It's spooky season, so it seems a perfect time to share some of my all time favourite horror films. I love nothing more than curling up and scaring myself silly on a dark October evening. Here are some of my recommendations for this Halloween!
1) Creep and Creep 2
The Creep series is found footage horror at it's absolute finest. Creep follows Aaron, a videographer who answers an advert created by Josef, and the events that follow. Directed by Patrick Brice who stars as Aaron, and written by both Brice and Mark Duplass who also plays Josef, it's a small cast independent film and it is utterly brilliant. In my opinion these are some of the best modern horror fims in years, genuinely unsettling. If you like found footage, go check out this series, Creep 3 is coming soon!
2) Shaun of the Dead
This rom-com-zom is a Brit classic for a reason, it's hilarious, heartbreaking and horrible, all rolled into one. I have re-watched this dozens of times and it is funny every single time. If you've not seen it, get it watched.
3) Hellraiser
Pinhead is a truly iconic horror villain, one of my absolute favourites. His eloquence is what makes him so utterly horrifying, he is softly spoken and uses this for optimal creepiness. One day I will own the lament configuration box set of this series!
4) Nightmare on Elm Street
'One, two, Freddy's coming for you...'. I know some people think the whole series is campy and cheesy but the original wasn't! It descended into cheese as the series went on but it just makes me enjoy it even more. I do have the box set for these and have refused to ever see the remake. Robert Englund is Freddy Krueger, now and forever.
5) Candyman
I'm sure every school has it's own version of the Candyman myth. A name you say in the mirror 5 times, or a poem about an evil being that summons the darkness. At my primary school it was 'white lady, white lady, I've stolen your baby', and rumour had it a lady clad all in white would appear to take you away. At my second primary school it was a lady in grey, haunting the bathrooms. For the resident of Cabrini-Green, it is the utterance of 'Candyman' 5 times that summons him. I've seen Candyman described as the precursor to 'Get Out', and also called out for perpetuating racism. It features a white female narrator who veers into white saviour terrority, and a black villain created by the brutality of white men. It's problematic in it's casting of a black villain hunting the white protagonist, but peeling back the layers it is so much more complicated than that. The societal issues it discusses are sadly still so relevant to modern times, that despite being over 20 years old, you could easily transport this film to the present day.
6) Alien
Sci-fi horror as it's absolute finest, with a bad ass female lead to boot. Sigourney Weaver's Ripley was a hero of mine as a teenager. Seeing a strong female lead who didn't have to be overly feminine, or conform to female stereotypes was so empowering. She was andrognous, she didn't need a man to save her, and the alien itself is Freudian, whilst also tied in with the horror of female reproduction. I consider Alien, Aliens, and Alien 3 all well worth the watch. Yes, even Alien 3! I haven't seen Resurrection but I'm sure I'll give it a go at some point.
7) Cube
My absolute all time favourite horror film and I initially published this blog post without including it! It's genuinely creepy and stayed with me so long after I saw it. I first had it on VHS after pinching it from my Uncle and now have it on DVD. It's aesthetics are beautiful and I love that there are so many unanswered questions. Watch it!!
What are your favourite horror films to rewatch at Halloween? Please share, I'd love to watch some new films!
Much love,
Kitty xxxx
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