This is Halloween, this is Halloween.. Almost. October’s one of my favorite times of the year as its the one time when everyone likes to revel in the horror genre a little bit and let out their stranger side in a celebration of the dark and spookey. Its also as good an excuse as any to binge all the horror films, television, music and video games you can before Christmas starts and everyone starts acting happy again. While we do already have Brian knee-deep in his Halloween Movie Challenge, I’m going to recommend to you some of the best scary stories that may have passed you by, or you may have never been aware of because, well, unfortunately many of these never get the press they deserve. To kick it off, here’s 3 films from this year that really gave me reason to keep the light on.
1. The Borderlands
It’s hard to avoid found-footage films in the horror genre these days, and frankly most of them are abysmal. However, amongst the piles of Paranormal Activities and other haunted house stories, there is some gold to be found, and The Borderlands is a prime slice of that gold. Turning its sights on a small-town church, Elliot Goldner’s religious chiller isn’t anything new in how its made or how its paced, but the depiction of a small community reacting badly to outsiders and the rural setting makes for a very creepy, engaging experience. The lead performances are satisfactory, and there’s enough drama to provide more consistency than the rhythmic jump-scares that permeate the trend. Where The Borderlands shines most, though, is the final act. Religious history is an easy mine for horrifying lore and the mysterious notes hit in the last stretch here leave the right kind of bad taste behind. The final scene is one that will stay with you for days, I guarantee it.
2. Oculus
Karen Gillan has done very well for herself to remain relevant after her tenure in Doctor Who ended. First this, then Guardians of the Galaxy, and now the lead in new series Selfie – she sure likes to work. Oculus is a psychological horror of a very standard kind for anyone whose familiar with such films as The Shining or Rosemary’s Baby. Gillan stars opposite Brenton Thwaites as one half of a sibling pair who were separated in childhood thanks the borther’s institutionalization after their parents died in suspicious circumstances. He’s convinced it was in fact him, but she reckons it wasn’t, she reckons it was an antique mirror she is now determined to defeat. There’s very little that makes this film unique, but what it does very well is play to what’s already been done. Utilizing dual narrative to tell both the past and present of their tragic tale, the plot gets a little muddled towards the last act, but the film does manage to grip you and keep you guessing right up until its conclusion. What’s better is the reliance on tone and atmosphere rather than outright blunt scares and cheap thrills. While its nothing new, it is a relief to see a film try to be scarier in tone and writer/director Mike Flanagan is one to watch.
3. Life After Beth
A film currently in cinemas now, and one which I reviewed in full already. This Dane DeHaan and Aubrey Plaza vehicle is another addition to the small club of zombie romantic comedies, and a welcome addition at that after the slightly cold Warm Bodies. Very much an American attempt at what Shaun of the Dead achieved, this teen comedy horror is a little too breezy for its own good, side-lining some great scare potential for more laughs and ridiculous situations. But while this isn’t ideal, it also gives more room for the hysterical comedy of John C. Reilly, Dane De Haan and Aubrey Plaza, who deliver some sterling scenes together with an on-screen chemistry completely worthy of their talents. This won’t scare you, much, but it will make you laugh and the dying scenes feature a zombified Aubrey walking around strapped to a cooker – what’s not to love?
And that’s my picks of the year for horror – what have I missed? Let me know in the comments, and of course, come back next week, same Arcade time, same Arcade channel!
