Good Horror Movies

Good horror movies provide thrills, chills, and heaping helpings of blood and gore. The next time you’re looking for a scary film to pass the time, why not give one of the following selections a try? From killer puppets to James Woods in his 50th slimeball role, there’s something here for everybody.

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Darkness Falls (2003) – Here’s a simple lesson for you: If a couple of local kids go missing, don’t immediately murder the creepy old masked lady who’s sensitive to light. When the errant kids return, you’ll feel like a real jerk, plus it’ll guarantee that Matilda Dixon (the aforementioned old lady) will return from the dead to gain her revenge. That’s how the movie kicks off, and it’s a fight for survival between the murderous spirit of Matilda and a band of teens. If you’re partial to films where something is always lurking in the shadows, Darkness Falls is worth a look.

Splinter (2008) – Nominated for both a Saturn and Scream award, Splinter tells the story of a couple who get kidnapped by an escaped con and his junkie girlfriend. After their vehicle blows a tire, the group winds up at a desolate gas station, unaware that the attendant was recently killed by an animal infected by some sort of blackened parasite. Before long, the station is under siege, and the mismatched cast of characters must learn to work together in order to survive.

Session 9 (2001) – Before he was dramatically donning his sunglasses on CSI: Miami, David Caruso starred in this atmospheric horror flick directed by Brad Anderson. An asbestos removal company wins a contract to work on an abandoned mental hospital, and it‘s obvious that things won‘t end well for them. As one worker becomes obsessed with the taped interviews of a former patient (labeled Sessions 1 – 9), another disappears into the darkened corridors of the asylum. The tension builds throughout, until the shocking identity of the killer is finally revealed.

Puppet Master (1989) – There have been ten Puppet Master films, and this is the one that got it all started. Four psychics go to investigate the apparent suicide of a colleague, and they end being stalked by a gang of living puppets with names like Pinhead, Jester, Blade, Tunneler, and Leech Woman. Crazy as hell, but the killer puppet angle seemed to be a hit with audiences.

Videodrome (1983) – David Cronenberg cements his status as Canada’s most twisted director by helming this film starring James Woods and Debbie Harry (former lead singer for Blondie). Woods plays Max Renn, the president of a sleazy television station who’s always looking for a way to shock the senses of his viewing audience. This leads to his discovery of “Videodrome,” a program dedicated to the torture and murder of random participants. But as he investigates further, Renn discovers strange cults and political movements based around television viewing, as well as a shadowy plot to kill off all undesirable Americans. Softcore porn, intestines bursting from TV sets, and Debbie Harry in her prime all add up to one of the best horror flicks from the early ‘80s.

May (2002) – A lonely girl with a lazy eye, May (Angela Bettis) tries to makes friends and experience love, but nothing seems to work out. Her only true friend is Suzy, a doll encased in glass. Then May decides to make another doll, this time using the body parts of those close to her. The venerable Roger Ebert gave this little gem a perfect rating of four stars. Also starring Anna Faris, Jeremy Sisto and Nichole Hiltz.

Identity (2003) – An emergency meeting is held to decide whether the psychotic Malcolm Rivers (Pruitt Taylor Vince) will be executed or receive additional treatment. Meanwhile, an odd assortment of people get stranded at a motel during a flash flood, and dead bodies soon start piling up. The two plotlines are connected, but the relation isn’t revealed until the film’s final act. Identity’s cast is it’s most impressive offering, with John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet, Alfred Molina, Clea Duvall, Jake Busey, John C. McGinley, and Rebecca De Mornay all taking part.

Frontier(s) (2008) – Another nightmarish French horror film filled with suffering, gore, and mistreated women. Hooray! In Frontier(s), a gang of crooks hide from police after a robbery goes sour. Unfortunately, they make the mistake of getting lodging at an establishment run of neo-Nazis, and it’s all downhill from there. If you liked movies such as Sheitan, High Tension, and Inside, then Frontier(s) should be a match made in heaven.

Dead Air (2009) – Bill Moseley plays Logan Burnhardt, a late-night radio host, while horror vet Patricia Tallman appears as his producer and former lover, Lucy. As their number-one show goes on the air, calls start coming in about an attack and subsequent riot at a downtown sports arena. Soon, similar incidents are occurring all across the country, and it’s learned that a biological agent has been released into the air. Before long, people are bleeding from their eyes and trying to rip each other to pieces. Burnhardt decides to stay on the air and offer listeners a sane voice amidst the chaos, but he’ll have to deal with rampaging infected and the gun-toting terrorist responsible for the attacks. Moseley’s best when he’s going on a rant, and Tallman looks better than any 52-year-old could be expected to.

Severance (2006) – Mixing horror with comedy, Severance falls into the good horror movies category for all those who enjoy seeing corporate types lost in the woods and stalked by deranged Russian war criminals. A number of UK personalities make appearances, including Danny Dyer, Tim McInnerny, Toby Stephens, and Claudie Blakley.

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So the next time you’re asked to recommend some good horror movies, you‘ll be able to rattle off the above list without hesitation. And just in case you’re interested in even more good horror movies, here are a few articles to take a look at.

• 25 Good Horror Movies for Halloween
• 1995 Horror Films – Best Horror Films of 1995
• 13 Best Holiday Horror Movies
• Good Puppet Movies
• Best Vampire Movies – Good Vampire Movies
• Good PG-13 Horror Movies

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