MISTRYMAN REVIEWS / WATCH GUIDE
Halloween Horror Movies: Four Films for a Proper Scary Night
A masked killer, an isolated crew, a possessed house and a vampire with style.
A Halloween watchlist should have options. Sometimes you want a classic slasher; sometimes you want a film that makes the room feel a little colder afterwards. Here are four ways to set the mood.
Halloween · 1978
Start with John Carpenter. The quiet suburban streets and that score do so much of the work. Pay attention to what is sitting in the background while Laurie is just trying to get through the evening.
The Thing · 1982
If you want paranoia with your scares, head to the Antarctic. An isolated crew faces a threat that makes trusting anyone difficult. Best watched with the lights low and as little plot information as possible.
The Shining · 1980
Trade the streets for the Overlook Hotel. Kubrick takes his time with the empty spaces and lets the unease build. It is a good pick when you want atmosphere to do the heavy lifting.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula · 1992
For something more gothic and romantic, Coppola brings a different kind of spectacle. Lavish costumes and theatrical imagery make this the pick when you want your horror with some serious style.
Make it a double
Pair Halloween with The Thing for two very different Carpenter nights: one lets the threat creep into familiar streets, the other traps a group together with nowhere to go.