Halloween Recommendations: Horror from the 2010's

Halloween is almost upon us so I thought I'd chime in with some horror movie recommendations to satisfy your cravings. I've specifically gone with films from the 2010's, partially to prove that there is still great horror being made but mostly to irritate people by identifying the decade as lasting from 2011 to 2020 (😛 ). I've avoided some of the more well known entries of recent years such as A QUIET PLACE. HEREDITARY, MIDSOMMAR, GET OUT, and US and instead I've gone for some (comparatively) lesser known films that I personally really enjoy. 

On with the show....

YOU'RE NEXT (2011) (Dir: Adam Wingard)

This film was so widely praised in horror circles upon its release that I've never been quite sure how well known it is among more casual audiences. Originally inspired by a wave of home-invasion movies in the mid-2000s (with particular debt owed to 2008's THE STRANGERS), Wingard's film stands out of the pack through its how it subverts expectations. Following its opening scenes, that makes the audience aware of the danger at hand, we are introduced to the estranged Davison family as they come together for a reunion. Family melodrama and dysfunction soon gives way to terror when the house comes under siege from a group of animal mask wearing killers. To go any further into the plot would give away some of the film's best reveals but needless to say the night doesn't go to plan for anyone involved. With its pitch black humour and engaging characters successfully balancing out its merciless violence, YOU'RE NEXT manages to avoid the relentless nihilism that permeated many of its horror contemporaries and is just as entertaining on repeated viewings as it is the first time.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/ufUQWpEkbf0

GRABBERS (2012) (Dir: Jon Wright)

The marketing for this film went out of its way to invoke the spirit of Edgar Wright's SHAUN OF THE DEAD, but in truth the film has much more in common with the Ron Underwood's cult-classic TREMORS. Set on a remote Irish island, GRABBERS follows two mismatched police officers, portrayed wonderfully by Richard Coyle and Ruth Bradley, as they forced to try and solve a mystery that starts with mutilated whale corpses washing up on the beach and spirals from there. The cast is filled with excellent comedic performances from the likes of Russell Tovey and Lalor Roddy but the real marvel of the film is how the film expertly manages its tone. The titular "grabbers" are wonderfully realized through a mix of practical and CG effects and the comedy of the film never undercuts their  threat. Again, I've skipped over some key plot point for the benefit of anyone who hasn't seen the film and even though I've included the trailer below if you're looking for a genuinely funny monster movie that doesn't lose its edge, skip the trailer and go straight to watching the film. 

Trailer: https://youtu.be/4e3izWdh9WM

EVIL DEAD (2013) (Dir: Fede Alvarez)

Criminally overlooked upon its release I'm thrilled that following the financial success of director Fede Alvarez's subsequent film, DON'T BREATHE, the popular consensus seems to be turning in EVIL DEAD's favour, and so it should. This "remake" of Sam Raimi's breakthrough cult-classic captures the nasty spirit of the original while forgoing the more overtly comedic tone of its sequels. Through its mix of well delivered jump-scares, visceral violence, gross out moments and genuine tension, Alvarez's film really stands out amongst the other remakes of the era as being a worthwhile watch on its own merits. I can't move on from this film without discussing the merits of its star, Jane Levy. Perhaps more well known today for her Golden Globe nominated performance in the musical comedy show, ZOEY'S EXTRAORDINARY PLAYLIST, Levy's performance is the magic ingredient that makes this film working. Her arc in the film permits her the widest range of the cast and she delivers wonderfully. If you're a horror fan and you either skipped or dismissed this on release, give it another go and you might just be pleasantly surprised at how well this film has aged.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/gJSHhMUPD7M

THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN (2014) (Dir: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon)

Okay, stick with me here because this gets a bit complicated. In 1946, a serial-killer murdered 5 people and injured 3 more in and around Texarkana, Texas. In 1976, Charles B. Pearce directed THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN, a horror film that was based on the killings 30 years before. The film proved somewhat controversial for it's claims to accuracy, despite the taking of artistic license in the depiction of the victims. 2014's THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN is neither a sequel, nor a remake, to the 70's film. Instead it is set in a world where both the killings of 1946 took place and the subsequent 1976 film was released. Subsequently, it offers an interesting perspective of both the commercialization of real-life violence and how victims are often overshadowed by the coverage of their killers. However beyond its critical concerns, Gomez-Rejon's is also well executed slasher movie in its own right, with a unique 70's influenced aesthetic, that deserves inclusion in the slasher wing of the pantheon of modern horror.  

Trailer: https://youtu.be/iFnQ250vdAg

THE BLACKCOAT'S DAUGHTER (aka FEBRUARY) (2015) (Dir: Osgood Perkins)

Of all the film's on this list I feel this is the one most deserving of reappraisal, as with better marketing, it would sit comfortably aside films like THE BABADOOK, THE WITCH and HEREDITARY, that have earned considerably critical acclaim. Now I knew nothing about Perkins' film before going in, other than I had enjoyed his 2020 dark fantasy GRETAL & HANSEL, and that is almost certainly the best way to experience this film. I will say that the film follows two plot-lines, the experiences of Rose (Lucy Boynton) and Kat (Kiernan Shipka) as they are forced to spend their vacation at their Catholic boarding school and the seemingly unrelated journey of Joan (Emma Roberts), as she escapes a mental institution. Boynton is adequate as the film's nominal lead but Shipka and Roberts are particularly great in their roles and carry much of the film's darker moments. The pacing of the film may be two slow for some audiences but the growing suspense and tension reaches a satisfying climax. Check it out if you're in the mood for something more atmospheric this Halloween.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/pRc_-iK3RVE

THE VOID (2016) (Dirs: Steven Kostanski and Jeremy Gillespie)

A location under siege, rational minds pushed to their limit, gloriously gross practical effects and Lovecraftian cosmic horror, okay so its possible this film was made just for me. Honestly, THE VOID might be just an adequate movie but it ticks so many of my horror boxes that I can't help but love it. I'm not going to say anything more, watch the trailer and if it resonates with you at all, go out of your way to track it down. It's as relentless as it is disturbing and probably the nearest I'll ever get to a satisfying adaptation of the Silent Hill videogames.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/IkmSNt4moNg

THE RITUAL (2017) (Dir: David Bruckner)

Sometimes when a horror film is simply very well made genre fare, what makes it standout out are what it does differently. For example, much of THE RITUAL is very familiar and could be simply described by the blurb "tensions run high between a group of friends as they find themselves lost in the woods". What really makes THE RITUAL worth watching though is the context. The film begins with a tragedy that informs the fraught nature of the group, and the many creative ways Bruckner finds to bring the film's lead Luke (played with relatable heartbreak by Rafe Spall) back to this moment provide much of the film's emotional weight. The cast all deliver solid believable performances but it is really Spall that carries the film in his near constant grief and regret. Much of THE RITUAL's tension falls to the wayside in the final act but the original design choices and excellent effects work keep the viewer engaged. Overall the film is simply a solid entry into the genre, but with Bruckner having subsequently helmed the soon to be released HELLRAISER reboot, it might provide a good idea for what we have in store in the next adaptation of Clive Barker's seminal work.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/Vfugwq2uoa0

ASSASSINATION NATION (2018) (Dir: Sam Levinson)

No doubt some people would argue that this isn't a horror film in the traditional sense, but I find that argument nonsensical as the escalation in this film is bone-chilling. What starts with a few data hacks of prominent figures soon gives way to misogynistic hate mobs prowling the suburbs violently punishing young women  (the town the film is set in is called Salem after all) before the film's leads start to fight back and lead a revolution of their own. The film is unapologetic in its depictions of violence but thankfully what stops the film from getting unbearably heavy is its keenly judged sense of satirical black comedy. ASSASSINATION NATION won't be for everyone (it comes with built in trigger warnings for a reason) but it is fierce, funny and uncomfortably relevant in the modern world.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/vTmFKZmp1aE

COLOR OUT OF SPACE (2019) (Dir: Richard Stanley)

Honestly, Nicholas Cage is having somewhat of a career renaissance of late with frequent worthwhile entries into the horror genre. But while 2017's MOM & DAD offered high energy horror comedy thrills and 2018's MANDY provided moody fantasy horror that was equally parts psychological and psychedelic, COLOR OUT OF SPACE's adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's short story, "The Colour Out Of Space" is all together more subdued. The film focuses on the Gardner family and their experiences after a mysterious meteor lands on their front lawn. The cast are excellent across the board (with Madeleine Arthur a particular standout) but the film really shines through it's special effects. With practical creature effects straight out of the 1980's, and surreal atmospheric lighting, COLOR OUT OF SPACE really has a timeless quality and wouldn't be out of place during the "golden age of horror".

Trailer: https://youtu.be/uEX8vtCMqQE

UNDERWATER (2020) (Dir: William Eubank)

I included this film among my favourite films of last year and with each repeated viewing, it only grows in my estimatation. The cast are great in bringing a sense of reality to their performances, with Kristen Stewart, Vincent Cassell and John Gallagher Jr being particular standouts. The effects are excellent and the costume and set design could stand alongside any big-budget sci-fi movie of the last 20 years. Tension mounts from the opening scene, with a sense of near constant claustrophobia permeating the film. Things start to get a bit wackier in the second half of the film, but the payoff more than delivers in the climax. Sure it could do with ten extra minutes at the front to better introduce the cast but beyond that, I honestly have no complaints. I will never understand why this film wasn't a bigger success, its great.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/jCFWEzIVILc

Hopefully you can find something on this list to satisfy your Halloween horror cravings and if you do, please let me know which you watched and what you think. Happy Halloween!!!