He’s back, and he’s like some kind of Halloween machine! BlastofsilenceJJ returns with another instalment of his 31 Chills Of Halloween. You know the drill by now, so let’s get to it:
21. Oddity (2024) – Director: Damian McCarthy
Word on the street is that this Irish horror film was scarier than Longlegs. I’ll just let that debate rage on without giving too much away.
A blind shopkeeper with interests in the occult mourns the loss of her twin sister whom was murdered a year ago. She seems to have the ability to peer into the lives of people who handled the objects that come into her shop. We get a good jump scare, not that this film has to rely on cheap parlor tricks. Oddity has a solid story, it’s well-acted and even if you see the final act coming, it still offers up enough twists to keep you hooked till the end. Rent it on Prime.
22. Strange Darling (2023) – Director: J.T. Mollner
I’m gonna have to ask you a question, are you a serial killer? This is a banger! A twisted tryst gives way to a killer’s violent murder spree. All may not be what it appears to be in Strange Darling.
Bursts of unexpected violence throughout keeps you on your toes. The cast is outstanding, and Willa Fitzgerald does some heavy lifting. Nice to see Ed Begley Jr. and Barbara Hershey as well. Go in blind for this one. Rent it on Prime.
23. The Serbian Dancing Lady – YouTube
No, not A Serbian Film you sickos! I came across this video for the first time about a year ago. It genuinely gave me a chill. A creepy lady dances on abandoned streets and if you disturb her, she will charge… knife in hand.
There were sightings in 2019 then, all of a sudden, it stopped. In 2023 videos were reappearing but by now it seems to be just another urban legend. Check it out for yourselves. YouTube channel Eff Your Review. Video title: The Serbian Dancing Lady. It is terrifying and real.
24. Suspiria (1977) – Director: Dario Argento
Atmosphere to spare. Italian maestro Dario Argento co-wrote and directed this outstanding supernatural mystery. The lighting in this is so spectacular it becomes a character in the film itself. The deep blues and reds heavily saturate every grain of film. If you have the opportunity to see Suspiria in 4k, watch it!
Suzy attends ballet school in Germany and doesn’t seem to be fitting in well. She hears noises through the walls and falls ill. A classmate is also suspicious of the staff at the school. What are they doing after hours? Heavy on suspense and light on plot. Doesn’t matter. This still rocks and yes Goblin is back for the soundtrack. Synapse Films released a perfect remastered 4k. It’s also available to rent on Prime.
25. Friday the 13th (2009) – Director: Marcus Nispel
Enough time has passed to judge this on its own merits. It’s a good remake says I. Friday the 13th (2009) delivers what a proper slasher should. Brutal inventive kills and a good-looking cast are game to make it all work. Jared Padalecki travels to an abandoned Crystal Lake to find his missing sister. He finds another group of ill-fated kids and a killer in a hockey mask. Watch it on MAX.
So what are you watching as Halloween approaches?