With October comes Halloween, arguably one of the most fun and unique holidays celebrated in the West. During this time of year, a plethora of unique horror movies are released to set a spooky tone for Halloween. With so many great movies releasing this season, here are a few that shine through the most. 

“Pearl”

Directed by Ti West, released on Sept. 16, 2022. Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes. 

In “Pearl,” Mia Goth’s character, Pearl, lives on an isolated farm with her sick father and her overbearing mother. Soon her emotions, ambition and resentment all collide, to the horror of those around her. Pearl has an incredibly unique story, colliding character drama and horror together, all while being a prequel to West and Goth’s previous slasher film “X.” Goth gives a spectacular performance as the hot-tempered Pearl, making the film one of the best horror movies of 2022. For those who love films produced by A24 or fun slashers, “Pearl” makes a great watch this Halloween season. 

“Smile”
Directed by Parker Finn, released on Sept. 20, 2022. Runtime: 1 hour 55 minutes.

In “Smile,” Dr. Rose Cotter, portrayed by Sosie Bacon, is involved in a bizarre and traumatizing incident involving one of her patients. Afterward, increasingly strange and oftentimes disturbing experiences follow her while she struggles to confront her past along with her new reality. At an initial glance, this flick would seem to be an incredibly corny watch, yet “Smile” brought forth many surprises. “Smile” brings a unique, yet familiar take on the supernatural horror subgenre. “Smile” is a fun addition to this month’s watchlist for fans of movies such as “The Ring” and “Don’t Look Away.”

“Terrifier 2”

Directed by Damien Leone, released on Oct. 6, 2022. Runtime: 2 hours 18 minutes.

In “Terrifier 2,” Art the Clown returns from the dead on Halloween to wreak havoc on Miles County once again. “Terrifier 2” brings forth carnage, brutality, gore and hilarity. With a terrifying performance from David Howard Thronton as Art the Clown, the film prides itself on the downright shocking gorefest displayed throughout the film. While many herald the original “Terrifier” as a champion in the realm of slashers, “Terrifier 2” takes the cake with its obscenely disturbing violence. “Terrifier 2” is a must-watch for fans of slashers, gore and the original “Terrifier.”

“Hellraiser”

Directed by David Bruckner, released on Oct. 7, 2022. Runtime: 2 hours 1 minute. 

“Hellraiser” is a new take on a horror classic. In the “Hellraiser” reboot, Riley, played by Odessa A’zion, must uncover the dark secrets behind an ancient puzzle box and its relation to her brother’s mysterious disappearance, but when the puzzle is solved a group of sadomasochistic demons known as cenobites are summoned. “Hellraiser” takes everything that fans loved from the original and builds upon it using modern film technology. The performance by the new Pinhead, portrayed by Jamie Clayton, is phenomenal by horror movie standards and gives viewers a modern glimpse into the body-horror-esque aesthetic that the original villains served. “Hellraiser” is a must-see for all fans of horror and the “Hellraiser” series. 

“Halloween Ends” 

Directed by David Gordon Green, released on Oct 14, 2022. Runtime: 1 hour 51 minutes

Years after their last encounter, Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, is once again confronted by the sociopathic Michael Myers, played by Nick Castle, seemingly in their final showdown. Before its release, “Halloween Ends” portrayed itself as the final movie in the series, but the finality they attempted to display did not stick. For many, this movie may leave you asking more questions than when you entered, especially with its lack of a definitive ending. While this movie will fall flat for some, for fans of the “Halloween” series and other similar slashers, it may bring a enjoyable watch with an abundance of fun scenes and chaos. 

September and October 2022 have brought some phenomenal horror movies, with each bringing its own distinct mood and style. “Smile,” “Halloween Ends,” “Pearl” and “Terrifier 2” can be seen in theaters, while “Hellraiser” is available for streaming on Hulu.