Frights and Thrills: Halloween horror movie recommendations
It’s finally October! With the smell of autumn in the air, leaves turning orange and Halloween creeping around the corner, it’s time for the seasonal tradition of binge watching Halloween movies.
When it comes to Halloween, most people think of spine-chilling horror classics, along with some modern horror films. Each Halloween season, there is always debate about what movies are best to watch. So, what horror genre is best to watch this Halloween season?
Considering there are several categories of horror films, the options needed to be narrowed down to, arguably, the most popular and known genres of horror: slasher, psychological, supernatural and sci-fi. Let’s explore what exactly identifies these categories of horror.
Slasher Films
When it comes to slashers, most people think of movie franchises like Scream or Halloween. But what exactly makes a slasher film a slasher? First, the protagonists are often teenagers or young adults that portray distinct personalities such as the jock or the nerd, fulfilling specific roles throughout the film. Next, the setting is in isolated locations, which prevents the characters from seeking help.
Key elements include gory and brutal death scenes, a masked killer and the final showdown between the killer and the “final girl.” A common theme in slashers is morality. Often the protagonists are being punished for their flaws and behavior, serving as a critique of social norms.
Psychological Thrillers
Psychological thrillers focus on the complexities of the human mind and emotions, manipulating both the characters and the audience. Often, characters with extremely complex and elaborate backstories that reflect their behavior are featured in these films.
Key elements include unpredictable plot twists, slow-paced tension, manipulation and deception and issues with sanity or identity. There is an abundance of tension and suspense in these films, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats. When you think of psychological thrillers, Psycho, Se7en or Us may come to mind.
Supernatural Horror
Supernatural elements such as ghosts, demons, or otherworldly beings define supernatural horror. Some examples include The Conjuring, The Exorcist and The Ring. These films often use gradual pacing and eerie locations to build suspense and tension. The atmosphere is vital in these films as the goal is to give the characters and the audience anxieties about life, death and the unknown.
Typically, supernatural horror films delve into themes of folklore, religion and mythology, and use nonlinear storytelling, going back and forth between past and present. There is often disturbing imagery, making the audience uncomfortable and fearful.
Sci-Fi Horror
Lastly, sci-fi horror introduces futuristic and hypothetical concepts that may be frightening. These films take place in outer space or in technologically advanced eras. They may feature extraterrestrial beings and alien encounters or technology like artificial intelligence to evoke fear.
Major themes in sci-fi horror are the ethics behind scientific innovation and the consequences of humanity. Films such as Alien, The Thing and Silent Hill embody this genre. A subgenre to sci-fi horror is body horror, where the characters’ bodies are transformed or violated in horrifying ways. Examples of body horror would be The Human Centipede or Eraserhead.
So, from this selection, what genre do you think is the best to watch during the Halloween season? After collecting some data through a poll and asking around, slasher films appear to be the top pick with psychological thrillers being second best. Do the results surprise you?