My Top 10 Horror Flicks

(in no particular order)

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The Blair Witch Project

(1999) Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sanchez

Sub-Genre: Psychological, Environmental

Netting a huge return on the filmmakers’ investment, this low-budget movie packs a lot of punch. Notable (unusually) are the sound effects and editing; audio is so effective in some parts that it would work as a radio play without losing any of the terror. I find the effectiveness of this film lies in its extremely simple, and thus entirely believable, plot line. No crazy zombies or monsters, just intense psychological stress.

Halloween

(1978) John Carpenter

Sub-Genre: Slasher

I generally find slasher films boring and predictable. Admittedly this film is the latter, but when seen as ground-breaking and original, this was the film that made all the others predictable. Slasher-in-a-disguise films rely heavily on the villain’s mask to invoke creepiness, and Michael Myers’ get-up certainly fits the bill. The narrative techniques of this film are true and tested, providing plenty of good edge-of-your-seat moments.

The Ring

(2002) Gore Verbinski

Sub-Genre: Psychological, Japanese Horror

I’m not the type to lay awake at night worrying about some horror film, but this one did it to me–For a few days actually. Even more strange is the fact I can’t really explain what about this movie bothers me so. Best as I can tell, the “countdown” nature of the plot hearkens to the inevitable fate of death we all face, and who’s happy about that? Also, there is an underlying sense of “going crazy” in this film, something which has always invoked fear in my soul.

28 Days Later

(2002) Danny Boyle

Sub-Genre: Apocalypse, Zombie, Disaster

This is one of those “if this really happened, it would be terrifying” movies. In addition, something similar to this could happen. In a world where biological and radiological terrorism is just around the corner, this type of film is to our era what The China Syndrome was to the nuclear power generation. Of note here is that the infected in this film aren’t your run-of-the-mill zombies that walk slowly with arms a la Frankenstein–They’re much, much worse.

High Tension (Haute Tension)

(2003) Alexandre Aja

Sub-Genre: Suspense, Mindbender, Gore

This movie is mentally exhausting. That’s really the only way I can describe how I felt after seeing it; it was as if I had run the boston marathon while filling out a itemized tax return. It’s non-stop tension (as the name implies) mixed with some great plot twists (this is another movie you don’t want to investigate too fully before viewing). There is some gore in this film but the focus remains on the environmental suspense.

Saw

(2004) James Wan

Sub-Genre: Gore, Mindbender

I find that most horror movies rely on shock and gore to elicit fear rather than good storytelling, and that’s why I debated whether to include this in the Top 10. However, the plot is original and the traps set by the villain are inventive and psychologically frightening. The gore is a result of the plot points, as it should be. Of note is one of the best endings to a horror movie I’ve ever seen. The sequels, however, lack the original’s freshness of concept.

The Exorcist

(1973) William Friedkin

Sub-Genre: Supernatural, Occult

Rarely does a horror film reach such notoriety as to be considered a cultural phenomenon. Exorcist is one of the few, sparking a  new wave of interest in demonic possession amongst the public and introducing some to the concept of exorcism for the first time. While concepts of demons and possession weren’t new to horror films, its treatment of the subject was, maintaining realism in its depiction of the Christian rite of exorcism. 

Friday the 13th

(1980) Sean S. Cunningham

Sub-Genre: Slasher

Any list of horror movies would surely be incomplete without this classic. Friday the 13th has a cult following all its own, one of which I’m a part, and I can say I’ve seen every movie in the series (yes, I’ve suffered through all the horrible sequels). Friday is iconic in its depiction of teen sex and drug use, helping to form the very stereotype of slasher flicks lampooned by movies like Scream.

The Thing

(1982) John Carpenter

Sub-Genre: Sci-Fi, Environmental

Simply a well-done movie all around. The effectiveness of this film hinges on the environment in which it’s set: barren, isolated, washed out, and freezing cold. It’s that “go ahead and scream, nobody will hear you” setting that creates the terror. Had the movie been set in a metropolitan area, it wouldn’t have made the list. Of note are the special effects used in the film, revolutionary for their time, much like the next film on the list. 

The Evil Dead

(1981) Sam Raimi

Sub-Genre: Gore, Supernatural, Occult

In truth, I don’t find this movie scary . . . At all. I wouldn’t even say it’s unsettling to me. The reason it makes the list, however, is that its gore is perhaps unsurpassed by even modern films. The special effects of the movie were outrageously good for its time (‘81). Remember, these weren’t computer-effects, just advanced puppetry, make-up, and stop-animation techniques. If you’re into gore, this is your film.

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