A serving platter of choices for your Halloween movie-night
By Kelsey Dech
Whether a scary movie is about murderous psychotics, the supernatural, or flesh-eating zombies, they give us the thrills, chills, and screams that have become fundamental to Halloween. With the holiday just around the corner, it is the perfect time to take a look at some classic films that have continued to scare us over the years.
1922: Nosferetu
Based on the story of Count Dracula, the German expressionist horror film is a silent classic, which only makes it more eerie. While the modern vampire film features the handsome and seductive undead, Count Orlok has a ghoulish appearance and long, creepy fingers. It’s a must for the horror film fanatic.
1960: Psycho
This timeless Alfred Hitchcock film is infamous for the shower scene, not to mention the soundtrack. This slasher features the everyday man who transforms into a murderous maniac. Sparking several sequels and remakes, the original Psycho still sets us on the edge of our seats.
1968: Night of the Living Dead
George A. Romero was ahead of his time, setting up the framework for many zombie movies to come. The idea of the dead rising to feed on the flesh of the living remains terrifying. As it was one of the first of its kind, this film is still enjoyed by thrill seekers and zombie fans alike.
1973: The Exorcist
Is there anything scarier than a little girl being possessed by a demon? When 12-year-old Regan becomes possessed, two priests attempt to exorcise the demon from her through Catholic practices. The Exorcist is relatively slow moving, but as events accumulate, the nuances of the film become increasingly terrifying.
1975: Rocky Horror Picture Show
Veering away from the horror genre for a second, the Rocky Horror Picture Show is a still a prime Halloween movie-night pick. With annual viewings and live performances of the film still held around the globe, this cult classic has the musicality, humour, and over the top costumes that makes it immensely fun. Plus, Tim Currey wears lipstick, fishnet stockings, and high heels.
1980: The Shining
Adapted from Stephen King’s novel, The Shining is a terrifying psychological horror that has both a suspenseful storyline and superb acting. The crazed character of Jack Torrance played by Jack Nicholson is one of the most famous from the psychological horror genre. What distinguishes this film from the others is the slow build towards a climax: Nicholson drinks in empty bars in the Overlook Hotel, but these scenes are interjected with flashes of dead twins and corpses in the bathtub. From the famous lines “redrum” and “Heeeere’s Johnny,” to the images of the creepy twins, The Shining is a horror movie that continues to scare new and old audiences.
1996: Scream
The famous slasher that made Ghostface a horror icon, this movie is still a popular one, as it contributed to the redefining of the genre. Scream is a parody of the horror genre. It has a little bit of everything from horror to humour and remains a classic whodunnit film.
2004: Saw
The unconventional situations the characters are put in make this gruesome film one that puts movie-goers on the edge of their seats. With the twisted plot and the theme of taking things for granted, this film has spawned several sequels, each more gruesome than the last.
2009: Paranormal Activity
The film that started the long train of sequels, Paranormal Activity tells the story of strange events that happen within a family. This movie stands out against the rest in terms of form: hand-held and hovering security cameras are used to illustrate the entire film. This immerses the viewer in the experience of the paranormal activities and makes the film viscerally gripping.
2012: Cabin in the Woods
Apparently, college students staying in a creepy cabin in the woods never gets old. This one features the usual good-looking cast, complete with the chiselled-jaw jock and the pretty blonde in cut-offs. What they discover is that there is something lurking in the cabin they’re occupying, something evil. Let the screams begin.
