Scare Package

In this age of cinematic recycling via reboots, sequels and basically the same ol' thang time and time again, the horror film genre has stepped up with more originality than normal studio fare. Since this is the Halloween season, I think it's high time that throw out a few recommendations of scary movies from the recent past I've found worthy enough to recommend. 

In no particular order, here goes somethin':

LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL

A welcome spin on the found footage style popularized by THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, LATE NIGHT is appropriately set on All Hallow's Eve, a live broadcast of a young girl possessed by the Devil himself for your viewing pleasure, kind of a cross between THE EXORCIST and JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE. On HULU.

THE MONKEY

Osgood Perkins has really come into his own as an innovative filmmaker within the confines of horror, especially with the success of last year's LONGLEGS. While I found that particular film to be over-hyped, I did admire its style and unending sense of dread. He followed it up with this one, an adaptation of a Stephen King short story that takes an unexpected jump off the cliff into comedic territory, making it a slapstick gore-fest that elevated it in my eyes. This one sure earn cult status as a bona fide Halloween hoot. 

On HULU

SMILE 2

The only sequel here, a worthy follow up to the first that damn near crosses the finish line without a glitch, but, like so many films these days, fails to stick the landing. However, there is more than enough to recommend here, especially a star-making performance by Naomi Scott. She is perfection here and deserves to move up the ranks pronto. On PARAMOUNT +

STRANGE DARLING

Here's a topsy turvy mind fuck and a half of a thriller that begins as a one night stand and ends with...I ain't gonna tell you a damn thing. This is the kind of work spoilers destroy in their work and probably why it is nearly unknown. How do you sell something that if you reveal one iota of info, it ruins the entire experience? Be warned. This is rough stuff, but pays off in dividends you'll receive every time you even think of this movie. I can't wait to see what writer/director J.T. Mollner does next. And cinematography by Giovanni Ribisi? Who knew? On PARAMOUNT +

 

COMPANION

Sophie Thatcher plays the sweetest android love doll money can buy until she goes a little haywire. Also starring Jack Quaid, who looks so much like a de-aged version of his dad Dennis that I find distracting and Harvey Guillen, Guillermo himself, breaking out into familiar territory but breaking out nonetheless. On HBO MAX

THE FIRST OMEN

Busted. A reboot, reimagining, whatever you want to call this prequel, it worked for me and hopefully for you too. Oh, those crazy Catholics. On HULU                 

COLOR OUT OF SPACE 

Nicolas Cage goes full blown Nicolas Cage again in this, his 500th movie since the turn of the century, this time around in this Richard Stanley adaptation of an H.P. Lovecraft property, the first time it's been touched since DIE, MONSTER, DIE, one of Boris Karloff's last flicks in the 1960s. A comet lands on a farm and cosmic demonic hijinks ensure...or low-links as the case may be. Joely Richardson is as game as Cage (Body horror alert!) and that is a very good thing. And to top it off, Tommy Chong! On HULU

BIRTH/REBIRTH 

Yet another movie to mess with your mind. This is kind of an extension of THE MONKEY'S PAW and maybe even PET SEMATARY, but as a gripping as hell two-hander with Judy Reyes and the superb Marin Ireland. On HULU

SINNERS 

Ryan Coogler's vampire blockbuster from earlier this year did live to its hype, particularly a mid-movie sequence that was worth the price of admission alone. I didn't find it especially scary, however, but maybe in the cinema it might have played differently for me. On HBO/MAX

NOSFERATU  

I did catch Robert Eggers' remake on the big screen and was engulfed by not only overwhelming dread but a sense of fright that has since stayed with me. Such is the theater going experience. Those who took my recommendation for this film streamed it as I did SINNERS and found it lacking. I stand by my assessment, though I haven't granted it a re-watch at home. I guess I don't want to spoil my cinematic good time. Take that for what it's worth. On AMAZON PRIME

And the Grand Finale...(drumroll please)

WEAPONS

When a film in any genre lives to its potential as well as all the praise that has been foisted upon it by critics and the public alike, I'll do something I rarely do-stand with the crowd and cheer. Zach Cregger's insidious, ingenious creep-fest builds slowly, tripping over itself a couple of times until it amps up into a climax of bombastic proportions. Unlike most of what I've seen, both on and off this list, WEAPONS gains re-watchable status, a Michelin star in my book, and may very well be the best film I've seen this year. On HBO/MAX

  

So lots of non-fun-sized treats for all you ghosts, goblins and sexy nurses this Halloween. Now please don't soap my windows.