"Horror movies are a year-round favorite, and with Halloween just passing, the desire to be absolutely scared to death has still lingered for many." --Lucy moore, 8th grade
Horror movies are a year-round favorite, and with Halloween just passing, the desire to be absolutely scared to death has still lingered for many. As someone who is rarely phased by horror movies, and has spent too much time searching for a movie that will actually scare me, I can guarantee that at least one of these movies will keep you up at night. Out of all the films I’ve watched, here are the top three that stood out to me as the scariest.
Midsommar
Ari Aster's Midsommar is a wickedly surreal and captivatingly original film. The movie begins with Dani (Florence Pugh), stuck in a dysfunctional relationship with her boyfriend, Christian (Will Poulter), a narcissistic and immature young man. Both Christian and Dani are unhappy but don't have the courage to end the relationship.
Something very unique about Midsommar is that it was shot almost entirely in daylight. The pure beauty and camera work create such an uncomfortable feeling of wanting to look away, but not being able to peel your eyes from the screen. The breathtaking cinematography contrasting with the blood and torture makes this film all the more beautiful. It introduces such terror that audiences aren’t used to seeing so brightly lit. Midsommar will never leave your mind. I would definitely recommend this movie if you’re looking for something that will stick with you.
Lucy-o-meter 11/10
Hereditary
Ari Asters' Hereditary is one of the most tense, compelling, and gripping horror films of its time. Originally, Aster planned on making Midsommar his first horror, but after coming up with the idea for Hereditary, he knew he had to switch his plan and go through with his new idea. Hereditary follows a family who is dealing with the recent grief of their young daughter, Charlie (Milly Shapiro). The mother, Annie (Toni Collete), is desperately trying to get along with her life after this trauma. When she's presented with an opportunity to try out witchcraft, her world changes.
This film does an outstanding job of exploring deep emotion while still conveying such a terrifying feeling to the audience. Collete's work was brilliant. Aster's direction is phenomenal—the more you think about the film, the more it begins to make sense. I have watched this movie three times so far, and each time I notice something new. Something interesting that Aster does in his films is that he rarely uses jump scares to frighten the viewers. Instead, he uses a technique where he makes the viewer find out what is wrong with the picture, while the character doesn't know, leaving you with suspense and discomfort as you watch everything play out slowly and realistically. Out of the three movies on this list, this is the only one that has made me audibly scream. I'm not sure that a movie has stuck with me like this ever before. By far the best one on this list.
Lucy-o-meter Ranking: 11/10
The Silence of the Lambs
The Silence of the Lambs is one of the most iconic horror films. The film begins when Psychologist, Clarice Starlings (Jodie Foster), gets sent by her instructor, Jack Crawford (Scott Glen), to interview the well-known cannibal and murderer, Hannibal Lector (Anthony Hopkins). Crawford believes that he can get important insight on a new criminal case by using Clarice and Hannibal as his bait.
This movie keeps you on the edge of your seat by creating a very suspenseful and stressful atmosphere. Definitely one of the scariest movies I’ve ever seen. Not only is this film full of just plain horror, but it also has elements of thrill, gore, and suspense. Every line adds up to create a clear and well-made story. From the beginning of the film, you notice plot holes being made, as you continue to watch, the holes slowly get filled leaving you with an understanding that is so unpleasant, you wish you had never known. The realistic aspect of this film is definitely the scariest part, knowing that this is something that could happen. I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone who’s looking for something unlike generic horror movies.
Lucy-ometer: 10/10
All three of these horror movies definitely went against the horror genre status quo. Midsommar comes through with a unique and refreshing take on horror. The direction and visuals make an uncomfortable yet beautiful film. Hereditary brings in a new take on horror by using realism to make the fiction come to life, leaving itself stuck in your head. The Silence of the Lambs uses its dialogue and characters to create a feeling almost as if you are living in the film. All together, these movies give us some of the most tense scenes and suspenseful plots, adding up to something that you just can't forget.
Midsommar
Ari Aster's Midsommar is a wickedly surreal and captivatingly original film. The movie begins with Dani (Florence Pugh), stuck in a dysfunctional relationship with her boyfriend, Christian (Will Poulter), a narcissistic and immature young man. Both Christian and Dani are unhappy but don't have the courage to end the relationship.
Something very unique about Midsommar is that it was shot almost entirely in daylight. The pure beauty and camera work create such an uncomfortable feeling of wanting to look away, but not being able to peel your eyes from the screen. The breathtaking cinematography contrasting with the blood and torture makes this film all the more beautiful. It introduces such terror that audiences aren’t used to seeing so brightly lit. Midsommar will never leave your mind. I would definitely recommend this movie if you’re looking for something that will stick with you.
Lucy-o-meter 11/10
Hereditary
Ari Asters' Hereditary is one of the most tense, compelling, and gripping horror films of its time. Originally, Aster planned on making Midsommar his first horror, but after coming up with the idea for Hereditary, he knew he had to switch his plan and go through with his new idea. Hereditary follows a family who is dealing with the recent grief of their young daughter, Charlie (Milly Shapiro). The mother, Annie (Toni Collete), is desperately trying to get along with her life after this trauma. When she's presented with an opportunity to try out witchcraft, her world changes.
This film does an outstanding job of exploring deep emotion while still conveying such a terrifying feeling to the audience. Collete's work was brilliant. Aster's direction is phenomenal—the more you think about the film, the more it begins to make sense. I have watched this movie three times so far, and each time I notice something new. Something interesting that Aster does in his films is that he rarely uses jump scares to frighten the viewers. Instead, he uses a technique where he makes the viewer find out what is wrong with the picture, while the character doesn't know, leaving you with suspense and discomfort as you watch everything play out slowly and realistically. Out of the three movies on this list, this is the only one that has made me audibly scream. I'm not sure that a movie has stuck with me like this ever before. By far the best one on this list.
Lucy-o-meter Ranking: 11/10
The Silence of the Lambs
The Silence of the Lambs is one of the most iconic horror films. The film begins when Psychologist, Clarice Starlings (Jodie Foster), gets sent by her instructor, Jack Crawford (Scott Glen), to interview the well-known cannibal and murderer, Hannibal Lector (Anthony Hopkins). Crawford believes that he can get important insight on a new criminal case by using Clarice and Hannibal as his bait.
This movie keeps you on the edge of your seat by creating a very suspenseful and stressful atmosphere. Definitely one of the scariest movies I’ve ever seen. Not only is this film full of just plain horror, but it also has elements of thrill, gore, and suspense. Every line adds up to create a clear and well-made story. From the beginning of the film, you notice plot holes being made, as you continue to watch, the holes slowly get filled leaving you with an understanding that is so unpleasant, you wish you had never known. The realistic aspect of this film is definitely the scariest part, knowing that this is something that could happen. I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone who’s looking for something unlike generic horror movies.
Lucy-ometer: 10/10
All three of these horror movies definitely went against the horror genre status quo. Midsommar comes through with a unique and refreshing take on horror. The direction and visuals make an uncomfortable yet beautiful film. Hereditary brings in a new take on horror by using realism to make the fiction come to life, leaving itself stuck in your head. The Silence of the Lambs uses its dialogue and characters to create a feeling almost as if you are living in the film. All together, these movies give us some of the most tense scenes and suspenseful plots, adding up to something that you just can't forget.