October equals Halloween, which also equals horror movies, and you all know we need to keep this train rolling with more spooky talk. If you have not had a chance to check out my last article on ranking the Alien movies, I suggest you give that a read too! “Horror” may sound like a word meant only to gross you out or terrify you, but as you will see, horror can mean numerous different things.
Below are just a few of the many fun options of things you can watch this Halloweened season! There is no ranking or order to these, but there will probably be spoilers –- so proceed with caution. A few of the films below will also deal with some sensitive subject matter, so I also advise you to proceed with caution.
Alright, folks – enough of this darn racket. Here are a few movies I’ve watched recently and would like to steer you toward if you are looking for something cool and new!
Updated Monster Horror: The Invisible Man (2020)
Remember the name Leigh Whannell if you are unfamiliar – because he will appear again later on this list. For now, I want to talk about his most recent directorial venture, The Invisible Man. The film was released in 2020, right as that whole deadly global health crisis picked up. Because of said global health crisis, this was not given nearly the amount of attention I think it deserves.
The Invisible Man is a remake of the 1933 classic monster movie about a man who is, well, invisible. Rather than focus on the man himself, we focus on Cecilia – our titular character’s wife. I say “wife,” but Cecilia (Elizabeth Moss) escapes from him due to his controlling nature. After properly escaping Adrian (her husband), Cecilia lives with her friend James and his daughter Sydney. Time passes, Cecilia finds out Adrian is dead, she inherits his money – and that is when the nightmare begins.
The Invisible Man is full of pulse pounding intensity, charming characters, wild twists and turns, and some big brained decisions that I still think about a week removed from watching it. I remember hearing good things about the film before going in, but I was not ready to believe it.
After giving it a watch I completely understand. The camerawork is great, my stomach churned, and I clapped when it ended. I can not recommend this one enough for anyone looking for something kind of new, something underrated, or something you think you know. Give this one a watch and let me know what you think!
Cult Classic Horror: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
I have been alive for almost 25 years now, and it pains me to report this as late into my critical career as I am that I just watched The Rocky Horror Picture Show in the year 2024. After receiving waves and hoards of scrutiny from the masses telling me to watch it, I finally sat down and loved it. If you enjoy movies and somehow have not seen this film yet, then I recommend you be better than me and watch it ASAP.
I mean… It’s a classic for a reason. There are endlessly quotable lines, characters that do not exist anywhere else in any media, songs that are unparalleled by any other musical, and defining performances that show you exactly who these people are. So why am I recommending this movie that almost everyone should have seen by now?
Well, just because you saw this movie once does not mean you shouldn’t revisit it! Riddle me this one, Batman: when was the last time you did the Time Warp? When did you last sing along with Tim Curry or Meat Loaf? Oh, you did it last week? Doesn’t matter, because you should watch it again!
One of the many reasons why I love Rocky Horror is because of how perfectly it captures the spooky essence without any desire to scare you. If anything, this film is designed for you to love and appreciate the bizarre and peculiar more and more. How can you not love The Rocky Horror Picture Show? Why are you not watching it again now? Give it another go and let me know what you think, whether it’s the first watch or the 50th!
Classic Horror- Saw
Well hello there, Mr. Leigh Whannell! Great to see you again! Now, look, I was born squeamish and I am the least likely fan of gore. That is why it shocks me that I am telling you I think you need to watch Saw if you haven’t already, or rewatch if it’s been a while.
Due to what the Saw franchise has become today, you are forgiven for assuming every single entry in the franchise is a disgusting glorification of murder. Luckily, I am here to tell you that such is not the case for the film that kicked it all off. I would not have given this movie a watch without a nudge from my girlfriend, who is definitely more the horror aficionado than I am. However, I’m so glad she gave me the nudge, because this ruled!
Going into this, I happened to know the iconic twist and THAT ending, but I didn’t know the context of it – therefore, watching it and understanding why it all happened was so incredibly worth it. The film is directed by James Wan, who you may know from the The Conjuring movies and Aquaman.
On some initial watches of Wan’s films, I always thought he was bad at directing actors and their performances, but seeing that the performances in his films have been the same level of camp since 2004 gives me some appreciation for his style.
Combining Wan’s campy style and some truly disturbing editing and camerawork, Saw is a classic for a reason. I am still not a fan of gore, but I can honestly say this is not so bad compared to what we see in later films. I remember finishing this film and thinking how dumb I am for not watching it earlier. Yes, the film is disturbing, graphic, and follows a serial killer who puts people in death traps – regardless, this was so much fun and since I had my fun I think you should have yours. Oh and speaking of traps…
M. Night Shyamalan Horror: Trap
It is so absolutely crazy and absurd that you thought I was done talking about M. Night Shyamalan’s modern masterpiece of suspense, horror, and M. Night Shyamalan-isms – Trap. The whole concert was a trap for The Butcher! He’s not supposed to tell, so don’t rat him out! Josh Hartnett is back and in dad mode, but he’s also a serial killer! His best friend and closest ally in this film is a t-shirt vendor named Jamie! What part of this has not sunk in yet?
I joke, I meme, and I goof, but in all honesty I still thoroughly enjoyed Trap. Unlike James Wan’s direction with actors, I know what Shyamalan is capable of and I love every bit of it here. That is the magical charm of Trap.
Even if you are fully immersed in the story of Trap, you still have to admit how funny and silly this is. Josh Hartnett is genuinely giving a fantastic performance as a goofy and innocent dad, a blatant faker, and a manipulative serial killer all wrapped into one.
I want to say that next to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Trap is the most digestible film on this list. Trap is PG-13, stars Josh Hartnett, features Shyamalan’s daughter as a Taylor Swift-level popstar, and takes place at a concert. This film is so much fun and I genuinely recommend it. For more on this, you can check out my full review right here!
Modern Horror: I Saw the TV Glow
Consider this one a multi-purpose entry. While I recommend this film for your viewing pleasure, I also want to give this film a quick and proper review. I Saw the TV Glow is a lovely, surreal, personal, bizarre, and unique film that I have not seen before. While this film is not really scary, per say, I would definitely say that this story is so personal that you can feel the effects and energy of this film for yourself.
I Saw the TV Glow follows Owen and his obsession with a television series, The Pink Opaque, introduced to him by his friend and classmate, Maddy. The more Owen’s love for the show grows, the more he realizes there is more to this world and himself that he thought possible. Okay, so, I am not sure if I properly sold the premise of the story properly, because, although that is what this film is about, the themes and emotions are far deeper and far denser than that.
I Saw the TV Glow Continued
Soaked in gorgeous lighting, brimming with lush and real personality, and existentially dreadful as they come, I Saw the TV Glow is a film I think everyone should see. If you are looking for a movie that you can really sink into, then I absolutely recommend I Saw the TV Glow. Justice Smith and Bridgette Lundy-Paine have immediate chemistry and their relationship keeps this movie interesting, grounded, and gives Owen a much needed push from his comfort zone.
Ranging from some truly bizarre visuals to some of the most exuberant and luscious colors put to film in a long time- I saw the TV Glow has a fantastic mixture of a real fever dream and something wonderful.
After rewatching the trailer I attached above, it flooded my brain with so much I completely forgot about. The Pink Opaque is legitamitely a nightare I am sure I had at somepoint as a kid and I would totally watch it now. Fred Durst from Limp Bizkit is in this. Phoebe Bridgers is in this. Given A24’s propensity for valuing independent filmmakers and their unique stories, it is no wonder that I Saw the TV Glow is wholly unique, and unlike anything else thanks to director Jane Schoenbrun
I am a huge fan of I Saw the TV Glow. This is quite easily one of the most unique films in recent memory and I think it is a must watch. Although the pacing is slower than every film here, and the “Horror” of it all is existential, rather than anything physical, this is still a worthwhile film. I Saw the TV Glow is definitely among my favorites of this year and should be on your list of films to watch this Halloween season!
Halloween 2024 Wrap Up by Nolen Kelly
What will you be watching this Halloween or what have you watched already this season? Have you seen any of these films or have you seen all of these films? Let me know what you think or what you watched this year! Halloween does not require you to subject yourself to the scariest pieces of media known to mankind, but getting a little spooky sure does help!
Let me know what you have been watching and for more movie reviews, lists, and rankings keep it all here at Respect My Region!
