Hack-O-Lantern (1988)

October Challenge Day 13 

This is an absolutely zany movie where you'd totally expect to hear such lines as: "But he killed my boyfriend, Grandpa!!"

This is a Halloween/spooky season must watch - at least once - a MUST. Let's talk about the feral film that is: 

Hack-O-Lantern

It's a slasher film from 1988 so you already kinda know what to expect, but like every slasher film from 1988, you're never fully prepared. 

Naturally, (again, as a slasher from 1988) we have a lot of breasts, butts, puns, odd characters, creeps, and slap-sticks abound, but it's the family dynamics with this one that really took me out. 

TOOK ME OUT

SLAYED ME

This is the story of a grandfather who leads a satanic cult and kills his grandkids' father (.... if they really were his kids....) on Halloween night. 

Years later, the family tries to keep it together but lispy grandpa won't let them. Everyone is dying and Mom can't catch a break.

Hy Pike is monstrously fun in this film - just an absolute lunatic. Brava!

This is my kind of trash, however, so I was fully invested. Well, mostly invested. I had it on while I was trying to find a way to preserve onions in pantyhose - we'll see how well that worked out in a month or so. In short, together, this film and I were just being delightful menaces. 

This film is messy *MESSY*, hilarious, and an absolute great time. Come for the devil masks, stay for the garden tool swashbuckling. Watch with friends just before heading out for a party or haunted house. 

Speaking of haunted houses and since it's the extra spooky day of October 13th - I recently went to a haunted corn maze and had the best time! Nature could not have been more perfect, with the crisp air and natural fog making the entire experience all that much better. 

It's hard to describe the gleeful, deeply freeing feeling of running through rows of corn, in the dark, and people are jumping out to scare you for delight - best I can do is say: I've been looking forward to this all year.

Shout out to Stalker Farms for putting on a great attraction! If you live in the Pacific Northwest, I highly recommend checking it out (and be sure to get the VIP tickets. Those lines to get in were LONG). 

A visual little treat at the end of the attraction

I couldn't believe this exit!

A quiet moment in the corn

Speechless 

I rented this film from Scarecrow Video or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this hot mess.

The Signalman (1976)

October Challenge Day 12

Oh the BBC series A Ghost Story for Christmas, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways....

Let's talk about the STELLAR episode:

The Signalman

This film is an adaptation of Charles Dickens' short story, The Signal-Man, which I am itching to read. 

Here we follow a lonely rail worker, charged with monitoring the trains' signal box as these massive modes of transportation come barreling through a long, dark tunnel.

Something is amiss however, as he keeps seeing visions of a spectre just before a tragedy strikes. Then one day, a man roaming the moors, comes across this spooked signalman and listens to his tale of woe and concern - and you're going to join them, sitting next to the fireplace....

Nearly all A Ghost Story for Christmas episodes frighten me but this one gave me physical chills down the spine. With spectacular atmosphere, and a moody, threatening cadence, this one is truly exceptional. 

These short films are a must watch, particularly for the cold and dark season. So get cozy, gather with your friends and family around the fire, and settle yourself in for a chilling and profound spooky experience.

I watched this film on Shudder, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this Victorian-era ghost story. Note, several are also available on the Internet Archive and YouTube. 

I absolutely loved this one! Cheers to all, as we settle into mid October.

No One Will Save You (2023)

October Challenge Day 11

Well I loved the SHIT out of this!! Let's talk about the petrifying and stellar story of:

No One Will Save You

First and foremost, this should have had some time in the movie theaters. It's a shame for us all that it didn't.

Secondly, with almost no dialog, this film, most impressively, had my rapt attention!

This is the story of a lonely young woman, socially isolated by some wrong she did in the past, who - one night - wakes up to find a comically typical looking alien in her house. 

Now, although this alien is a 1950s style alien, don't mistake its menace. These things are downright Scary! And I mean, scary scary!!

When it first started to get going, I thought to myself that it feels as if someone saw the Season 2, Episode 15 of the Twilight Zone and got inspired... and then I saw Stephen King essentially said the same thing, according to IMDB Triva, and now I have complicated but honored feels about my noticing the same thing he did.

Back to the story:

The woman and alien battle it out with profound tension (there is profound tension throughout the whole film, by the way) and things get so much more worse for her by morning.

This is a fast-paced, non-stop, thrill ride of very scary proportions. I had no idea where it was going, no idea what to expect, and the aliens managed to get more and more frightening. 

I don't think I watch a lot of alien films but when I do, I am thankful to have found gems.

Now, I would have liked to see more practical effects over the CGI, but the monsters were still pretty well done all the same. 

IMPORTANT: Watch with headphones on - or in a room with a great sound system!

This would make for a great movie watching experience at night, in a fully dark room. Pairs with theater snacks and drinks. Watch with friends and family (recommended, so you can talk about the ending, especially) or alone!

I watched this film  on the Roku Channel (in fact, Roku picked it out for me....) or use the Find It! Watch It! Links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this stellar alien invasion!

Braindead aka Dead Alive (1992)

October Challenge Day 10

The other day I went to Scarecrow Video, as it was rent one get one free day, and browsed through their staff's hand-picked Halloween choices. 

I found three I hadn't seen before and then I saw this film:

Braindead aka Dead Alive

I have seen this gruesome film before and thoroughly enjoyed it! Even added it to my 2018 50 Movies You May Have Missed List!

So I decided to re-watch it and took my selection to the front desk for check out. It was discovered then, that they were actually out of this film and it was a mix-up. 

Now, this was not a problem for me, I had seen the film already anyway and saw others I could check out. Except, the staff alerted me there was one more edition available. 

Okay, fine, I'll check that one out then. A DVD was then pulled from the back of the store.

As they were checking me out, the clerk added "Oh, and there is a $200 deposit for this", pointing to Braindead.

Me: Say what now?

I love my local non-profit video store. I love all the work they did to get me a copy. I said, "Okay".

And that was a first for me! Flushing out $200 to *rent a movie*. There is a first for everything! Apparently I rented a 2001 foreign and out of print edition!

*(Update: I later found that I had watched the German Cut or Blood Edition, of this film.)*

My brother looked at me and said "Don't break it". Such a bro thing to say to his big sister...

But this really is such a boy film. I wish I had better words. It's just so gross, over the top, gnarly, reckless, goofy, grotesquely comical, absolutely hilarious, visually over-the-top, inappropriate, vaudevillian, and did I mention GROSS GROSS GROSS?

Don't forget the dialogue which has such gems as: "I kick ass for the lord!" (slays me every time). 

This is the story of a New Zealand young man, living with his overbearing mother - a mother who is bit by a monster monkey at the zoo and turned into the living dead.

Absolute. And I mean, Absolute Mayhem proceeds. 

I watched this film first thing on a Saturday morning. May I suggest, perhaps, an evening watch, long after a meal. 

This film is so fun, the body horror and practical effects are exquisite - TOP TIER - and you can't help but find the entire film wildly entertaining. Hell, there's even a love story! Something for everyone!

I rented this film from Scarecrow, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this cult classic.

Garfield’s Halloween Adventure (1985)

October Challenge Day 9

I went down a Susan Dell and Kelly Loeffler rabbit hole. I don't know what's going on there but I'm scared out of my mind about it. Creepy Shit.

To cleanse the pallet, I needed some nostalgia, something classic, something warm and fuzzy, something like:

Garfield’s Halloween Adventure aka Garfield in Disguise

It has probably been since the '80s (mostly likely '90s) since I last saw this childhood classic and let me tell you - the SECOND it started - I was instantly taken back with core memories and childhood delight.

Something in my bones even remembered the hair trapped in the film - which is still on display, all these decades later. 

Naturally, I remember this story being a lot longer but it's only 24 minutes. 24 sweet, sweet minutes. 

I think I will be incorporating more childhood TV classics into my regular viewing. It was nice to go back, for a change. It was also startling to see how much I still remembered - little things, like movements and sounds. In all, it's a wild experience! Highly recommended. 

I watched this on Paramount+ or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this absolute delight.

PS: Be sure to VOTE this November!

PS: If you're looking for more spooky Garfield (and more serious), make this a double feature night with the wildly disturbing: Garfield: His 9 Lives. This TV movie upset me so much, as a kid. I remember being scared, crying, confused - you name it. I think, overall, I was a bit too young to truly understand this abstract concept. So, watch the Halloween Adventure for the kid in you, watch his 9 Lives for the existential crisis in you.

The Dunwich Horror (1970)

October Challenge Day 8

Well, what in the hell was that? Let's talk about the trippy little nightmare that is:

The Dunwich Horror

Is this tentacle porn? Maybe.

Is this a very 1970s late night film, best suited for shady theaters and sticky seats? Yes.

Did I like it? Maybe.

Did I respect it? Yes.

You know things are about to get raunchy when the Necronomicon is introduced right away!

Here we're at college, and two young women are tasked with taking the doomed book back to the library when a "dashing" man interjects himself and asks to borrow it. Against their better judgement, they let him, and this leads to one of the students riding to his sprawling mansion where, evidently, he has bad intentions for her and all hell breaks loose for everyone - literally. 

Allagories aside, and not to be detoured, the local town folk had this man on their radar for generations and are constantly on his ass, which was mildly amusing. Our young co-ed, however, is enamored and falls for his charms, to her detriment. 

Sex is splattered all over the place with this film, so prepare for the sounds and innuendos. It's fun for a while but also got old quick, so thankfully the film is not too long. That said, I'm just not a fan of H.P. Lovecraft and the stories often wear me out so, there's that.

Solid, standard, and fun for a late night watch - particularly with the presentation of the creature (psychedelic through and through) - it's a film to see at least once.   

Pairs with meals made out of jello. Lots of jello. Lots and Lots of jello. Best watched late at night and with someone who also appreciates the '70s horror aesthetic. 

I watched this film on Tubi or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this classy, sleazy, trippy film. 

Too Late (2015)

October Challenge Day 7

So, what do you think would happen if David Lynch and Quentin Tarantino had a love child... 

Let's talk about the morbid and well made:

Too Late

This film, told in scenes but not sequentially, follows a private investigator who is looking for a missing young woman. Things get messy when both the woman and the investigator get tangled up with some bad people.

The dialog is exceptional - right off the bat - but I quickly got the impression it was written by a man who likes to hold captive audiences with a somewhat nagging wit, particularly with women. After looking it up, I found it was written and directed by a man (Dennis Hauck) but I know nothing of his character so I'll just stick with the experience of the film.  

The story meanders through the sad, lonely lives, of lost souls and greedy men who make the twisted worlds of Lynch and Tarantino go round. The inspirations are obvious and celebrated with this film, with top tier camera work to boot. 

While this film is really well made and deserves more attention and recognition, it's a hard watch, particularly with the treatment of the women in this story. It's a dismal place for women, here, and that quite likely is on purpose. A well placed camera light glaring into the face of dark places where even the most well meaning of actions end up hurting others because of a man's guilt, shame, and/or greed. Or maybe that's the surly private investigator in *me* talking (shout out: Bergman Investigations circa 2009 - 2014).

This is a thriller/drama, and it's heavy on the drama but I have it listed here as a horror story because this is a nightmare for all the characters involved. Not for everyone, and on the slower side of a burn, this film might also piss you off for many reasons because everyone here is far, far too late.

Best watched alone, pairs with cigarettes and ecstasy. And I mean A LOT of cigarettes and ecstasy.

I watched this film on Kanopy (support your local libraries!) or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this sad but delicate yet exquisite feature.

Spree (2020)

October Challenge Day 6

Oh social media - what has it turned us into? Let's talk about the "dark comedy" that is:

Spree

This story follows a young man who just wants the internet to notice him. Sadly, he goes to extremes to get there. 

While this film is really just making fun of everyone who relies on social media for validation and monetization, with a ride share spin (which was fun), there are a lot of darker issues at play.

For instance, I think this film exposes the exhaustion (and madness making) so many people have about the focus on "likes", "followers", "influencers", and "going live" and/or "going viral". That goes both ways for the viewer and creator. Hell, after the film, I tried to watch some TikToks and got an immediate headache, even nauseous - I needed to literally touch grass and listen to some music for a bit there. 

This is an unserious and lighthearted look at things too, however, where we can all laugh at our profound dumb assess, hunched over a phone. 

So, while psychosis is a very real thing and seeing it in real time on social media is something that happens and we should all pay attention to it - recognize it for what it is - the lengths our young man here goes to capture everything and making dynamic content for his 3 viewers are impressive. You'll chuckle but you'll be a little sad. 

This is an exhausting film and I don't think I'll be catching it again, but it did a great job in capturing our collective crazy. Super shout out to the camera work and its editing with this one too. Very creative and effective!

#Blessings

I watched this film on Shudder or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this difficult to watch for multiple reasons movie.

Room 205 (2007)

October Challenge Day 5

So this Danish film surprised me! Let's talk about:

Room 205

As a grandchild of Danes, I think I mistakingly expected more. But as a Dane, I'm going to enjoy myself regardless.

So, this is ... an interesting film. I can't say it's great. Honestly it was a struggle most of the time for me, but I was trying to make an omelette at the time I started the film, so my attention was distracted and I'm not a good omelette maker. 

Once my omelette was made, however, I realized the ending is pretty unhinged and all over the place. Which is fun! I like a good mess sometimes! [see also omelette]

Here we have the story of a young woman heading to college, doing all the college things (e.g., meeting the mean girls, the douche guy, etc.,) and she starts learning about the ghost of a "...girl who died in room 205". Suddenly something is unleashed and people start dying, paranormal stuff is happening, young love is bubbling, and a battle with glass and mirrors is everywhere (metaphors abound here).

In all, a story about: finding yourself while battling the afterlife!

At the core, however, is a sexual assault that prompted this activity. This film captures a zeitgeist of our times - an Awareness, if you will - that was truly unsettling and spoke volumes, so watch with caution.

This is not a terrible movie, and it's not a great one either, but it's a solid feature for a spooky not "scary" night. Actually, it's a good hygge film for those cold, dark, nights and you're looking for a cozy ghost story.

Pairs with boiling, feral, unfettered rage about campus sexual assault crimes, in particular. 

I rented this film from Scarecrow Video or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this Nordic chiller.

The Hole in the Ground (2019)

October Challenge Day 4

Is it an Irish Changling or is Mom stressed out and tired! A question as old as time.  Let's talk about:

The Hole in the Ground

This is a familiar story trope: single mother is trying to make it but struggles, especially when their kid starts acting strange. I think this resonates so well because it's so real - it's day-to-day for countless people. 

My family included. Mom had her hands full, raising three kids on her own, poverty-ridden. Maybe that's why I absolutely did not have children. Maybe that's why I feel I really understand the messages of these stories.

For this film we're traveling to Ireland, where a single Mom relocates herself and her child to a remote area and strange things begin to happen - something is in the woods....

Then one day her child goes missing - but when found, more strange things begin to happen and Mom no longer trusts her child is actually her child. 

A quiet, slow burn throughout most of the film, the end picks up with a chilling display of the monsters really at work here.

I like this film for the mood and grimey atmosphere - and it actually made me miss my own Mom a bit, with her and the wonderful tales she'd share about elves, imps, and fairies. 

These are NOT the fae you want to mess with, though! Actually, you don't want to mess with any fae.... This is a good watch for those who don't want something too scary but want a little spooky for the spooky season. 

Pairs with a favorite soup, the smells of earth, and a friend or two who wouldn't doubt it if you told them you saw a changling. 

I watched this film on HBO, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this "old wives' tale" of a film. 

Midnight Vendetta aka Poison (2001)

October Challenge Day 3

This film starts out with a husband pimping out his wife to a business executive, in the hopes of a new position at the office. 

WOW

I could also immediately tell this film was from the early 2000s. I can't explain it but you can also somehow smell it. Or maybe that's because it might be a little porn-y. This might be a soft porn film, folks. I'm not sure what else to call it.

Let's talk about the surprisingly entertaining film that is:

 Midnight Vendetta aka Poison

After the initial shock of the opening scene - which was RUDE - it's just a wild opening scene, the film quickly pivots to an accidental comedy of extreme drama. I was howling.

This troubled couple then argues about the rape, the husband drives off upset after loosing the job he pimped his wife out for, and dies in a wild car crash. And: scene!

What happens next is so wildly funny it's hard to describe, as we're introduced to the family of the woman who "stole" his job. The "Power Hungry" Mom. The "Seventeen Year Old" adventurous daughter. The "Alarmingly Young and Comically Useless" Husband (who I'm pretty sure I saw on a Hallmark movie poster in the film A History of Concrete - which I caught yesterday at a packed theater). And finally "The Maid".

Take a moment to soak these scenes in, people. It will take a minute to adjust your eyes. But then!! Our angry widow weasels her way into the family .... for REVENGE.

Think a more evil and porn-y version of The Hand That Rocks The Cradle~!!

This film is overly dramatic in such a silly way you can't help but love it. It's cheap, it's fun, it's trashy, and alarmingly engaging. Oh, and don't forget the porn scenes (which are just fine for polite society)! I had so much fun by the end that I'm adding it to my favorites list. 

Pairs with family sized frozen dinners and off brand sodas.

I watched this film on Tubi, of course, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this slutty little adventure. 

Resident Evil (2026)

October Challenge Day 2

My brother called up me recently and asked if I wanted to see the latest Resident Evil film. I wasn't exactly thrilled - it wasn't totally on my radar, and I had lost track of the series after the first film from a lifetime ago (aka 2002). Then he added "It's getting really great reviews". Coming from him, that's a big deal. I said, Okay. Let's go.

Let's talk about:

Resident Evil

I got us balcony tickets at the Cinerama, grabbed some popcorn and drinks, and settled in for an adventure - as I walked in completely blind.  

This film had me roaring with fears and cheers. I was bouncing all over my seat at the jump scares, cackling at the ridiculous, and overall having a great time. I was having so much fun I didn't notice my brother was sitting there .... silent.

By the end of the film I excitedly turned to him and asked, "What did you think? I loved it!"

He turned to me and said, decidedly, "I hated it."

I was dumbfounded, as we agree on most films. He added that he thought the main character was stupid and embarrassing - that nothing was scary, and overall it felt cheep and silly.

I said, "Yes, I agree - that's why I loved it!"

That's when I realized:

My brother is a gamer, and when he played this video game he was scared. It was a fun game for him to play.

I am not a gamer, and I think what I saw and experienced from the film was as if I was a player in the game. See, this young man here, our protagonist, is hapless, bumbling, and just making bad decision after bad decision as he navigates a hellscape of creatures and nightmares - like in a game. The same mistakes and misshapes a player would make. 

The monsters were frightening and fun because the film *felt* like a video game, and should I be playing it, I would shout, holler, and laugh too if a man-beast-thing came rolling up the wall after me on it's 15 legs.

In short, I think my brother was looking for a deeper experience, based on his gaming experience. I didn't know what to expect and still play the original Dr. Mario from time to time, and found it a rock n' roll great time. I would recommend this film on the big screen, however!!

Watch this film with friends if you can, laugh and scream together - it's fun. Pairs with very very very buttery popcorn and your favorite drink. 

I caught this film in the theater but I anticipate it will be streaming soon. Or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this wild ride.

50 Horror Movies You May Have Missed (vol. 12)

Welcome to the twelveth annual mega list of movies you may have missed! Hurrah for more movies, movies and lists! Check out where you can find these films on JustWatch. Better yet, see if you can rent them from Scarecrow Video!

So, without further ado and to welcome in this year's October Challenge, I present:

50 Horror Movies You May Have Missed (vol. 12)

Because there will be more. Oh yes, there will be more. 

Anguish (2015): This is a slow, but nice burn - a tale of a teenage girl who moves into a house and then gets haunted by the previous teenage girl who died horrifically. Where are my Wait To Helen Comes fans at??? A chilly ghost story for your Autumn nights. Watch with your angry teen as you try to bond. Based on a true story.

The Ash Tree (1975): Oh the spooky, lovely, creepy that is balancing precariously on lines that shouldn't be crossed are: A Ghost Story for Christmas collection. They all have their charms but this one is a short you should check out. At just under 40 minutes long, this is an unnatural story that hangs on the branches of an old ash tree by the new sir's bed chamber....

Black Widow (1987): Here we have a story about what happens when a girls girl doubles down on a Not girls girl. There is a woman out here who is killing her husbands for money and power - a Federal Agent has a hunch and goes looking for her.... Not a great film, cinimatically, but it will scratch a part of your brain that has an itch. Watch with a bestie that will murder for you. Pairs with TV dinners.

Blades (1988): Oh this one is a HOOT! Think Jaws, but ... with a possessed lawnmower, at a golf course.... I had so much fun with this watch and absolutely recommend it for the charming absurdity. Read more in my review here. 

Body Double (1984): I am a sucker for sultry thrillers - and this is a good one! Here we have a man just trying to make it as an actor who stumbles upon the opportunity to house sit in luxury, but what he sees out of his window leads him down a road of nightmares and madness.  A perfect late night watch.

The Bray Road Beast (2018): Who is in the mood for a werewolf documentary?! ME! HOPE YOU ARE TOO! As a werewolf story fan, I can't turn away from any of them, even the cringe ones, which makes this one refreshing because it's just a respectfully made look into the lore. Read more in my review here.

Bugonia (2025): This took me a minute to trust. Then I didn't trust it, but then I trusted it, didn't again, and then I was betrayed by it all in an excellent way. I was so frustrated by this one that I can't help but recommend a viewing. Watch with friends who want to argue about what's happening. 

Cellar Dweller (1987): Looking for some cozy, campy, practical effects-filled fun?! Look no further than the basement! Here we have the tale of an artist commune plagued by the "spirit" of an artist who brought to life a monster. Thirty years later the monster is resurrected and the in-fighting artists battle both themselves and the monster, for survival. A great weekend watch!

Chicago Cab aka Hellcab (1997): I 100% see how this was a play and I actually love that it was turned into a movie. This is a simple story about a cab driver and the rides he picks up in a day. Things get weird, dark, and downright unsettling. This is a study on humanity and how we all move through the world - interacting with each other by just passing through. A somber look at the world and not for everyone.

Crimes at the Dark House (1940): Based on the story, The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, here we have the classic tale of a cackling evil villain, innocent and wronged women, a plot for money, and murders abound! A fun thriller for a cold and blustery night! Pairs with girl dinner. 

Cutting Class (1989): A teenage slashic! Sort of - with a very young Brad Pitt! There is someone in the high school taking the kids out and our star student might know him! Is it the hot bad boy? Is it the troubled young man recently released from a mental institution? Watch and see!!

Dawn of the Dogman (2025): Again, I could talk all day about werewolves/dogmen - as they scare the living shit out of me, so I was delighted to stumble across this documentary that was having a heart-felt talk about the history of both the dogmen and the people of the Michigan area. Two thumbs up if you're looking for both information and being a little scared. I found this on YouTube.

Dolly (2025): I will admit this is a strange one .... and I'm still not sure what to think of it. According to IMDB this is the full length version of the 2022 short film Babygirl, which I would like to see. This is the story of a couple (perhaps soon to be fiances???) who take a hiking trip and everything goes terribly terribly wrong (as it does). Found trapped in a decaying house with someone wearing a baby mask - we're all ending up a little traumatized with this one.

Drop Dead Fred (1991): I revisited this one after watching it once in the early '90s. I didn't understand it then (I was in my early teens, after all) but today me was shocked. Is this a horror film? Yes, I suppose so. Drama. Also yes? Other: Yes. I suppose this should be shelved with the other Unraveling Mind Films. A very original film that should have more appreciation. Pairs with cinnamon sugar sandwiches. 

Fangs of the Living Dead (1969): This film starts off with a woman asking her doctor fiance, over the phone, if he's very busy. He responds, "I have a few fractures" and she responds, in all seriousness, "Does it hurt?". HOOKED. Watch before or after a drag show. Trust me on this one. 

The Fly II (1989): As a big fan of the original film, I was hesitant to tackle this one. Glad I didn't hesitate forever. This story brings us back to the mad doctor's son and his growing up, heavily monitored, in a lab. Sad and heartfelt at first - in true Fly fashion - it gets really gross and wild with things by the end. A fine, nasty ass sequel.

From Beyond (1986): I heard someone refer to this one as Hellraiser light, and I agree. This is an H.P. Lovecraft twist about getting too science-y and conjuring up things you can't put down. The practical effects are spectacular, as expected, and the plot is messy and raunchy. Just have fun with this one, kids!

Highway To Hell (1991): This is a wild and wacky ride through the underworld! Grab a drink and the pizza and travel with this couple as his girl is kidnapped and taken through Hell. Is it a fever dream? Maybe. It's a psychedelic trip with a Mad Max feel, surrounded by a bevy of odd but clever characters. It's a non-stop ride.

Horror in the High Desert (2021): Calling all fans of faux documentaries and/or fans of 411 missing persons stories. While there is some back-and-forth about this one (some love it, some hate it, some feel the same about just parts of it), overall it's just a neat exploration into story telling. Watch just before going on a camping trip.

Influencer (2022): I wasn't expecting much from this and was PLEASANTLY surprised. Here we have the classic tale of a "nobody" befriending a "popular" girl. Things go terribly, terribly, terribly wrong.....

Influencers (2025): Hahahahaha! Back again! Thankfully I saw these back-to-back so I want to share them back-to-back. Similar to the first in that it's menacing, this one is a little more cheeky. Good times! Influencers are overrated, btw.

King on Screen (2022): Get your Stephen King lore here! This is a charming, loving, and fun look into the impact Stephen King has had on the horror film world. A documentary for all book and movie fans. A HUGE shout out to Tabitha King for pulling the draft pages of Carrie from the trashcan. 

Life After Beth (2014): Oh I had so much fun with this one!!! Gather around, Obsession fans, I have a delight for you! This is just a little love story, about a young man and his sweet girlfriend who died suddenly. If he could only kiss and hold her one more time.... Hold on tight for a wild, morbid, funny ride!

The Lift (1983): Oh you know, just a little razzle dazzle with a possessed elevator! The Netherlands brings us this morbid tale of an elevator hellbent on killing folks. What can you do? Watch it of course! Watch with your friends over drinks and snacks. Best yet, it's better than expected!

Mad Love (1935): This twisted tales involves a surgeon, obsessed with a woman, who plots to have her husband arrested for murder. Sort of. He replaces her husband's hands with the hands of a murderer. Wait, that's just part of it too.... Let me start over. This is a strange and chilling feature about a terrible, insane man who tries to ruin a woman's life (because of his obsession of her). It's a tale as old as time. Watch it for Peter Lorre.

Mothers' Instinct (2024): Every domestic situation set in the 1950's is a horror story for me, so let's add this one to the list! This absolute menace of a story follows two women, neighbors and best friends, who experience a tragic loss. How they handle that loss is where the masks fall off.... Watch with leftovers heated in Tupperware and alcohol for breakfast.

Mute Witness (1995): Strap in for this wild ride! Here we have the story of a mute American woman who witnesses a murder on a movie set in Russia. The mob catches her watching and the pursuit makes the movie. This is a graphic, fast-paced and non-stop adventure that traverses across language barriers, not believing women, mental and emotional abuse, and with an exploding ending. I was surprised through and through.

Next Door (1995): I stumbled upon this hidden gem fairly recently and quickly added it to this list! What immediately appears to be a classic dark '90s comedy descends quickly into a story of violence and madness when two neighbors can't agree on civility. In short, a tale of two men who can't get over their egos.

Nightbeast (1982): Indulge in some schlock horror with this fine specimen. Here we have an alien who crash lands in a classic 1980's town and wrecks havoc across it. Come for the frickin' laser beams, stay for the laugh-out-loud fun. Best watched with friends who you're all going to hell with.

Nymphomaniac: Vol 1 (2013): Careful, everyone, this is a Lars von Trier film and I really caution his work - it's Not. For. Everyone. I had hesitations because his work usually leaves me completely devastated. This one is no different! Here a young woman shares her emotional and sexual escapades to the strange man who saved her life. These stories are so scary, so emotional, and so long that I had a double take when I realized Vol. 1 was over. Time few by....

Nymphomaniac: Vol 2 (2013): And then it took me a year to get to Vol 2 of this epic story! I had to emotionally prepare myself. It's that hard to watch, but worth it! Our young woman here carries on her insights and adventures through life and you can feel the pace speed up. Things are feeling even more dangerous. The ending ruined me, as expected. It will ruin you too, so watch with care. This might be one of my favorites of von Trier's work. 

One Step Beyond (Television Show, 1959): We all know the beloved Twilight Zone series, but have you also checked out One Step Beyond!?! This is, hands down, one of my most favorite spooky, classic, TV shows and I don't hear enough people talking about it. Based on real events, this show tells stories of the supernatural and some of the stories are downright Scary! Not to miss if you want to binge watch something spooky and chilling.

Paranoiac (1963): This is a WILD ride! And it's a Hammer Horror film, so you know it's going to be good. This unhinged nightmare follows a deeply disturbed family when the eldest son, who was long thought to have committed suicide, comes back home to claim his inheritance. You will have no idea where this story is going, I promise. 

Poison Ivy (1992): I just re-watched this recently and I roared with laughter. This is some good, '90s sultry trash. I was 13 when this film first came out and I remember being mystified by "Ivy" - so her spell worked on my awkward ass at the time! Now, as an adult, this is a strange, not well written, dreamy and morbid girl life film and I applaud it! Just get that red lipstick all over your face, lounge in a ridiculous gown, and be dramatic about EVERYTHING to properly prepare for this movie watching experience.

The Premonition (1975): I think I was expecting to see some low budget '70s camp, here. And I was watching some .... until it wasn't low budget camp anymore. I did, however, end up in some sort of TED talk for a short while, which quickly descended into a psychic intervention. This is a strange, strange film that will stick with me for a long time. Read more in my review here.

Presumed Innocent (1990): This was a surprising thriller! I was on the edge of my seat from minute one - and by the end I was scared of something I couldn't explain. This is the story of a lawyer who becomes infatuated with his co-worker and she suddenly ends up dead. He becomes the main suspect. Haunting, intense, raw, and a little steamy - this will satisfy all your '90s thriller needs.

Prey (2022): This is an action packed, edge-of-your-seat duel to the death with our old friend, the Predator. An origin story, if you will, it takes us to the 1800s lands of the Comanche people and their fright against another illegal alien (they had enough on their hands with the French already). Bloody, bad ass, carnal, and beautiful - this is a must watch for multiple reasons and you should pay attention to all of them.   

The Severed Sun (2024): Ah yes, some classic folk horror, what's a Halloween season without it!? This tale revolves around a remote religious cult, and the daughter of the cult leader who conjures something from within the woods to enact revenge. Moody and gory, this would be a nice fit to relieve some angst. Pairs with raw milk and homemade bread.

Sew Torn (2024): Looking for something really different? I got you. Here we have a seamstress who uses her needle and thread skills to infiltrate a drug deal and then uses her sewing skills to try and get out of the mess that was made. Artsy, fun, thrilling, beautiful, and absolutely original, this is a great watch while doing crafts.

Shelby Oaks (2024): First and foremost - you have to make it through the first 17 minutes of this film. Yes. I know it's bad but stick with it! Trust The Process and prepare to have your ass dragged around a scary hellscape for the rest of the film. You can thank me later. Trust The Process with this one!

Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland (1989): By far one of my favorites out of the series, this film starts out with a chase scene that is so unhinged you're locked in for the whole film. Here we have a camping trip with the rich kids against the poors, and Angela has opinions. *Trashy* and fun, this is a great late night pick to meet all your '80s slasher needs.

Spellbinder (1988): What's the '80s without a little witch craft and satanic love stories? Here we have the story of a lawyer who sees a woman in distress, rescues her, and takes her home. Intrigue and death threats ensue! A little steamy, a little sultry, a little weird, this is a very interesting take on Watch Out Who You Take Home. Quality Saturday night entertainment!

Split Second (1992): This film is ... FUN! Silly and fun - and I secretly suspect Kim Cattrall's look inspired Uma Thurman's look in Pulp Fiction. Speaking of pulp, this is: Pulp! The title is ridiculous and makes little sense. Just roll with it. Roll with all of it - we're in flooded future London with a creature on the loose, after all. Action packed and crazy - this is a good group watch.

Sugar Hill (1974): "How strong is your hate?" Is a question asked here and it HITS. This is the story of a woman who's boyfriend is killed, by a gang, for his nightclub. She consults a Voodoo priestess and conjures a zombie army to take the gang down. Just sit back, listen, and enjoy. This film is, simply, perfect. 

They Look Like People (2015): Mental Illness - it should always be taken seriously and everyone should have the support they need. It's health care. However, just navigating health also makes for good horror fodder, and this film is a fine example. Heartbreaking and scary, this one explores friendship and identify, as one man navigates the voices in his head telling him people aren't real.

Trick or Treat (1986): Right off the bat this film kicks, is a big bag of bad ass, and just a hell of a lot of fun to watch. Hilariously fun and excellent practical effects, with a plot line that grabs you immediately and never let's go - it's been a minute since I have been *this* excited about a teenage '80s slasher/demon drama. Read more in my review here.

Unlawful Entry (1992): This film had a profound impact on me when I first saw it as a teen, shortly after it came out. It was my introduction to a home alarm system and I was mesmerized! This is a tale about a married couple who experience a break-in and so buy an alarm system for their home. It was the worst decision they could have made.

The Unwanted (2014): As soon as I saw this was based on the Sheridan Le Fanu's short story Carmilla, I was hooked. Very Gothic, very Victorian, very man has the scares because woman have opinions and thoughts of their own. Heady horror, and a little cheesy at the same time. Bonus, lesbians. Read more in my review here.

Vertigo (1958): I put this one off for a long time for no good reason whatsoever. Thinking it would be more of a slow burn, and a smart but slight thriller, I figured I'd get to it eventually. Oh my, when I did get to it though, it shocked my socks off! This very spooky thriller surprised me at every turn! It's the story of a man who is suppose to keep an eye on someone's wife - see where she was going during the day - but it turned into so much more. Madness ensues. Pairs with black coffee, whiskey, or ice cold water. 

Werewolf of London (1935): Trouble in the laboratory when a scientist pays no attention to the warnings about hunting for a rare plant in rural Tibet! Here be werewolves! This is a light and somewhat cheeky dive into taking science too far, particularly when the scientist accidentally turns himself into a werewolf! Come for the classic style, stay for the stellar - and I mean STELLAR - one liners from little old ladies.