Fall’s best scary movies
This fall, there have been plenty of scary movies. But only a few of these films have been truly memorable, by transcending the horror genre and including elements of either drama or comedy. Here are the top three best scary movies from this fall:
3. Mother! (release date: Sept. 15)
Although definitely not for everyone, the latest thriller from director Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan) certainly has a lot going for it. At first, Mother! seems like a realistic portrayal of marriage, but as the plot unfolds, it gradually evolves into a surreal and nightmarish allegory addressing humanity’s destruction of nature. Jennifer Lawrence, who plays the titular role, delivers a convincing performance, even during the film’s more confusing moments. There are many surprising twists, so it’s best to go in with no knowledge of the movie’s plot in order to gain the full experience.
2. Happy Death Day (Oct. 13)
The basic plot of Happy Death Day, directed by Christopher B. Landon, may not be very original—the main character is forced to relive the same day over and over again—but the execution of this plot turns out to be surprisingly original and entertaining. The constant twists will leave the viewer guessing the killer’s identity until the very end. The film is definitely scary at some points as the protagonist, Tree, is murdered many times. But there are also more comedic aspects, such as when Tree realizes she can act however she wants, since no one will remember once the day resets.
1. It (Sept. 8)
Although there have been many scary movies this fall, number one on this list couldn’t be anything other than It. The hype and anticipation that the film received were truly well deserved, due to the fantastic execution of the beloved Stephen King classic by director Andrés Muschietti. The film is very much carried by its cast of talented, young actors.
As terrifying as Bill Skarsgård is in the role of evil clown Pennywise, most of the film’s highlights are heartwarming instead of scary. The horrors in the film go much deeper than an evil clown; the group of protagonists, known as the Losers’ Club, also deal with real-world issues such as bullying, grief and abuse from their parents. As the Losers’ Club faces both supernatural and realistic evils, it is clear how deeply the children care for one another.
It successfully weaves traditional horror elements including gore and jump scares into a story that is essentially about childhood friendship. In this way, It is very reminiscent of Stand by Me, the 1986 coming-of-age film written by Stephen King, despite the fact that Stand by Me is not a horror film. It even manages to include tear-jerker scenes in the midst of the terror. Due to this, It isn’t merely a horror movie; it’s also a moving, coming-of-age story, making it the most worthwhile scary movie of the year.
Although definitely not for everyone, the latest thriller from director Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan) certainly has a lot going for it. At first, Mother! seems like a realistic portrayal of marriage, but as the plot unfolds, it gradually evolves into a surreal and nightmarish allegory addressing humanity’s destruction of nature. Jennifer Lawrence, who plays the titular role, delivers a convincing performance, even during the film’s more confusing moments. There are many surprising twists, so it’s best to go in with no knowledge of the movie’s plot in order to gain the full experience.
2. Happy Death Day (Oct. 13)
The basic plot of Happy Death Day, directed by Christopher B. Landon, may not be very original—the main character is forced to relive the same day over and over again—but the execution of this plot turns out to be surprisingly original and entertaining. The constant twists will leave the viewer guessing the killer’s identity until the very end. The film is definitely scary at some points as the protagonist, Tree, is murdered many times. But there are also more comedic aspects, such as when Tree realizes she can act however she wants, since no one will remember once the day resets.
1. It (Sept. 8)
Although there have been many scary movies this fall, number one on this list couldn’t be anything other than It. The hype and anticipation that the film received were truly well deserved, due to the fantastic execution of the beloved Stephen King classic by director Andrés Muschietti. The film is very much carried by its cast of talented, young actors.
As terrifying as Bill Skarsgård is in the role of evil clown Pennywise, most of the film’s highlights are heartwarming instead of scary. The horrors in the film go much deeper than an evil clown; the group of protagonists, known as the Losers’ Club, also deal with real-world issues such as bullying, grief and abuse from their parents. As the Losers’ Club faces both supernatural and realistic evils, it is clear how deeply the children care for one another.
It successfully weaves traditional horror elements including gore and jump scares into a story that is essentially about childhood friendship. In this way, It is very reminiscent of Stand by Me, the 1986 coming-of-age film written by Stephen King, despite the fact that Stand by Me is not a horror film. It even manages to include tear-jerker scenes in the midst of the terror. Due to this, It isn’t merely a horror movie; it’s also a moving, coming-of-age story, making it the most worthwhile scary movie of the year.
