"Jennifer's Body" (2009), a cult classic starring lead actresses Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried, has garnered a growing fanbase since its release. Photo courtesy of Nicki Dugan Pogue via Flickr.
N. Cieprisz ’26
Staff Writer
Fall is upon us, and at Mount Holyoke it’s easy to tell due to the beautiful foliage, an increase in Doc Martens worn around campus and whispers of spooky season in the air. Halloween isn’t that far off, and if you’re looking for a way to get into the spirit of the season, here are some horror movie recommendations to guide you.
If you’re looking for…
A classic:
‘Scream’ (1996)
Some may argue with this “classic” designation, as “Scream” is only 26 years old. Yet, the film is a must-watch for anyone interested in horror. Parodying the classic slashers of the 1970s and 1980s such as “Halloween” (1978), “Friday the 13th” (1980) and “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984), seasoned horror director Wes Craven’s “Scream” is perfect for veteran horror fans and newbies alike with its tongue-in-cheek references to other classics and the genre’s typical tropes, such as the killing off of those who engage in illicit activities. The film follows a group of teenagers as they investigate a string of murders committed by a masked killer in their small town, and the plot twist will have you “Scream”-ing. Despite the film not taking itself too seriously — it’s satire, after all — it is still an incredibly detailed critique of horror movies. Its characters highlight or subvert common horror tropes, with Neve Campbell’s incredible performance as the “final girl,” the last person, usually a woman, to confront the killer, and Courteney Cox’s portrayal of the nosy reporter playing up classic character types. The film and the numerous sequels it has spawned are incredibly bingeable and perfect for a Halloween-themed movie night this season.
Something lighthearted and fun:
‘The Lost Boys’ (1987)
If you missed the film society’s recent screening of this campy horror-comedy, watch “The Lost Boys” for a good laugh. When teenagers Michael and Sam move with their single mother to their grandfather’s house in Santa Carla, dubbed “the murder capital of the world” in the film, Michael begins to spend time with a strange biker gang and soon finds himself averse to sunlight and hungry for blood. Together, the brothers, along with some friends from the local comic book store, must find and kill the head vampire before it is too late. The movie is quintessentially ’80s, with an abundance of leather jackets, mullets galore and a post-punk soundtrack. The vampire-killing scenes themselves — which feature a water gun filled with holy water — are deeply entertaining.
‘The Evil Dead’ (1981) and “Evil Dead II” (1987)
These two movies work together to tell the story of Ash and his bizarre encounters with the “Necronomicon Ex-Mortis,” a book that, when read aloud, has the power to summon demons who possess anyone in the vicinity. “The Evil Dead” stands out for its impressive special effects and the intriguing gender politics of the rare “final boy” in horror, while “Evil Dead II” ventures further into comedic territory with its outlandish CGI. Both provide the perfect ratio of creepiness to comedy for this spooky season.
Something more serious or psychological:
‘Fresh’ (2022)
While definitely on the more psychological side of horror, “Fresh” pairs the macabre with black comedy in a story that is both a deeply satisfying satire of the modern dating scene and a commentary on the exploitation of women’s bodies. Although these themes are not necessarily new, “Fresh” puts a creative spin on them from a horror perspective. Fed up with online dating, Noa meets someone who seems to be the perfect guy — until she learns his dark secret. All of the details, from the set dressing to the music to the dialogue, work together to set the stage in a way that feels both realistic and horrifying.
‘Rosemary’s Baby’ (1968)
“Rosemary’s Baby” feels especially timely given the current state of affairs — the #MeToo movement and the fall of Roe v. Wade. It tells the story of a pregnant woman who becomes convinced that her husband, their new neighbors, her doctor and all their friends are secretly a coven of witches after her baby. While the accusations may seem unrealistic, the movie poses very real questions about bodily autonomy and how we react to victims of gender-based violence, all while maintaining a deeply unsettling and creepy tone.
A high school horror flick that actually passes the Bechdel test:
‘Jennifer’s Body’ (2009)
While the film was a box office failure, likely due to its marketing to teenage boys much more interested in seeing lead actress Megan Fox naked than enjoying the movie’s social commentary, a recent “Jennifer’s Body” renaissance has elevated the film to cult classic status. The titular character Jennifer falls victim to a botched human sacrifice that leaves her with the need to feast on human flesh. Jennifer uses this new power to lure teenage boys to their deaths in an attempt to satiate her hunger and regain her autonomy. Her fraught relationships with these boys are contrasted with the deeply homoerotic relationship she maintains with her best friend Anita “Needy” Lesnicki (Amanda Seyfried), leading to a surprisingly touching reckoning at the movie’s end. 13 years after its release, the film is finally being recognized for its innovative pairing of horror and feminism.
‘Ginger Snaps’ (2000)
“Ginger Snaps” takes advantage of the under-utilized parallels between lycanthropy and menstruation. When high school outcast Ginger Fitzgerald is bitten by a werewolf the night of her first period, she ignores her sister Brigitte’s warnings and simply writes off the extra body hair and mood swings as a part of puberty. But when she discovers a deep hunger satisfied only by carnage, it becomes clear that Ginger is no ordinary girl. The interplay between masculinity and femininity in the monstrous puberty she undergoes makes the film deeply relatable to a queer audience as well as anyone who has felt out of place in their own body.
‘The Craft’ (1996)
“The Craft” focuses on three teenage witches at a Catholic school who, when joined by a more powerful fourth witch, begin to exact their revenge on those who have wronged them. Anyone who has ever wanted to cast a spell to make racists go bald or torture rumor-spreading ex-boyfriends can connect with this movie. By the end of the movie, the theme of empowerment takes a backseat to the larger theme that too much power is harmful. While the mixed messaging is admittedly disappointing, the movie’s characters and visually appealing aesthetic make it worth watching.
An extra-spooky house:
‘The Conjuring’ (2013)
For a haunted house movie with all the classics — satanism, witchcraft, curses, demons — look no further than director James Wan’s “The Conjuring.” Following the formula of other successful haunted house movies such as “The Amityville Horror” franchise and Wan’s own “Insidious” (2010), “The Conjuring” begins with a family moving into a new house that seems increasingly strange. After they call in noted demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren, the house’s grim history is revealed as the paranormal phenomena begin to intensify.