Greetings to all fellow ghouls and goblins. With Halloween night dreadfully approaching, you may be looking for some thrills and chills. Whether it’s the features of the most macabre and grotesque creatures, or the blood-curdling paranormal endeavors, your trusted arts and entertainment editors can help quench your demonic thirst for terror. From Netflix to Hulu, HBO Max to Amazon Prime, here are 5 of the creepiest, most spine-tingling, guaranteed to satisfy all of us horror hounds. I will introduce one movie.
“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” (1974) – Available on Amazon Prime Video and Paramount+
Made on a shoestring budget, Tobe Hooper’s 1974 masterpiece is not only one of the best horror movies, but also one of the best ever made. Nearly 40 years later, the film remains a relentless, nightmarish, eerie fever dream that keeps its feet on the tension pedal from its first (and truly terrifying) first kill. Eight movies have since been made and a series of imitations, but none have been able to imitate the primordial horror of the “Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”
“Suspiria” (1977) – Available for free with ads on Tubi
There’s nothing more terrifying than the witches in Dario Argento’s 1977 classic. Widely considered the most beautiful horror film ever made, ‘Suspiria’ proves that fear isn’t limited to darkness and shadows. With vivid technicolor and goblin’s legendary hypnotic synths in every terrifying composition that oozes out in her score, who knew a brutal murder in a bombastic neon horror house could be this beautiful? Falcon?
“Audition” (1999) – Available for free with ads on Tubi
Certain movies are best left as unknown as possible. “Audition” is one of them. Legendary Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike’s ‘Audition’ is one of his most terrifying, twisted and sadistic films, seamlessly blending a vast array of genres and styles. For better or worse, it’s a movie that stays with you long after you’ve seen it.
“The Ring” (2002) – Available on Paramount+, free with ads on The Roku Channel
Gore Verbinski’s 1998 remake of 2002’s Ringu is, in my humble opinion, the best studio horror film of the 2000s and a notable high point in the genre. Don’t let the PG-13 rating fool you, “The Ring” is still one of his most atmospheric and sinister pictures. Be careful, though, as you risk spending his seven restless days after this harrowing nightmare is over.
“The Host” (2006) – Available on Paramount+, free with ads on Pluto TV
Bong Joon-ho made some gruesome monster movies before winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards for his masterpiece Parasite. Interestingly, the terrifying brilliance comes not from the unique monster designs or the carnage that follows, but how the beast’s destructive nature can ultimately bring dysfunctional families together. After all, what’s scarier than family?
If the preceding list doesn’t tickle your fancy and you’re craving more bloody, spine-chilling ghouls and goblins flicks, email jarod.borem@valpo.edu for more spooky streaming recommendations. Please receive the item.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Torch.
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