Horror Movies That Will Shake You to Your Core This Halloween

Start the cozy season with some of the best horror films acclaimed by critics and the public.

Hereditary

In 2018, cinema gurus were introduced to a new master of horror: Filmmaker Ari Aster. An unrelentingly bleak and deeply disturbing film. "Hereditary" pushes the boundaries of the genre in ways that viewers didn't know were possible. It immediately drew comparisons to such highly influential pictures as "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Exorcist." The film doesn't bother with jump scares. It instead shocks with genuinely unexpected and deeply disturbing imagery from which it refuses to turn away. The tension and overwhelming sense of dread are so pervasive that some viewers may not last long enough to see the mystery unraveled, further bolstered by stellar performances all around.

The Shining

If there's one horror film that beats out "The Thing" in terms of critical reassessments, it's this one. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, "The Shining" is undeniably unconventional. It's a lonely, ambiguous, and thoroughly unsettling experience that, while arguably a tale of the supernatural, is fundamentally about one man's descent into madness. "The Shining" never fails to terrify, but the answer as to what exactly makes it so scary remains elusive. From set design to the imagery used, "The Shining" is artful in its approach to inducing fear.

Also read: HALLOWEEN BOOKS BY TALENTED WOMEN WRITERS IN THE HORROR GENRE

Halloween (1978)

John Carpenter's seminal slasher flick may not have invented the genre, but it provided a framework that would be replicated for decades to come. Yet, the 1978 film's ability to pack a punch has not been diluted in the slightest by the countless imitators that followed, including its own many subpar sequels. In making this film, Carpenter really found the perfect recipe: Michael Myers, armed with his now-iconic mask and imposing physique, makes quite the impression. His commitment to silence adds an extra layer of tension, while Jamie Lee Curtis' breakout performance makes viewers feel extremely invested. Her fear becomes our fear. Musical cues can make or break a horror film, and the score for "Halloween" consistently intensifies the scares.

Alien (1979)

"Alien" is, in fact, not only science fiction but also a horror film. Being stuck inside a claustrophobic environment, where you can't escape with a mindless creature that only wants to kill you is a creepy idea. Even just sitting down to enjoy a meal together in this movie becomes a complete nightmare. The "chestburster" scene is forever burned into all our memories. It inspired a worthy follow-up with aliens as well as a slew of lesser sequels and prequels, but the original remains the creepiest and most shocking.

The Witch (2015)

For anyone who feels tired of the same old horror movie tropes, "The Witch" is a welcome change. The feature film was the debut of writer and director Robert Eggers. This period piece is a reminder that there are a lot of different ways to scare an audience. Set in the 17th century, "The Witch" follows a puritan family trying to scrape out a living on their New England farm when the youngest child Samuel suddenly disappears near the woods. However, the fervently religious family is torn apart by suspicion. The film takes a slow-burn approach that instead gets under your skin using atmosphere, paranoia, and an unrelenting sense of dread.

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