6 Movies Not to Watch This Halloween If You Are Easily Spooked
Some people love watching horror movies—the rush of adrenaline with every scare is silly, simple fun. Others, especially those who are particularly empathic, may find scary movies far too stressful. But here we are, in spooky season, with Halloween approaching, and in 2020 there's no better way to get into the spirit than by having a scary movie marathon at home.
So, pop the popcorn and pour yourself an extra-large soda—or perhaps crack open a tasty kombucha, for health purposes—and get cosy while you press play on a scary movie. Or, if you are easily spooked, keep reading to find out exactly which six movies not to watch this Halloween.
Scream (1996)
Genre: Slasher
What's your favourite scary movie? That's the question this classic horror film's villain taunts his victims with in his many creepy phone calls. Once you've watched (or rewatched) Wes Craven's brilliant slasher film, your answer to that question will undoubtedly be: Scream.
Iconic doesn't even begin to describe this all-time cult classic, which is the first in a series of sequels, spin-offs and parodies, and definitely the best. Neve Campbell stars as Sidney Prescott, a high school student whose mother died one year ago, and features career-making performances from the rest of the cast (i.e. Courtney Cox, Drew Barrymore, Skeet Ulrich of Riverdale fame and Rose McGowan of being Rose McGowan fame, and more). It's funny, it's camp, and yet somehow absolutely terrifying.
Insidious (2010)
Genre: Supernatural horror
From Australian horror filmmaking duo James Wan and Leigh Whannell, this first instalment in their Insidious franchise, and it made nearly $100 million against a budget of just $1.5 million. That's not scary, per se, but it's a sign of just how innovative these boys from Melbourne are.
Insidious is about a couple whose son falls into a coma and becomes a vessel for a whole host of evil entities. The couple is played by the highly talented and attractive actors Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson, so if you do find yourself becoming too spooked for your own good try to find comfort in their perfect faces.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Genre: Psychological Horror
This cinematic masterpiece is scary every time. Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling, a young FBI trainee agent tasked with finding a serial killer known as "Buffalo Bill", who skins his victims' corpses and does who knows what else (you'll find out if you make it far enough).
What's really special about The Silence of the Lambs is the performances by and chemistry between the two leads: the aforementioned Foster and her antagonist—arguably an anti-hero, or at least a villain the audience is delighted to be terrified of. If you haven't seen this classic, do yourself a favour and add it to your to-do list this weekend. And if you have, you'll know it delivers just as much with every rewatch.
Psycho (1960)
Genre: Psychological horror
The original and the best, unless you're obsessed with Vince Vaughn in which case you will enjoy Gus Van Sant's 1998 shot-for-shot remake. Alfred Hitchcock's seminal adaptation of the 1959 novel of the same name wrote the book on so many popular tropes in the horror genre.
If you enjoyed Bates Motel, treat yourself to this stunning piece of cinema history. Anthony Perkins plays Norman Bates, proprietor of the Bates Motel, who it turns out has a really inappropriate relationship with his mother. The pace is slower than more recent horror films, which really only makes the whole thing that much more unnerving. Put your phone away and immerse yourself completely.
The Ring (2002)
Genre: Supernatural horror
If you are easily spooked, The Ring will definitely spook you. If you aren't, then you might want to watch the Japanese original, Ring, instead. In this American remake, Naomi Watts plays the Hitchcock blonde perfectly. She's a journalist investigating a cursed videotape (they came before DVDs), which seems to kill anyone who watches it exactly seven days later. It's very silly, but full of truly disturbing imagery that will make you want to sleep with the lights on.
Child's Play (1989)
Genre: Supernatural slasher
This spooky '80s horror movie is the first in what became an influential franchise with a cult following. Film critic Roger Ebert gave it 3 out of 4 stars upon its release, calling it a "cheerfully energetic horror film," but all you really need to know is that it's about a widowed mother who gives a doll to her son, unaware that it is actually possessed by the soul of a serial killer. If you weren't scared of creepy dolls before, first of all why weren't you, and second, you will be once you make it through Child's Play.
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