Check Yourself Before You Rec Yourself: Horror Edition
Photo property of Searchlight Pictures
Happy Friday! After a bit of a hiatus, I’m back to recommend some of my favorite horror films for my favorite holiday, just in time for the weekend. As always, I’ve included recommendations from the big four streaming services, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and HBO. Let’s get right into it!
HULU
Cabin in the Woods (2012) - If you like meta-horror like Scream or Evil Dead 2. One of the best horror movies I’ve seen in years, Cabin in the Woods is the brainchild of Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard and revitalizes the meta-horror genre in the most creative way since Scream. Cabin follows a group of friends (with a pre-Avengers Chris Hemsworth leading the pack), as they go on a weekend trip to, you guessed it, a cabin in the woods. But this isn’t your average slasher. Cabin in the Woods includes some incredible machinations and twists that keep the entire film riveting. Part horror-comedy, part monster movie, part gore, this is an excellent one if you want to watch something scary, but with a little bit of levity as well. And if that’s not enough to sell you on it, horror’s own Heather Langenkamp from Nightmare on Elm Street and her husband did the makeup and effects for it!
Interview with the Vampire (1994) - If you like Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Lost Boys, or Sleepy Hollow (Netflix). Filmed in Louisiana and based on the novel by Anne Rice, this gothic horror-drama is a must-see if you haven’t seen it already. Tom Cruise plays Lestat, a hedonistic and ruthless vampire who finds Louis (Brad Pitt), a wealthy plantation owner who is suicidal after the death of his family and turns him into his companion. A wonderful balance of drama and camp, Cruise is charismatic and exciting to watch as he relishes in the character of Lestat, while Brad Pitt turns in a reserved performance, unlike the dark comedy we’ve seen from him in recent years. The production and costume design are worth the watch alone. Not to mention Antonio Banderas, a young Kirsten Dunst, and Christian Slater round out the already impressive cast.
The Lodge (2019) - If you like slow-burn psychological horrors like It Comes at Night (Netflix) or The Blackcoat’s Daughter (Netflix). Unsettling from start to finish, The Lodge follows Grace, played by Riley Keogh, as she tries to win over her new boyfriend (Richard Armitage)’s kids while on a winter vacation to an isolated cabin. Grace is the sole survivor of a cult that committed mass suicide when she was a child, so it’s safe to say she has a fair amount of trauma that may or may not boil over throughout the film. Atmospheric and tense, this dark psychological horror will keep you guessing and leave you chilled after watching. I had the privilege of seeing it at a midnight screening at Sundance in 2019 and I was truly unsettled for days to come.
NETFLIX
Creep (2014) - If you like found footage movies like Paranormal Activity or The Blair Witch Project. Creep is a 2014 found footage horror directorial debut from Patrick Brice and is written by and stars none other than Metairie’s own Mark Duplass. Brice plays Aaron, a videographer who is hired to capture a video diary for a man named Josef (Mark Duplass) to show his unborn son before he passes away from a brain tumor. But things quickly appear to be not as they seem with Josef, as his behavior becomes more and more erratic and disturbing. Duplass and Brice do an incredible job of creating and building tension with the bare minimum materials that they have, and it’s a genuinely well-crafted and frightening experience. If you aren’t into gore or slashers, this would be another perfect pick for you.
The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2015) - If you like supernatural and atmospheric movies like The Witch. I will not lie to you, The Autopsy of Jane Doe is the movie that makes me the most uneasy on this list. After wanting to see it for years, when it finally popped up on Netflix I immediately jumped at the chance to watch it. André Øvredal, now known for directing the recent Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark adaptation, impresses with this haunting tale of a father and son coroner team, played by Succession’s Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch, respectively, who receive a cadaver of a mysterious woman. As the autopsy continues, they start experiencing strange and unexplainable phenomena. What makes me uneasy about this movie isn’t the supernatural aspects of it, but the autopsy itself. Øvredal holds nothing back in showing Cox and Hirsch performing the autopsy in full glory, and it may make those who have weak stomachs such as myself queasy. But be that as it may, I’m including it on this list because it’s so well made and frightening that it’s inarguably worth the watch.
As Above So Below (2014) - If you like found-footage films like The Descent. Although another found footage film, As Above So Below is worlds away from Creep. The film follows a group of young archaeologists as they attempt to film a documentary in the catacombs of Paris. Loosely based on Dante’s seven layers of hell, As Above So Below is a claustrophobic and wild ride. There are references to the occult, some supernatural occurrences, and other horror tropes, but the found-footage style creates a disorienting atmosphere, which heightens the dread more than anything else in the film. I will also say--those with motion sickness beware.
Netflix Bonus Honorable Mentions: Green Room, Cape Fear, Poltergeist, Sinister, The Ritual
AMAZON PRIME
Hereditary (2017) - If you like other dark and twisted horrors like The Babadook. Ari Aster has an incredible talent for making films that just make your stomach drop. They’re a different kind of horror altogether--not necessarily scary or gory, but the horror that truly leaves you sick to your stomach, and leaves you feeling nauseated. Hereditary is still one of the most unnerving and disturbing films I’ve ever seen. Hereditary follows The Graham family, led by Annie (Toni Collette) and Steve (Gabriel Byrne), as they mourn the death of their family matriarch, Annie’s mother. However, shortly after her death, strange things begin to occur, and the family begins to suffer horrifying supernatural phenomena. If you haven’t seen this yet, it’s best to go in as blind as possible so you can be truly shocked by the turns this film takes.
Fright Night (1985) - If you like fun, campy horror or vampire movies like The Lost Boys, Near Dark, or The Evil Dead (Netflix). I have the unusual experience of watching the 2011 Fright Night remake (due to my obsession with Anton Yelchin, RIP) before the original, and while I enjoy both, the 1985 original offers a unique campiness that can’t be found in the remake. Fright Night follows Charley Brewster, a teenage horror aficionado, who becomes convinced his new neighbor (played by the ever-charming Chris Sarandon of The Princess Bride fame) is a bloodthirsty vampire. Filled with great performances, tongue-in-cheek references, and excellent practical effects, Fright Night is one to check out when you’re looking for a fun, slightly gory, and spooky time.
Crawl (2019) - If you like creature features like 47 Metres Down or Anaconda (Netflix). One of the newest entries on this list, Crawl is a straightforward creature feature about a father and a daughter (played by Barry Pepper and Kaya Scodelario of Skins) who become trapped in their basement in Florida when several alligators infiltrate their basement through a storm drain during a Category 5 hurricane. Crawl is a crisp 87 minutes and accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do: entertain you with ridiculously massive alligators and a little bit of gore. If you’re looking for something intellectually stimulating, this might not be the flick for you, but if you want to just turn your brain off and watch people get eaten by alligators for 87 minutes, Crawl is the way to go.
HBO
An American Werewolf in London (1981) - If you like werewolf movies like The Howling or Cursed. Straddling the line between horror and comedy, An American Werewolf in London follows best friends David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne) as they backpack through Britain. Things take a nasty turn when they’re attacked by a wolf in Yorkshire. Although a horror-comedy, American Werewolf in London contains a lot of disturbing imagery throughout, as well as some excellent chase sequences and scares. Renowned for its practical effects, this is the film that prompted the Academy to create the “Best Makeup” Oscar, which was awarded to the film’s artist Rick Baker, who went on to receive the Oscar another six times. If you’re a fan of werewolf movies, great practical effects, and equal parts hilarity and frights, give this 1980s classic a watch.
The Frighteners (1996) - If you like movies like Beetlejuice or Ghostbusters. The Frighteners was recently recommended to me by a friend when I put out a call for light, entertaining movies that wouldn’t be too heavy or difficult to swallow. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I loved it! A pre-Lord of the Rings Peter Jackson helms this story about an ex-architect named Frank Bannister (Michael J. Fox) who makes his living as a phony exorcist in his small hometown after his wife dies in a car accident. Bannister falls into the role of a paranormal detective when a series of real hauntings begin occurring throughout the town, and citizens begin dropping like flies. Michael J. Fox and the supporting cast (Jake Busey!) give excellently hilarious performances, and it’s just an absolute blast of a movie. I highly recommend adding this to your Halloween watchlist.
Ready or Not (2019) - If you like You’re Next and The Babysitter (Netflix). And finally, Ready or Not is my final recommendation for this post. With a stellar ensemble cast including Samara Weaving, Andie MacDowell, Adam Brody, and Henry Czerny, Ready or Not is a good intro horror movie to dip your toes into if you’re a little hesitant to jump headfirst into the genre. Samara Weaving plays Grace, who is newlywed to Alex Le Domas, who is part of a family of magnates who made their fortune off board games. Grace soon receives a surprise for her wedding night that is less than welcome. This is another film I recommend going into as blind as possible. If you haven’t researched it or seen the trailer, I suggest that you don’t, and simply jump right in!
That’s all I have for this horror edition of recommendations. If you watch any of the movies above, please let me know what you think! I’ll be returning for more reviews and surprises later in October. Happy watching!