With Halloween just around the corner, UHS News thought it appropriate to come up with a list of films that are perfect for this spooky time of year. (Disclaimer-all of these films are on Netflix currently with one of them even being a Netflix exclusive).
5. The Boy
Released in 2016, Walking Dead star Lauren Cohan takes the lead in this horror flick about a mysterious life-like doll, who’s to be taken care of by Greta (Cohan). Greta must stick to a strict set of rules in order to keep the doll “satisfied,” but when one of those rules is violated, Greta finds herself facing something larger than a simple doll. While it has its flaws, it’s bizarre concept keeps the viewer on their toes with anticipation, making it a worthy film for a spooky Halloween night.
4. Sleepy Hollow
This next entry is acclaimed director Tim Burton’s take on the classic horror tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Starring Johnny Depp, this 1999 film revolves around a New York City constable named Ichabod Crane who is sent to the town of Sleepy Hollow, where mysterious murders have been taking place, with the prime suspect being a headless horseman who roams among the land searching for his missing head. Sleepy Hollow is an investigative horror film, with an interesting premise to keep any viewer intrigued on Halloween.
3. 1922
Coming in at number three, we have a Netflix exclusive film called 1922 based off of Horror/Thriller legend Stephen King’s novella of the same name. The plot revolves around a Nebraska farmer named Wilf, who creates a plan to murder his wife due to her desire to move the family to Omaha. As viewers, we are forced to witness the torture that Wilf is out through, and the monumental effects that it has in his family, making for an interesting horror film that takes a dive into the human psyche. 1922 is a desirable film for the film lover who takes considerable interest in psychological horror.
2. A Ghost Story
At the second spot, we have the A24 film A Ghost Story, a haunting tale depicting a man’s journey in the afterlife, as he becomes unstuck in time. Probably the most atmospheric film on this list, A Ghost Story serves us a beautifully crafted film that emphasizes the delicacy of both life and death, and how humans deal with both. This film perfects the creation of tone, as everything in the film (particularly the soundtrack) adds a layer to the eerie tone that this film consistently conveys. While it’s not really a “Horror” film per say, it has so much depth and is perfect for people interested in viewing a more bold but beautiful film.
1.Silence of the Lambs:
One of the most acclaimed thrillers of all time, I had to put this at the top for Anthony Hopkins’ performance alone. His ice cold portrayal of the convicted Hannibal Lector is one of the most brutal and chilling performances of all time, and never fails to send a shiver up my spine. There are some films that I would rather just have somebody experience than simply explain it, and Silence of the Lambs is one of them. I would recommend that anybody who wants an intriguing psychological thriller to watch this Halloween check this one out for sure.
