I watched a few new-to-me horrors last year. Wanted to share reviews on here, as the wonderful, sprawling
Good Horror Movies thread is where I first heard of some of them. Spoilers whited out.
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
As far as I remember, and even accounting for the lapse of almost a century between the film’s release and my 21st century digital-addled brain, I wasn’t thrilled by the original
Frankenstein (1931). Absolutely worth a watch for the sake of horror completism, of course, and it is iconic. But I thought this sequel was brilliant, as if something suddenly clicked and they realised what they were going for. Genuinely dark (
grim drowning early on) and genuinely funny, with an amusing framing device (Mary Shelley announcing a sequel at the fireside). The only standout problem is that the stylish titular bride receives so little screentime.
Hellraiser (1987)
I didn’t actually love this one, though I know it’s a cult super-classic. To me it felt like feature-length Garth Merengi. However, I liked the idea of these well-realised interdimensional sex freaks travelling around the universe to satisfy their pain-and-pleasure perversions. Another obvious completist watch.
Wolf Creek (2005)
Horrible. Really liked it. Truly tense. Maximum rural isolation. Spends a noble amount of time establishing its characters
before vilely offing them in unexpected order. Looking forward to finding the sequel.
Sunshine (2007)
Horror? Sci-fi? Both innit. I loved it all, including the controversial third act. One of my favourite horrors of all time is
28 Days Later (2002), and here ol’ Olympics Boyle delivers again, in space.
A Dark Song (2016)
Watched this having seen it discussed on here (indeed, it's being discussed again on this very page). I adore spooky houses, isolation, and the countryside in my ghost stories and horror films, and they all come together nicely here, in this understated indie 99-minuter.
There's a potentially jarring CGI surprise at the end, but mileage will vary depending on how ‘into’ the film you’ve let yourself dissolve. I let it wash over me and enjoyed it.The Ritual (2017)
High concept lads-in-the-woods supernatural hiking trip. I really enjoyed the dialogue and the characters it came out of. Compelling take on a weird, lesser used menace (
Norse gods ‘n’ that). Better than its bland title betrays. On Netflix.
The Hole in the Ground (2019)
Rural Irish village? Check. Discomforting vibe of isolation? Check. Creepy kid? Well, as we know, creepy kid stuff is usually rubbish (see 2019’s thoroughly lame
Pet Sematary adaptation), but this is really good. And bang on 90 minutes, my personal optimum length for a horror film. On Netflix.
And three honourable dismentions:Maniac (2012). I get what they were after with the
POV thing. Didn’t like it nevertheless. I’ve a high tolerance for violence in film (see above, the vicious
Wolf Creek), but this did feel gratuitous at points.
Verónica (2017) - for its spine-tingling and record-breaking reputation, it is pretty standard Ouija board fare. For being only 'fine' and yet exceeding the 90-minute barrier, it earns a spot here.
Pet Sematary (2019), mentioned above. Read the book - amazing. Watched this film - standard modern horror toss. Went to the cinema for it and everything.
I lurrrrve horror. Off to watch one now.