31 days of horror 2020

October is my favorite month of the year. Having relocated to Salem, Massachusetts in 2019 with my wife and cat, there’s almost always a rotting pumpkin on someone’s stoop to remind us that Halloween isn’t just a holiday for some Salem residents, it’s a way of life.

So here are 31 horror movies for the month of October lovingly picked by yours truly. I tried to stay a little off the beaten path to recommend movies that you might not have heard of, but if you’re a rabid horror fan some of these might be old hat. And some of these are arguably not horror movies, but rather horror “adjacent.”

Hopefully, there’s something for everyone. I have a soft spot for 1970s and 1980s horror, so there’s a fair amount of old school trash mixed in with the occasional classic. Enjoy and stay scared!

October 1

The Hitcher (1986) Dir: Robert Harmon. Starring: Rutger Hauer, C. Thomas Howell, Jennifer Jason Leigh

Rutger Hauer delivers one of his creepiest performances in this 1980s road movie classic about a young man taunted by a serial killer. This film is so utterly unnerving and it never lets up until the very end.

october 2

The Innocents (1961) Dir: Jack Clayton. Screenplay: Truman Capote, William Archibald, John Mortimer. Starring: Deborah Kerr, Michael Redgrave, and Megs Jenkins. 

Based on the 1898 novella The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, this is one of Martin Scorsese’s favorite horror films. There’s a reason Scorsese and David Lynch later employed cinematographer Freddie Frances for their own work. A truly haunting and gorgeous ghost story.

Weirdly it’s not available to stream, but send me a message. I might just have a copy.

october 3

Carnival of Souls (1962) Dir: Herk Harvey. Starring: Candace Hilligoss

Roger Ebert described this one as a "lost episode of The Twilight Zone." Creepy, weird, atmospheric and a favorite of David Lynch and George A. Romero. The only feature ever directed by Herk Harvey and well worth a watch.

october 4

The Hallow (2015) Dir: Corin Hardy. Starring: Joseph Mawle, Bojana Novakovic, Michael McElhatton, Michael Smiley

This British-Irish co-production is a fun, practical effects-filled delight that borrows DNA from Alien and The Thing, but with a more personal storyline derived from the legend of the changeling. 

october 5

Ganja & Hess (1973) Dir: Bill Gunn. Starring: Marlene Clark and Duane Jones.

A truly unique take on the vampire legend starring the great Duane Jones (Night of the Living Dead) as the titular Hess. Spike Lee remade it as Da Sweet Blood of Jesus in 2015, but the original is still my favorite and a landmark of African-American horror. 

october 6

The Night of the Hunter (1955) Dir: Charles Laughton. Starring: Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish

Not exactly a horror film, but Robert Mitchum’s terrifying performance as the self-appointed Reverend Harry Powell might be one of cinema’s all time greats. 

october 7

Night of the Creeps (1986) Dir: Fred Dekker. Starring: Jason Lively, Tom Atkins

This tribute to 1950s schlock horror has tons of practical effects and gore and is just fun and gross if you’re simply looking for something to entertain you for 90 minutes. 

october 8

The Changeling (1980). Dir: Peter Medak. Starring: George C. Scott

One of my all time favorite ghost stories starring the great George C. Scott as a composer who moves into a haunted Victorian mansion. Certainly not a hidden gem of the horror genre, but often overshadowed. 

october 9

Hausu (1977). Dir: Nobuhiko Obayashi. Starring: Kimiko Ikegami, Yōko Minamida

There is almost no way to describe this film except that one of the main characters is eaten by a piano. Equally hilarious and shocking, director Obayashi was supposed to make something like Jaws, but instead consulted with his pre-teen daughter to come up with a film so nonsensical it might just be brilliant. 

october 10

The American Scream (2012). Dir: Michael Stephenson. Starring: Victor Bariteau, Matthew Brodeur, Richard Brodeur

The only documentary on this list, The American Scream follows “home haunters” in Fairhaven, Massachusetts as they obsessively prepare elaborate haunted houses before Halloween. Very sweet and entertaining if you’re in the mood for something lighthearted. 

october 11

Slither (2006). Dir: James Gunn. Starring: Nathan Fillion, Elizabeth Banks, Michael Rooker

I’m not a huge fan of the horror-comedy genre, but this one is completely out of control and so utterly disgusting. Director James Gunn later went on to direct The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.1 & 2, but I think this might be his masterpiece. Prepare to laugh and possibly barf. 

october 12

The Slumber Party Massacre (1982). Dir: Amy Holden Jones. Starring: Michele Michaels, Robin Stille

A great subversion to the slasher genre directed with razor sharp wit by Amy Holden Jones with a brilliant synth score composed by her brother Ralph Jones. A trademark of the slasher is often its misogyny, but Holden Jones flips the script here by leaning hard into the tropes with an unmasked killer praying upon teenagers using an oversized drill. Metaphor? 

october 13

Black Christmas (1974). Dir: Bob Clark. Starring: Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder, John Saxon

Black Christmas was almost certainly an influence for John Carpenter’s Halloween, predating it by about four years, and is an absolutely terrifying early entry into the slasher genre from director Bob Clark. The characters are likable and smart, which is a rare thing for slashers. 

october 14

The Blob (1988). Dir: Chuck Russell. Starring: Kevin Dillon, Shawnee Smith, Donovan Leitch, Candy Clark, Joe Seneca

A remake of the original Steve McQueen B-movie from 1958, this is another practical effects extravaganza that reminds us that the 1980s were the high water mark for special effects in horror.  

october 15

It’s Alive (1974). Dir: Larry Cohen. Starring: John P. Ryan, Sharon Farrell

The first of two Larry Cohen entries on this list, It’s Alive boasts a nerve inducing score by Hitchcock’s legendary composer Bernard Hermann (Psycho, North By Northwest, Vertigo) and some excellent performances by John P. Ryan and Sharon Farrell. Despite its low budget, Cohen knows how to hide his creature in the shadows and uses clever editing and sound design to sufficiently creep us out. 

october 16

Deathdream, or Dead of Night (1974). Dir: Bob Clark. Written by: Alan Ormsby. Starring: Richard Backus, John Marley, Lynn Carlin

The second Bob Clark entry on this list is a modern update on the short story “The Monkey’s Paw” and draws parallels to Vietnam veterans returning home traumatized by the war. This one has plenty of campy horror, but also proves that true horror can hold a mirror up to society.

october 17

Fade To Black (1980). Dir: Vernon Zimmerman. Starring: Dennis Christopher, Tim Thomerson, Gwynne Gilford, Mickey Rourke

An early entry into meta horror, Fade To Black depicts the downward spiral of a movie-obsessed loner who kills people based on famous scenes from movies. Most certainly an influence on Kevin Williamson’s own meta horror script for Scream. 

october 18

Martin (1977). Dir: George A. Romero. Starring: John Amplas, Elyane Nadeau, Tom Savini

An absolute classic from maestro George A. Romero. Martin isn’t quite a vampire film in the traditional sense, but rather a reflection on the monsters we create to explain the darkness of humanity. This was Romero’s favorite of all his films and I just love it so damn much. 

It’s only available on Youtube, but it’s free. I have a clean copy I can send if you’re looking!

october 19

Popcorn (1991). Dir: Mark Herrier & Alan Ormsby (uncredited). Starring: Jill Schoelen, Tom Villard, Dee Wallace

Another meta horror slasher that plays as a love letter to the B-movie horror films of the 1950s. Tom Villard was the original Jim Carey and his performance in Popcorn is spectacularly off the rails. A lost classic and must see for horror movie lovers. 

Not readily available anywhere except on DVD. I might have a digital copy I can send, so message me.

october 20

Eyes Without a Face (1960). Dir: Georges Franju. Starring: Georges Franju, Jean Redon

Not just a single from Billy Idol’s 1983 album "Rebel Yell,” this French horror film about a murderous scientist hellbent on reconstructing his daughter’s disfigured face is a black and white nightmare. Should be essential viewing for any fan of horror cinema. 

october 21

Night of the Comet (1984). Dir: Thom Eberhardt. Starring: Catherine Mary Stewart, Kelli Maroney

Utter trash with cosmic zombies and a fun apocalyptic scenario. Turn off your brain and enjoy!

october 22

Whatever Happened To Baby Jane? (1962). Dir: Robert Aldrich. Starring: Bette Davis, Joan Crawford

Bette Davis and Joan Crawford’s rivalry in Hollywood was legendary. It is on full display here in this bizarre psychological horror film about an aging former actress (Davis) who holds her paraplegic ex-movie star sister (Crawford) captive in an old Hollywood mansion.

october 23

Possession (1981). Dir: Andrzej Żuławski. Dir: Isabelle Adjani, Sam Neill

Almost indescribable, Possession features one of the most disturbing performances ever committed to celluloid by the incredible Isabelle Adjani. The creature effects were designed by the legendary Carlo Rambaldi who designed E.T. , which alone should be reason enough to watch. 

Sadly, you can only find this on DVD, but I might have a very nice digital version for sharing, so go ahead and message me if interested.

october 24

Night of the Living Dead (1990). Dir: Tom Savini. Starring: Tony Todd, Patricia Tallman

Blasphemy! Why would they ever remake a classic? This one was actually written and produced by George A. Romero with the intention of reacquiring the rights he lost from a copyright mishap with the original Night of the Living Dead. Confident directing on the part of first time director and legendary make-up artist Tom Savini also makes for a worthwhile watch. 

october 25

Cure (1997). Dir: Kiyoshi Kurosawa. Starring: Kōji Yakusho, Tsuyoshi Ujiki

Nihilistic and brutal, Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Cure features a serial killer who uses mind control to command his victims to kill. A brilliant and disturbing early entry into the J-Horror phenomenon that swept the late 90s and early 2000s. 

Sadly, not easily available except on the Criterion App, but message me. I might know someone who has a digital copy somewhere.

october 26

Super Dark Times (2017). Dir: Kevin Phillips. Starring: Owen Campbell, Charlie Tahan

Murderous teenagers are always scary, but this one feels authentic to its 90s suburban setting thanks to some great performances by Owen Campbell and Charlie Tahan. Super Dark Times would play great as a double-feature alongside River’s Edge (1986).

october 27

Lake Mungo (2008). Dir: Joel Anderson. Starring: Talia Zucker

I saw this film not knowing anything about it and you should too. A genuinely terrifying ghost story with extremely realistic performances that enhances the documentary feel. 

october 28

The Stuff (1985). Dir: Larry Cohen. Starring: Michael Moriarty, Garrett Morris, Paul Sorvino

Another Larry Cohen gem. The Stuff is more than just a nod to 1950s monster movies, it’s also a hilarious critique on the rampant consumerism of the 1980s.  Would make for an excellent double-feature with John Carpenter’s They Live. 

october 29

Class of 1984 (1982). Dir: Mark L. Lester. Starring: Perry King, Merrie Lynn Ross, Timothy Van Patten, Lisa Langlois, Stefan Arngrim, Michael Fox, Roddy McDowall

With echoes of A Clockwork Orange and Straw Dogs, this boomer revenge fantasy about a mild mannered high school music teacher terrorized by a gang of teenage misfits is not for the faint of heart.  

october 30

Let’s Scare Jessica To Death (1971). Dir: John D. Hancock. Starring: Zohra Lampert, Barton Heyman, Kevin O'Connor, Gretchen Corbett, Mariclare Costello

A truly haunting film that relies more on mood and atmosphere than a straightforward narrative and happens to have one of the all time greatest titles. Best to go into this one not knowing much about it. 

october 31

Shockwaves (1977). Dir: Ken Wiederhorn, Starring: Peter Cushing, Brooke Adams

Aquatic Nazi zombies and Peter Cushing. Need I say more?