The leaves have turned as yellow as the full moon, as orange as jack-o-lanterns, and as crimson as the technicolor blood on your TV screens. Days have gotten shorter and the nights are growing colder. Halloween has finally arrived! With this month’s emphasis on all manner of horror-adjacent media, you’re probably burned out on the classics. After all, how many times can you watch Halloween or a Friday The 13th film before those scares don’t hit quite as hard?
Welcome to the Underrated and Uncanny: The Hidden Gems of Horror Vol. 3!
Lucky for you, I’m a trash bin of horror knowledge and connoisseur of the macabre. I’ve selected a few of my favorite horror movies people rarely discuss. While these films definitely aren’t the greatest of all time, they are excellent alternatives to your standard spooky fare. Check them out if you dare!
Dead Of Night (1974)
The Brooks family can’t seem to accept the fact their son Andy was recently killed in the war. But oddly enough, on the night they learned of his death, he appears at their door presumably fine. Unfortunately for the family and their quiet American home in their wholesome suburban neighborhood, Andy isn’t who he was before leaving for war. When reports of ghastly murders shake the community, the family must come to terms with who or what Andy has become.
As a slight variation of The Monkey’s Paw and a product of the early 1970s almost guerilla-style film-making, Dead Of Night is extremely effective. Although there’s plenty of visceral horror, the film is at its most unsettling when it explores the nature of what war does to soldiers. And alternatively, it discussed what it means for the families left at home. This particular family is being torn apart all the while trying to hold it together as they got their wish – their son has returned home.
American Gothic (1988)
After the accidental death of her child, a young woman spends time in a psychiatric ward to work through her issues. Upon release, her friends take her on a vacation in the northeast. When their plane engine fails, they must land on what they think is a remote island in the Canadian wilderness. Instead, they find a small family who seems mentally and culturally stuck in the early 1900s. On the surface, American Gothic is set up like a traditional slasher, but a few essential twists elevate it into something more.
While some familiar elements and would-be tropes exist, it’s more of a psychological thriller than anything. It’s not overly gory, as the horror comes from tension. More importantly, I recommend the film because of the surprising amount of unpacking of trauma. Added points to Rod Stieger, Yvonne De Carlo, and Michael J. Pollard for delivering performances that get as close to over-the-top as one can get without stepping over. Think of this film as the genesis of A24.
Fright Night (1985)
Reports of various sex workers turning up missing or dead fill the nightly news. A horror-movie-obsessed teenager suspects his new and mysterious neighbor might be the vampire behind it. He then enlists the help of a reluctant washed-up horror actor. Together, the duo embark on a suburban adventure of unspeakable terror.
While there’s plenty of sardonic humor throughout, Fright Night leans further into the horror side of horror-comedy, especially when it comes to pacing. The film wastes no time developing characters or their backstory. Even so, by the time you reach the third act, you’re legitimately invested in the outcome. One of my favorite aspects of Fright Night is the love it shows for the horror community. The characters constantly spout vampire lore, but it never feels like cliched self-awareness. By blending ’80s aesthetic with Hammer-era tropes, and Hitchcockian storytelling, Fright Night is the perfect amalgamation of what I love about the genre.
The People Under The Stairs (1991)
Desperate to keep his terminally ill mother from being evicted, a 13-year-old boy aids two criminals in breaking into his landlord’s home to steal its rumored horde of gold coins. But what they witness is an escape-proof mansion housing an incestuous neo-conservative couple, a tongue-less kid living in the walls, and a dark secret in the basement.
With nail-biting sequences of tension that are often oddly hilarious, The People Under The Stairs isn’t your traditional horror movie. Beneath the unsettling imagery, sharp writing, and direction from the legendary Wes Craven, the story is far more poignant than most give it credit for. It tackles everything from race, classism, gentrification, right-wing excess, and various social commentaries that hit close to home today. It’s no surprise Jordan Peele lists The People Under The Stairs as one of his favorite horror films.
Dream Home (2010)
Growing up poor in Hong Kong, Cheng Lai-Sheung vows to one day own a lavish apartment overlooking the Victoria Harbour. After a series of medical hardships and financial issues, she realizes that her meager savings aren’t enough to afford her dream home. Her answer – hatching a plan to murder each neighbor in the building in hopes of bringing down the value of the apartment.
Despite the synopsis sounding like a dark comedy, Dream Home is anything but. It’s honestly one of the most insane, cynical, and mean-spirited movies I’ve ever seen. It just goes there when you’re least expecting it! Yet, beyond the grotesque spectacle lies a riveting story about one woman’s dedication to getting a better place to live. I can’t really discuss elements of the film without giving it away, but I assure you, you’ve never seen a film like it!
Alone In The Dark (1982)
A group of homicidal patients escape their asylum during a blackout. They decide to go on a crime spree while also seeking revenge on the doctor who replaced their favorite psychiatrist. Once they reach the doctor’s home, it becomes a marathon of terror as the unsuspecting family tries to survive the night.
As far as home-invasion horror goes, Alone In The Dark doesn’t do much outside of what’s expected. However, the first two acts exploring the characters are extremely entertaining. It’s not every day we see a group of main characters who lack any sense of empathy. While I do like the nice plot twists near the end, for me, it’s worth the price of admission to see Jack Palance and Martin Landau play their roles completely unhinged!
Waxwork (1988)
When a wax museum comes to the upper-class end of town, a group of teenagers are invited to its lavish midnight grand opening. Once inside, guests are enamored by the intricate wax sets featuring a rogues’ gallery of pop culture horror villains. However, the only thing each display is missing is a victim…
Waxwork is very much a product of its time – the 1980s. Even though it dropped nearly a decade before Scream, my favorite element is the self-aware humor. From start to finish, the film is a love letter to every decade and sub-genre of horror. Yes, it’s cheesy, and yes, it’s over-the-top, but it’s supposed to be! Even with its amazing practical effects and tongue-in-cheek story, Waxwork knows it’s a B movie. It’s definitely one to enjoy when you want your horror a little on the comedic side.
The Changeling (1980)
After the tragic death of his wife and daughter, music composer John Russell relocates to a secluded mansion in Seattle. Is it for a change of scenery or to aid in the grieving process? Russell himself isn’t even sure. Soon after settling in, he realizes the house is harboring its own dark past, and he isn’t alone.
Capitalizing on the elevated horror movement launched by The Exorcist and The Omen, The Changeling takes a slightly different approach. The horror here is rarely seen but instead felt throughout various experiences. As tension slowly builds and bubbles over into the third act, the viewer is just as exhausted as the character. While not as visually scary as its counterparts, The Changeling more than makes up for it with atmosphere and pacing.
The Hitcher (1986)
While transporting a car from Chicago to San Diego, Jim Halsey (C. Thomas Howell) picks up a hitchhiker (Rutger Hauer) to stay awake. Halsey gets more than he bargained for when it’s revealed his charismatic passenger is a motiveless serial killer named John Ryder. From the destitute highways of Texas, small towns, or truckstops, Halsey finds himself in a relentless game of cat-and-mouse, as Ryder makes his life a living hell.
Intense from start to finish, The Hitcher is the rare exception where less is more. The film delivers many elements made famous by the slasher genre, but it never lets gore stand in the way of tension. Instead, we get constant build-up, be it suspense, action, or even a fair amount of unspoken nuance between the main characters. The Hitcher never spells out any plot elements or holds your hand through character motivations, and that makes the film more visceral and cynical. This isn’t an upbeat journey of highway adventure. No, it’s a dark, ugly cautionary tale on why we should never talk to strangers.
For more horror debauchery, please check out previous volumes here or Bearded Gentlemen’s horror section by clicking here.