From witch gore to mind-messing psycho-thrillers, here are Koktail’s picks of films to watch on Halloween month

It’s a weird world we live in that regards Halloween as highly as Christmas. In fact, many of us extend the celebrations throughout the month, indulging in spooky, gory food, decor and, of course, films. If you’re looking for some newer Halloween-themed films to binge in October, we’ve compiled a list of some of the creepiest, demented films from recent years for your Hallow’s Eve entertainment. Dim the lights and let the unsettling begin. 

1/10 Suspiria (2018)

A remake of the 1977 film by Dario Argento, Suspiria centres around a young American woman who enrolls at a prestigious dance academy in Berlin. When she rises to the role of lead dancer, the woman she replaces breaks down and accuses the female directors of witchcraft. Meanwhile, a psychotherapist and member of the crew uncover dark and sinister secrets of the academy. One of the reddest movies ever made, we recommend Suspiria to those who live for witch horrors.

2/10 The Perfection (2018)

The Perfection is a twisty horror-thriller following a troubled musical prodigy, Charlotte. As she returns to an elite music school, she finds out that another star pupil, Lizzie, has taken her place. Both of them embark down a dark and dire path towards perfection.

3/10 The Lighthouse (2019)

Directed and produced by Robert Eggers, the entire film is shot in black and white with a Movietone ratio, adding to the script’s eeriness. Set on a remote island, The Lighthouse follows two lighthouse keepers, played by Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe, who begin to cascade into madness when a storm strands.

4/10 Us (2019)

From comedian Jordan Peele comes yet another thrilling psychological horror. A family’s beach vacation turns sinister when they are attacked by mysterious figures dressed in red, only to realize that the intruders look a lot like themselves.

5/10 Ready or Not (2019)

A comedy horror, Ready or Not, explores the experience of a young bride who joins her new husband’s rich and bizarre family. As events unfold it seems that something more evil and bloody than eccentricity is at hand.

6/10 Run (2020)

Starring two lead actresses Sarah Paulson and Kiera Allen, Run is a suspenseful psychological thriller about a disabled, homeschooled teenager who is kept in isolation her entire life. Beginning to suspect her mother’s dishonesty, she decides to find out the truth.

7/10 His House (2020)

His House is a terrifying look at the refugee experience. A couple flees with their daughter from war-torn Sudan, only to lose their daughter on the other end of the stormy escape. As the couple struggle to adjust to their life in the outskirts of London, they begin to experience evil forces within the shabby house they have been given.

8/10 A Quiet Place Part II (2020)

A sequel to 2018’s A Quiet Place, the Abott family continues their fight for survival in silence after the loss of two members. While Evelyn Abott and her three remaining children settle in a temporary safehouse, a tune on the radio hints to a community free from the extraterrestrial creatures that hunt by sound and threaten their lives.

9/10 Blood Red Sky (2021)

An offbeat vampire story, Blood Red Sky is a German-British action horror film set in a plane hijacked by terrorists. With her back up against the wall, a mysteriously ill woman must expose a gruesome secret to protect her young son. 

10/10 The Girl Who Got Away (2021)

The Girl Who Got Away follows a female serial killer sent to prison for the abduction and murder of four young girls she pretended were her own. Twenty years later, the killer is on the hunt again for the fifth victim—the one that got away.

Extra Shot: American Horror Story: Double Feature, Season 10 (2021)

Double Feature is the tenth season of FX’s American Horror Story. The show is divided into two parts: “Red Tide”, taking place by the sea and “Death Valley”, taking place by the sand. The first half follows Harry, a struggling writer, with his pregnant wife and their daughter. The family move into Provincetown, a small seaside town, to gain inspiration. Harry soon finds himself in blood-sucking chaos, in exchange for a mysterious pill that levels up his writing. The second half introduces the presence of historical figures, including former presidents and major celebrities. Switching to contemporary times, a group of college students dive experience paranormal activities while glamping that results in each of their multiple and rapid pregnancies.