Hush (2016) dir. Mike Flanagan
Released 4 years ago, Hush still captivates those who watch it today. The film plunges you into the protagonist’s world where Maddie, a deaf and mute writer, escapes the outside world to write in her isolated and solitary home. The movie continually forces you to experience the world of sensory deprivation, where you and Maddie soon become one. Her silent realm becomes your own—the plot asks you to live her reality.
Available on Netflix, this movie will have you on your toes as you pointlessly BEG the screen to offer your senses to Maddie as she comes under attack from a mysterious visitor. Instead of relying on cheap jump scares, the plot and dialogue taunt both you and Maddie psychologically. Watching the movie, you will begin to fear your own home as well as the writer’s. They play an agonisingly twisted game of cat and mouse. As a result, this movie allows you to enter the inner thoughts of both characters as they share a battle of will and wit. It will have you silently screaming at your screen. Watch, if you dare.
Words by Naomi Akintola
Carrie (1976) dir. Brian De Palma
The first film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel Carrie remains to be one of my favourite horror movies of all time. The 1976 feature, directed by Brian De Palma, stars a young Sissy Spacek as Carrie White who deals with school bullies, telekinetic powers and an abusive home life.
Both the book and film helped define for the future of horror, with the film since being adapted multiple times (don’t bother watching those ones). Nothing will quite beat the strange, bird-like acting of Spacek and the explosive performance of the prom scene, capturing the teenage experience in a uniquely disturbing way.
Coming of age and womanhood is often depicted in horror, but this is an example of a film that does it very well. It’ll absolutely give you the creeps, but it does make you think. It’s emotional in a way that horror movies sometimes aren’t: a brilliantly told story of teen angst, corruption and revenge.
I will never forget how the cliffhanger ending made me jump out of my skin—it was absolutely perfect, definitely inspiring many horror flicks that came after. If you want something classic and creepy this Halloween, give Carrie a try.
Words by Amy Brown
Us (2019) dir. Jordan Peele
Us, only Jordan Peele’s second feature film, is also his second stone-cold modern horror masterpiece: a bold, unflinchingly ambitious, totally original, twisted doppelganger nightmare.
There is so much to love about this film. The cinematography is mesmerizing, contrasting idyllic beaches, labyrinthine house of mirrors and dark, claustrophobic, rabbit-filled tunnels. Filmed with the main four actors playing both ‘tethered’ and ‘untethered’ versions of themselves, Us showcases the talents of all four main cast members. In particular, the towering Winston Duke and spellbinding Lupita Nyong’o give outstanding performances of jaw-dropping physicality.
Launching a thousand Halloween costumes with the sinister red-boiler-suit-and-scissors look of its antagonists, Peele knows the value that this kind of iconic visceral imagery holds within the horror genre. Think Freddy’s stripy jumper, Jason’s hockey mask, Carrie’s blood-stained prom dress. Us rewards richly with every rewatch: revealing a wealth of references, Easter eggs and clues littered intricately within each scene.
It also features a delightful Elisabeth Moss cameo—an orchestrated remix of Luniz’s “I Got 5 On It” and a brutal murder scene set to The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations.” What more could you want, really? And finally, there’s that shudder-inducing plot twist lying in wait for viewers at the film’s riveting climax.
Words by Ed Budds
Hocus Pocus (1993) dir. Kenny Ortega
For me, its not really Halloween until I have watched Hocus Pocus.
From childhood, it has been my all-time favourite spooky season film, nostalgically throwing me back to watching it after an evening of trick or treating. It’s a 90s classic which places highly as a must-watch film over the month of frights. With witches, zombies and talking cats, it encompasses all the very best Halloween tropes.
Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker are in leading roles, so you can already expect an outstanding performance. The three witches, who are awoken by a group of school children on Halloween night, provide heartfelt laughs and even a high tempo musical rendition of “I Put a Spell on You” (one of the best scenes in the film if you ask me). While it may be difficult to believe a film about three 17th-century women who are trying to eat all the children of Salem to stay youthful is funny, director Kenny Ortega deliveres it perfectly.
There is even a sarcastic feline who’s life mission is to stop the witches from succeeding with their child gobbling desires. Binks the cat is by far my favourite character, a true Halloween hero. While it’s not your typical horror film, the family comedy is one for the fall no matter what age you are. If jump scares and gore aren’t your vibe, then this is most definitely a Halloween film for you.
Words by Courtney McLaven
Corpse Bride (2005) dir. Tim Burton and Mike Johnson
It just wouldn’t be Halloween without Tim Burton.
With films like Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas (which isn’t a Christmas film – that’s not up for debate) and Frankenweenie under his belt, the director’s name is synonymous with the holiday. At the very top of the list is the animated classic, Corpse Bride. Starring his usual duo, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, as well as music from Danny Elfman, it has all the perfect ingredients of a fun-filled, spooky film.
Victor Van Dort, the timid son of fish merchants, is to be wedded to Victoria Everglot. The planned marriage is, on the surface, only beneficial to the parents. In a lucky twist of fate, however, the young couple find themselves falling in love. Unfortunately, Victor’s nerves get the better of him and he flees the wedding rehearsal after making an embarrassing mess of his vows. But practice makes perfect, right? In the woods, Victor rehearses them again, this time without a single mistake, and places the wedding ring on the root of a tree. The root, in fact, is the finger of Emily, a dead woman who wakes from her grave and declares Victor her new husband.
It’s the story that really makes Corpse Bride stand out from the rest of these ghostly animations. The characters are delightfully charming and, if you’re a horror-wimp like I am, it’s one of the most entertaining Halloween watches that won’t have you peering through your fingers.
Words by Libby Briggs
Silence of the Lambs (1991) dir. Jonathan Demme
It’s safe to say that Hannibal Lecter epitomizes the movie serial killer.
He’s terrifying, devious and a bizarrely likeable character, even after he’s just chewed someone’s face off. If you haven’t seen The Silence of the Lambs, it’s the ultimate psychological thriller and in my opinion (and many critics) one of the best films ever made.
Hannibal Lecter, played by Anthony Hopkins, is a notorious cannibal and becomes a pawn in FBI agent Clarice Starling’s next case. Not only is Anthony Hopkins’ performance as Hannibal truly outstanding, but the relationship between himself and Clarice, played by Jodie Foster, is what makes The Silence of Lambs a cut above the rest. It’s one of those films that you can’t say too much about without spoiling it, but the Academy Awards (Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Screenplay) speak for themselves.
Words by Eliza Laben