October 31st is the perfect night for horror classics, but if you’re seeking something different, consider these under-appreciated scary movies. They’re full of thrills and chills, perfect for a memorable Halloween night. Get ready for some potential spoilers!
Session 9
Abandoned mental hospitals are inherently creepy. Session 9 amplifies this terror as tensions rise among an asbestos cleaning crew hired to clear out a hospital with a dark past.
Filmed at the real Danvers State Mental Hospital in Massachusetts, which once housed 4,000 patients and saw lobotomies and repressed memory therapy, the setting itself adds a layer of genuine horror. Some patients were even moved to subterranean tunnels due to overcrowding. [1]
A scene featuring extreme nyctophobia (fear of the dark) and unsettling recordings of a patient with multiple personality disorder make Session 9 a frightening choice for Halloween.
Goodnight Mommy
Psychological horror can be far more disturbing than gore. Before Hereditary and The Babadook, there was Goodnight Mommy, an Austrian film that burrows under your skin.
Imagine returning home to your twin boys, and they don’t recognize you after reconstructive surgery, your face wrapped in bandages. What if you seemed less caring and interested in their lives? The boys begin to suspect you’re not their real mother.
This is the premise of Goodnight Mommy. An uneasy tension builds as the twins tie up their mother, convinced she’s an imposter, and torture her for answers. [2] A killer twist makes this another excellent choice for Halloween.
Grave Encounters
Many dream of being part of a ghost hunting team, seeking proof of the paranormal. Grave Encounters might make you rethink that fantasy.
In this found-footage horror, a paranormal reality TV crew locks themselves in a supposedly haunted psychiatric hospital to film an episode. They soon discover the terrifying reality awaiting them and that this episode will be their last.
While the characters subtly mock real-life ghost hunters, the scares are sufficient to keep you hooked. Dare you enter the abandoned Collingwood Psychiatric Hospital this Halloween? [3]
Dark Skies
Dimension Films’ Dark Skies, starring Keri Russell and Josh Hamilton, is an underappreciated gem. Fans of The Fourth Kind will enjoy this sci-fi horror that terrified viewers.
Weird events include missing food, bird attacks, and a young boy’s terrifying dreams. The family experiences seizures, unexplained bruises, and stupor, leading the neighborhood to view them with suspicion. The ending features one of the most riveting twists in horror movie history. [4]
If you’re into sci-fi horror, this could be perfect for you.
Pet
Pet is a slow-burn horror about a loner who becomes obsessed with a waitress. Seth, an animal shelter employee, directs his growing obsession with Holly into a devious plan.
He kidnaps Holly and locks her in a cage beneath the shelter, initiating a power struggle with an unpredictable twist. The film constantly subverts expectations.
While not for everyone, if you seek a horror film with a difference, Pet might be it. [5]
The Loved Ones
Lola is definitely not a showgirl, but she is insane. In The Loved Ones, Lola is a loner who is rejected by her crush when she asks him to prom. Brent is drugged and kidnapped, waking up tied to a chair at Lola’s prom-themed dinner table.
Robin McLeavy’s menacing performance drives the film. This horror roller coaster is enough to unsettle even the most seasoned horror fans. [6] If there ever was an anti-prom movie, this is it.
Hush
Slasher films can be hit or miss. Hush stands out due to excellent storytelling, acting, and portrayal of true terror. It follows a deaf woman stalked by a killer in her home.
The movie offers 82 minutes of simmering tension without jump scares or loud music. There is a nod to Stephen King, and the cat-and-mouse game that follows is a fascinating home invasion story. Hush includes surprises that make it worthwhile for a Halloween movie marathon. [7]
It Comes At Night
A forest becomes a refuge for a family fleeing a contagious disease. This is the core story of It Comes At Night, inspired by writer-director Trey Edward Shults’ experience with his father’s death.
With a shocking intro and ending, the movie explores family drama, violence, and the idea that humans can be the biggest monsters. There are no traditional horror elements, but the presence of humans who are ‘slightly off’ adds to the terror of a world gripped by a pandemic.
Given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, this movie may not offer escapism, but it remains one of the best and most underrated horror films of recent times. [8]
One Hour Photo
Robin Williams, known for his comedic roles, showed a different side in One Hour Photo as Sy Parrish, a lonely technician obsessed with a family.
Williams plays against type, portraying a compelling and intense character who stalks the family and tries to integrate into their lives. When an affair shatters his illusion of the ‘perfect family,’ he becomes even more deranged.
This disturbing film may not appeal to everyone, especially those used to seeing Williams in lighter roles. [9]
A Dark Song
A mother’s grief can drive her to extreme measures. A Dark Song portrays a mother engaging in a gruelling, months-long rite to summon her guardian angel and ask to speak to her deceased son.
The rite involves confronting angels and demons. The occultist assisting her accuses her of dishonesty about her true motives and attempts to ‘re-birth’ her.
This Irish-British independent film is dark, true to its title, and heavily uses occultic themes, making it a contender for one of the best horror movies of the 2010s and a great choice for Halloween. [10]
So, this Halloween, why not explore these under-appreciated gems for a truly memorable and chilling experience?
Which of these movies will you be watching this Halloween? Leave your comment below!
