Written by: Max Tulio
Scary movies have become such a large part of American culture that every year it seems that the month of October is dedicated solely to them. Many watch films along the likes of Alien, Psycho, Halloween, and other thrilling classics. However these classics year after year can become somewhat repetitive. Here are some suggestions of great horror films that don’t always make it into the yearly repertoire of scares.
Runtime: 105 minutes
Rating: R
Director: Nagisa Oshima
Winner of the best director award at the 1978 Cannes Film Festival, this chilling tale of a man who becomes an older woman’s secret lover and how the couples plan to kill the woman’s husband is nothing short of thrilling. The film later turns from a dark, romantic tale of passionate murder and forbidden love into a dark, twisted tale of a haunting ghost and a police investigation. Oshima’s direction is amazing; he perfectly captures the raw mood and tension of each scene and beautifully creates that becomes more and more terrifying as the story goes on. Tatsuya Fuji is absolutely stunning as the young man Toyoji in the film, and he creates a brutal searing impression of a man caught up in a terror unknown to most people. The film is visually horrific as well, with cinematographer Yoshio Miyajima creating an eery, explosive world for these characters to live in. It is a truly original and terrifying tale well worth watching.
2) The Devil’s Backbone (2001)
Runtime: 106 minutes
Rating: R
Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Guillermo Del Toro is no stranger to true horror buffs, having created the mesmerizing dark fantasies Pan’s Labyrinth and Cronos, as well as this gem of a movie. The story follows a young boy named Carlos as he encounters a ghost at his Catholic orphanage in civil war era Spain. Deeply rooted in Del Toro’s own Catholic upbringing, this ghost story has strong political and religious undertones. But along with its underlying themes, the film is very scary, especially with the ghost wandering the halls at night with blood spewing from his head constantly. It is a true nightmare for young Carlos and his fear and curiosity leads to more serious consequences as the movie progresses. With a rhythmic, haunting score and creepy camerawork, this is a masterfully crafted ghost story that deserves at least one viewing.
Runtime: 93 minutes
Rating: R
Director: Brian De Palma
A twisted, shocking tale of a gruesome murder seen by only one girl, Grace, is just the beginning of Brian De Palma’s scariest work. Though not a direct horror film, it still packs a punch as a mind twisting psychological thriller with plenty of on screen mayhem. What makes the movie psychologically scary is that no one, including the police, believe Grace when she tells the story of the murder. With such a juicy plot that it is hard to say any more without giving anything away, this dark and provocative thriller from De Palma is an experience that you won’t forget soon after seeing the film.
Runtime: 75 minutes
Rating: UR
Director: Carl Theodore Dreyer
Arguably the best vampire film ever made, this film is nothing short of terrifying. Carl Theodore Dreyer created a film of almost mystical terror, bewildering and scaring his audience in a way that is beyond comparison. He achieves his feat through the look and mood of the film; shot by Rudolph Mate, this black and white film goes for a visual style that keeps you constantly in fear. The mix of supernatural and vampire horror proves to be one of the all time great horror films, though it is largely unseen by the public.
Runtime: 77 minutes
Rating: UR
Director: Nobuhiko Obayashi
This is one of those movies where you just sit there after it ends and go “what the heck did I just see?”. It is such a mind-boggling, ridiculously crazy piece of horror film brilliance that even attempting to describe it would be would be doing it a disservice. It may not be for everyone, but if you don’t at least give this movie a try, you would be missing out on one of the craziest, out of control movies ever made.
