As leaves fall, a chill enters the air and pumpkin patches sprout up from rich green grass, it can only mean one thing: Spooky season is upon us. Whether you view October as a time for fear or for gorging on candy, there are many different ways to celebrate Halloween. To get everyone in the spooky season spirit, the Arts & Life staff present their favorite Halloween movies.
‘Sinister’ (2012)
Nothing truly screams Halloween like a horror movie with all the lights turned off. While many horror movies today rely on cheap jumpscares and special effects that are more laughable than scary, “Sinister,” directed by Scott Derrickson, uses more unconventional methods for a truly disturbing effect. Ethan Hawke stars as a true crime writer, Ellison Oswalt, who is desperate for another best-seller. “Sinister” follows Oswalt as he uncovers a series of home videos that link his new home to a string of grisly murders. His investigation soon plunges him into a terrifying mystery that blurs the line between real and supernatural horror. What makes this a unique horror movie is its cohesive and memorable aesthetic, with many shots taken with Super 8 film. This grainy and unfocused picture quality combined with composer Christopher Young’s ethereal score makes “Sinister” an engaging, unsettling film and one of the past decade’s best modern horror films.
- Paige Hogan, Film and Live Art Desk
‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ (1993)
When you hear the title “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” you can’t help but wonder if it’s a Halloween or Christmas movie. However, creator Tim Burton brilliantly merges the two in a thrilling and emotional film. The movie follows the Pumpkin King Jack Skellington, burnt out from planning Halloween every year, as he stumbles upon Christmas Town and decides to take over and plan Christmas himself with help from the other scary inhabitants of Halloween Town. These characters, such as vampires and witches, are typically the villains of Halloween movies, but this film illustrates them as regular characters contrasted only by the Boogeyman, the villain of all the villains. Although a Halloween musical movie may feel odd, the songs and musical score enhance viewers' emotions and help develop characterization. Even more impressive, it is all conveyed through stop-motion claymation. Overall, this movie is perfect for someone who wants the feeling of Halloween through a good story and animation, but without the jumpscares and terror.
- Natalie Sandlow, Visual Editor
‘Gretel & Hansel’ (2020)
Based on the German fairytale by a similar name, “Gretel & Hansel” takes its viewers to a mysterious fantasy university. The audience slowly discovers the unnerving horrors present in these dark woods. Faithful to the original story, Director Oz Perkins plunges viewers into the uncanny world of the Brothers Grimm’s “Grimms’ Fairy Tales” (1812). The film revolves around two siblings, Hansel and Gretel, as they traverse the mysterious woods after being chased out of their home by their mother. Unlike the rapid pacing and exhilarating plot used to engage readers in other horror films, “Gretel & Hansel” establishes a sinister atmosphere that captures its audience. Cinematic shots throughout the film reinforce the eerie mood and transcend the sometimes one-dimensional genre of horror. “Gretel & Hansel,” with its cutting-edge cinematography, is the perfect film to dive into on a cozy Halloween night.
- Kyle Chen, Contributing Writer
‘Donnie Darko’ (2001)
As someone who isn’t the biggest fan of traditional horror films, Richard Kelly’s “Donnie Darko” is an ideal Halloween movie alternative. This cult classic thriller revolves around Donnie Darko, a high school boy who, upon stopping his medications, starts seeing Frank, a chilling, human-sized rabbit figure. Frank orders Darko to perform progressively riskier acts as the film progresses, ranging from axing a school water pipe to committing arson. This film captures the spooky and harmless humorous fun of Halloween remarkably well. Scenes vary from insomnia-induced hallucinations to intriguing dialogue among friends tackling the philosophy and sexuality of the Smurfs. Viewers travel from intricate scenes between Darko and his therapist to hilarious, heated arguments regarding the fictional child-composed dance group Sparkle Motion. From the autumn leaves and the creepy rabbit to the climactic Halloween party, “Donnie Darko” embodies the pure essence of Halloween. I encourage all movie enjoyers to dedicate one night near the end of October and watch this timeless film.
- Sammy Brodsky, Contributing Writer
‘Scream’ (1996)
When a movie punctuates all of its typical genre conventions with a self-aware wink toward the audience, it often serves only to belabor the point. In “Scream,” the movie tropes sharpen the film instead of dulling it. Perhaps it’s because “Scream” likely would have succeeded even without its ironic edge, relying solely on the classic horror premise of suburban teens hunted by a masked killer. The film follows a group of California teens as a murderer in a cheap Halloween costume picks off their high school classmates. The kills are satisfyingly bloody without being over the top. The suspense is also built masterfully, from the iconic opening featuring Drew Barrymore to the breathless, blood-soaked reveal once the mask finally comes off. The killer and the victims of “Scream” love horror films — recalling famous titles, invoking their rules and mocking their cliches throughout the movie. The film’s faultless irony places it as a Halloween classic. It isn’t just good. It’s fun. “Scream” is a classic slasher that makes fun of typical slashers and has a good time doing it.
- Barkot Belay, Contributing Writer
‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ (1975)
The riveting and original “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” transformed the depiction of same-sex and transgender acceptance in film. The movie paved the way for sexual identity’s expression on television as a celebration of individuality rather than a taboo. However, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” musical started as a complete bomb prompting eight theaters to pull it from the stage. People found the show distasteful and unfavorable. Yet, as time progressed, the American public realized that the musical intended to not see themselves in every character presented. Frank-N-Furter, the mad scientist protagonist, defends this sentiment and says, “I didn’t make [it] for you” in the film. After a slow, financially troubling start, the movie began to pick up speed, developing a cult-like following that presents themes of campy uniqueness that is timeless. The soundtrack is iconic, with songs like “The Time Warp” (1975) and “Sweet Transvestite” (1975) captivating the audience and sticking in their heads for weeks on end. It is brilliant, sensitive, joyful and creative — an unforgettable drag masterpiece.
- Lola McGuire, Opinion Editor
‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ Season 2 Episode 3: ‘Trick or Treat’ (2001)
The scariest thing about Halloween is that it gives strangers free rein to come to your house and ask for candy. What kind of lawless society do we live in where that is socially acceptable behavior? For kids, I get it. We shouldn’t close our doors on them. But at the very least, there must be a stricter cutoff age for trick-or-treating. Thankfully, the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” creator, writer and protagonist Larry David puts this idea to the test in the show’s episode “Trick or Treat.” When two teenagers show up on his stoop asking for candy — not even wearing costumes — Larry becomes the hero we all wish we could be, refusing them treats. This sets off a chain of unfortunate events for Larry, as the teenagers cover his house in toilet paper and spray paint “Bald A******” on his front door. And, to add insult to injury, the police side with the teenagers, saying that Larry should have given them candy. This episode perfectly encapsulates what “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is: comedic yet sharp social commentary from David.
- Alex Gerson, Arts & Life Editor
