Hi there! With spooky season upon us, 'tis the time when my wife and I take in some frightful flicks. I didn't see a Halloween movie thread, so I thought this could be an all-purpose place to discuss what terror (or comedy based on scary tropes) is gracing our screens.
Also, I'm looking for some recommendations! This is particularly tricky because we're relatively new parents, and since beginning that journey, my wife has had a really hard time dealing with anything that emphasizes child death, grieving parents, or a parent-child relationship undergoing trauma due to one or both being in severe danger. These elements can be present, but if they're given particular focus, it's not a good time. I've been reading up on holiday-appropriate movies I haven't seen, and it's tricky trying to get an idea of the presence of these things without spoiling myself. I understand this is really murky (and even she doesn't really know what will make her uncomfortable until she sees it), so I don't expect any thorough screening in any recommendations, but maybe it's just something to keep in mind. Idiot teens played by adults are fair game!
Things we have liked (though some of this was before our parental status):
The Babadook (possibly my favorite horror movie, and I know my wife really liked it too. Probably about our upper limit in terms of terror)
Get Out
Us
Poltergeist
Psycho
The Birds
Invasion of the Body Snatchers ('50s version)
Cabin in the Woods
X-Files
Scream
Trick r Treat
Halloween '18
Gremlins
Ghostbusters
Assorted old and new Twilight Zone
Early Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
The MST3K episode Werewolf
The Rifftrax version of Night of the Living Dead
Also, we both consider Jurassic Park our favorite movie of all time, though we've had serious discussions on whether it's acceptable to watch as an October/Halloween movie (the conclusion was, yes, it's allowed as a monster movie, but its setting makes it a much better summer movie, or a post-holidays winter movie to remind you of nicer weather. Basically, it's evergreen, and more seasonal stuff should take priority unless there's a real movie drought).
Popular Halloween things we've seen that one or both of us are not crazy about:
Evil Dead 1-2 (I generally enjoyed them, though there's some thoroughly unpleasant content in there, and I generally enjoy the TV series...she wasn't into the movies and never watched the show. I think my Michigan upbringing and Michigan State alum status compel me to give this franchise more slack than I otherwise would)
Alien (one of my favorite movies ever; she thinks it's okay)
John Carpenter Thing (similar story to Alien)
Jeff Goldblum Fly (I think it hits our limit on grossness, though I'm very impressed with it and like a lot of the movie)
Nightmare before Christmas (I admire what went into it, but I think my exposure to the big-time fans of this movie soured it for me before I ever saw it)
Halloween (I like it; she doesn't)
Abbott & Costello meet Frankenstein (my absolute favorite horror-comedy; she was lukewarm on it)
Nightmare on Elm Street (We both appreciated aspects of this one, but felt they really didn't carry the whole movie well)
Haunting (the first movie): Considering the things we usually like, I really thought this would be a home run for both of us, and I was greatly looking forward to it. But neither of us really got into it, and I don't fully understand why.
Later Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: Why is there so much teen (character and actor) sexy time? Why is there at least one musical number every episode now? We almost finished the third season (is that still the latest one?), but we just couldn't take this show anymore.
We're not fans of jump scares and excessive gore, though neither are dealbreakers. We generally prefer creepy, atmospheric scares, though I always admire a well-designed monster. A mix of tamer and scarier stuff is good. Stuff that employs lots of Halloween/crisp autumn/trick-or-treating atmosphere is good, though obviously (by the list above) not a requirement. Movies or TV (or even one spooky/special episode of an otherwise non-spooky TV show) are all good.
Things we had heard of and may be interested in. Judging by the above, affirmation/warnings on these would be appreciated:
Apparition (I had this written down from a list I had started after Halloween last year, and looking now, I see there are at least 3 released in the 2010s alone? And at a glance, none look good? Why did I list this? Is one of these Apparitions secretly an underappreciated gem?)
Netflix's Haunting of Hill House
Upgrade
Invisible Man 2020
Mars Attacks
The Shining
Spellbound
Thing from Another World
Event Horizon
Also, I'm looking for some recommendations! This is particularly tricky because we're relatively new parents, and since beginning that journey, my wife has had a really hard time dealing with anything that emphasizes child death, grieving parents, or a parent-child relationship undergoing trauma due to one or both being in severe danger. These elements can be present, but if they're given particular focus, it's not a good time. I've been reading up on holiday-appropriate movies I haven't seen, and it's tricky trying to get an idea of the presence of these things without spoiling myself. I understand this is really murky (and even she doesn't really know what will make her uncomfortable until she sees it), so I don't expect any thorough screening in any recommendations, but maybe it's just something to keep in mind. Idiot teens played by adults are fair game!
Things we have liked (though some of this was before our parental status):
The Babadook (possibly my favorite horror movie, and I know my wife really liked it too. Probably about our upper limit in terms of terror)
Get Out
Us
Poltergeist
Psycho
The Birds
Invasion of the Body Snatchers ('50s version)
Cabin in the Woods
X-Files
Scream
Trick r Treat
Halloween '18
Gremlins
Ghostbusters
Assorted old and new Twilight Zone
Early Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
The MST3K episode Werewolf
The Rifftrax version of Night of the Living Dead
Also, we both consider Jurassic Park our favorite movie of all time, though we've had serious discussions on whether it's acceptable to watch as an October/Halloween movie (the conclusion was, yes, it's allowed as a monster movie, but its setting makes it a much better summer movie, or a post-holidays winter movie to remind you of nicer weather. Basically, it's evergreen, and more seasonal stuff should take priority unless there's a real movie drought).
Popular Halloween things we've seen that one or both of us are not crazy about:
Evil Dead 1-2 (I generally enjoyed them, though there's some thoroughly unpleasant content in there, and I generally enjoy the TV series...she wasn't into the movies and never watched the show. I think my Michigan upbringing and Michigan State alum status compel me to give this franchise more slack than I otherwise would)
Alien (one of my favorite movies ever; she thinks it's okay)
John Carpenter Thing (similar story to Alien)
Jeff Goldblum Fly (I think it hits our limit on grossness, though I'm very impressed with it and like a lot of the movie)
Nightmare before Christmas (I admire what went into it, but I think my exposure to the big-time fans of this movie soured it for me before I ever saw it)
Halloween (I like it; she doesn't)
Abbott & Costello meet Frankenstein (my absolute favorite horror-comedy; she was lukewarm on it)
Nightmare on Elm Street (We both appreciated aspects of this one, but felt they really didn't carry the whole movie well)
Haunting (the first movie): Considering the things we usually like, I really thought this would be a home run for both of us, and I was greatly looking forward to it. But neither of us really got into it, and I don't fully understand why.
Later Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: Why is there so much teen (character and actor) sexy time? Why is there at least one musical number every episode now? We almost finished the third season (is that still the latest one?), but we just couldn't take this show anymore.
We're not fans of jump scares and excessive gore, though neither are dealbreakers. We generally prefer creepy, atmospheric scares, though I always admire a well-designed monster. A mix of tamer and scarier stuff is good. Stuff that employs lots of Halloween/crisp autumn/trick-or-treating atmosphere is good, though obviously (by the list above) not a requirement. Movies or TV (or even one spooky/special episode of an otherwise non-spooky TV show) are all good.
Things we had heard of and may be interested in. Judging by the above, affirmation/warnings on these would be appreciated:
Apparition (I had this written down from a list I had started after Halloween last year, and looking now, I see there are at least 3 released in the 2010s alone? And at a glance, none look good? Why did I list this? Is one of these Apparitions secretly an underappreciated gem?)
Netflix's Haunting of Hill House
Upgrade
Invisible Man 2020
Mars Attacks
The Shining
Spellbound
Thing from Another World
Event Horizon