by Paislee House, Film Critic
Every year we see countdowns of the scariest movies of all time or the best movies to watch this Halloween. You tired of those yet? This list is 10 recommendations from the last decade. You won’t be seeing “Halloween” or “Friday the 13th” on it or any other iconic movies unless they’ve come out between the years 2007 and 2017. In addition to that stipulation and for horizon-expansion sake, I’m also going to skip over movies in the James Wan Universe like “Insidious” or “The Conjuring.” These movies are great, but we’ve all seen them. With that in mind, let’s dive into the best horror for your 2017 Halloween.
10. The Cabin in the Woods (2011), USA
“The Cabin in the Woods” flipped the script back in 2011 and turned the horror genre on its head. What starts out as a stereotypical movie where a group of young friends plan a trip to a cabin in the middle of nowhere quickly turns into a scary and humorous examination of the genre. Writer/director Drew Goddard had done mostly screenplay and production work prior to “The Cabin in the Woods,” but one could guess otherwise based on the work. The metahorror and self-awareness are complex and masterful, and while the movie is at times comedic, it still manages to deliver some scary situations.
Available to rent on most streaming platforms.
9. The House of the Devil (2009), USA
Ti West has become a well-known name to horror fans and part of the reason is his 2009 cult throwback “The House of the Devil.” Shot on 16mm, which gives the film a warm, retro feel, “The House of the Devil” is set in the 1980s and follows a college-aged woman who is on her way to a babysitting gig. Seems pretty non-threatening, right? As her evening progresses, Samantha, encounters weirder and scarier happenings. “The House of the Devil” is a slowburn with multiple muted scares that culminate in a shocking ending. With that in mind, be sure to check out “The House of the Devil” if you’re in the mood for a modern movie with an 80s feel.
Available to rent on most streaming platforms.
8. The Skin I Live In (2011), Spain
Don’t sell yourself short by only watching English-language horror because there are some real gems out there that fall in the foreign category. The first foreign film on the list, “The Skin I Live In,” is more of a thriller than pure horror, but there are plenty of scares, nonetheless. Directed by Spanish film connoisseur, Pedro Almodóvar, “The Skin I Live In” is full of twists and turns that will surely make your head spin. Once you solve the movie’s mystery, don’t say I didn’t warn you about its cringeworthy level.
Available to rent on most streaming platforms.
7. Inside (2007), France
Another foreign classic! “Inside” is by far the bloodiest film on this list. If gore is your thing, then this is the movie for you. Not only is “Inside” the goriest movie on the list, but it probably has the most off-the-wall premise. It’s the story of two women involved in a car accident, which leads to one seeking revenge on the other. What ensues is a creepy, home invasion bloodbath that isn’t for the faint of heart. In fact, I’ve technically seen this movie a few times now, but I still can’t keep my eyes open for the whole thing. I’d be concerned/impressed if you can manage to watch it without looking away.
Available to rent on most streaming platforms.
6. Creep (2014), USA
This movie surprised me and left me scared for roughly a month after watching it. This movie really speaks to the creepiness of humans and how truly terrifying seemingly normal people can be. The film’s claustrophobic feeling is partially due to the film being so small. It was directed by Patrick Brice who co-wrote and co-starred in the film alongside Mark Duplass. “Creep” is just these two characters for 1 hour and 22 minutes, which was the most gut-wrenching, terrifying, slowest moving 82 minutes I’ve ever spent watching a movie because it scared me so much. If that isn’t enough to make you want to watch “Creep,” there will soon be a second film simply called “Creep 2.”
Watch it on Netflix. Available to rent on most streaming platforms.
5. It Follows (2014), USA
At this point in the list we’ve hit “modern classic horror” territory, which begins with “It Follows.” This movie was and still is divisive. It is achingly slow but in the best way possible. The story and monster are a bit abstract, which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but it is mine. What is so wonderful about “It Follows” is how it interprets teen sexuality and the way our sexual encounters stay with us. For some, this is just another teen horror movie about STDs. However, I’ll be the first to argue it’s about way more than that. Regardless of how you feel about the story, the film’s gorgeousness is undeniable and its synth score creepy. If you haven’t seen it already, be sure to check it out. Just know that its scares are a bit different than the average horror film; they follow you off the screen.
Watch it on Netflix. Available to rent on most streaming platforms.
4. Get Out (2017), USA
The impact “Get Out” has had on movies/pop culture/life in 2017 is unmistakable, and that influence is completely earned. “Get Out” takes social horror and turns it up to 11. It is a smart, beautifully shot and utterly horrifying film that deals with issues of race/racism in new, unseen yet totally familiar ways. Writer/director Jordan Peele has mostly made a name for himself in the comedy genre with writing partner Keegan-Michael Key, but this solo venture cemented his talents outside of the comedy arena. Peele’s next project is rumored to be a thriller about a black Klansman on which he’s working with directing legend Spike Lee.
Available to rent on most streaming platforms.
3. The Wailing (2016), South Korea
There’s no shortage of great films coming out of South Korea right now, but one of the best is Na Hong-jin’s “The Wailing.” Clocking in at a whopping 156 minutes, “The Wailing” is an epic, unforgiving possession tale with a unique South Korean twist. Given its length, “The Wailing” becomes hard to follow towards the end but don’t give up! The last act of the film puts everything into perspective in a brutal rewind that’ll make you think shiiiiit. Hong-jin’s masterful work is a must-see and one of the best possession films out there. Though its story is timeless, the influence of the South Korean Shamanism gives it an interesting edge for American audiences who are destined to be shocked by the film as it unfolds.
Watch it on Netflix. Available to rent on most streaming platforms.
2. The VVitch (2015), USA
Robert Eggers’ “The VVitch” is a beautiful and haunting depiction of early American life as well as an allegory of what freedom meant for women in 17th century New England. The film begins with a family being banished from a town due to the father’s different interpretation of the New Testament. William, the father, then rounds up his family to begin anew in the middle of nowhere away from civilization. As if middle-of-nowhere, 17th century New England wasn’t scary enough, strange occurrences greet the family and send them all into a fit of hysteria. “The VVitch” is another slow burner and there are few jump scares, but the entirety of the film carries an immediate eeriness that makes it unforgettable. The sense of inescapable dread is then either alleviated or forever suspended depending on how you choose to decipher the ending.
Watch it on Amazon Prime. Available to rent on most streaming platforms.
1. The Babadook (2014), Australia
The best horror movies do more than just scare us: they tell relatable stories, which only make them more frightening. For this reason, Jennifer Kent’s directorial debut was quite the kick in the gut. “The Babadook” is the story of a single mother who lost her husband due to tragic circumstances. As if raising a child alone isn’t hard enough, Kent’s creation of two lovable characters only intensifies the dread as we watch Amelia, the mother, creep further into madness. The scares in “The Babadook” can stand alone but when coupled with Kent’s examination of the struggles of motherhood and overcoming grief, there’s just nothing better than “The Babadook.”
Watch it on Netflix. Available to rent on most streaming platforms.