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Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts

Friday, December 1, 2017

Best in Show: Winter Horrors (Pt. II of II)

Crimson Peak Poster
(imdb.com)
5. Crimson Peak
Mistakenly marketed as a horror movie, but also featuring plenty of horror elements, this gothic romance is an incredibly visual journey. Dripping with director Guillermo Del Toro's stylistic charm, Crimson Peak is lush and brimming with dense fabrics and colors; complimentary to the derelict mansion's snowy exterior. Even the snow, dyed red thanks to the clay mined beneath the mansion is so vivid and intentionally placed. All of this culminates into a truly sensory experience that'll have viewers completely invested in Del Toro's fairytale-like world.  

30 Days of Night Poster
(imdb.com)
4. 30 Days of Night
During winter, days are shorter and nights are longer and in Alaska, this is most definitely true. Known for its impossibly short days and incredible long nights, this Northern state is the perfect setting for a winter horror film; especially when that film's evil resides in nocturnal creatures. So, around the time the Twilight franchise was dismantling the horror of vampires, the Alaskan-set horror film, 30 Days of Night, was reminding us just how terrifying these bat-like beasts can be. Action-packed and filled with blood-soaked snow, this film utilized its harsh setting perfectly to capture the dreadfulness of 24/7 cold nights.

Frozen Poster
(imdb.com)
3. Frozen
Afraid of heights? Hate the cold? Well, the confined location of the oft-forgotten, non-Disney film, Frozen, will probably terrify you. Taking place almost entirely on an immobilized ski lift, Frozen finds a group of friends who are forgotten on a long weekend near the top of a mountain. Incredibly disconcerting, this film will creep into your bones. Frozen is grounded in reality, opting for the very real fears of hypothermia over supernatural entities and beasts. Fair warning, if you do actually like skiing and snowboarding, Frozen may be best avoided.

The Grey Poster
(imdb.com)
2. The Grey
Liam Neeson is undoubtedly one of the most prolific action stars of our time. From all of the Taken movies to Non-Stop, his decades-spanning career has landed him plenty of hits and a fair share of misses. But, perhaps one of his greatest films is the epic survival tale told in The Grey. Telling the story of a group of plane passengers who survive a crash deep in the Northern wilderness, The Grey is compelling and surprisingly deep. Through all the violent wolf encounters, is a heartfelt core centered on friendship and bonds. It’s an intense thriller with more than enough gore to appease genre fans.

1. The Shining
While Misery is a fantastic winter horror movie, nothing quite captures the cabin fever of winter more than The Shining. A classic masterpiece known by all, this film is probably the most iconic to come from author Stephen King's work. In the film, the trapped Torrance’s slowly spiral out of control witnessing plenty of horrific acts and scary supernatural entities. With thick fabrics and a hedge maze filled with snow, this movie is best save for the coldest months of the year.  The Shining is an incredibly influential film and its ability to capture the horrors of winter and turn them into something so fantastically engrossing is unparalleled.

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Best in Show: Winter Horrors (Pt. I of II)

Despite the unseasonably warm weather, winter should be starting up any moment. As the days get shorter, the nights longer and cold weather starts setting in, icy shapes start to form and things can get little spooky. And, while horror films have a tendency to chill bones even in the dead of summer, it's those set in winter that'll leave you absolutely frozen with fear. These movies often utilize their settings' harsh temperatures and climate with incredible force, creating an experience that can feel urgent, claustrophobic and completely terrifying. So as the snow runs scarlet and the dread fills you up, grab a blanket and get ready for some wild rides.


Dead Snow Poster
(imdb.com)
10. Dead Snow
Dead Snow is a ridiculous movie - no one is arguing that. The film follows a group of friends vacationing deep in the Norwegian wilderness when they are come upon by zombies. And not just any zombies- Nazi zombies. Even weirder, these oddly sentient beings use weapons to slaughter their victims. A true splatter film, this comedic, bloody movie is honestly, a little terrifying. Through all the comedy - whether it is a Molotov cocktail accidentally missing a window it needs to go through or pretty much any interaction with the Nazi zombies - Dead Snow actually has plenty of scares.

The Blackcoat's Daughter Poster
9. The Blackcoat's Daughter
Arguably one of the best films to come out of 2016, The Blackcoat's Daughter is best described as a small flickering candle in the middle of nothingness. Chilling in the best way possible, this film deserved the accolades it received as we followed a student trapped at her school with only another student during a holiday break. The Blackcoat's Daughter is a beautiful master class of the slow burn. It is completely restrained; grounded in realism, despite its supernatural elements. It's the type of movie that some will hate, but most will feel compelled to drudge through the dark and unwelcoming atmosphere.

Misery Poster
(imdb.com)
8. Misery
What winter horror movie list would be complete without at least one entry for Stephen King, who hails from a place known for particularly rough winters. Misery is perfect for this time of year given its winter-based story, country home furnishings and muted-tone sweaters and clothing worn by its characters. Aging relatively well, most people know the story of the obsessed young woman who captures her favorite author after a car accident and imprisons him in a remote cabin. Misery is a hazy and fantastic journey with some out-of-this-world scenes worthy of the history books.

Devil's Pass Poster
(imdb.com)
7. Devil's Pass Despite some terrible CGI toward the end of this movie, Devils Pass is a horrific endeavor most comparable to The Blair Witch Project. Following a group of American students who set off into Ural Mountains to uncover the truth of the real-life Dyatlov Pass incident, this found-footage feature is best reserved for a cold night. Deeply unsettling and able to perfectly capture the fears of things that go bump in the night, Devil's Pass is an underrated gem worth watching - even if the end reveal is a little laughable.

6. The Thing 
The Thing Poster
(imdb.com)
A bona fide classic, the 1982 version of The Thing is a legendary horror film featuring a group of researchers burrowed away at a base in Antarctica. Iconic to this day, this movie has everything representative of harsh climates; from ice and huskies, to snowmobiles and giant puffy coats. The Thing has some pretty incredible special effects given the year it came out and the setting is fantastic for an extra cold day. Sure, the average person will never find themselves in the coldest place on earth, but who among us hasn't felt like a winter day isn't the coldest day recorded?

Friday, September 29, 2017

31 Days of Horror (Pt. II of II)

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Poster
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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.

Night of the Living Dead Poster
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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.

Creep Poster
(imdb.com)
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.

Hell House LLC Poster
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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."


Cropsey Poster
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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.

The Blair Witch Project Poster
(imdb.com)
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.

Scream Poster
(imdb.com)
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.


Halloween Poster
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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.  

Thursday, September 28, 2017

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): 


 

The Houses October Built Poster
(imdb.com)
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.


An American Werewolf in London Poster
(imdb.com)
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.
 

Friday the 13th Poster
(imdb.com)
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.


The Orphanage Poster
(imdb.com)
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.


Noroi: The Curse Poster
(imdb.com)
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.


The Last Exorcism Poster
(imdb.com)
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.


Poltergeist Poster
(imdb.com)
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.


The Innkeepers Poster
(imdb.com)
October 15th (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.  

 

 

Friday, August 25, 2017

Best in Show: Clingy Foes (Pt. II of II)




Obsessed Poster
(imdb.com)
4. Obsessed Beyoncé in a horror movie? Yes. Before the bat-swinging vengeful Beyoncé of Lemonade, she was playing the equally vengeful mother and wife of a man who attacks the unwanted attention of stalker Lisa, played by the especially starling Ali Larter. This movie is entertaining purely based on the insanity of Lisa and the eventual melodramatic confrontation between Beyoncé's Sharon and her. This movie isn't scary, but it is fun. Idris Elba's Derek is perfect in his role as the trapped victim of Lisa's games. Whether at work or on a trip, he can't escape her.

Misery Poster
(imdb.com)
3. Misery
In perhaps one of the most iconic obsession films, the Stephen King original finds Kathy Bates in one of her biggest roles. As an obsessed reader and self-proclaimed "number one fan" of fictional author Paul Sheldon, Bates' Annie is a terrifying control freak and stalker. So obsessed with the writer that she attempts to keep him for herself, Annie forged the way for future characters like hers. From spoofs to music videos, Misery left a lasting mark on pop culture. Misery is a dreary film that finds chaos in fandoms. It’s the type of film that is especially poignant in today's celebrity-obsessed culture where fans, "stans" and trolls engross themselves and harass famous people as if they're their best friends or their worst enemy. In fact, Misery now, feels ahead of its time.

2. The Gift
Entering this film with little outside knowledge of it is the best way to become fully enveloped in the twisting plot of The Gift. Deeply unsettling and grossly underrated, The Gift follows the arrival of a mysterious man from a husband's past as he interjects himself in the couple's lives. All isn't as it seems though, and by the movie's climax, this obsession story featuring gifts left on doorsteps becomes an engulfing experience that'll leave you stunned. Without saying more, as not to give away all this film holds, The Gift is a troubling must-see.
 
Orphan Poster
(imdb.com)
1. Orphan
In terms of commitment, nothing will ever reach the levels of insanity that is Esther from Orphan. By far one of the most legendary movies to come out of modern horror, the film's infamous twist paired with compelling performances by horror maven Vera Farmiga and up-and-comer Isabelle Fuhrman made audiences shriek. Orphan is one of those movies that "goes there;" completely unafraid of what its reception would be. Esther's obsession with the father, and well, her past fathers, is next level. The film's finale reveal brings on major creep vibes and whether you think you're a clingy person or not, chances are you'll realize you're not that level of obsessed. While movies like it have come before and will surely follow, Orphan deserves this spot of infamy.

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Best in Show: Clingy Foes (Pt. I of II)

While often trashy, horror movies featuring an obsessive stalker can often be the most fun to watch. Plenty of cheesy, over-the-top and gratuitous films have been met by panning critics and fans that, while acknowledging the films' flaws, ate these movies and their trashy ridiculousness up. Movies about obsession are never the scariest, but they definitely are worth-watching and trashing surrounded by friends. This week's list observes the best horror movies to watch when you're feeling a little obsessive. If you resonate with any of these characters, chances are you've gone too far.



The Roommate Poster
(imdb.com)
8. The Roommate 
Perhaps one of the trashiest films to come out of the mid-2000s/early 2010s, The Roommate is every students worst nightmare. Making last week's list of best college horror films, The Roommate stars Leighton Meester as college freshman with sinister intentions. After moving into her room and meeting roommate Sara, Meester's Rebecca becomes very committed to their friendship. Beginning with the tiniest levels of copycatting and moving up the scale rather quickly, Rebecca covers a lot of ground; getting tattoos, killing small animals and eventually, going after people. The Roommate is the type of movie every college freshman should watch, if not to learn lessons, then simply to scare them.

No Good Deed Poster
(imdb.com)
7. No Good Deed
Equal parts home invasion as it is obsession thriller, No Good Deed treads water a little more than it should, but at its core is a story that'll scare. Featuring a woman home alone with her two children and a stranger who comes knocking at her door, this movie is havoc and dark. While flawed in many ways, the on-screen command of stars Taraji P. Henson and Idris Elba are enough to make the movie feel worth it. Not only does it make the intentions of strangers more suspect, this movie will leave you checking your locks.

6. Prom Night (2008) Loosely remade from the 1980 original, Prom Night follows Donna, a high school senior who witnessed her entire family murdered by an obsessed teacher as she prepares for prom. Like any great slasher, Prom Night features plenty of blood, lust and unsettling atmosphere.  Prom Night is best reserved for slumber parties and group get-togethers as you and your friends discuss the creepiest of teachers at your school or from your childhood because, let’s face it, every school has one. Even though this movie is extremely conventional, Prom Night is the perfect, trashy romp of a stalker film.
 
P2 Poster
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5. P2
Nothing says Christmas spirit like getting locked in a parking garage by a security guard hell-bent on making you his lover. P2 is the often overlooked obsessive stalker flick that fans of the subgenre need to see. Easily one of the most unsettling stalker films around, this movie features a main villain so impossibly blinded by his obsession that it’s terrifying. Wes Bentley is incredible. His ability to make the character a horrifying stalker without being comical is fresh and incredible. He is a true scene stealer that viewers will love to hate.

Friday, June 30, 2017

Best in Show: Saw Traps (Pt. II of II)

(sawfilms.wikia.com)
5. Five-Way Collars
This trap is particularly spectacular because of its later reveal. When five collared strangers wake up and are told that they have to reach keys across the room in 60 seconds, chaos ensues. When one person pulls their collar forward, the other people are pulled back, making for an intense fight for survival. What they don't realize though is, had they gone forward one at a time, they all could have reached their keys in time. This twist, later piling on with the following traps and the "one must die" mentality leads to a bloodbath of seismic proportions. This trap isn't the most glamorous but it is effective and creative.

(sawfilms.wikia.com)
4. Pig Vat
The pig vat trap is disgusting. By far one of the most stomach-turning inventions of the series, this trap isn't for the faint of heart. Between what one can assume is an awful smell and the very common fear of drowning, all exasperated by the fact that you'll drown in guts, the pig vat would be one of the worst traps to go through. This trap is simple - one person is chained down at the bottom of a vat while slaughtered pig parts are dropped on top of them, it’s the job of another to get the key. The key comes with an especially difficult task given the character's unwillingness to let things go and burn his children's stuff. Overall, putting your faith in another person is difficult; maybe the only thing more difficult is breathing in a vat of sludge.

(sawfilms.wikia.com)
3. Nerve Gas House
In terms of most elaborate, the nerve gas house is probably the most intertwining. Not only was the building filled with traps for its guests to fall victims to, this derelict home was actually a trap in and of itself. The house is simply filled with a gas that slowly kills those trapped in it unless they reached antidotes. While it only actually killed one, the power of the house was more in its ability to unhinge those within.

(sawfilms.wikia.com)
2. Needle Pit
Viewers have to wonder if Amanda would have ever gone into the nerve gas house knowing she'd be tossed into the needle pit. This is perhaps one of the most cringe-worthy traps in the entire series. Propelled into absolute terror through the yellow lighting used by the filmmakers and reaffirmed by the way Amanda is just tossed in, this trap is nothing short of awful. Most similar to pulling through a pig container of extremely sharp Legos, the needle pit is the nightmarish trap that would make even the most driven survivors turn away. The franchise really cashed in on viewers' fears of needles with this one and the results are absolutely blinding.

(sawfilms.wikia.com)
1. Reverse Bear Trap
Is there anything more iconic than one of the first traps encountered in Saw? The answer is a resounding no. Not even the film's main trap - a bathroom with plenty of twisting clues and a chance to saw off your own foot - can compare to the legendary reverse bear trap. It's hard to know how memorable this series would have become without the showcase of Amanda Young and the bear trap. Surely, there were other characters, but none of those storylines ruminated with the audience the same way this short bit did. It truly kicked off the series. This device stole the hearts of horror fans and its later usage throughout the series only continued its meaningful existence. Will it make a return in Jigsaw? Possibly, but even if it doesn't there's zero chance it'll ever be replaced.