By Camila Ensink, Year 11
As the end of 2017 approaches, so do the festivities that are celebrated internationally in the last few months of the year. Whether these include holidays such as Hanukkah, Christmas or even New Years, the one that I constantly (and impatiently) always look forward to is Halloween. What I love the most about this holiday apart for the candy, the parties and getting disguised as something new every year, are the horror movies that I always end up watching on the night of the 31st. Whether you’ve come home early from a Halloween party because you were the only one not dressed as a cat or a nurse, or even if you’re waiting to go to a party, we have the best Top 12 Halloween Movies to watch this year!
Hush
This movie released in 2016, talks about a woman called Maddie. We are introduced to the fact that not only does she live alone in a large house in the middle of the woods, but she is also deaf and mute. One night after having been visited by one of her friends, she becomes the target of a ruthless killer whose motives are unknown. The whole film takes place in her home and is a thrilling movie showing how the killer uses her disabilities against her, and how she manages to use them against him. This movie is full of twists and unpredictable scenarios. Some scenes are gory, but overall not very gruesome.
Where to watch: Netflix
Scare thermometer: 8/10
It
This new a
nd recently released movie has been all everybody has been ranting about. It is a supernatural horror film which tells the story of a shape-shifting, evil clown, which emerges from the sewers of a town called Derry every 27 years to haunt and stalk the town’s children. This film is not for those who dislike or cannot stand the sight of blood, and especially not for those who are afraid of clowns.
Where to watch: Currently in the cinema
Scare thermometer: 3/10
Human Centipede
This version of the Human Centipede is the first sequence of 2 movies. Two American tourists in Germany get a flat tire on their way to a party, and are forced to walk to the nearest house in order to call a taxi. What they don’t know is that they are voluntarily walking into the house of a lunatic yet creative Doctor, who dreams of sewing people together and surgically connecting all of them so that they share one digestive system. This horror film is not for the fainthearted, as we are shown the whole process and surgery that takes place between the three victims that the Doctor is holding hostage in his basement.
Where to watch: Apple TV
Scare thermometer: 9/10
The Conjuring (1 and 2)
These 2 movies are supernatural films which reveal the lives of 2 paranormal investigators who are summoned to different houses in order to investigate the paranormal activity occurring in these homes, and to try to put an end to the demonic presence haunting these locations. The 2 films tell the stories of 2 different families in separate countries who both struggle with supernatural manifestations.
This R rated movie earns its rating on its scares alone, as no gore is involved.
Where to watch: The Conjuring – Netflix, The Conjuring 2 – Apple TV
Scare Thermometer: 8/10
I know what you did last summer
“ I know what you did last summer” is a classic slasher film released in 1997. This film is a better option for those who want to watch a scary movie on Halloween, but are a bit too scared to opt for a movie like “The Human Centipede”. After an accident which resulted in the death of a fisherman, four friends come together one summer to hide their crime and cover for one another. When one of the four friends receives an anonymous letter saying that their crime was not gone unobserved and that they know what these friends did last summer, they find out that a killer with a hook is on the loose and is going after them.
Where to watch: Apple TV
Scare Thermometer: 6/10
Don’t breathe
Three thieves living in Detroit who make money by breaking into the homes of wealthy people, hear that a retired and blind U.S veteran who lives in an abandoned neighbourhood, has $300,000 in cash in his home after the death of his only child. These three robbers attempt to break into his house and take the money from his safe, but then find themselves locked inside his home with nowhere to escape. The more they try to escape and manage to see inside the elderly man’s home, the more they uncover about his disturbing and secretive life.
Where to watch: Apple TV
Scare Thermometer: 7/10
The Boy Next Door
This 2015 released film starring Jennifer Lopez, is a mystery/thriller which tells the story of a recently divorced mom who lives with her son. When a new neighbour moves in right next door and starts spending time with her son, she realises that her new neighbour, Noah, is trying to get close to her as well. After a few dates, she tries to end their relationship thinking it’s too inappropriate, and is shocked to see that he turns violent and very possessive of her, not letting anybody get near her (including her own son). This film is gory and full of jump scares, but very unpredictable and worth the stress you feel when watching it.
Where to watch: Apple TV
Scare Thermometer: 7/10
Sinister
“Sinister” is one of the most well known paranormal movies which involves not only supernatural forces, but children, mysterious noises, groans from the dead, and the life of an unhappy family. It tells the story of a desperate writer who has not had a successful book in over a decade, and is willing to sacrifice his family and his marriage for his next best seller. He moves his family into a home where a whole family was massacred in order to write his new novel, without telling his wife his plans to do so. Once the writer, Ellison, realises his family is in danger, it’s too late.
Where to watch: Apple TV
Scare Thermometer: 7/10
Paranormal Activity
This pretty self explanatory film series, reveals the lives of 3 different families all suffering from supernatural presences in their homes. These powerful demonic presences are possessing certain people in these families in order to get what they want.
Where to watch: All are on Apple TV, except for Paranormal Activity 2 which can be found on Netflix
Scare Thermometer: 5/10
Saw
“Saw” is an American horror franchise which consists of 8 different movies. The first seven of these movies, all released between 2004 and 2010, are very gruesome and gory films which revolve around a sadistic serial killer named “Jigsaw”. In every film, Jigsaw imprisons new victims and makes them go to extreme lengths in order to survive, whether they have to cut off their own leg, or even drill a hole through their head. The eighth movie of the Saw franchise was released this year, and involves law enforcement officials who are trying to uncover Jigsaw and his past, but end up getting stuck in another of Jigsaw’s games.
Where to watch: Apple TV, except for Jigsaw, which is in cinemas
Scare Thermometer: 6/10
Carrie
In a very religious household where Carrie is unable to be herself or dress the way she wants to, she becomes the targets of bullies in her high school. As Carrie discovers that she has special powers, she becomes more and more dangerous. During Prom, a prank is pulled on her which sends her over the edge, causing her to wreak havoc and harm anybody who gets in her way, no matter who it is. This supernatural film is really well done, and one of my personal favorites.
Where to watch: Netflix
Scare Thermometer: 6/10
The Purge
This trilogy is set
in a future version of the United States where once a year, there is a 12 hour period where all crimes are legal. During the rest of the year, everybody is an exemplary model of a perfect citizen who follows all the rules. Employment is at an all time low, and crime no longer occurs. In order to allow some relief to the citizens of the U.S.A, they are given these 12 hours to roam freely and do whatever they like so that they behave the rest of the year. The first of the three movies (and the one which was voted the best), the film is set in the home a family. The second takes place out on the streets where a man who has lost his son plans his revenge, and the third takes place during the presidential elections.
Where to watch: All are found on Apple TV, but the first of the three is on Netflix as well.
Scare Thermometer: 7/10
