Halloween is almost upon us. Many people will be looking for the perfect scary, creepy, bloody or horrifically fun movie to watch leading up to that night. We all know the classics like Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Saw and Night of the Living Dead. But what about those looking for something different; Something they may never have heard of. Below is a list of 10 of my favorite little or unknown horror films for our Month of Horror. Enjoy!
10. Dog Soldiers (2002)
When six British soldiers, on a routine training mission, encounter dead and wounded men, they fear they are being hunted. As they move through the woods, hoping to escape and find help, they run into some bad ass seven foot tall werewolves, and all hell breaks loose.
It’s one of the best werewolf movies since The Howling. It’s definitely a low budget affair, but it’s so well done that you can’t help but love it. If you need a werewolf flick you haven’t seen, check this one out.
9. Undead (2003)
A series of meteorite hits cause the residents a small Australian town to become blood-thirsty zombies. As a small group of survivors try to find out the cause, their only hope might be the town loony, Marion. But when aliens begin to abduct the survivors, the group must face their worst fears in order to survive.
A very low budget, but incredibly entertaining, gory and funny movie in the vein of Shaun of the Dead. It’s garnered a hell of a cult following, and for good reason…It’s awesome.
8. The Beyond (1981)
Also known as Seven Doors of Death (a heavily edited version). A woman inherits an old Louisiana hotel. As she renovates it, accidents and strange occurrences begin to drive her insane. As the death toll rises, she finds out the hotel may be built on a doorway to hell.
This Lucio Fulci films is easily one of the directors best. It’s very creepy, plays on your fear of the known and unknown and features a some pretty creepy moments. It’s one of the few films of Fulci’s that holds up well in the dubbed version, in a very campy 80’s sort of way. Plus, the ending is simply great.
7. City of the Living Dead (1980)
Also known as The Gates of Hell. A catholic priest hangs himself in a cemetery, which causes one of the seven gates to hell to open. A journalist and a psychic race to close the gate before All Saints Day, or the dead shall spill out onto earth and kill the living. Standing in their way is the slowly escaping dead and the dead priest, who causes people to puke out their internal organs at the mere site of him.
This is another “doorway to Hell” movie by Fulci. It is extremely gruesome, bleak and creepy. Gore hounds are in for a treat.
6. High Tension (2003)
Also known as Haute Tension. This french thriller follows two college friends, Alexia and Marie, who go to visit Alexia’s parents at a remote country home. Settling in for a night of relaxation they hear a knock at the door by a sadistic killer. The killer slaughters Alexia’s family and kidnaps Alexia. Marie follows them and tries to save her friend. But not everything is as it seems.
What starts out as a standard slasher flick has a huge twist three quarters of the way through. One I did not see coming from a mile away, and it elevates this film from standard to freakin’ insane. It’s gory, scary and suspenseful throughout, and worth every minute of your attention.
5. Audition (1999)
A recent widower allows his friend to hold fake auditions for a non-existent film to help him find his next love. The last woman to audition becomes his new fascination. But as he struggles with his conflicting emotions, the woman is hiding a terrible secret. Another film with a curve ball thrown at you.
This Japanese film from Takashi Miike (Ichi the Killer) will cause even the biggest gore fans to cringe. What happens in this film is nothing short of gut wrenching. Not for the faint of heart.
4. Let Sleeping Corpses Lie (1974)
Also known as The Living Dead At The Manchester Morgue and Don’t Open The Window. A young man and woman are hunted down by a ruthless inspector who suspects them of numerous murders. What the inspector won’t believe is that the dead are returning to life, caused by radiation used by farmers to combat insects.
This Spanish film is much slower in pace than most zombie films. It focuses mainly on the story of the young man and woman, but picks up steam as the film goes on. It features beautiful cinematography and some great zombie mayhem, and a wonderfully bleak ending.
3. Splinter (2008)
When a young couple is kidnapped by an escaped convict and his deranged girlfriend, they believe their lives may be over. But when they come across a splinter-like parasite that transforms its hosts into grotesque monsters hungry for blood. Now the kidnappers and their victims must band together to fight for lives, or risk becoming a host themselves.
This is, without a doubt, one of the best horror movies in the last 5 years. The creature effects are amazing, and the movie is scary as hell. As much a suspense film as it is a pre horror film. A must for horror fans.
2. Shadow of the Vampire (2000)
Nosferatu is one of the most critically acclaimed vampire movies of all time. While filming what would become his masterpiece, F.W. Murnau has to deal with an eccentric character actor in Max Schreck. But Schreck hides a deadly secret from the film crew. As the films crew begins to disappear and die, Murnau must decide whether to finish his film, or deal with the suspicion that his new found star may be a real vampire.
This fictional look at the filming of Nosferatu is as much a drama as it is a horror film. Willem Dafoe is amazing as Max Schrek, and John Malkovich, as Murau, reminds you why he is a masterful actor. It’s not really a scary film, but very tense and creepy.It winds up being one of my favorite takes on vampires.
1. Session 9 (2001)
An asbestos removal crew wins the bid to quickly clean out an old insane asylum. Problems arise when the crews personal differences begin to surface. More complications arise when the crew begins to play the tapes of a former patient with multiple personalities. As the tape for Session 9 is played, things get creepier and creepier and the crew realizes they may not be alone in the asylum.
This is one of those films that flew completely under the radar. It’s much more suspenseful than you would expect. The acting is great, the story is fantastic and it has an ending that will blow you away. Unlike a ton of “twist ending” movies, this one actually makes complete sense and makes it an even more disturbing experience.
