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Thursday, August 17, 2017

Best in Show: Horror Goes to College (Pt. I of II)


With the return to college right around the corner for many students and the release of this fall's Happy Death Day getting an increasing amount of buzz, the college-horror subgenre is one that can't be ignored. While many of these movies have felt thinly scripted and acted, often exasperated by one note girls in bikini's and jocks getting butchered, the fact is that these movies are pure, cheap entertainment. They're some of the most over-the-top films around, but are fun through and through. And, when one is released that is actually scary, the results are bone-chilling. This week's list looks at the best horror movies set on a college campus.

Friend Request Poster
(imdb.com)
10. Friend Request
The release of Friend Request has been tumultuous. And, for all of the distributors’ troubles, the payoff probably won't be great. Filled with problematic displays of mental illness, mediocre acting and some odd plot choices, Friend Request isn't the most impressive movie. But with a collection of really great tense moments and scares, Friend Request deserves a spot on this list. For those who haven't even heard of this film, but have more than likely seen "coming soon" trailers at different points over its near-yearlong struggle to find a wide release, Friend Request follows a college student who gets entangled with a disturbed student with some truly dark spirits within.

The Roommate Poster
(imdb.com)
9. The Roommate
During the late-2000s and the beginning of the 2010s, a slew of trashy, lowbrow horror movies came out. Capturing the attention of a young audience, films like 2011's The Roommate glistened with teen spirit and young adult flavor. Despite their flaws, these movies are insane romps. The Roommate was such an unsettling endeavor that, while ridiculous in every way, could be devoured easily. Whether shoving a cat in a dryer or getting matching tattoos Leighton Meesters ' Rebecca was the type of character viewers could love to hate.  

Urban Legend Poster
(imdb.com)
8. Urban Legend
Despite its cheese and all of its late-1990s glory, Urban Legend has plenty of cheap jump scares and despicably amusing characters to make it worth watching. Not even its marred execution can overcome its relatively strong concept and while it'll continue to age terribly, fans of simple slasher will find plenty to love. Despite not being ancient, it definitely feels like nostalgia; from its dated furnishings and awkward haircuts, to iconic stars of the era like Tara Reid, Rebecca Gayheart and Jared Leto starring in the film, Urban Legends is a movie best viewed surrounded by friends who probably won't take it very seriously, but will appreciate it as a great throwback.

Cry_Wolf Poster
(imdb.com)
7. Cry_Wolf 
It's fair to point out that Cry_Wolf doesn’t actually take place on a college campus or even feature college-age students. However, with a preparatory school setting that's far more akin to a university than say, a community college of commuters, it practically qualifies. At some point, Cry_Wolf became widely forgotten. Often left off of slasher lists and mid-2000s horror iconography, Cry_Wolf is a thrilling and dark film following a group of students who play a game similar to Mafia, except when one night, their game takes a sharp turn toward real life.


6. Girl House
In terms of lesser known horror films, you'd be hard-pressed to not include 2014's Girl House. Seldom seen, but ultimately great, this horror-thriller follows a woman in desperate need of money for college. She joins a house that provides X-rated content for the internet in exchange for money, but when a crazed fan attempts to find her, things get out of hand. A sleek and surprisingly terrifying film, Girl House is obsession-stalker film that'll scare you away from the internet. It's a dark and twisted movie that slowly builds before completely destroying everything in its path. If you're in college wondering what you'd do for free tuition, Girl House may make you think twice about your options.


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