With Halloween bringing October to a close, it is time to take a look back at recent horror films. If one still craves a fright, there are plenty of upcoming horror films to look forward to.
Easily the best horror film of the year has been Coralie Faregeat’s “The Substance.” With a career-best performance from Demi Moore, “The Substance” applies real-life horrors to science fiction. In a post-human world where the everyday person has access to appearance-altering procedures, “The Substance” proved to be timely. However, its themes will ring true for decades to come, especially with new medications and technologies allowing people to fit into society’s unrealistic expectations. “The Substance” will surely become a classic of the horror genre in the coming years.
Although no other horror film released this year comes close to reaching the heights of “The Substance,” “Smile 2” manages to be a fun surprise for audiences. The movie excels beyond its predecessor and makes for one of the most enjoyable theater-going experiences of the year. “Smile 2” offers plenty of jump scares and a terrific performance from Naomi Scott to solidify this as one of the best horror movies released this fall.
E.L. Katz’s “Azrael” flew under most people’s radar. The film, starring Samara Weaving, has tons of gore. As Weaving navigates the woods, viewers become engulfed in the anxiety of her situation. While most movies have a minimum two hour runtime, “Azrael” remains short and quick to the point with its 90-minute runtime. This is the perfect movie for audiences wanting a gritty and simple viewing.
“Terrifier 3” would be higher on this list if not for its predecessor. The second installment in the series was a delight and embraced the over-the-top gore from the original while adding a mythos to the franchise, akin to John Carpenter’s “Halloween.” “Terrifier 3” does absolutely nothing with the information given in the second one. Instead, the film feels like a side quest for Art the Clown, while still entertaining and delivering gore. With a lackluster third act and unimaginative kills, viewers cannot help but wonder if “Terrifier 2” was lightning in a bottle and if its entertainment and shock will ever be captured again by Damien Leone and crew.
The 2024 horror slate has been quite disappointing compared to previous years. Filled with sequels and direct-to-streaming remakes, such as Gary Dauberman’s “Salem’s Lot,” the horror genre seemed quite desolate this Halloween season — with the notable exception being “The Substance.”
Slated for release this year are Scott Beck and Bryan Woods’ “Heretic” and Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu.”
“Heretic” explores the concepts of fate and free will through the eyes of two missionary workers who become ensnared by Mr. Reed, played by Hugh Grant. The movie releases on Nov. 8.
“Nosferatu,” sadly, is another remake. However, auteur Robert Eggers being at the helm gives movie-goers much hope that it will not be a measly cash grab. “Nosferatu” stars Bill Skarsgard as Count Orlok and possesses a star-studded supporting cast including Willem Dafoe, Emma Corrin, Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The film will release on Dec. 25.
There are still a couple of horror films left to save this rocky season. If the rest of the year proves disappointing, there is always next year, which kicks off with Leigh Wannel’s “Wolf Man” and Stephen Soderbergh’s “Presence.” A genre as dynamic as horror requires innovation. New and original ideas — like “The Substance” — demand audience attention, so hopefully Hollywood will transition away from remakes and sequels and allow genre-defying films to fill the silver screen.
