Best in Show: Creepy Cults (Part II of II)

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5. Rosemary's Baby

While a less showy film about cults, Rosemary's Baby is a sinister take on neighborly tenants. Spooky and drawn out, this film amasses tension for an end reveal that viewers will see coming, but will still be scared by. There's simply not much to say that hasn't been said about this film and the cult at the center of it. The Castevet's are perfectly disarming, Mia Farrows' Rosemary, perfectly acted and by the film's end, you'll appreciate the masterpiece before you.

  

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4. The Wicker Man

The Wicker Man is a surprisingly jovial horror movie. Bursting with Celtic tunes, dancing townspeople and colorful costumes, the insane ending may come as a shock to those unaware of the film prior. A certifiable cult classic that also happens to be about a cult, the cheeriness exuded by characters in The Wicker Man is odd but relatively innocent feeling. However, as the plot transgresses, the dark pit at its center grows and hardens. Despite a failed remake starring Nick Cage, this story deserves a proper reboot.

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3. Last Shift

Stuck watching a derelict police station on her first day, Officer Jessica Loren's quiet, but creepy night becomes quite the downward spiral. From creepy happens to ghoulish images, the ghostly cult members that haunt the station are nothing short of heart-stopping. Easily one of the scariest indie films ever, Last Shift is a must see. It's gritty, gory and everything that a haunted house movie should be. Whether a fan of jump scares or horrifying atmosphere, Last Shift has it in spades.

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3. Children of the Corn

A classic Stephen King adaption and perhaps one of the most iconic groups of scary kids, Children of the Corn is an endeavor on the gullible group mentality of children. As they follow "He Who Walks behind the Rows," the group led by Isaac Chroner, systemically remove the adults in the town as part of a human sacrifice. Ridiculous in its premise but terrifying in its execution, Children of the Corn showcased a certain strength and perseverance of children when threatened.  

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1. The Sacrament

The Sacrament does little to hide its ending. Opening with a photographer casually discussing his sister's involvement with a commune, a group of investigative friends go searching for answers only to find disaster. Timelier than ever, the media-hating, grounded story of this religious organization feels more realistic than some documentaries. Suspicious and filled with awkward exchanges, The Sacrament will make your skin crawl, only to rip it out in the end. It's the kind of movie that'll stick with you for some time. Though it all seems rosy, this film does little to appeal to organized religion and uncovers the deeply rooted issues within congregations, especially those buried in desolate regions.

Best in Show: Creepy Cults (Part I of II)

Humans are pack animals. Despite common notions of autonomy, the vast majority of people on earth are dependent on others. Whether for social exchange, physical dependency like food or to help make ends meet, friends, family and even strangers are necessary in our day to day lives. But, when people get a little too close, a little too exclusive, problems erupt. In cults, codependency takes on a new and sinister tone; something that is very often exasperated in horror films. This week's list looks at the scariest horror movies following cults.

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10. Faults

Part comedy, part deceptive thriller, this taut film follows a cultist deprogrammer and his latest case, a young woman who is buried deep in the mythology of a cult called Faults. Twisting, dark and at times, funny, Faults is a masterful blend of unsettling tension and compelling storytelling that'll leave viewers questioning their own perceived reality. Faults is a movie that feels realistic, despite later questionable flickers of the supernatural. Its end twist is also one of the greatest, if even just slightly predictable, in modern cinema.

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9. The Void

While not central to the creature-feature explosion that is The Void, the sheet-adorning cult in this film is absolutely terrifying. With no distinguishable feature separate from a triangle on their face, these poorly costumed ghost men imbued a creep factor complimented by a confrontational ferociousness. Retro, yet scarily timeless, these strange characters sought the end of the world and were willing to do anything to make it happen; they're inhuman nature and complete lack of motive only adding to the fear factor.

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8. The Conspiracy Conspiracy is a dangerous topic. Divisive and engulfing, the rabbit hole created by mostly unfounded suggestions and beliefs can lead to insanity and trouble for both the accused and accuser. Perhaps this is what makes 2012's The Conspiracy is so terrifying. A brooding and investigative Canadian found-footage film, The Conspiracy follows a pair of filmmakers seeking to uncover the truth about a mysterious organization named Taurus. Their investigation - as predicted - leads to quite the discovery that'll leave the duo changed forever. Ending on an open note and with little closure of what actually happened in their footage; The Conspiracy will leave audiences guessing.

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7. The House of the Devil In this 80s styled horror film following a caretaker who ends up in the middle of an occult ritual, the scares come bursting with fire. Demonic images, gory violence and funky music make up this indie darling. Directed by Ti West and featuring a fantastic performance by Jocelin Donahue, this movie doesn't feature the most interesting satanic cult, but it is one of the scariest. While oddly practical in their beliefs and brutish nature, each is only slightly off. That is, except for the horrifying creature-like leader with a cat face and a pension for old relics.


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6. The Invitation 

The Invitation is a  slow-burning and quite movie. Constantly bubbling like a volcano about to erupt, this movie has gained quite the following and critical acclaim. For good reason, too. The Invitation begins as an everyday, awkward dinner party but quickly unravels into something more unsettling. It's a thriller that unfolds in such a way that viewers will be engrossed in the haunting lights and faces of the dinner guests. Brimming with tension, this movie ends with quite sharp bangs and an even sharper reveal. It is deserving of every accolade it received; for its cast, crew and plot, simple but intricate.

Best in Show: Top Three of 2017 (So Far)

2016 was a pretty fantastic year for horror. Featuring a diverse collection of theatrical and indie released films; it was a year that gave us some terrific sequels and prequels, as well as originals. From the artistic The Witch to the terrifying The Conjuring 2, 2016 proved that some of the best, most original movies were coming from the horror genre. in a sea of remakes, even less well-received films felt newer than some of the more questionable choices in Hollywood. That's why, in 2017, hopes are high. Already this year, we've seen duds and stars, and this week's list looks at the three best, while mentioning some of the worst.

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3. It Comes at Night

While never completely fresh or revolutionary, It Comes at Night is amazingly well-done. It creates such a tense atmosphere that the weight of the world rests on the shoulders of the viewer. The dream sequences are horrifyingly anticipatory and with some gut punches to be expected later in the film, audiences can expect to be thoroughly gloomy after it ends.

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2. The Void

With an amazing marketing campaign, iconic costuming and some terrific special effects, The Void is truly impressive. Balancing a variety of subgenres, this movie is sure to appeal to most movie watchers. Between believable acting, 80s stylizations and an abundance of scares,  the sci-fi cult film, The Void feels entirely new in a genre inundated by similarities. The Void is the rare horror movie that, despite some occasional shortcomings, features so many amazing things, that its hard not to root for. It's a film you want to recommend over and over again, because it is a must see. The Void is fun and scary and encapsulates so much of what horror used to be, it's a welcome throwback.

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1. Get Out

Get Out made quite the splash when it was released. Capturing race relations in the United States within the context of an easy-to-understand horror movie, this film is surely a modern classic. While not scary for the typical reasons, this movie is, through and through, eye-opening, pure entertainment. Its funny, dark and suspenseful. Even as audiences begin to figure out exactly what may be happening, Get Out demands constant attention. It's a thrilling journey and by far the best horror movie to be released this year.

 

Honorable Mentions: Alien: Covenant, Split, The Blackcoat's Daughter and The Devil's Candy

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Dishonorable Mentions: Rings, The Bye Bye Man and Be Afraid

Between terribly timed scares, stuffy atmospheres and mediocre acting, each of these three films fail in very similar ways. They're completely unaware of their shortcomings and fall apart on so many levels that their releases are pretty surprising. Rings, a follow-up/reboot of the original pairs of the American remakes, suffers greatly from awful CGI, unbelievable performances and a plotline that is more nightmarish than the weak scares and atmosphere. The Bye Bye Man is just as bad, featuring nothing redeemable outside of a fun catchphrase. But, like the overly plugged line, this is a movie you shouldn't think about, shouldn't say and most definitely shouldn't see. Then there's the indie release of Be Afraid which even taken lightly given its smaller budget, feels lazy and poorly made.