Best in Show: Thanksgiving Horror (Part II of II)

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5. The Awakening
In horror, the proper atmosphere can go a long way. This is why a film like The Awakening is so incredible. Dull and hazy, this movie is chilling. The Awakening is cold. It's the type of film that features a world where every single character is unwaveringly chilly. Even the ending does little to satisfy the onslaught of breezy dread that'll make audiences want to curl into a ball. Like so many movies on this list, there are no warm inviting evenings or cold, but comfy nights.



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4. Alien Abduction: Incident in Lake County
When the original The McPherson Tape - later remade as the larger budget, Alien Abduction: Incident of Lake County - first came out, it was met with the type of fervor a real life unexplainable experience might have. People watching thought what was happening in the movie was true and although it's aged a bit, the horror remains just as terrifying. A mockumentary with plenty of steam in its engines, this movie follows a family settling in on a Thanksgiving dinner when an electric outage leads to the uncovering of a UFO. Filled with terror, the Thanksgiving dinner quickly becomes absolutely horrific chaos.





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3. The Visit

Despite the snow on the ground, there's something very Thanksgiving-esque about The Visit and its kitschy setting. Without direct mentions to any holiday seasons, viewers can easily settle in to a film that is most definitely set outside of Christmas or Chanukah. With mostly warm grandparents, foods baking in the oven and sweaters galore, The Visit has this familiar and cozy atmosphere - even if the eventual reveal is everything but. The Visit is sometimes comical, sometimes tense and in the beginning, very homey, making it the perfect movie to curl up around and watch.

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2. Kristy

Explicitly set during a college's Thanksgiving vacation, the indie slasher, Kristy, has never gotten the love it deserves. Spooky, dimly lit and incredibly ferocious, this film follows a student who decides to stay back on campus while most students go home. From empty corridors to entirely empty buildings, the film's isolation is something completely opposite of typical Thanksgivings. But, it's spot on this list is more because of the fact that it’s a great movie that is specifically set during Thanksgiving, even featuring its own very college dinner.

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1. The Witch

Want to feel like Thanksgiving is upon us?Watch The Witch. Easily one of the most iconic horror movies of the modern era, this period piece seems destined for November viewing. Inclement, grey weather, the constant threat of winter and the colonial characters are sure to immerse audiences in a world where a Thanksgiving feast is absolutely necessary but absent. The Witch is a stunning film; whether you're a fan of horror or otherwise, yet its best reserved for a time after Halloween when winter is upon us and stomachs crave turkey and corn.

Best in Show: Thanksgiving Horror (Part I of II)

Despite the horror of spending time with extended family around a table filled with food, Thanksgiving has remained a relatively untouched topic in horror. Sure, some films do touch on it and one, rather obnoxious killer turkey film (Thankskilling) is out there to enjoy (?), but pickings are slim. So what separates this list from any other fall horror list, well the films that made it on our Thanksgiving Horror countdown are movies that are either directly related to the pilgrim holiday or help set up the cold winter ahead. They're brooding, dark films lit by candles and backed by transitioning weather.

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10. Boogeyman

Boogeyman isn't a great movie, but it's one of those films that is actually set around Thanksgiving, warranting tis inclusion on this list. Unlike outwardly bad films like the aforementioned Thankskilling, there is real potential with this film. While it is otherwise wasted on cheap jump scares and quickly aging plot devices and tension, this ghoulish story does provide some sense of nostalgia for typical mid-2000s horror. Currently in a bit of a dark ages, these movies may be reflected on fondly in years to come for their cheap tricks and cracked acting.

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9. Hush 
Is Hush about Thanksgiving? Is it even about a family? No and no. But, what it is is a movie that finds a young woman, staying warm in otherwise cold weather, hunted by a man in a hat and jacket. The cold evening is obvious in this one and will chill you to the bone. Like many of the movies on this list, it's a bit of a stretch but in the world of autumnal movies, this one is definitely set later in the year. There are no warm oranges or nights in a sweater y a campfire. It's clearly not winter, but it's most definitely not before Halloween.

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8. The Village

There are plenty of reasons to have qualms with The Village. Critically panned and relatively predictable, the one thing this M. Night Shyamalan film gets right is it’s deeply fall atmosphere. The small, cut off town at the center of this movie is deeply unnerving, but also extremely communal; something those hesitant to celebrate Thanksgiving will resonate with.

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7. Shelley

An IFC Midnight original, Shelley is a prenatal Danish horror movie featuring plenty of warm flickering lights and chilled woods. Set in a remote cabin, Elena is tasked with being a live in maid for a couple with sinister intentions. Easily one of the more underrate films of the last few years, Shelley is a sleepy and bone-cold movie that'll leave viewers deeply unsettled. Definitely more of a late-fall movie than a spooky Halloween flick, Shelley may not feature a feast, but it does feature enough transitional climate to make the perfect film to watch on Thanksgiving.

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6. Howl

There's something very cold and distant about this indie werewolf flick. Filled with dark scenery, Howl is a British horror film that takes place entirely on a train. The exterior shots are rainy and dense fog continuously rolls through. Add on the brooding forest surrounding the stranded and jacketed passengers and this movie's tone is undeniably chilled. But, unlike wintery films featuring characters trotting away from dangers in the snow, these victims can all run - that is, if they don't get caught first.

Review: The Babysitter

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For as long as horror movies have been around, the fear of the outsider coming into a home has existed. Whether it is a step-parent, a salesmen or a babysitter, horror movies have made quite a market for suspicious guests and their terrifying actions. More recently, movies like Orphan and Emelie fought to ensure that audiences were more cautious when letting others into their homes, and the latest Netflix original, The Babysitter, attempts to do the same.

The Babysitter follows a young (?) boy and his eventful night with a babysitter he is secretly in love with. Left far too frequently by his out-of-love parents the boy has a uniquely close bond with the teenager (?). That is until he discovers that after bedtime, his guardian is actually involved in occult rituals with friends. The Babysitter stars Judah Lewis (Demolition) as Cole, the charge of Bee, played by Samara Weaving (Monster Trucks). Supporting cast includes Emily Alyn Lind (Enter the Void), young scream queen, Bella Thorne (Amityville: Awakening), Hana Mae Lee (Pitch Perfect), Robbie Amell (ARQ), and Andrew Bachelor (Meet the Blacks).


Each of the characters is awkward and poorly established. Weaving is the only bright spot in a film brimming with poorly timed jokes and bad acting. Lewis seems uncomfortably old to have a babysitter and even more so to have a bunch of Tonka trucks lying around. He's simultaneously pubescent and prepubescent in his character development. Coming across as at least a young tween, but with room décor, style sense and a lack of agency, he is childish and awkward to connect with.


A veneer of camp attempts to cover the mediocrity and low-brow, immature humor exhibited in The Babysitter. The gore is gratuitous but is neither entertaining nor sickening. Instead, it looks like a Disney Channel film gone PG-13. It's hard deciphering who this film is meant for. The filmmakers seem to have wanted a film meant for a young adult audience, but the cast never has enough of an edge, the humor is neither smart nor naturally obscene enough to warrant interest.


The Babysitter a grossly dated coming-of-age film that's more cringe than spirited. Perhaps if The Babysitter had a clearer direction, better writing and a premise that didn't feel obnoxious, there'd be something redeemable. But, the fact of the matter is, this movie, its dialogue and the tossed together ensemble of zero-chemistry actors leave a bad taste. 3 out 10.

31 Days of Horror (Pt. II of II)

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October 16th - Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Maybe not so much a horror film as it is whimsical, but the hefty tone of the feature-film adaption of Sweeney Todd makes for something perfect for the dark fall months. With cannibals abundant and grisly set pieces, this movie feels like a bit crazy, but is all in good fun - at least for those of us who don't have our throats slit.

October 17th - The Mothman Prophecies

Shrouded in mystery The Mothman Prophecies perfectly captures the lore surrounding the winged beast seen by many in a film perfectly suitably for October. While not the scariest, this twisting movie is an impressive and dimly lit shroud of obscurity. Sure to bolster your belief of the mythical, The Mothman Prophecies brings one of the most well-known folk tales to the mainstream.



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October 18th - Night of the Living Dead
At first glance, this black-and-white zombie film may feel dated, but upon watching, viewers will realize it transcends times. Forging the way for so many undead films that followed, Night of the Living Dead is an iconic masterpiece and required viewing for the month of October. The dread throughout, the scares sprinkled in and the unique acting all wrap up into something efficient and entertaining.

October 19th - The Conjuring

The go-to modern classic, recognizable to nearly anyone and scary to most, is The Conjuring. Deeply embedded in the fall season, The Conjuring uses hyper-stylized visuals to convey a chilling atmosphere. It is bon a fide and deserving of everyone's eyes and there is no better time to watch than right before Halloween.

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October 20th - Creep
With a sequel forthcoming, there's no better time to revisit Peachfuzz the wolf than right before Halloween. With nothing more than a cheap Halloween mask to help take on the killer's identity, this grounded slasher film is uncomfortable and insane. It never goes into outlandish territory and instead focuses on setting up a sympathetic dying man with some odd quirks. This of course unravels into something far more sinister, but oh well. That's life.

October 21st (Weekend Double Feature) - Annabelle: Creation/Ouija: Origin of Evil

In a world of abundant mediocre sequels, these shockingly good prequels make a perfect horror double feature. Released on Video-on-demand on October 20, Annabelle: Creation is one of the most impressive horror films in a year of impressive horror films. Round out the night with the surprisingly efficient Ouija: Origin of Evil and you're sure to have a great time with these retro period pieces.

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October 22nd (Weekend Double Feature) - Hell House LLC/Fear. Inc.
Sometimes when you go looking for something scary, you bite off way more than you can chew. That's essentially what happens in this pair of movies. Like The Houses October Built, both Hell House LLC and Fear. Inc. feature a group of friends who are prepared for horror, but not the real kinds they end up facing. Hell House LLC recounts an incident at a local haunted house attraction gone wrong and in Fear Inc. a man employs a scare company to come strike terror in his friends. Both are perfect for October.

October 23rd - The Fourth Kind
For all the love of ghosts, goblins and witches during the Halloween season, people often forget aliens. With big action flicks abundant and plenty of classics going around, it may be easy to overlook the underrated gem, The Fourth Kind. Easily one of the more terrifying entries in the abduction subgenre, The Fourth Kind pairs "real life footage" with some terrifying "reenactments."

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October 24th - CropseyHorror documentaries are often pretty over-the-top. With too much effort put into dramatizing the accounts of people and reenactments that'd make any viewer cringe, it can be hard to watch them. But some great ones do exist. None more so than Cropsey. Low-key and dark, this brooding documentary follows a pair of filmmakers examining, and never quite solving the stories surrounding a derelict building in New York City. It leaves quite a bit to interpretation, all to the film's benefit.

October 25th - The Nightmare on Elm Street

The Nightmare on Elm Street is the most 80s thing to come out of the 80s. From its soundtrack to its styling, this comical and scary horror movie is perfect for October. It's got everything you could ever want to get you in the mood for Halloween; oddly grotesque props, some gory death scenes and an easily recognizable killer.

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October 26th - The Blair Witch Project
If you've ever been in the woods during the fall, you can pick up on the creepy atmosphere all around you. Playing on that fear is the iconic Blair Witch Project. Whether it’s the bumps in the night or the occult objects the group of friends find in the mornings, this movie gives viewers plenty to be afraid of. Watch and then go into the woods and who knows, maybe those sounds you hear will be all the more scary to you.

October 27 - The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Leatherface wears a mask of sorts, so what better time to watch this disturbing film than around Halloween. It's a classic slasher with plenty of gore and, despite the hot setting of the south; this movie is best viewed in the coolness of autumn. Don't eat while Halloween candy while you watch though, you'll regret it.

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October 28th (Weekend Double Feature) - Scream/ Scream 2
Kick off Halloweekend with one of the greatest horror films of all time: Scream. Acting as a satirical revival of the inundated subgenre, this slasher franchise is one of the most permeating films in the industry. Everyone loves it and rightfully so. Start with the first and go to the equally as strong second. Without a doubt these movies have spawned the longest-running Halloween costume of all time. With plenty of mask variations available for the spookiest day of the year, your Ghostface options - just like the killers in the franchise - are endless.

October 29th (Weekend Double Feature) - Scream 3/Scream 4 

Is this entire weekend really supposed to be all about the Scream franchise? Yes, 100 percent. Sit down and watch all four in the same night, over the course of a weekend or throughout the month. It doesn't matter so long as you watch them all before the 31st. Even with the ridiculousness of Scream 3 and the glossiness of Scream 4 marring the Wes Craven creations, these movies are undeniably amazing.

October 30th - Trick 'r Treat

Getting the cult status in horror is a difficult task that has zero formula, but no movie has ever captured the heart of so many from unpredictable places like the cult classic, Trick 'r Treat. An anthology horror film connected by a cute, but admittedly disturbing masked child named Sam, Trick 'r Treat goes everywhere; from camp and gore to terrifying ghoulish scares. With the potential for a sequel constantly bubbling under the surface, the mark made by Trick 'r Treat is destined to stick for years to come.



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October 31st - Halloween
Finally reaching Halloween, there's only one movie left to see: Halloween. By namesake alone, this film is the pinnacle film of this spooky holiday. Avoiding Halloween, whether the original, sequels or eventual remakes, is sacrilegious. Halloween is a master class of slasher prestige and Michael is one of the most iconic villains in horror. There simply is no better time to watch this movie. Halloween on Halloween is like brushing your breathing, you have to do it.  

31 Days of Horror (Part I of II)

Halloween comes but once a year, but the month of October should be filled with all things spooky. No matter your plans, sitting down and watching some scary horror films will provide you with everything you need to get in the Halloween mood. This week's compiles 31 horror films (bonus weekend double-features) in honor of the most terrifying month of the year. The movies on this list will scare you, set the tone for fall and give you all the legendary iconography representative of Halloween. So without further ado, the 31 Days of Halloween Movie Masterpiece (16 to 31 tomorrow): 

 



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October 1st - The Houses October Built/The Houses October Built 2

Is it fair to have a double-feature be the first and second in a series? Yup! What better way to kick off the month than a movie with October literally in the name? The answer is there isn't. The Houses October Built will set the tone for some truly great scares even if it’s not an insanely complicated film. Perfect way to begin the month.

 

October 2nd - The Babadook

For all the annoyingness that is the child at the center of The Babadook, this film offers plenty of dark tones and creepy scenes that'll leave viewers with nightmare. It's vintage feel and practical effects will make you yearn for Halloweens past and by the film's end, everyone should be left feeling a little more unsettled.



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October 3rd - An American Werewolf in London

Horror during the Halloween season should be all doom-and-gloom. That's why including movies like An American Werewolf in London are a must. Chilly, scary and, at times, comical, this film has everything from a lycanthropic transformation to decaying bodies and is a must on any October horror list.

 

October 4th - The Witch

Perhaps more Thanksgiving than Halloween, The Witch will provide the perfect witchy feeling to Halloween. However, unlike also must see non-horror films like Hocus Pocus, nothing about this movie is sweet and succulent. It's a disturbing and chaotic rabbit hole that'll leave you clutching your babies and your animals a little closer.

 



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October 5th - Friday the 13th                                    

A summer-set classic, but also one that sparked years and years of Halloween costumes, Friday the 13th is a necessary classic. While the slasher at the core of this franchise first ends up not being Jason at all, Friday the 13th is the movie you have to see if you've ever gone out in a hockey mask to collect candy.

 

October 6th - Evil Dead

Players’ choice on this one. Both the 1981 original and the 2013 remake are worthwhile endeavors to get you in the mood for October. Each features plenty of twisting branches, grotesque kills and a curse that you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy.



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October 7th (Weekend Double Feature) - The Orphanage and The Awakening

This night is reserved for a pair of films set in secluded schools and orphanages. For one, orphans make for some scary horror content and sure The Orphanage is more summerset, but it's a spooky Spanish horror film featuring hollow hallways and a masked child that make for an adventure not for the faint of heart. Tack on The Awakening and you have two very accomplished horror films to round out your night.

 

October 8th (Weekend Double Feature) - Insidious/Insidious: Chapter 3 

Insidious is sure to go down as a modern day classic and its absence on any list of Halloween films is a gross oversight. With all the ghoulish figures, jump scares and terrifying haunted house scenes a person could ask for, it is by-and-large one of the scariest movies to come out of the modern film era. For the second movie of the night, skip the shaky sequel and go straight for the underrated gem, Insidious: Chapter 3; a film that has tense, spooky atmosphere and enough jump scares to make your heart stop.

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October 9th - Noroi: The Curse

Often dubbed as one of the scariest horror films ever created, the found-footage Japanese hit, Noroi: The Curse takes the creep factor to the max. More investigative than straight-up horror, Noroi pulls no punches and instead features a number of deaths; disturbing characters and a climax that is, well, scary.

 

October 10th - The Taking of Deborah Logan

The obsession with this movie is borderline obsessive. If there is a list or a category or anything in regards to horror, chances are The Taking of Deborah Logan deserves to be on it. Seemingly coming from nowhere and continuously overlooked, this film is an absolutely terrifying found-footage endeavor. Taking place in cooler months, it'll definitely get you ready for Halloween, all through an old woman more likely to give you hard candy rather than chocolate.

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October 11th - The Last Exorcism

While you'd think naming yourself the last of something would make you, well, last, The Last Exorcism spawned a pretty mediocre sequel and did little to stop the subgenre from moving forward. However, perhaps the quality of The Last Exorcism should have warranted it to be the final nail in the exorcism industry. It’s a terrifying found-footage film taking place in a Podunk town with very questionable religious motives - perfect for the Halloween season.

 

October 12th - Behind the Mask: The Rise and Fall of Leslie Vernon

An indie darling and cult gem, Behind the Mask: The Rise and Fall of Leslie Vernon is the type of cheeky slasher film that'll leave you laughing uncomfortably. It’s a divisive little horror film filled with heart and is sure to put you in the Halloween mood as it satirically rips into the subgenre and brutally attacks our protagonists.

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October 13th - Poltergeist

Without even acknowledging the pointless remake of this horror classic, it must be noted that Poltergeist is an October must. What can be said for this ghoulish flick that hasn't already been talked about? Sure, its graphics may have dated terribly and its acting isn't as strong as some of today's standards, but between the clown toy scene and the bodies in the ditch, Poltergeist is worth your time.

 

October 14th (Weekend Double Feature) - Sinister/Lake Mungo

Mystery swirls around these two films' plots and both have terrifying results. In each, we find characters attempting to unspool a murder, or in the case of Sinister, a series of murders. Is something supernatural going on or is there another, more realistic story? Well, as anyone who knows anything about Sinister can attest to, Bagul certainly isn't human. Lake Mungo on the other hand? That one you'll have to watch to find out. With a much smaller release, this slow-burning horror film is quite the bone chiller.



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October 15^th (Weekend Double Feature) - The House of the Devil/The Innkeepers

Ti West is quite the horror icon. With both The House of the Devil and The Innkeepers, he's proven himself to be an adept director that can balance absolutely terrifying moments with more lighthearted comedy. The two films that work best together are his retro-flavored movies, The House of the Devil and The Innkeepers. Each are perfectly shot masterpieces that deserve even more credit than they're given and both are some of the scarier choices for a fall night in.  

 

 

Best in Show: Geriatric Nightmares (Pt. II of II)

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5. Mary Shaw (Dead Silence)
Before horror director James Wan invested himself into the world of Insidious - feature a horrific ghost lady - he reinvigorated our fear of puppets and the ventriloquists who operate them in Dead Silence. Brimming with jump scares and a genuinely terrifying old lady in Mary Shaw, Dead Silence is deeply unsettling. She is a relentless entity with control over some horrifying dolls. Mary Shaw is easily one of the more underrated horror villains out there, often forgotten alongside bigger projects in Wan’s repertoire.


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4. Woman in Black (The Woman in Black)

Is the Woman in Black an old woman? Maybe not, but her dark, frumpy outfit and ghastly image certainly evokes a sense of geriatric horror. She's the type of character that isn't the most distinguishable in age; after death her ghoulishness isn't easily linked to what her age could have been. While she chases young people more than adults, she is all around scary and will stay caught in your brains for some time.

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3. Deborah Logan (The Taking of Deborah Logan) 

On the list of old people in horror, no one is more worthy of inclusion than Deborah Logan in The Taking of Deborah Logan. While Deborah's feeble stature and disarming personality may make you think you're about to rest easy, be warned, you're about to see something that'll surely keep you awake. Equally endearing as it is horrifying; this found-footage film will make you question the sincerity of your cuddly grandma, but also will you to hold her a little closer. Deborah is, by and large, one of the scariest old women in horror. Whether her mouth is agape or she is simply telling you off as many stubborn old women do, Mrs. Logan is anything but friendly.

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2. Mrs. Ganush (Drag Me To Hell) When Drag Me to Hell came out, it drew the attention of plenty horror fans. Featuring plenty of comical laughs and some eccentric imagery, the film was an enigma among off remakes and conventional horror films. Mrs. Ganush, the witchy villain that curses loan officer Christine is all types of spooky. Her haunting composure, visceral stare and wicked demeanor all make for an elderly character that should strike fear in viewers. The movie's comedy will certainly throw you off, but Mrs. Ganush will constantly remind you that what you're watching is most definitely a horror movie.

1. Nana & Pop Pop (The Visit)

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Talk about a plot twist. At the center of 2015's The Visit is what seems to be a loving - although odd - pair of grandparents, is instead something far more sinister. When Tyler and Becca go to visit the parents of their mother who hasn't seen or heard from them for many years, things start off well enough; cookies, games and plenty of grandparent activities. But, as things slowly unravel it becomes clear to both the siblings and the audience that things are really, really wrong. Nana and Pop Pop are weird, really weird. So weird in fact, that they do things like crawl around in the dark, chase their grandchildren under the porch and say things that aren't quite right. The Visit balances some more comical moments with absolutely terrifying ones. The grandparents are deceivingly old, but by far some of the scariest antagonist in horror history.

Best in Show: Geriatric Nightmares (Pt. I of II)

So often, horror fans turn to creepy children and commend their talent and ability to scare often overlooked but most definitely necessary, elders in horror can provide some truly terrifying moments. This week's list covers the most horrifying old people in horror. So grab your quilts, your knitting needles and a cat because these aren't your typical, loving grandparents.

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10. Old Woman (Devil)

While perhaps too young to be called "elderly," Jenny O'Hara's role as the old woman in M. Night Shyamalan's Devil is everything an older woman in horror should aspire to be. Deceptively innocent and entirely unsettling, O'Hara's character may end up being a part of a relatively predictable twist, but it doesn't stop her from greatness. She's an iconic older female in horror and worthy of this spot.

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9. Mr. and Mrs. Ulman The House of the Devil

Must be the season of the Devil because The House of the Devil has been clearing lists on this blog for the past few weeks. Extremely multidimensional and easily applicable to plenty of horror tropes and angles, this film has a lot to offer. And, when it comes to scary old people, this movie's got it down. The Ulmans are deeply troubling. From their first scene and encounter with Samantha, it's clear something isn't quite right with the darkly lit, black-wearing couple. The unveiling of their sinister intentions won't shock anyone, but the results are absolutely terrifying.

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8. Lorraine Massey (The Shining)

One of the scariest parts of the mega classic, The Shining, is the crazed woman first encountered by Danny in room 237. The Shining is legendary and the horrific Lorraine Massey deserves the notoriety often reserved for the Grady twins. Her character is deeply unsettling. From shape-shifting to her ghoulish figure, she is truly the stuff of nightmares.  Whether coming after Danny or making out with Jack Torrance, Lorraine Massey is a scary reminder that looks can be deceiving and even the least visibly menacing characters can be horrifying.



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7. Minnie and Roman Castevet (Rosemary's Baby)

It's so nice when you move into a new apartment and the neighbors are friendly. But, sometimes, friendliness goes a little too far and the results are downright unsettling. In Rosemary's Baby the elderly neighbors of the Woodhouses are exactly what you'd want to avoid in an apartment hunt. Sure, they come across as sweet and innocent but, like many older characters in horror, this pair is deceptively evil. Kind of similar to the Ulmans of The House of the Devil, this classic and infamous duo never seems quite right in the head.

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6. The Old Woman (Insidious)

While Insidious is filled to the rim with scary creatures, ghoulish characters and ghastly children, it's the old woman in a black gown that is truly at the core of this horror film. What makes her so scary is the fact that she moves subtly through The Further while still maintaining an ice cold grip on her victims. If Josh was any of us, I'm sure we'd be equally afraid to take photos knowing there's a chance she's nearby. While some of the bigger bad spirits in Insidious get some of the scariest scenes, there's no denying the permeating fear and dread presented by The Old Woman's perseverance.

Best in Show: Autumnal Scares (Pt. II of II)

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5. A Nightmare on Elm Street

While the legendary 80s film, A Nightmare on Elm Street, may also be suited better for a Halloween-specific article, there's a certain chill to this movie that is reminiscent of fall. From dense fog and teens, this supernatural slasher is somewhat of an enigma when it comes to horror. While the killer is dead, he's not the typical ghostly being that haunts horror films like it. No, he's an actual killer and as he chases his victims through assorted dreamscapes, audiences can expect to be fully immersed in a world that's perpetually fall.



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4. The Conjuring

Old period home, chilly mornings and plenty of fallen leaves. Yes, I could be describing just about any of the movies on this list, but I'm talking about the one, the only: The Conjuring. Easily one of the scariest modern horror films, The Conjuring is meant for fall viewing. Its autumnal setting, often referenced in the film's cinematography and character's fashion feel exclusively autumnal. From witches to ghosts, this movie has everything and it’s all wrapped up in a nice orange and brown bow.



3. The House of the Devil

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The House of the Devil should always be your go to for 80s-inspired, satanic cult films. Highly stylistic and equally terrifying, this movie will prep audiences for the cooler evenings of fall; sweaters, dim-lights and an older home secluded by branchy trees make this movie delectably fall-oriented. The House of the Devil is sure to bring you and your friends into the fall mood thanks largely to the leads attire and surroundings.



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2. The Blair Witch Project/Blair Witch

Say what you will about the surprise sequel to The Blair Witch Project, but the pair complements one another nicely and perfectly capture fall in the Northeast. Like many rural areas there, the setting of these two films features deep woods, leaf-covered grounds and plenty of dewy foliage. Whether watching Heather & co or James & friends getting hopelessly lost in the woods near Burkittsville, ME, the sense of chilled nights and earlier sunsets permeates every scene. Pair this with the casts' hiking gear, visible breath and the iconic snot scene and The Blair Witch Project series will herald you into autumn with gusto.

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1. The Possession

If you're not a woman in your 60s you may not realize that Labor Day is a huge time for garage sales. So, in honor of the holiday itself, it's only fair to give the top spot on this list to a movie that's entire plot stems from a garage sale. That, in addition to the greyness, fallen leaves and general atmosphere of fall, all makes The Possession the type of movie that will have you fully prepared for autumn. The nights scenes are spooky, the day scenes are dull in color and the movie as a whole has an ambience reminiscent of childhood and jumping in leaves, or whatever the horror version of that would be.