It’s that time of year again. Whether you go all out for a dress up party or remain stubbornly indifferent to Halloween festivities, everyone loves a good horror movie to get you in the mood for the spooky season. This October the horror has been coming thick and fast with a bunch of new releases. If you loved Halloween Ends and Smile, chances are you’re a horror fanatic and are looking for the perfect movie for Halloween. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
After a couple years of a watered-down Halloween festivities due to Covid, this year the trick-or-treaters will be out in full force and the costumes will be better than ever. Horror movies have been hitting the big screen in quick succession lately to match the triumphant return of Halloween. Halloween Ends and Smile are the latest blockbusters attracting and terrifying audiences this October, as the spirit of Halloween returns to cinemas.
Halloween Ends is the 13th instalment of the Halloween saga and is the finale of the latest trilogy of sequels which began in 2018. Starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Halloween ends had high expectations in capping off an iconic saga and it does not disappoint.
A character driven narrative focusing on the returning Curtis’ protagonist Laurie Strode, who is attempting to liberate herself from the fear that has come to control her life. Halloween Ends takes some big swings and is a fitting homage to the original released in 1978. Michael Myers returns and is as horrifying as he was more than 40 years ago, donning his iconic mask and filling audiences with the nostalgic fear that very mask instilled early in everyone’s childhood.
Smile is the ambitious newcomer on the horror scene. The standalone film might not come from a famous franchise like Halloween Ends, but it’s a breath of fresh air in the horror genre. The film’s thrilling premise is an intriguing take on repressed trauma with all the classic jump-scares you want in a good horror movie.
Here’s some fun, clever movie promo – Paramount seemingly placed #Smile actors in the crowd at both the Yankees and Mets games last night, both in view of cameras. The results were indeed creepy. Going to a game this weekend? Watch out for the smiles! ???? pic.twitter.com/aC3sqZjWvI
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) September 24, 2022
Smile follows psychiatrist Dr Rose Cotter, who witnesses a bizarre incident involving a patient. An overwhelming terror begins taking over her life as she starts experiencing horrifying occurrences she can’t explain. Dr Cotter must confront her past to escape her new reality. Smile has deservedly been a box office hit, grossing over $140 million.
Smile and Halloween Ends are the movies everyone is talking about this Halloween season. If you loved them and you’re looking for the perfect movie to watch on October 31st, we’ve got you covered with a diverse range of movies from the last five years that will complete your Halloween experience.
Malignant (2021)
Malignant is directed by Australian horror veteran James Wan. Wan is the co-creator of classic franchises Saw and Insidious and the mastermind of The Conjuring franchise. Wan is known for creating some of the horror genres most iconic and terrifying movies and Malignant is no different.
Malignant focuses on Madison, a woman who is tormented by a mysterious figure that shows her violent visions from her childhood that she can’t quite place. Her condition worsens when her horrifying dreams become reality and she becomes a murder suspect.
Madison’s mission to identify the shadowy figure and unlock her past will make for a thrilling watch this Halloween
Midsommar (2019)
Midsommar belongs to the somewhat obscure genre of folk horror which has risen to popularity in recent years. The film follows a group of American college students who travel to Sweden to visit their friend’s hometown and immerse themselves in the famous midsummer festival activities.
The idyllic holiday quickly turns into a nightmare when the group finds themselves trapped within a sinister cult of Scandinavian pagans. With this horrific backdrop, Midsommar focuses on the deteriorating relationship of protagonist Dani, played by Florence Pugh, and her boyfriend.
Midsommar is a different kind of horror movie and it’s the perfect addition to your Halloween watchlist.
The Innocents (2021)
The Innocents is a slow-burn that will have you on the edge of your seat with a contagiously ominous atmosphere that persists throughout the film and instils a feeling of impending trouble that means you can’t look away.
Set in a Norwegian housing estate, Ida and her autistic sister Anna move to a tower block that’s encompassed by a dark forest which spells danger right from the start. The siblings and some other kids from the block begin to exhibit supernatural powers and the film erupts into psychic violence. The setting of The Innocents in a sinister and other-worldly environment will make you uneasy throughout the entire viewing experience,
His House (2020)
His House presents horror through the refugee experience. It tells the story of a South Sudanese couple who migrate to England and are haunted by their past and what they had to do to escape their war-torn homeland.
The couple are placed in a dilapidated home in London’s outskirts and must face the challenges of tyrannical restrictions, racist neighbours and of course, a tormenting spirit. His House is an intriguing horror take on the refugee experience and as an unorthodox thriller, it’s the ideal Halloween movie.
The Ritual (2017)
There must be something about Scandinavia that makes it the perfect setting for horror because this is the third movie on this list set in the region. This time, four British guys take a holiday to the Swedish mountains in honour of a deceased friend. With some initial male bonding, the character’s fates quickly take a turn for the worse after a knee injury and a careless decision to head off the main track.
With a collection of mysterious glyphs carved into tree’s, a psychotic cult looking for a sacrifice and an ominous creature on the groups tail, The Ritual becomes a thriller that will have your heart beating out of your chest.
The Ritual is another great under the radar horror movie with one of most truly terrifying monsters in a horror movie. Add The Ritual to your watchlist, but maybe avoid Scandinavia on your next holiday.
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
Another new release, Bodies Bodies Bodies is the English language debut of Dutch director Halina Reijn and is one of the first horror movies that falls into the category of ‘Gen-Z horror’.
With a cast including Amandla Stenberg, Pete Davidson and Rachel Sennott, Bodies Bodies Bodies can be described as a slasher comedy. On a holiday a group of friends decide to play a murder in the dark style game. As they tend to do in slasher movies, things go horribly wrong and the group starts being picked off one by one.
The comedic side of Bodies Bodies Bodies is mostly satirical and explores youthful narcissism. A shocking twist that we won’t spoil completes this hilarious horror movie, a great Halloween watch that’s a little more light-hearted.
So there you have it, if you loved Halloween Ends and Smile, these six horror movies are sure to get you in the mood this spooky season. But a disclaimer: don’t watch these at night.
