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: Modern Horror Franchises (Pt. II of II)

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5. Final Destination With some of horror's most fantastical and reaching death scenes, the Final Destination franchise is splendid to stare at with awe. Despite its follow-ups all being even more ridiculous, audiences craved these films and the who-will-die-next suspense scenes. The Final Destination series is so ridiculous but so good, that its force in the horror industry is undeniable. While the first was a straight up horror film and the second delved deeper down this rabbit hole, each subsequent installments only further exploded in grandeur, With five successful films under their belt, the future is dimming, but still bright for these escaping death thrillers.



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4. Saw

Just when audiences thought the seventh installment of the gory, trap-filled horror franchise would be its last, the announcement of Jigsaw came knocking. By far one of the most legendary and notorious horror franchises in the modern era, the Saw films became bona fide classics that received a lot of flak for their insane premises. Often overlooked as a cohesive unit, the Saw franchise is often said to be purposeless violence, but beneath it all there are stories being told. And, while those stories may be ridiculous, they are put together nonetheless.

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3. Scream Despite a now flailing television series which saw a lackluster season two, the Scream franchise is still a modern day symbol of horror. Scream may be in a bit of a rough patch, but to ignore it would be a great disservice to the accomplished work done by horror icon Wes Craven. Even the over-the-top third installment feels like a fresh satire of slasher films, not to mention that no matter the form, Sidney Prescott one our screens is an important enough reason to watch. The Scream films are timeless and deserving of audiences' time and respect.

2. Alien 

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It's rare for a 1970s film to age so perfectly, and yet, the original Alien has done so perfectly. Through expansion and sequels that are just as impressive, each piece of the Alien franchise has helped cultivate a full blown universe. Even by today's graphic and CGI standards, the work from the first two films stand out for their dated, but near stunning visuals and intense atmosphere. Tack on the successes of Prometheus and Covenant and this ever expanding world feels real. Set in the future, each of the Alien movies, including the weaker but still notable third, deserve to be commended for their ability to win over audiences who may not typically like sci-fi flicks. Constantly featuring strong female characters and complicated questions on life and morality, this is a franchise that everyone should stand behind.

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1. The Conjuring

Is there any current franchise with as much going for it as The Conjuring universe? Thanks to the terrifically terrifying mind of James Wan and a fantastic original and sequel, this world has become quintessential in the horror industry. With two spin-offs in the works for the sequel alone, a third on the way and a follow up to the original spin-off coming out this summer, The Conjuring franchise is one of horror's most well-done and accomplished. Even compared to some classic franchises like Halloween, the work done by The Conjuring movies should be regarded. Say what you will about Annabelle, but the honest truth is that that film is not that bad and given some of the truer duds of our time and some lackluster additions in some other franchises, nothing about Annabelle is that condemnable. The Conjuring world is expected to be around for years to come, and rightfully so.

 

Best in Show: Modern Horror Franchises (Pt. I of II)

The idea for franchising a horror universe isn't revolutionary. Since the beginning, successful horror entries have sought to cash in on the originals success with plenty of mixed results. But, a lot of horror fans lampoon modern horror films for their endless lists of spin-offs and sequels. Often ignoring the fact that most horror classics feature plenty of duds mixed into their sometimes 10+ follow-ups. Movies like The Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th and Halloween are fantastic, even if some of their later additions mar their pristineness. So with horror only moving forward and sequels and spin-offs sure to continue, the question remains which of modern horror’s universes are best? This week's lists looks at the newest and most hopeful franchises that continue to expand their universes and shoot upward, despite some audiences' disapproval.

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10. Wrong Turn

Will this series ever end? Will the love it deserves ever be given? The answer to both is probably no. At the very least, the Wrong Turn franchise is reliable. At the very most? It's a cheap and entertaining series with a few scares tossed into the gory cheese. Wrong Turn deserves acknowledgement for the simple fact that it has persevered from its foundations as a knock-off to its now fully fledged existence that still manages to garner some attention.

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9. Child's Play

What began as a lovable and terrifying entry into the possessed children's toy subgenre quickly devolved into a campy and now overtly odd franchise. Its sad how oversaturated the merchandising and marketing of Chucky has turned the original Child's Play, an otherwise scary entity, into a trashy and comical so-bad-its-good franchise. In an attempt to become one of those series you have to "get," the Chucky universe has become relatively unbearable for many horror fans that can't look past the films' cheap ploys and gratuitousness. The nails on this coffin should have definitely come before The Bride of Chucky, and the burial should definitely be in place of The Curse of Chucky.

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8. Paranormal Activity 

For a franchise that is nearly emblematic of a generation of horror, Paranormal Activity pretty much went off the deep end in its later installments that chose to disrupt and grossly upheave the mythology of the original set. But, for what it's worth, there is plenty to appreciate from this movie series' cookie-cutter and craftsmen style appeasement. Not even the houses which are relatively plain, the characters who are mostly interchangeable or the plot lines that are predictable can remove the fact that Paranormal Activity revitalized found-footage and perhaps brought in new horror fans altogether. These films feel so representative of modern horror that it's hard to ignore them, even in their later failures.

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7. Insidious

With the exception of the lukewarm sequel, the hopes and future of the Insidious franchise seem bright. Even if you consider the sequel - an at times inept addition to the series - this universe is filled with plenty of effective scares and creepy atmosphere. From the absolutely horrifying and critically acclaimed original to the unfairly attacked third installment, Insidious will more than likely continue with the same fervor as it’s original and rightfully so. While nothing can compete with the first and its shining stars in Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson, the third edition definitely revitalized hopes for the future fourth and murmurs of spin-offs. Insidious like Paranormal Activity, is a staple of modern horror and well worthy of its franchising.

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6. The Purge

Given the successes of The Purge, it's stronger and possibly even better sequels and the prospects of a developing television series, this franchise managed to create an alternative world quickly and with encouragement. While the first's small scale was sometimes frowned upon and the third faced some backlash for its over-the-top aspects, the winds are strong behind this fledgling classic. From Halloween costumes to its use as a conversational topic, most everyone knows of The Purge and its hyper political style of storytelling. Intrinsically connected to ideas that are even more prevalent now, expect this franchise to become even more topical.

 

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

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5. The Descent: Part 2

Most horror fans and critics agree that The Descent is a modern classic. It terrified audiences and thanks to superb acting and crazy effects, the claustrophobic horror film catapulted its way into the hearts of all. But, the lesser talker about, yet still adequate follow up to The Descent deserves viewers' attention. Like the first, it offers up completely terrifying cave creatures and all of the original's claustrophobic atmosphere. The Descent: Part 2 is a direct continuation of the first's story and is nearly as unsettling, which given it being a sequel, is saying a lot. While the group venturing into the deadly cave may not be as compelling, there are still plenty to root for and when a surprise entry comes about, fans of the original will undoubtedly be won over.

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4. The Conjuring 2

The Conjuring 2 got a surprising amount of flak from horror fans attempting to be edgier. By disliking the sequel to the critically acclaimed original, fans attempted to differentiate themselves from casual viewers and critics who applauded the sequel's continuation of stellar camera work and genuine scares. But, not even that coalition could halt the success of the second Conjuring. This movie is impressive and to search for flaws, people had to really stretch. This is one of the few horror sequels that keeps the majority of themes from the original and carries them over well. It's deeply terrifying and worth every second of its longer runtime.



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3. Scream 2

There is something so timeless about Scream. Simple, yet satirical, Scream ages better than most horror classics and this is partially thanks to its nearly as amazing sequels. Scream 2 is perhaps the movie at its best; grander and just as quickly paced, the follow up to Scream, spans over a college campus and features a lovable twist and some fun chase scenes. Scream 2 also hones in on the first's comedy and makes plenty of bold moves to be even funnier and on-the-nose. Scream 2 is definitely comparable to the first and with all of the same actors attached to it; it definitely feels like a trip down nostalgia lane.

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2. Saw II

While the first Saw build viral excitement, it is the film's sequel where the movie really comes into its own. Looking past the shock value of the original, Saw II is arguably more entertaining and more superior. Featuring far more suspense, a host of new characters and a twisting and turning plot, Saw II opened so many doors for the franchise. The traps are creative, the characters are unlovable and as they maneuver through the death house, it's easy to become captivated in their tiny world. Saw II is an underrated gem in the horror universe, often overlooked by the regarded first and the more over-the-top follow ups. But, this sequel, with all of its sickening yellow lighting and choppy rooms, is the real gem of the series.

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1. Aliens

Aliens, the well-known, highly regarded sequel to Alien, is - by some accounts - even better than the first. Utilizing plenty of special effects, a host of new talent, including a pretty great child star, is pretty much an action-packed perfection. In fact, the aptly titled Aliens could have just as easily been named Sigourney Weaver vs Space Monsters Pt. II and I'm pretty sure the audience and today's viewers would still love it. This is the type of movie that, even if the graphics get a little wonky over time, is still a must see and worthy rewatch. Aliens is nonstop suspense and excitement and is a pinnacle sequel to an already great horror-sci-fi film.

 

 

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

Horror sequels get a bad rap. For horror fans, the audacity of sequels seems unimaginable and wrong. Add on a few more editions and filmmakers basically become criminals of the entertainment industry. But, when a horror sequel works, it can easily become a shining star and rather than being recognized as a standard, is instead listed as an exception to the rule. Fortunately though, for those fans who want to see stories continue on and for those hoping these stories are told equally well to the originals, options do exist and the future of horror sequels isn't dead yet. This week's list covers the best horror sequels (and two, kind of three, prequels that truly deserve acknowledgment) out there. The movies listed are direct sequels, following the original (fair note that many are more recent, given the ability to stand the test of time not typically granted to classics).




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10. Wrong Turn 2: Dead End

It's no secret that the Wrong Turn franchise is pretty trashy. But, unlike movies that get the "camp" label, Wrong Turn is criminally underrated given its exaggerated storylines and over the top acting and death scenes. Not taken seriously, the sequel to the original Wrong Turn is an impressive endeavor with a creative approach. Following a group of reality show contestants who must survive the now well-known cannibals of the West Virginia forest, Dead End is hilariously weird and offers a plethora of jump scares and laughs.

 

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9. Final Destination 2

Like Wrong Turn, the Final Destination franchise has received a lot of flak. But, with an original featuring strong performances and a particularly creative storyline, the first and its later sequels deserve a lot more credit. The sequel - which capitalized on everyone's fears of highway accidents, is particularly good as it left behind some of the more sinister undertones of the first movie in exchange for some slight exaggeration and comedy. Final Destination 2 also deserves additional points for playing with the "final girl" trope and featuring some pretty insane, while not necessarily logistical, death scenes.





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8. Ouija: Origin of Evil

While I did say I was specifically sticking to horror sequels, the prequel to the awful Ouija deserves recognition. Unlike the first's overly polished camera work and plot, Ouija: Origin of Evil is filled with personalized time pieces and amazingly suspenseful moments. Ouija: Origin of Evil is the rare follow up that completely blows the original out of the water. Not only does it ignore the mythology of the first and advantageously grasps its prequel setting, but Ouija: Origin of Evil offers truly terrifying scares. The one question it'll pose viewers to ask is: "what original?"





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7. Paranormal Activity 2

There's something about the second Paranormal Activity film that is especially starling. Like the viral success of the first, Paranormal Activity 2 utilizes the relativized home security cameras. Unlike the first though, the action and dialogue of this sequel is packed with far more action. From spooky childhood stories to actual movement on camera, the somewhat predictable sequel is truly terrifying; it's larger budget and gathered collection of faith propelling it to success. Paranormal Activity 2 deserves more given that it literally surrounds the events around the first and builds on the mythology, providing everything the filmmakers needed to make a larger franchise,



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6. Insidious: Chapter 3

Okay, so the first part of this list actually has quite a few prequels on it. I assure that this is the final one and while there are a lot of prequels that deserve to be seen and received, this list is definitely about sequels. But, unlike the direct follow ups of Ouija and Paranormal Activity, it is the third film in the Insidious franchise that deserves some attention. Insidious: Chapter 3 is a truly terrifying adventure, following a rather tepid sequel and building on the first's concrete mythology. And, while each follow up to the original has been less well-received, Chapter 3 was a refreshing return to the basics, featuring all of the horrifying shadowy figures and panned scares that drew in viewers in the first place.

Review: FirstBorn

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Netflix has one of the best horror selections on streaming services. From acquisitions of The Babadook to random finds like Last Shift, there are numerous, worthwhile options. But, despite all of the adequate options, there are almost an equal number of bad options. Nothing encapsulates this dilemma more than FirstBorn. Among some of the most prominent films on the site, FirstBorn sticks out as a sore thumb.

Whereas, Netflix had seemingly dropped the bad-horror shtick as their choices got better and competitors like Amazon Prime fell out of the race, FirstBorn is a strange addition and one Netflix should remove. Of course this movie isn't the only bad horror movie on Netflix but the permanence of it on every tab will undoubtedly give viewers pause as to whether it'll be worthwhile or not. Well, it's not.

FirstBorn is tepid. Poorly written and most offensively, not scary, it fails on numerous, grating levels and one should wonder how much the service paid to have this movie on their site. The film follows a young couple whose first child brings along some demons after birth. It's not a groundbreaking idea, but where somewhat unoriginal movies have overcome these creative shortcomings with new styles, scares and storytelling, FirstBorn feels like a sad, boring rehash of movies like Insidious.

FirstBorn stars Antonia Thomas (Misfits) and Luke Norris (The Duchess) as the new parents. They seek the help of Elizabeth, played by Eileen Davies (Sightseers). Each play their role as leveled and fulfilling as expected, given the weak script and rehashed ideas. No one is particularly bad, but most certainly no one is particularly good. As noted, this film could have done a lot with old ideas. Many horror movies aren't spectacularly new but, at the very least, they should offer a new point of view.

This movie is cringe-worthy throughout. It's reliance on sharp, loud noises are more distracting and removing than jump-inducing and the use of any atmosphere building is entirely absent. By the film's end, any viewer who is still awake deserves a prize. Its blatant mediocrity is offensive and without any stimulation, it becomes a true snooze. So, save some time and rewatch The Babadook for the eightieth time, no judgment necessary.