Descend into madness and hell with these unsung horror films
There are too many horror films to count that would be appropriate for a Halloween viewing through splayed fingers and squinted eyes in a dark room. Given the season’s celebration of the macabre, unorthodox and otherworldly themes, settling in for some onscreen frights on Halloween night is one of the best ways to honor the holiday.
There are the unforgettable classics that have long haunted audiences, such as the original “Halloween” or “The Exorcist,” and some fresh favorites that have injected new blood into the genre, such as “Barbarian” or “Hereditary.” However, viewers willing to plunge into the deepest, darkest depths of cinematic horror will find a startling excess of films that have yet to break into the minds of the mainstream. It’s difficult to mention one without thinking of at least 10 others that should also be spotlighted, but for now, the following five films are among the most deserving of attention and admiration.
“Braindead” (1992) directed by Peter Jackson
Where to watch: YouTube
Before helming some of the most massively revered films of all time with “The Lord of the Rings,” director Peter Jackson started out in trashy, low-budget horror flicks, one of which is the zombie comedy gorefest “Braindead.” With an unwieldy concoction of delirious slapstick and wall-to-wall viscera, it’s perfect.
“Cure” (1997) directed by Kyoshi Kurosawa
Where to watch: Apple, Prime Video and Vudu
Arguably one of the scariest films ever made, “Cure” illustrates the investigation into a bizarre series of crimes where the murderer is found next to their victim with no recollection of their actions. In what served as a precursor to the J-horror boom of the early 2000s, Kurosawa mines devastating horror out of his mystery box concept with a richly detailed atmosphere and unnervingly impressionistic storytelling. It’s very much on the quieter and slower side, but as a result, it subtly seeps into the viewer’s mind until it is far too late.
“Deadstream” (2022) directed by Vanessa Winter and Joseph Winter
Where to watch: AMC+ and Shudder
“Deadstream” serves as an answer to the question of what it would look like if Sam Raimi directed a found footage film. Taking the point of view of a problematic YouTuber who livestreams himself in a haunted house to make a comeback, the film takes its potentially eye-rolling premise and runs off with it in a gleefully devilish fashion. It’s relentlessly funny and scary in equal measure, loaded with impressive practical effects and set pieces, and above all, suggests a bright future for its crew and subgenre.
“The Empty Man” (2020) directed by David Prior
Where to watch: Hulu
Based on a comic book, the just over two-hour movie was plagued by production issues (leading it to be dumped into theaters in the middle of lockdown). “The Empty Man” may not initially seem like a sure thing for most viewers. However, the end result wound up being one of the most memorable, unique and effective genre outings of the 2020s (as well as one of the most gorgeously shot), and thankfully, it has found a bit of a cult following after home release. From its boldly unconventional 20-minute cold open to its truly mind-blowing finale, the film is an ambitious and eerie odyssey that twists and turns as much as it terrifies.
“Isolation” (2005) directed by Billy O’Brien
Where to watch: AMC+
This Irish sci-fi creature feature is a very mean, very nasty and efficiently executed thriller that surprisingly makes some poignant commentary on the ethics of animal testing. O’Brien seamlessly fuses old-school tension-building with delightfully icky special effects, and the film is brought to life even more effectively thanks to an outstanding cast.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GBHBL.COM
