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By-and-large one of the most aptly titled horror films of the
year, IFC Midnight's A Dark Song plays out like a seething ballad. With
darkly comedic moments sprinkled amongst the ashes of this slow burn, A Dark
Song features a pair of loners who come together to in the hopes of
performing a ritual. The woman, who lost her son, hopes to reconnect with him
and the man, whose motives are less sound, pair off perfectly. Their building
tension and chemistry between the actors - Catherine Walker (The Clinic)
and Steve Oram (Sightseers) - make for a truly compelling experience and
the horrors, interwoven with messages of faith
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Perhaps one of the weirder horror films to be released in recent years, the British import, Prevenge, is a bit of an enigma. Quirky to its core and blissfully unapologetic, this prenatal flick follows a young, down-on-her-luck pregnant woman, Ruth, who begins hearing the voice of her unborn child from within telling her to murder the annoyances around her. The movie benefits from its incredible pacing. It's a quickly-unraveling, but constantly entertaining story that hosts a ton of odd turns, including a stellar supporting role played by Kate Dickie (The Witch). Prevenge most certainly won't appeal to everyone, but this dark and pointed comedy-horror on motherhood packs quite an uncomfortable punch.
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8. The Void
With a low budget and impressive visual effects, The Void is
the rare indie sci-fi film that actually benefits from a lack of expensive CGI.
Perfectly balancing the cult and alien subgenres, this movie brings plenty of
twists and turns as characters trapped in a hospital quickly realize they're
involved in something far greater with far more sinister intentions. The
Void makes the most of its simplicity through fantastic characters,
ambitious effects and particular style. It's one of the year's must see for
fans of the 80s and beyond.
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While the supernatural seemed to dominate the horror industry this year, two thrilling, grounded films brought a certain unrestrained intensity to the genre. Both Raw and Super Dark Times tell an unhinged coming-of-age story much drearier than typical fare. Raw, which follows a young vegetarian vet student who develops a taste for human flesh, features a sisterly bond that feels deeply real and deeply personal. Then, in Super Dark Times, a group of social outcasts find themselves at the center of an incident that quickly spirals out of control. Each use realism to instill a sense of long-lasting dread in its viewers. Raw and Super Dark Times expanded the boundaries of where horror could go, focusing less on inherent evil and more on the terrors that come with small decisions and mistakes that can change lives forever.
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The second IFC Midnight film to make this list is also one of
their best ever. The Devil's Candy is a rock-n-roll, metal possession
film oozing with stylistic flair. Featuring a stellar cast, including Shiri
Appleby (UnREAL), The Devil's Candy is the rare horror film that
features a family that's entirely likeable. Each of the three is youthful,
interesting and completely watchable. This, alongside a fantastic score and
camerawork make for a movie that is an absolute must see - especially now
that it's on Netflix.
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It's been a long year. So long in fact that it's hard to believe
that The Blackcoat's Daughter didn't receive a wide release until 2017.
One of the most ultimate slow-burns ever in horror, this
film could be easily overlooked by fans of the mainstream
gut-punching jump scare, but it shouldn't. Both sides of the horror coin
matter and can be appreciated, and if any film could appeal to everyone, it's
this one. Emma Roberts, who's scream queen resume only continues growing, is
absolutely amazing in this film which is full of disturbing twist and turns.
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While the slasher subgenre seems to have taken a backseat in
recent years, Blumhouse Pictures' Happy Death Day proves it still had
legs. Bitingly funny, at varying points tense, and wholly entertaining, this Groundhog
Day-esque movie is surprisingly stellar. Jessica Rothe shines as a college
student who relives the same day of her murder over and over again until she
can find out the killer. Audiences can expect to be completely captivated by
the film's bonkers premise and execution as Happy Death Day gives new
life to a disappearing subgenre.
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It Comes at Night is The Witch of 2017. Perfectly styled and disturbingly
dark, this pandemic-based film came hot off of the festival circuit with rave
reviews. Naturally, the wide release was met with similar applause as viewers
fell in love with the atmospheric tension that runs deep throughout. The dream sequences are horrifyingly
anticipatory and with some gut punches to be expected later in the
film, audiences can expect to be thoroughly gloomy after it ends. It
Comes at Night doesn't necessarily reinvent the wheel but it does a good
job at keeping it greased.
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Brimming with nostalgia and hosting a collection of perfect
young stars, IT captured almost everything that made the Stephen King
book so popular. It may not be the scariest film ever, but it’s certainly one of the highest quality horror films in recent years. There are plenty of genre-bending, moments of terror and even great laughs to make every moment feel justified. Overall, It is everything audiences will expect to see. By offering some great retro style, perfect cinematography and great scares, this film feels like a complete product. IT masterfully executed and a polished reminder that
that a big-budget, R-rated horror film can have mass appeal and not lose the
insidious scares. Here's hoping for more.
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One of the most rightfully lauded films of the year also
happens to be a horror film. Perfectly pairing political commentary and race
with horror and inflections of comedy, Get Out is close to perfection.
It's easily one of the best horror films in years and probably one of the best
films in general. Props to Jordan Peele and the cast who committed themselves
to every aspect of this game-changing creation. Some would probably call
the success of Get Out a surprise, but horror fans
know all too well how many films are deserving of accolades and so often
ignored because of their genre. Hopefully though, Get Out signifies a
change in critic culture that neglects to include horror just because it's
horror.
Honorable Mentions:
Annabelle: Creation
Recapturing what was lost in the first spin-off of The
Conjuring, Annabelle Creation was conventional, but definitely
terrifying.
Alien: Covenant
Despite "fan" backlash, this nasty flick features great acting, especially by Michael Fassbender, and plenty of scary action.
Despite "fan" backlash, this nasty flick features great acting, especially by Michael Fassbender, and plenty of scary action.
Split
M. Night Shyamalan's Split was a nice kick-off to what could have been a down-trodden year for horror thanks to early entries The Bye Bye Man and Rings.
M. Night Shyamalan's Split was a nice kick-off to what could have been a down-trodden year for horror thanks to early entries The Bye Bye Man and Rings.
Nails
While nowhere near perfect, Nails is a little indie film with a lot of potential.
While nowhere near perfect, Nails is a little indie film with a lot of potential.
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