Buzz
While October 31st may seem like the ideal occasion to rewatch classics like Friday the 13th or A Nightmare on Elm Street, you might want to mix things up with some lesser-known slasher films like Haunt or Prom Night. These films can turn your Halloween night even scarier, especially when the weather outside is stormy. But if you're looking for a Halloween with a twist, try these underappreciated films that are packed with thrills, chills, and genuine scares. (Possible spoilers ahead)
10. Session 9
There’s an undeniable sense of unease when it comes to mental hospitals, especially when they’ve been abandoned. In Session 9, the dread escalates as an asbestos cleanup crew is hired to clear out a long-forgotten asylum with a chilling history. Tension mounts among the workers as they uncover the asylum's terrifying past.
The hospital scenes were shot at the infamous Danvers State Mental Hospital in Massachusetts, which once housed as many as 4,000 patients. This real-life institution was notorious for the harsh and unethical practices carried out by its doctors, including lobotomies and repressed memory therapy. As the building became overcrowded, some patients were moved to its underground tunnels.
Session 9 features an unsettling portrayal of nyctophobia (fear of the dark), alongside disturbing recordings of a patient battling multiple personality disorder. This psychological horror film is a perfect pick for any Halloween movie marathon.
9. Goodnight Mommy
There are gory horrors meant to shock, and then there are those psychological horrors that linger long after the credits roll. Before the terrifying impact of Hereditary and The Babadook, there was Goodnight Mommy, an Austrian horror film that often flies under the radar.
Imagine returning home to find that your twin sons don’t recognize you, especially after you’ve undergone reconstructive surgery, leaving your face swathed in bandages. You're no longer the nurturing, engaged mother you once were, and your boys quickly begin to suspect that you're an imposter.
This is the eerie premise of Goodnight Mommy, where the tension rises steadily as twin boys, convinced that their mother is an impostor with a bandaged face, bind her up. As they hold her captive, they begin torturing her in a desperate search for the truth.
Add a surprising twist and suddenly, you have another unforgettable film to enjoy on the spookiest night of the year.
8. Grave Encounters
Who hasn’t fantasized about joining a team of ghost hunters, exploring eerie buildings in the dead of night, and capturing irrefutable proof of the paranormal? After experiencing Grave Encounters, I’d wager most would reconsider that dream in an instant.
In this Canadian found-footage horror, the crew of a paranormal reality show braves the terrifying prospect of locking themselves inside a supposedly haunted psychiatric hospital to film their latest episode. What they don’t know is that this particular episode would be their last.
While the characters may lightly mock their real-life counterparts, the film still delivers plenty of chilling moments to keep you on edge. Do you have the courage to step into the abandoned Collingwood Psychiatric Hospital this Halloween?
7. Dark Skies
Unusual occurrences unfold, including mysterious food disappearances, strange bird behavior, and, most unsettling of all, a young boy who begins to have nightmares about a terrifying entity. As the boy’s family members begin suffering from seizures, unexplained bruises, and episodes of stupor, the local community grows increasingly suspicious. The film concludes with one of the most unexpected and gripping horror twists in recent memory.
If you're a fan of sci-fi horror, this movie could be the perfect fit for you.
6. Pet
Pet is a slow-burning thriller that follows Seth, a solitary man who becomes infatuated with a captivating waitress named Holly. As he works at an animal shelter, his obsession grows, and it seems inevitable that he will channel his frustration with unrequited love into harmful acts toward defenseless animals. However, Seth remains surprisingly kind to them as he executes a carefully crafted, sinister plan.
After being kidnapped and locked away in a cage beneath the animal shelter, a power struggle unfolds between Seth and Holly that is as unforgettable as it is unpredictable. Just when you think you have the plot figured out, the film veers off in a completely unexpected direction.
Like most horror films, this one won't be for everyone. However, if you're seeking a horror movie with a unique twist, this might just be the perfect choice for you.
5. The Loved Ones
Lola’s name may have hinted at a showgirl, but she was far from it. In The Loved Ones, Robin McLeavy delivers a chilling performance as Lola, a troubled loner whose life takes a horrifying turn after her crush rejects her invitation to prom. What follows is a descent into terror, as Lola’s crush, Brent, is drugged, kidnapped, and finds himself bound to a chair at her dinner table. Lola and her father are already seated, the house eerily prepared for a prom that will never happen.
The film’s standout moment is McLeavy’s portrayal of menace. Her terrifying presence in every scene creates an atmosphere of dread, making the film's intense horror journey a challenge even for the most seasoned horror enthusiasts. If there were ever an anti-prom movie, this one would certainly take the crown.
4. Hush
Slasher films tend to fall into two categories: either they’re great, or they’re a total letdown (looking at you, Scream 4). Occasionally, a film comes along that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll, thanks to stellar storytelling, compelling acting, and a genuinely frightening atmosphere. Hush is a prime example. It follows the terrifying ordeal of a deaf woman being stalked by a killer in her own home.
Clocking in at just 82 minutes, Hush delivers an intense experience, building tension without relying on overdone jump scares or loud musical cues to signal when something scary is about to happen. The film even features a subtle nod to Stephen King, and the ensuing cat-and-mouse game (more cat than mouse for most of it) is an engrossing and fresh take on the home invasion genre. Several surprising twists make this a must-watch for anyone building a Halloween movie lineup.
3. A Dark Song
A mother’s grief can burn with such intensity that it drives her to do the unthinkable, even venturing into the macabre. This is the heart of A Dark Song, a film about a mother willing to endure a grueling months-long ritual in order to summon her guardian angel. Her hope? To ask the angel for the chance to speak to her 7-year-old son, who has passed away.
The ritual consists of a series of ‘exercises’ where Sophia, the mother, must confront both angels and demons. The increasingly irritable occultist aiding her ultimately accuses her of concealing her true intentions for summoning her guardian angel, and in response, he attempts to ‘re-birth’ her. This dark Irish-British independent film, true to its title, heavily incorporates occult themes. It stands as one of the most chilling horror films of the 2010s and is an excellent choice for a Halloween night viewing.
2. One Hour Photo
Robin Williams, beloved for his iconic comedic roles in films like Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, and Father's Day, shocked audiences when he portrayed Sy Parrish, a lonely photo technician who becomes dangerously obsessed with a family in the 2002 psychological thriller, One Hour Photo.
In this film, Williams abandons his usual playful persona, instead embodying a darkly compelling character. Sy’s obsession with stalking the family and inserting himself into their lives grows ever more intense. When his illusion of their perfect family shatters after an affair is revealed, Sy's descent into madness becomes even more unsettling.
This movie is definitely not for everyone, and its disturbing subject matter may be especially unsettling for those accustomed to seeing Williams in lighter, more comedic roles.
1. It Comes At Night
The story centers around a family seeking refuge in a forest as they try to escape a global pandemic. This post-apocalyptic horror, It Comes At Night, draws inspiration from writer-director Trey Edward Shults' personal experience of his father’s death after a life marked by addiction.
The film opens and closes with shocking moments, but the middle of the story shifts between family drama, violence, coming-of-age themes, and the unsettling realization that, at times, humans themselves are the most terrifying creatures. While there are no supernatural threats like ghosts, zombies, or werewolves, the real danger comes from humans who are 'just slightly off,' intensifying the terror amid the world’s greatest pandemic.
Given that the Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact the world, this film may not offer an escape from current events, but it remains one of the best and most underrated horror movies of recent years.
