try to fool the audience into thinking it might be real. The first act is entertaining with some comedy sprinkled in, but once the scares begin, the film is not as effective. Nonetheless, there are some great ideas here. I just wish the director stuck to the comedy a bit more because the film just isn't all that scary. If you don't like found footage type films, stay away. If you do, this is just ok to watch with some friends. Certainly watch the other films on this list first.
NIGHTBREED
This is a cult classic from Clive Barker, though it's not a typical horror film. The monsters are the "good guys," and the antagonist is a human serial killer.
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| I don't think that's the kind of mask that comes off. |
The main problem with Nightbreed is that it is too ambitious. There is some world-building since the monsters live in an underground society called Midian, and the film has many interesting characters (the monsters in particular), but fitting them all into one film makes the pacing feel rushed. Furthermore, the final act feels like it could have gone further with the action and gore, though that could have been due to a budget issue.
Despite the flaws, there is a certain charm to the film. It is incredibly imaginative, and worth watching because it is so unique. It feels like there are many layers to the characters that inhabit this world, even if there isn't enough time to explore them all. I'd love to see more from Nightbreed in the future, although I can't help but feel the story would work a little better as a TV series.
Horror fans should give this film a shot. Funny little coincidence that the director's cut was just released on Blu-Ray/DVD earlier this week. Go get a copy!
YOU'RE NEXT
On the outside, this looks like just another home invasion movie, and the setup is pretty basic with a family reunion suddenly interrupted by men in masks. Panic and gore ensue. However, this is a smart movie that knows how to have fun.
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| Points for proper spelling. |
Part of what makes this movie stand out is that one of the family guests just so happens to possess strong survival skills. What's so great is that she still acts realistic in how she approaches fighting back. She still seems vulnerable, as she is taking on several assailants. So despite the protagonist's training, there is still quite a bit of tension as she hides and strategically plans her actions. This is probably my second favorite on this list after Candyman, so go watch it on Netflix now!
WISHMASTER
This one gets creativity points. The antagonist is a djinn, a demon with incredible power, but can only use that power to grant other people's wishes. As a result, the djinn tries to get people to reveal what they want so he can twist their words and use their desires to kill them in creative ways.
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| "I think I need more moisturizer." |
Unfortunately, the movie is not that strong as a whole. The acting is fairly weak, and the horror element is rather gimmicky. On the other hand, the film does have an all-star horror cast with Kane Hodder (Friday the 13th), Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm Street), and Tony Todd (Candyman). Furthermore, both the first and final acts go all out with gore and special effects, an effort I can appreciate. Overall, Wishmaster is a very flawed film, but still a fun watch.
RE-ANIMATOR
If you like gore and a little dark comedy, this is one for you. Based on a story by H.P. Lovecraft, the film revolves around a medical student (Jeffrey Combs) who concocts a serum to reanimate the dead. Of course, the serum has some nasty side effects, such as the little problem of causing the reanimated to kill indiscriminately. Well, most of the time anyway.
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| "Please don't eat me. I make a terrible appetizer." |
Part of what makes this film stand out is how over-the-top it is. It's a fun, campy horror movie. However, there is one particular graphic scene with a severed head and a nude woman that is a bit hard to watch, but it does still fit in with the gore and nudity that is prevalent throughout. The comedy also helps make the film entertaining, such as some of Jeffrey Combs' dialogue, and visual gags that are also gory. If you don't like gore, stay away. Otherwise, this is a must-see for horror fans.
That's it for my Halloween Special. I hope you all have fun and stay safe. Happy Halloween!
