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Over the past few Octobers, I have developed a tradition of watching a horror movie for every day of the month. Though tedious, I was raised to love the genre. My dad decorated the house with framed posters of “28 Days Later,” “Jaws,” and various other horror movies that I would grow to appreciate. 

While “The Shining,” “The Thing” and “Alien” are usually what I credit as my favorite horror movies, there is little else I could say about any of them. Instead, I highlighted some films I wished received more attention.

An American Werewolf in London” (1981)

“An American Werewolf in London” retells the classic story of the Wolfman through a young American man backpacking across Europe when attacked and transformed into a werewolf. It grapples with his horror at the tragedies caused by his claws while still maintaining a campy edge. 

The gore is over the top and plentiful but the characters are sincere and loveable. It moves fast, with a runtime of just over 90 minutes perfectly balancing humor and horror. I recommend it if you liked the monster-based comedy in “What We Do in the Shadows” but wanted something a little more intense. 

Black Christmas” (1974)

While “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” often gets credited as originating the slasher subgenre, “Black Christmas” predates it. It follows a group of sorority sisters who are harassed and slowly killed by a deranged stalker right before winter break. While the synopsis may seem shallow, the film is anything but. 

As opposed to most slashers, the characters are intelligent and three-dimensional. The film creates an eerie atmosphere juxtaposing the happiest time of the year with the prominent and relentless fear. It is filled with ominous scenes that build a quiet terror, the creeping feeling that leaves you searching the shot for something out of place but dreading to find it. 

If you like the whodunnit aspect of “Scream” but missed the chilling tensity of classic slashers like “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Halloween,” this film is for you.

Funny Games” (1997)

Home intruder horror generally unnerves me, but “Funny Games” took it to a new level. It follows a sophisticated family vacationing in their rural, coastal German home until two men break in and terrorize the family. It taints what is supposed to be comforting, bringing terror to the one place where you are guaranteed control and safety.

Yet “Funny Games” is understated. The film is not gory; in fact, it makes a point to avoid showing violence. Instead, the horror lies in the general fear of the intruders. The lasting wide shots in the film cultivate a terror that very few films are able to match. The film draws on its own story to increase your heart rate instead of cheap scares that leave you as fast as they came. 

It stays with you long after the credits roll, inflicting a similar level of discomfort and unease as “The Strangers” but holds back on the violence shown.

Dawn of the Dead” (1978)

“Dawn of the Dead” is not a sequel, yet it is set in the same series as “Night of the Living Dead.” Following a zombie outbreak, two S.W.A.T. officers and two radio station employees seek refuge in an abandoned mall. In a world rampant with overconsumption, the shells of people flock to the only place they remember, a shopping complex. 

The film moves well, with the first half set up more akin to an adventure while the second act follows a more typical horror movie. It allows “Dawn of the Dead” to never feel stale. It is constantly introducing a new angle to keep the film maintaining a high-stakes momentum while simultaneously achieving meaningful political commentary. 

If you want to find the roots of “The Evil Dead” or “Zombieland,” they both trace back to “Dawn of the Dead.”

Re-Animator” (1985)

Finally, “Re-Animator” is an adaptation of an H.P. Lovecraft short story about a scientist who performs experiments that bring his subjects back from the dead. As opposed to most zombie movies, the undead in “Re-Animator” are coherent and intelligent. They remember who they were and while considerably more aggravated and violent, they remain eerily human.

It is a unique take on such a classic monster, blending the gothic horror of a mad scientist with the more modern, apocalyptic horror of the undead. Most of the film is played with awareness, the practical effects are over the top while many characters are played subtly. They are placed in horrifying and absurd situations but the tone is nonchalant.

If you like the humor of “The Addams Family” and “Shaun of the Dead,” or want a more twisted take on “Frankenstein,” I recommend “Re-Animator.”

I believe that horror generally receives a bad reputation, mainly due to cheap scares and thin plots. So, I value it when a movie can surpass the stereotypes that bog the genre down. If you are looking to celebrate Halloween but want something a little outside the box, hopefully, you can find some gems without spending 31 days digging. 

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