October Isn't Over Yet
My best scary movie season recs.
Scary movie season is almost over, and I made a promise that I intend to keep, even though it is multiple weeks late. Below are my best recs for your weekend movie marathon, Halloween night watching, or general enjoyment. I tried to pare things down as much as possible and leave out big movies everyone knows like Scream and Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but you know I have trouble shutting up, so you get what you get and you don’t get upset!
You Love The Twilight Zone and Want the Vibe Without Being Legitimately Scared
Coherence
Eight friends have a dinner party. Was that a comet overhead? Cool!
I’ve rambled about Coherence in this newsletter before, and it deserves endless rambles for how much I love it. It’s the type of movie that you want to rewatch the second that it ends.
Streaming: Peacock, Tubi (free with ads), Pluto (free with ads), or rent
The Invasion of the Body Snatchers
A doctor sees a bunch of patients who have a unique problem—their loved ones just aren’t quite the same as they were before.
This is one of my favorite movies of all time, and it’s proof that those scared of black and white movies or “old” movies should just suck it up and give them a try! (see also Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, but that’s not for this newsletter)
Streaming: Paramount+ or rent
It’s Technically Horror But It’s Too Fun To Ever Be That Scary
Ready or Not
She married the man of her dreams at his family’s gorgeous mansion. Now she just needs to survive the night.
A great comedy horror movie that has tropes that just do it for me (survival horror, weird culty stuff, and women who are not complete idiots in horror movies).
Streaming: FX or rent
Bodies Bodies Bodies
A group of insufferable 20-somethings gather at a family mansion for a hurricane party and things do not go as planned.
The only disclaimer I would attach to this movie is that you have to be a certain level of Online to enjoy it fully. It’s legitimately funny, and you should give it a chance even if you hate Pete Davidson’s face.
Streaming: Showtime (or Hulu Showtime add-on) or rent
You Love Clue and Want Something That’s Clue With Scares
You’re Next
Mom and Dad are celebrating their wedding anniversary by inviting their kids (and SOs) to their vacation home for the weekend.
I ate crow with You’re Next. I thought it was going to be similar to another horror movie that I absolutely loathe (shmabin in the goods) for some reason (marketing? I’m dumb? idk?) but instead it is an absolutely fabulous horror movie. Some whodunit/whosdoingit elements and distinct characters a la Clue, way better usage of masks than The Strangers or The Purge.
Streaming: HBO Max or rent
You Want a Movie You Haven’t Seen Before With Actors You’ve Probably Seen Before
The Gift
A married couple runs into an old classmate who just wants to make sure they feel welcome in their new home.
This movie is shockingly underrated. It doesn’t try to do too much, and it does what it does exceedingly well.
Who You’ll Recognize: Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall
Streaming: Philo (idk what this is tbh) or rent
Waxwork
A new wax museum with a mysterious owner invites teenagers to a private showing of the wax figures after hours.
This is one of my favorite anthology movies because it is far more creative than it has any right to be. Absolutely beloved in our house.
Who You’ll Recognize: David Warner, Zach Galligan (Billy in Gremlins)
Streaming: Tubi (free with ads), Roku (free with ads), or rent
You Want Something Wacky and Fun
Basket Case
Twins who were separated at birth reunite with interesting results.
Some fantastic goofs, over the top, does not take itself seriously at all.
Streaming: Tubi (free with ads) or rent
Frankenhooker
An homage to Frankenstein in which a doctor wants to bring back his girlfriend…using parts procured from sex workers.
The creator of Basket Case also made this funny, dark movie that is great for those who don’t want to take anything too seriously and love low-budget horror.
Streaming: Peacock, Pluto (free with ads), Tubi (free with ads), or rent
You Want a Horror Movie That Could Be a Normal Gossip Episode
The Descent
Six friends rent a cabin in the Appalachian Mountains for a spelunking adventure one year after another trip that ended in death. What could go wrong in a narrow cave system between friends? And did Evelyn even plan her leg of the trip?
The affection I have for this movie probably outweighs its quality, but it’s a great movie for people who hate small spaces and who share my puritanical fears that maybe we just weren’t meant to go into the sky or underneath the ground.
*Note: this one is actually on the scary side.
Streaming: HBO Max or rent
You Want to Watch a Protagonist Who Doesn’t Do Every Stupid Thing Possible to Further the Plot
Alone
A widow is moving and keeps seeing the same guy throughout her road trip. I’m sure he’s just going to the same place :)
This is a classic cat-and-mouse movie that is so satisfying because she does things that are smart and that feel real, not just needlessly dumb things to further the plot. It’s a snappy 98 minutes and I wouldn’t cut a single one.
Streaming: Hulu or Pluto (free with ads)
You Want to Be in Agony
Speak No Evil
Two families meet on vacation in Italy and like each other so much that they decide to get together again.
I have not shut up about this movie since I saw it, and it is probably the most impactful horror movie I’ve seen in ages. This is not for everyone! If you are an assertive, aggressive, or brave person who never feels pressure to fall into line or obey social norms/cave to social pressure, this movie will be incredibly silly to you. You will spend the entire time screaming at the television saying WHO WOULD GO ALONG WITH THIS?! If that isn’t you, it might just ruin your night like it did mine!
Streaming: Shudder or rent
*Note: this one is on the scary side and has extremely graphic, brutal content at points (I can give more specific spoilers if needed).
You Want to Watch the Horror Version of Nancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy
Seance
The new girl at a boarding school is invited to join a ritual to communicate with the spirit of a dead former student.
It probably shouldn’t surprise me how polarizing this movie is. It has some of the vibes of a closed-circle mystery since it takes place at a boarding school, and it really is a great horror movie version of Warnings at Waverly Academy.
Streaming: Shudder or rent
You Love Baby Yoda
Malignant
A woman is having some pretty weird visions and makes a new friend.
👏Gabriel👏is👏my👏baby👏Yoda👏
Streaming: HBO Max, Tubi (free with ads), or rent
Ok that’s all! Talk to you again next week! If you watch any of these please let me know!