With Halloween on the horizon, horror movies are back in the limelight. The Scout has assembled a list of the scariest films they’ve ever seen, complete with breakdowns and explanations.
Scarlett Rose Binder:
“Jeepers Creepers” (2001)
There’s something so authentic about the world of “Jeepers Creepers.” The relationship between siblings Trish and Darry reminds me of how I interact with my own siblings. The backroad route they take home from college is similar to mine. So, when an unstoppable, otherworldly creature enters this world, it’s terrifying. The unbelievable becomes believable. The creeper will stop at nothing to get what he wants, and discovering what he’s after is one of the most disturbing revelations I’ve ever had.
Celine Lamirand:
“Scream” (1996)
Perhaps the “Scream” series isn’t necessarily the scariest, but it truly doesn’t get any more classic than a spooky slasher film. “Scream” does an incredible job of balancing spooky, gory and a little cheesy all in one movie. I’d say this theme is most present in the first film of the series, which is why it earns the title of the best movie in the series. Nothing satisfies me more than seeing a genuinely well-done slasher film. “Scream” is definitely one of the last of its kind – they don’t make them like they used to.
Paul Swartz:
“Skinamarink” (2022)
Different kinds of horror work more for different people. For me, the childlike helplessness that “Skinamarink” emulates hits the hardest. More atmosphere than story, “Skinamarink” lets your imagination run wild, intentionally keeping us and the characters in the dark. It’s a slow, specific kind of fear, a childhood nightmare transported to the screen, and it still sits in my head more than any other horror film.
Jordan Jones:
“Barbarian” (2022)
“Barbarian” works horror in many different ways. It’s unpredictable and anxiety-inducing, drawing the audience in and keeping them captivated for most of the movie. The horror feels real, building tension throughout. Suspense is constant throughout the film, making viewers question the protagonists’ next move, only to be greeted with an unpredictable jump scare.
Alex Barnett:
“Us” (2019)
This is hands-down the scariest movie I’ve ever seen. “Us” is a psychological horror that blends compositional elements like a dark funhouse mirror maze with an almost caveman-like alternate reality to the traditional American Dream family. The movie displays a real and a fake family, the latter of which cannot speak and terrorizes the real family. The stylistic choices reinforce an eerie sense of uncertainty and terror throughout, perpetuated by the lack of pauses or comedic relief. I can still remember when the fake family took off their masks; it was seriously terrifying.
