It’s the scariest time of year! This week I cover some genre classics featuring angry killers, freak accidents, and just a little bit of laughter.
The Cabin In The Woods (2011) by Drew Goddard
A group of friends drive up to a cabin for a fun weekend. They discover mysterious objects in the basement and quickly fight for their lives. This is your typical horror flick setup . . . or is it? Nothing is as it seems. Whether you love or hate the genre, this movie is equal parts scary, funny, and unique. The final act is unforgettable . . . you never know who or what’s watching you!
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) by Tobe Hooper
One of the most important, influential, and iconic horror movies ever. In rural Texas, friends pick up a hitchhiker. They soon meet his family — bloodthirsty cannibals. The youngest son is a little too good with a chainsaw and meat hooks. While the modern sequels are fun, they don’t match the original. Despite its reputation, most of the violence is off camera. It’s the screaming and angles that create the real fear.
Candyman (1992) by Bernard Rose
Grad student Helen Lyle investigates a mysterious murder in a public housing complex. Amongst poverty and crime, she discovers someone even more sinister in the mirror. Who is the alluring “Candyman” and what happens when you say his name three times? Candyman can be thought of as the blockbuster debut of “social horror” — dealing with topics like racism, segregation, enslaved people, and misogyny. There are three sequels, including a 2021 reboot. But none come close to matching the terror, insight, and craft of the first.
Final Destination series by various directors
Each has the same setup; a character has a vision of a horrific fatal accident and avoids death with their friends. But Death doesn’t like being cheated. Cue the bizarre and perhaps even hilarious deadly situations. You may never drive behind a truck carrying logs the same ever again. While they all share a continuity, the order doesn’t really matter. All characters are linked by the mysterious mortician William Bludworth — the Candyman himself. See if you can spot the Vancouver locations where most of the series was filmed. My favourite was the most recent, Final Destination: Bloodlines. It will especially terrify those with piercings…
Happy Death Day (2017) and Happy Death Day 2U (2019) by Christopher Landon
University resident Tree Gelbman wakes up on her birthday. That night, she is stabbed to death by a masked killer. She wakes up once more on her birthday and is again murdered. Tree soon realizes she’s trapped in a time loop and must stop her own recurring murder before the candles go out, forever! Just when you thought the worst birthday ever was over, the sequel expands and explains the events. It will especially resonate with those having a birthday around this time of year, like yours truly.
All entries in the list are available across various streaming platforms accessible for a horror night at home!
