The 2023 Horror-Thon
Spooky season is officially here and the time has come for the annual Horror-Thon. If you’re new here or don’t follow me on Instagram, the Horror-Thon is a little movie marathon I have been doing since I was in high school. Each year, I choose a few horror movies I have never seen, haven’t watched in a while, or just want to watch. I queue them up and then give my in-the-moment feedback or review them. I used to blog about them but now I post them in the moment on my Instagram stories. Of course, they aren’t the most serious of reviews, but they are a little quirky and really fun. Even if I’m the only one who appreciates them, it’s a big part of my year.
This year, I’m putting my chosen list here on the blog, but I haven’t decided if I will log my final comments or score. The goal of the Horror-Thon for me is to watch movies I probably haven’t seen before and experience all the different types of horror out there. So why horror? Well, Horror movies have held a special place in the world of cinema for decades, captivating audiences with their spine-tingling narratives, eerie atmospheres, and heart-pounding suspense. They are entertaining whether you're a die-hard horror aficionado, someone curious about the genre, or just a Halloween season watcher.
The Art of Fear
At its core, horror is about eliciting intense emotions—fear, dread, and suspense. Directors, writers, and actors craft these films to draw viewers into a rollercoaster of emotions, taking them on a journey that challenges their courage and thrills their senses. It is a versatile genre with numerous subcategories, each offering a unique flavor of fear. From supernatural horror (think "The Conjuring") to psychological thrillers (like "The Shining"), slasher films ("Halloween"), and creature features ("Alien"), there's something to cater to every fear factor.
Horror movies often give rise to iconic characters that haunt our dreams. Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and Hannibal Lecter are just a few examples of villains that have become pop culture legends. These films showcase incredible cinematography, sound design, and special effects. The use of lighting and sound can be masterful, creating an atmosphere that keeps audiences on edge. Some even go beyond the scares to reflect societal issues or shine a light on our deepest anxieties (think “Get Out” or “Rosemary’s Baby”).
So, whether you're ready to face your fears head-on or prefer to watch from behind a cushion, horror movies are a thrilling exploration of the human psyche. They remind us that even in the darkest moments, there's something captivating about confronting the unknown and surviving the terror. Below you’ll find 10 of my selections for this year’s Horror-Thon. This year I decided to take a more arthouse approach because there were so many exciting titles streaming on Criterion Channel.
I would love for you to follow along with me or even join in on the fun. Find me over on Instagram each weekend sharing my picks and thoughts.
Carnival of Souls
1962, Herk Harvey
“After a traumatic accident, a woman becomes drawn to a mysterious abandoned carnival.”
A classic of indie horror cinema, it is known for its atmospheric black-and-white cinematography, haunting score, and exploration of themes such as isolation, identity, and the blurred boundaries between life and death.
Streaming on Criterion Channel
Suspiria
1977, Dario Argento
An American newcomer to a prestigious German ballet academy comes to realize that the school is a front for something sinister amid a series of grisly murders.”
One of my favorite horror movies. It is renowned for its striking and vividly colored cinematography and its intense, atmospheric Goblin score. Suspiria is known for its surreal and nightmarish qualities that combine elements of supernatural horror and psychological thrillers to create a unique, unforgettable cinematic experience.
Restored and uncut version streaming on Criterion Channel
The Face of Another
1966, Hiroshi Teshigahara
A businessman with a disfigured face obtains a lifelike mask from his doctor, but the mask starts altering his personality.
The Face of Another is a thought-provoking exploration of identity, alienation, and the consequences of altering appearances. It raises questions about the masks we wear in society and the ethical dilemmas surrounding the pursuit of personal transformation. It is a dive into the complex psychology of the protagonist that offers a thought-provoking yet unsettling cinematic experience.
Streaming on Criterion Channel
Rosemary’s Baby
1968, Roman Polanski
A young couple trying for a baby moves into an aging, ornate apartment building on Central Park West, where they find themselves surrounded by peculiar neighbors.
Based on the novel of the same name, Rosemary’s Baby is a psychological horror film known for its slow-building tension and suspenseful atmosphere. The film explores themes of fear, isolation, and the supernatural. It remains a classic in the horror genre and is hailed as one of the greatest horror movies ever made.
Massacre at Central High
1976, Rene Daalder
“A high school transfer student pushed to the edge by a trio of brutal bullies resorts to murder to reclaim the school from oppression, and later turns against the students wanting to fill the vacuum of their oppressors.”
A dark, gritty film exploring the themes of power and corruption, and is considered a cult classic in the exploitation genre.
Streaming On Criterion Channel
Prom Night
1980, Paul Lynch
At a high school senior prom, a masked killer stalks four teenagers who were responsible for the accidental death of a classmate six years previously.
A classic example of the slasher genre that was popular during the late 1970s and 1980s. It combines elements of mystery and suspense against the backdrop of a high school prom. The film is known for its suspenseful atmosphere and the tension surrounding the killer’s identity making it a cult classic of the horror genre.
Streaming On Criterion Channel
Scream
1996, Wes Craven
A year after the murder of her mother, a teenage girl is terrorized by a masked killer who targets her and her friends by using scary movies as part of a deadly game.
Scream is a self-aware take on the slasher genre known for its clever and humorous deconstruction of horror movie tropes. It is known for its shocking twists, clever writing, and subversion of the audience's expectations regarding the identity of the killer. Scream explores themes of voyeurism, the blurred line between reality and fiction, and the impact of violence in the media. Since its release. in1996, it has spawned a successful franchise and is regarded as a classic of the horror genre.
Spirits of the Dead
1968, Fellini, Malle & Vadim
A trio of Edgar Allan Poe adaptations about a cruel countess haunted by her cousin’s stallion, a sadistic soldier haunted by his doppelganger, and an alcoholic actor haunted by the Devil.
Spirits of the Dead is an anthology that brings together three short stories each directed by a different renowned European filmmaker. It is known for its distinctive visual style and for the creative interpretations of Poe’s work. Each segment explores themes of obsession, duality, and the macabre in its own unique way, making the film visually stunning and thematically rich. A great cinematic experience for fans of Edgar Allan Poe’s work and European cinema.
Gaslight
1944, George Cukor
Ten years after he aunt was murdered in their London home, a woman returns from Italy in the 1880s to resume residence with her new husband. His obsessive interest in the home rises from a secret that may require driving his wife insane.
Gaslight is a horror film of a different meaning. It is a classic thriller known for its portrayal of psychological manipulation and its exploration of the fragile nature of sanity. Ingrid Bergman’s performance earned her an Academy Award, and the term has become synonymous with the practice of manipulating someone’s reality to make them doubt their own sanity.
I Know What You Did Last Summer
1997, Jim Gillespie
Four young friends bound by a tragic accident are reunited when they find themselves being stalked by a hook-wielding maniac in their small seaside town.
I Know What You Did Last Summer is based on a novel by Lois Duncan, and is a classic slasher film known for its suspenseful atmosphere, memorable cast, and the tension of the characters being pursued by a relentless killer. It became a successful franchise and a staple of the late 1990s horror cinema.
