October, the dreadful, the delightful. Whether it be going to a haunted house or handing out candy, the month that hosts Halloween is always a fun time, and what better way is there to settle into the eerie mood than by watching films sure to have you on the edge of your seat. To embrace the soon-to-be chilling atmosphere, here are five scary movies that will send shivers down your spine.
1. “Perfect Blue” (1998)
Considered an animated masterpiece and known for its timeless themes, “Perfect Blue” is a realistic film that connects you to the real world. This film follows the life of Mima, a retired Japanese pop idol who decides to pursue the acting industry. As she adapts to the change, Mima loses track of reality as a fan begins obsessively stalking her. She begins to lose awareness of her surroundings, seemingly haunted by the ghost of her past and questioning the life around her. “Perfect Blue’s” frightening graphics and mature psychotic themes fit those interested in thrillers.
2. “Child’s Play” (1988)
A horror classic, “Child’s Play” is one of the best of the slasher horror genre. Introducing the iconic doll Chucky, who appears to be a cute toy for a kid when in reality he is a doll possessed by the spirit of a serial killer. When a single mother gifts her young son, Andy Barclay, the doll for his birthday, strange events start to happen and Barclay realizes Chucky is alive. With its paranormal plot, unusual circumstances, and overall intensity, “Child’s Play” is a scary movie must watch.
3. “Talk to Me” (2022)
Have you ever learned how to talk to supernatural beings at a hangout? If not, then you can learn while watching “Talk to Me.” When a group of teenage friends discover how to summon spirits using an embalmed hand, their future takes a 180-degree turn. Obsessed with their new party game, the group seems to have everything under control until someone goes overboard. Quickly, the line between the living and dead becomes blurred, and haunting forces are unleashed. This discomforting movie is by far one of the best of the decade and it’s great for those who are fans of paranormal activities.
4. “Midsommar” (2019)
If you haven’t already watched this disturbing movie then what are you waiting for? Starring Florence Pugh, a couple travels to Sweden to celebrate the holiday of the summer solstice, Midsummer. Initially, the village the couple stays in is a peaceful haven away from the chaos of the real world, however; the town is revealed to be a cult-like community with unsettling traditions and questionable rituals. Trapped in a country thousands of miles away, the Americans are stuck in a nightmare with no escape. This academy-nominated picture stuns with daunting cinematography and psychologically tolling script writing to leave all viewers covering their eyes with a nearby blanket.
5. “The Call” (2020)
Originating from South Korea, “The Call” is a new era classic. The movie follows two women separated by different time periods but connected through a familiar phone. Seo-yeon moves back into her childhood home when she begins receiving peculiar calls from a woman who claims to be living in the same house, but 20 years in the past. The two begin communicating and simultaneously change both of their timelines. This proves to have definite consequences and Seo-yeon starts to become weary. In a tale of present and past, life and death, this film is filled with plot twists, and an eye-gluing plot is sure to keep all viewers on their toes.
