Actually Scary Books and Films for Halloween
Photo by Raquel Reyes.
I like to think of myself as a ‘wimpy horror fan’. I’m the kind of person that enjoys horror but only after I’ve read the Wikipedia synopsis, checked out reviews online, and turned the lights firmly on. Even after all of this I usually regret my film or book choices once the house is dark and the floors start creaking. But this doesn’t stop me and I plough happily through horror regardless of how irritated my sleep-attempting self is going to be.
Last year, Olivia brought you a list of Understatedly Spooky Films and Miniseries, and Books for those that love Halloween but are a little fainthearted when it comes to the actual scary elements of the season. This year, I’m going to bring you some films and books that really might scare you, or at least creep you out. I’ve sorted my recommendations into three categories so you can err on the side of eerie, go for something scary, or simply dive into the downright terrifying. Compliments of the spooky season to you all!
NOTE: Many of these films and novels contain sometimes graphic depictions of death, gore, self-harm, and physical and/or mental abuse. We recommend that you use doesthedogdie.com to research potentially distressing content.
Anya Taylor-Joy as Thomasin in The VVitch (2015).
EERIE
“Once upon a midnight dreary”
We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Shirley Jackson
Undoubtedly her best novel, Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a great, creepy read for Halloween. Featuring mass murder, fractious families, sinister children, and crumbling houses, it has a little bit of everything without ever really getting too spooky. There’s also a recent film adaptation if you’re more in the mood for a creepy movie night.
Gaslight (1940)
Originally a play, this film actually originated the term ‘gaslighting’ (sinister enough). Bella Mallen and her new husband, Paul, have recently moved in to a house where a woman was murdered for her jewels. After the move, Bella starts to misplace small objects and her husband slowly convinces her that she is losing her mind. As the film progresses, Bella continues to doubt her sanity, and Paul exercises his control over her and the house.
The VVitch (2015)
This is an excellent film that you’ve definitely heard of but I’m going to recommend it anyway. It’s 1630 and Thomasin is the oldest daughter of a family of New England settlers. Things go awry when the baby of the family disappears on Thomasin’s watch, leading her family to believe that she might be a witch.
The Hunger, Alma Katsu
Another eerie historical American story. This one is based on the misfortunes of the Donner Party, a wagon of pioneers. Misfortune hits the travellers in the treacherous mountain conditions and they begin to turn against each other as they start to disappear one by one.
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, Patrick Süskind
Set in eighteenth-century Paris this book follows a master perfumer with an absolute sense of smell. It’s haunting, a delightfully creepy read, and one of my favourite books of all time.
Maika Monroe as Jaimie (Jay) Height in It Follows (2014)
SCARY
“I think we are now in rat’s alley
Where the dead men lost their bones”
It Follows (2014)
This is an excellent horror film that follows (ha!) high school student, Jay, who is being pursued by an entity that only she can see. It’s truly scary and will have you looking over your shoulder for a good couple of days.
The Babadook (2014)
If you haven’t already seen it, this is really an exploration of grief wrapped up in a brilliant horror film. Widow, Amelia Vanek, is attempting to raise her son who behaves erratically and is convinced of the existence of a monster that only he can see. Amelia slowly becomes aware of this monster, The Babadook, and events take a horrifying turn. If you’re not at least a little scared of the dark after this film then I’ll be impressed.
Sharp Objects, Gillian Flynn
As much as I love the Amy Adams miniseries adaptation, nothing quite beats the chilling tone of the book. It’s more sinister than Gone Girl and is a fascinating exploration of family, small towns, and (of course) murder. If you enjoy We Have Always Lived in the Castle and want to amp it up a notch, then I can’t recommend this novel enough.
Belén Rueda as Laura in El Orfanto (The Orphanage) (2007)
TERRIFYING
“Something wicked this way comes”
Pet Sematary, Stephen King
I think this is Stephen King’s best horror novel and it’s certainly classic horror. It’s easy enough to read and not mind-numbingly long (unlike some of his other famous works). Even better, this one keeps the scary ball rolling and never takes its foot off the pedal. A great place to start with King or if you want to give yourself a fright.
Hereditary (2017)
Ari Aster, screenwriter and director of both this film and Midsommar (2019), is clearly a master of truly unhinged horror. This film gets on the list because it’s the more haunting of his two films. Another great exploration of family within the horror genre, I can’t recommend this enough to people that want true horror this Halloween.
The Blair Witch Project (1990)
Another classic of the genre here but this is truly a terrifying film. Ground-breaking at its time and still just as impressive in its immersive techniques now, this film is perfect for its mix of psychological and supernatural horror. Turn the lights off, if you dare.
El Orfanato (The Orphanage) (2007)
A Spanish film that is quite honestly bone-chilling. Director J.A. Bayona takes the ‘creepy child’ trope of so many horror films and spins it into horror gold. Definitely not for the faint-hearted but perfect for a really spooky film close to Halloween.
Photo by Raquel Reyes.
Eliza Campbell is Culture Editor at the Attic on Eighth. When she’s not reading, writing, or in a rehearsal room she loves to sit in galleries, libraries, and coffee shops listening to period drama soundtracks and watching the world go by.
Annie Jo Baker explores the comfort found in the gentle monsters of our culture, with the works of Maurice Sendak, Charles Addams, Guillermo del Toro, Neil Gaiman, and more.