The Black Lagoon Halloween top 5

Reviewed by Carl & Matt
Posted on October 30, 2005
Filed Under Features

As you may well have noticed, it’s Halloween, so we thought we’d cash in with a list of our top five films best suited for viewing on October 31st. These aren’t necessarily the most gory or horrific films, but we’ve tried to pick stuff that’s suitably creepy… And of course, any other recommendations are more than welcome in the comments box below!

5. Halloween
Inevitable really. But in a genius twist, this classic slasher film turns the act staying in and watching spooky films on Halloween into something you should be afraid of. Post-modern, but bloody scary.

4. Bad Day At Black Rock
Not strictly speaking a horror movie, but few films are as successful in fostering such an uncomfortable sense of unease. A simple morality tale that’ll really get under your skin.

3. The Wicker Man
A creepy, slow-burning build up leads to a pretty shattering conclusion that completely changes your perspective on everything you’ve just watched. You’ll never look at Scottish people the same way again.

2. Night of the Living Dead
Effectively, it’s one night in a haunted house - but the house is very ordinary, and the dangers very real. Camp-free, funereal and upsetting, it suggests that your peers are actually the people you should fear most.

1. The Night of the Hunter
The classic good-against-evil parable. Laughton’s accomplished synthesis of American Gothic and German expressionism makes this both chilling and hauntingly beautiful to watch.

[Honourable mentions go to the original Frankenstein (gothic and gorgeous), Suspiria (nonsensical but gorgeous) and Ringu.]