Conjuring the Creeps

Its Halloween weekend and the spirit of spooky is in the air. What better way for the lazy but enthusiastic patron of Halloween to get into the bogy mood than to curl up on the couch and spend the holiday savouring the cinematic gems from the horror treasure trove. Hollywood is flooded with a great many movies of this genre but only a few leave an indelible mark and crank up the creep quotient. But why fall back on the same, run of the mill variety of horror flicks with predictable fears and equally predictable fates. Have a taste of some of the more refined, albeit lesser known scary movies through the times. Here are some of the choicest picks of films to make for a harrowing Halloween –

1. Cat and the canary

If you wish to revisit a classic, this one’s for you. The reliable horror movie tropes of a creaky old house, the sultry feeling of something ominous suspended in the air and the vile combination of a supernatural force and a much too real murder mystery are used most effectively to eke out the screams and shouts.

2. You’re Next

Touted by many critics as being commonplace and nothing out of the ordinary, this one is still on the list because it uses the simplistic plot of a dysfunctional family to evoke delightful fright in the audience. A couple’s much awaited anniversary quickly goes awry as they are under attack from assaulters donning animal masks. This is enjoyable as the scare has something fun yet frightening about it.

3. The Innocents

This is a black-and-white 60s gothic horror tale which is a pure, unadulterated ghost movie. The horrific depths of the human mind with its insidious insecurities is finely explored. The scare is best brought out by the equally eerie score that follows the film through its sinister turns quite effortlessly.

4. It Follows

19 year old Jay is ruthlessly stalked by a supernatural spirit following a disturbing sexual encounter. The film is a compelling watch and keeps the audience glued to the screen with the troubling tenor of the plot being amplified superbly by the background score that is deeply resonating with the horror. This one makes for a sumptuous watch for Halloween.

5. Green Room

This is one refreshingly new kind of horror film that does not fall into the trap of age-old clichés that tonnes of other movies of this genre are riddled with. It is captivating because it makes sure there’s a possibility for anything to happen – there is nobody who is fully protected against the dangers that loom around them. Anton Yelchin steals the show among the ensemble of actors by portraying a hero who is not stereotypical or invincible but infused with a generous dose of vulnerability.

These are some films guaranteed to keep you entertained through the Halloween weekend while also leaving you shaking with fear unknown. They are delectable in their shocks and thrills. The gore they serve up is irresistibly spooky.

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