With Halloween just around the corner, what better way to celebrate than with a big All Hallows Eve movie night with friends?
There has always been something special about getting your hands on that infamous and much talked about horror movie of the year, it’s a feeling unlike any other and there’s a sense of intrigue and mystery about what to expect be it good or bad. If it’s one thing that the genre has proven over the last decade, it’s that independent and smaller productions can give an audience something more unique and memorable than anything the larger multi-million dollar studio driven productions can.
So with the spookiest day of the year fast approaching let us divert our gaze from the likes of Michael Myers, Freddie Krueger and Jason Voorhees to our top ten alternative horror movies to get you in the Halloween spirit and convince you that perhaps the world really is full of demons, otherworldly horrors, and all things that go bump in the night…
Dog Soldiers (2002)
Before Neil Marshall’s rise to fame with what is now considered by most as one of the best horror movies ever made - The Descent, he put his talents to a much more obscure picture. 2002 was a great year for horror and Dog Soldiers is often overshadowed by the likes of another little British film by the name of 28 Days Later, however with its use of humor and stellar cast Dog Soldiers is definitely worth a viewing. With a distinct lack of CGI, practical wolf effects play well with the dark and ambient forest setting and Marshall doesn’t shy away from seeing the funny side to all the blood and guts to give us a truly memorable film with real bite.
Bone Tomahawk (2015)
Some may argue that the western has had its day and there’s little more the genre has to offer, however, S.Craig Zahler had other ideas with Bone Tomahawk.
A gruesomely somewhat Tarantino approach to things proves that the sheer ferocity of the western front can give us an exceptionally gruesome and intriguing premise for a horror film. Zahler has a talent at bringing big names to smaller productions allowing the likes of Kurt Russel to really swing for the fences and it’s played out tremendously as we see the typical western archetypes really explored but under very different circumstances.
Green Room (2015)
For most people, playing in a band can be a wonderfully fulfilling endeavor, however in Green Room we see director Jeremy Saulnier takes an unsuspecting punk group down a bloody and suspense-filled neo-nazi rabbit hole and it’s an absolutely terrifying experience.
What plays out more like a siege movie, Green Room really is a cut above the rest with solid performances from all involved including Charles Xavier himself Sir Patrick Stewart, although this time his band of merry X-Men is replaced by some very nasty individuals who approach the whole situation in a very extreme and relentless way, creating at times an unnerving experience perfect for Halloween.
Train To Busan (2016)
Claustrophobia plays well with horror. The fear of enclosed spaces can often give an audience a real sense of discomfort if utilized correctly, throw in zombies and you have yourself an experience unlike anything seen before. Train To Busan takes the tried and tested zombie formula, but ties it with a surprisingly emotional anchor, which really brings home the severity of the situation the characters face. With spectacular action sequences scattered throughout and some of the best costume and makeup design out there, Train To Busan proves to be one of the most exciting and emotional horror films to date.
Eden Lake (2008)
Directed by James Watkins, Eden Lake is a story influenced by the forever looming fear of society’s inability to control its youth. We see horrific acts of violence throughout that would make even the hardiest of horror fans squirm and wince with solid performances from the cast to back them up. There is believability to the story that resonates with the viewer and a constant sense of dread at the thought of what may or may not happen. Watkins has a talent at building tension and, like the characters, can quickly snap and crank the volume up to 11 in this very real, contemporary reflection of society and the potential horrors it could embody.
Lake Mungo (2008)
Lake Mungo, a 2008 Australian psychological horror written and directed by Joel Anderson. More often than not, found footage has become the default setting for a lot of horror directors since its rise to prominence in The Blair Witch Project (1999). Lake Mungo, however, deviates from this by embracing a mockumentary style approach giving us a different take on reality-driven storytelling.
We see actors in place of interviewees who recount the story of their family trying to come to terms with the death of their daughter and the events that follow. It’s a shame we haven’t seen more from director/writer Joel Anderson but at least we have this hidden gem of horror perfection to keep us up at night.
The Wailing (2016)
Eastern films are proven fan favorites, ‘The Grudge’ and ‘The Ring’ are examples of how original productions are often far superior to their western remakes. They are masterfully produced and evoke all kinds of horrors and The Wailing is no exception.
From South Korean director Hong-Jin Na comes a surprisingly spiritual film that keeps its audience off-balance by blending humor and horror, and slowly ramping up the tension as it progresses. At two and a half hours it’s a lengthy journey but one that is worth it because as the mystery unravels it’s impossible not to get drawn in by the horrors that await.
The Void (2016)
With the 80’s resurgence in full swing thanks to the likes of Stranger Things there is no better way to spend Halloween than basking in the practical effects of a John Carpenter inspired, cult supernatural horror. In a world where CGI is king, it’s refreshing to see practical FX taking a stand.
Written by Canadian duo Steven Kostanski and Jeremy Gillspie in 2016, The Void stands as a true love letter to the works of H.P Lovecraft and horror juggernauts like The Thing (1982) and The Fly (1986). It’s not for the faint of heart, but makes a truly unforgettable addition to any Halloween movie marathon.
The Witch (2015)
Based in the 17th Century and remaining true to the dialect of the time we see, this New England folk tale favors a slower pace and because of this, the directorial debut of Robbert Eggers creates an unsettling and tension-filled addition to the genre. There is truly a sense of terror and menace as we progress through the bleak and cold world Eggers creates without the need for all the blood, guts, and jump scares that a lot of directors rely on. Black Philip, however, takes the prize for the most obscure horror antagonist leaving a lingering sense of dread long after the credits have rolled.
Mandy (2018)
Nicholas Cage? Check. Psychedelic, acid dropping lunatics? Check. Satanic cult with giant chainsaws? Check. On paper Mandy shouldn’t work, it’s an insane premise but thanks to the ever eccentric Nicholas Cage and gorgeous cinematography of Benjamin Loeb it does.
From writer/director Panos Cosmaots comes a remarkable tale of love and revenge. Cage is all in and it’s hard to dispute that this may be a career-defining performance from him. Mandy is a spectacle from beginning to end and will give even the most reluctant of filmgoers something to talk about this Halloween.
