With the days getting shorter, the temperature getting colder, and local Halloween movie screenings fast approaching, there is no better time of year than October to indulge in the adrenaline-pumping, fear-unlocking, scream-inducing world of horror films. So, for those wanting to pre-game for Fright Night, in this article, I will break down some of the best rated horror movies out there to satisfy everyone’s terror craving, from the person who won’t watch The Addams Family without shutting their eyes, to the person who can sit through Psycho without flinching.
Jaws (1975)
Directed by Steven Spielberg, Jaws is a captivating film about three men who try and hunt down a shark who has been terrorising the area. Even though it was released in 1975, Jaws still manages to capture the fear and panic of its characters and scare it’s audience through John Williams’ infamous soundtrack and killer character development, keeping audiences hooked from start to finish. However, the special effects, compared to nowadays’ CGI, makes them look dated and not as realistic, lowering the scare-factor and making this film more suitable for people with less of a scare-tolerance; but nevertheless I am sure we can all appreciate a well-executed and beautifully filmed movie, perfect for a cosy night in.
Insidious (2010)
Insidious was recommended to me by a friend, and let me tell you it did not disappoint. It’s plot is quite the opposite of Jaws’ family-friendly storyline, where, after a couple move into a new house seeking a fresh start, their son goes into a paranormal world (in a coma) and strange, horrific things begin to happen in real life. Alex Rosen a 14-year-old horror movie fanatic, describes the film as "ridiculously scary" and a "must-watch" due to the "unexpected jump-scares, so rare in most movies nowadays". If, like Alex and I, you enjoy watching someone get possessed and ruthlessly attacked by morbid creatures, Insidious is one for the watch-list.
The Shining (1980)
To complete the list, The Shining, starring Jack Nicholson, tells the story of a struggling writer who moves into an isolated hotel with his family, before slowly discovering it’s dark secrets, ending with him becoming a murderous maniac, determined on terrorising his family. This is not one for the faint-hearted, capitalising on people’s fear of being alone and not knowing what’s around each corner, with Stanley Kubrick (the director), using the soundtrack (or lack of) to build suspense in the audience, and the eerie images take advantage of the audience’s already on-edge nature: an iconic film to add to your movie-night roster.
Overall, even though these films don’t even begin to scratch the surface on the impressive world of horror movies, I hope this article has given you inspiration for your next movie night or even just a snapshot into a world you wouldn’t have otherwise ventured into, taking advantage of the current spooky season.
