Yes, it’s that time of the year again. Although I may not be carving pumpkins and setting up tons of Halloween decorations, you will definitely find me watching a few good scary movies. My watch list changes every year, but this season I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite high-quality horror for your viewing pleasure—all available on Netflix!
1. It Follows
I saw this one in theaters, and it quickly became one of my favorite movies of all time. It Follows is about a young college student (Maika Monroe) who becomes the target of a supernatural entity after a seemingly innocuous sexual encounter. Without giving away too much of the plot, the film is an ode to ‘80s indie horror with a stylish soundtrack to boot. Suspenseful and gripping, It Follows moves away from the remakes and jump-scare tactics of more recent horror films and forges its own path as a new horror classic.
2. The Ritual
Six months after the tragic death of their friend, four old college friends embark on an adventurous hiking trip in the Swedish wilderness to honor his memory. It’s not long before the group’s misfortunes begin and a sinister presence of pagan ritualism surrounds them deep in the forest. The film manipulates its scenery to its advantage by creating tension and confusion among the friends. The Ritual, released in 2017, is sure to send a chill down any viewer’s spine.
3. The Shining
The Shining has been immortalized as one of the best horror movies of all time. From the iconic image of the creepy twins, to the arguably most famous horror line of all time (Here’s Johnny!), The Shining is a film that has captivated horror fans for decades. Set in a secluded hotel in the middle of winter, the film’s isolating atmosphere aims to disturb first time-viewers for a few sleepless nights. This Kubrick adaptation diverges from its source material by Stephen King, but both are brilliant horror classics and worth looking into. In fact, if you’re looking to see it around Halloween time, there are several showtimes later this month in theaters around New Orleans!
4. Shutter
Thankfully, the version of Shutter currently on Netflix is not the corny 2008 American remake. The original Shutter is an underrated Thai horror film about a photographer, Ananda Everingham, whose fatal mistake comes back to haunt him in a series of mysterious photographs. He eventually learns that he cannot escape his past. The film, released in 2004, is a brilliant example of Asian horror that uses psychological scares to frighten and disturb audiences. The slow build-ups and tight pacing make the film a fun viewing with friends or a date.
COVER PHOTO: Nicole Kaufman
