Halloween this year is very different from ones in the past. Without being able to get together or go trick-or-treating, it’s hard to get into that spooky season mood. Thankfully, film and T.V. are great escapes from the horrors of reality into the mess of someone else’s! For that, here is a list designed for the students and faculty’s viewing pleasure during this particular Halloween.
The list includes something for everyone: classic movies, some lesser-known films, some wacky, some funny, all enjoyable and sure to get you into the spirit for the season. Plus, they are all available to stream in some way, whether that be Amazon Prime (which is free for students), Netflix, or on YouTube movies for buy or rent.
The list has been split based on which streaming service it can be found on.
Amazon Prime
Train to Busan (Yeon Sang-ho, 2016)
The South Korean masterpiece, Parasite by Bong Joon-ho, won the Oscar for “Best Picture” last year. Since then, I’ve been keeping my eyes open for other International films to watch and enjoy.
Train to Busan follows a recently separated father who decides to bring his daughter to Busan to visit her mother for her birthday. It does not remain so sweet, as a virus begins infecting individuals and turning them into cannibalistic creatures terrorizing other travellers on the train! Meanwhile, the train is moving, leaving the passengers with nowhere to go.
From a cinematic standpoint, the film is excellent and gives each character a moment to shine while engaging the audience. The cast and crew do such a compelling job telling the story that connections with these people going through such a traumatic experience are inevitable. You feel for the characters through the horror and by the end, you’ll have cried at least once. Indeed, this is one emotional train ride.
Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock, 1960)
Psycho is a classic for a reason. Hitchcock’s talent behind the camera is on full display as the camera pans in and out on a career-defining performance from Anthony Hopkins. The only gripe some may have is that the film is in black and white, yet if you stay and give Hitchcock a chance to capture your attention, his movie will not lose it.
The story takes place primarily at the notorious Bates Motel, run by a peculiar man named Norman Bates. The lovely Marion Crane, on the run, decides to stay at this motel. However, this stay is one she will certainly not forget any time soon.
Truly, Psycho guarantees one crazy good time.
The Shining (Stanley Kubrick, 1980)
Jumping 20 years from Psycho, enter The Shining. The Shining is a psychological horror unlike most, unsurprising since it is based on the novel of the same name by the King of Horror: Stephen King.
The story follows Jack Torrence, an English teacher who is struck with writer’s block. He decides that taking a job as winter caretaker at a seasonal hotel, with having ample amounts of alone time to write, is just perfect. Jack brings his wife Wendy and son Danny with him. Danny has a unique ability that lets him know things others do not. It seems the Overlook Hotel is not as beautiful and welcoming as it initially appeared to be.
This is a little different to a jumpscare a minute in modern horror, but scary none the less. Kubrick manages to use the isolated location of The Overlook Hotel to its fullest extent. Using captivating shots of the exterior and the small characters’ juxtaposition creates such a sense of isolation that few films have managed to capture since
The Babadook (Jennifer Kent, 2014)
This Australian psychological horror film is written and directed by Jennifer Kent. Overlooked by most and loved by those who have seen it, The Babadook deserves a much larger reputation than it currently has. Unlike other films, The Babadook falls somewhere in between something supernatural or entirely based in reality, as it is literal as well as figurative. By the end, you can understand Kent’s message regarding personal demons, as well as how they haunt us.
Centred on a single mother Amelia, who, after reading her son a children’s book titled “The Babadook,” begins hearing and seeing disturbing things which haunt her life, leading to some large scares that are frightening in more ways than just gore.
Though not a conventional horror, The Babadook bolsters incredible performances from its leads, making sure to frighten you with a melancholy that will surely bring out the Halloween/Horror spirit.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Jim Sharman, 1975)
Nothing is quite as entertaining as seeing Tim Curry flaunt his acting chops in his iconic role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. The Rocky Horror Picture Show is not just one thing. Sweethearts Brad and Janet end up with a flat tire during an awful storm, forcing them to seek help at a large castle down the road. Here, they get greeted by eccentric characters who bring them into a whirlwind of sex, science, and sweet, sweet rock and roll.
From the over the top rock songs sparsed throughout to the hilarious characters and surprising depth and broader themes of individuality and identity; there truly is something in this musical for everyone if you’re willing to look. If typical horror films filled with blood and guts aren’t your cup of tea, this show is sure to make you want to sing along and watch it again.
So, why not go check out over there, there is a light after all – There’s a light, over at the Frankenstein place.
Netflix
Hereditary (Ari Aster, 2018)
The marketing heralded Hereditary as “the scariest movie since The Exorcist,” and frankly, it’s challenging to dispute otherwise. The cast is beyond brilliant, with an exceptional performance from Toni Colette. With frightening images, a twisted past, and a concept that leaves you shaken for days after the credits roll – Hereditary is simply a modern classic.
This one is a movie best left in the dark before watching to get the most out of each twist and turn. For that, all that is needed to know is that if you click “Play,” you’ll be in for one hell of a scare-fest that is as frightening as it is tragic.
The Haunting Collection – Hill House and Bly Manor: (Mike Flanagan, 2018 & 2020)
These shows are an interesting pick as they are both by Mike Flanagan. Flanagan has been discussed more and more as a horror director after his release of Oculus (2013), and Hush (2016).
Flanagan’s first series, The Haunting of Hill House, was released in 2018 and quickly became a huge conversation topic for horror fans. The beautiful visuals, as well as the top-notch acting, help make the story feel grounded in reality. However, supernatural elements are ever-present and threaded innately in the narrative. These characters are so realistic and relatable that whenever something affects them, you begin to feel it too.
The Haunting of Hill House follows a family whose lives are forever changed after moving into Hill House in their youth. The narrative toggles back and forth between the stories of each of the five children in the Crane family, each episode focusing on one child and seeing their experiences in the present day when they are adults and their experiences as children inside of Hill House. All of this ties together in such a beautiful way, depicting how ghosts can be many things: they can be a memory, a daydream, a secret— grief, anger, guilt. But, in this show’s experience, most times, they’re just what we want to see.
On another note, The Haunting of Bly Manor is exceptional in its own right, yet due to both series being created by the same crew, comparisons are inevitable. However, it is essential to note that Bly Manor can be creepy, but it is more of a romance than Hill House and should be seen through that lens instead of straight-up horror.
The Haunting of Bly Manor sees a young American woman take on the job of being a nanny for a pair of children on the property of Bly Manor in England. Dani, the nanny, along with the help of the cook, the housekeeper, and the gardener, experience the dark side of Bly Manor and discover its secrets.
YouTube
What We Do in the Shadows (Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, 2014)
Vampire movies are usually hit or miss, such as a specific series of films involving Edward and Bella. It can be challenging to create a unique and compelling story, considering vampires are so well-known. Cultures from around the world all possess some version of the bloodsuckers – whether it be the “Chupacabra” in Central America or India’s “Brahmaparusha”. This thought then prompts the question: “Are there any new ways to make a vampire movie?”
What We Do in the Shadows delivers some great laughs in terms of how a small group of vampires, who live together in a flat in New Zealand, work around some modern-day, vampire-specific issues. To highlight early in the film, the vampires are preparing for a night out. Unfortunately, since they cannot see themselves in mirrors, they resort to sketching each other in various outfits to see if what they are wearing looks fashionable. Such a gag is only the tip of the iceberg since the film is shot in a mockumentary style that almost draws inspiration from “The Office” in terms of comedic timing and over the top characters.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a laugh this Halloween, What We Do in the Shadows is a horror-comedy that still has a good bite!
Trick ‘r Treat (Michael Dougherty, 2007)
Trick ‘r Treat is a Halloween movie that finds a way to perfectly encapsulate the feeling of the season while delivering some very satisfying horror thrills all in one. As an anthology film, this 2007 gem has short stories that are connected to each other in small ways. It is through these unconnected stories however that Trick ‘r Treat has a unique charm. In one account, some mean kids might receive karma, or perhaps, someone might be lured by a trick with little to no treat or discover a creepy family tradition. Later on, you might notice a detail that connects all three.
Shaun of the Dead: (Edgar Wright, 2004)
The final entry on YouTube, and for this list, is none other than Edgar Wright’s brilliant comedy Shaun of the Dead. Seeing as the first entry on this list was another zombie movie, one might ask, “Why another one? What’s different?” Everything.
Shaun of the Dead is not just action-packed, but it is wonderfully starred in by Simon Pegg as the titular character and Nick Frost, who plays his best friend, Ed. This movie is a buddy-comedy that somehow manages to grip your heart and rip your guts out with laughter. No Halloween or Horror list would be complete without this feature.
Hopefully, the shows and films on this list fill your fall with the proper spooky season vibes, Halloween candy and provide an escape from the stress of midterm season. Happy Halloween!