Spooky season has dawned on us once again. What better way to honour it by watching horror movies on Netflix? From classics to newer hits, here are 9 horror movies to watch to get you in the mood for Halloween.
One Cut of the Dead (2017)
This 2017 zombie movie is unlike the others you’ve seen — it’s actually a movie within a movie. The plot begins with a tyrannical director creating a zombie movie with his cast, but things turn sour when they realise their filming location happened to be a top-secret facility, where experiments were conducted to raise the dead.
Beyond its plot, the film was filmed remotely and Director Shinichiro Ueda and his cast relied solely on their smartphones for footage and never met face-to-face during the entire production of the film. On top of that, the first act of the movie consisted of a 37-minute single-take shot to start off, making it one of the longest one-take shots in the film industry.
Get Out (2017)
We all know that if it’s a Jordan Peele film, it’s bound to be hauntingly good. This award-winning masterpiece begins when a young African-American man visits his white girlfriend’s parents for the weekend, which appears to be a harmless getaway. But after uncovering a disturbing secret about his partner’s seemingly perfect family, he finds himself fending for his life. Apart from its eerie plot, Get Out is also extremely thought-provoking, where it explores the reality of interracial couples as well as racism against the black community.
Hereditary (2018)
After the death of their secretive and mysterious grandmother, the Graham Family begins to feel her presence lurking in the shadows. As the entire family tries to navigate life and endure the agony of losing a loved one, they begin to feel disturbing and otherworldly experiences that are heavily linked to the emotional trauma and secrets that have been passed on from generation to generation. While it explores themes of emotional agony as well as mental illness, it is the supernatural element of this film that really got viewers hooked.
Carrie (2013)
A modern take on a classic showpiece. Carrie is held at such high regard in the horror film industry due to its directional finesse and storytelling. Based on Stephen King’s novel, the plot mirrors the narrative by portraying a shy, high school girl who is the main target for bullies. However, Carrie happens to have a hidden talent: she can move things with her mind. One night during senior prom, a brutal prank pushed her to the limit, where she then unleashes her telekinetic abilities that caused devastating effects.
A Quiet Place (2018)
A Quiet Place is quite literally a quiet film. The plot is set in a post-apocalyptic world that is centred on a family that is struggling to survive. But here’s the catch — the world is inhabited by extraterrestrial monsters with a heightened sense of hearing; if they hear you, they hunt you. In order to avoid these mysterious creatures, this family has to live in silence in the pursuit of survival.
#Alive (2020)
When a mysterious virus takes over the city of Seoul, everyone in the streets turns in flesh-eating zombies. This South Korean movie revolves around the life of a video game streamer and how he struggles to survive against these deadly zombies and how he uses his skills and technology to navigate his every move. According to The Straits Times, #Alive was a ‘pandemic-era hit’ as it was a fitting, yet morbid movie for the times. If zombies are right up your alley, be sure to give this one a watch.
Insidious (2010)
Insidious is a story about a family’s desperate call for help for their son who fell into an inexplicable coma after a strange accident in the attic. After three months of being away from home, the Lambert family finally move back into their home, with Dalton still in a coma. However, this is when supernatural events began to occur, which changed the Lamberts’ lives in ways that you cannot imagine. Insidious is part of a franchise that comprises a total of four films that make up the story.
Paranormal Activity (2007)
If you’re a horror movie addict, you’ll know that Paranormal Activity is a classic. This supernatural film focuses on the life of a young couple who begins to feel skeptical about a supernatural presence in their home. To get evidence, they decide to install a camera to document the mysterious events that take place in the dead of night — this is where they come face-to-face with a nightly demonic presence. If you enjoy movie marathons, make sure to add the next five Paranormal Activity film in your Netflix queue.
Drag Me To Hell (2009)
Finally, we’re closing off the countdown with a 2000s classic: Drag Me to Hell. Ambitious L.A. loan officer Christine Brown (played by Alison Lohman) lives a relatively good life in the city of angels. However, after denying a home loan extension to Mrs Ganush (played by Lorna Raver), Christine is then cursed by the old lady, transforming her entire life into a living hell. From grotesque imagery, subtle humour, and jump scares, this film is definitely one for the books.
