As Halloween approaches, the spirit of the season invites you to indulge in a spooky movie marathon. Here are 10 iconic horror films from the past 70 years, featuring excerpts from the initial reviews by AP writers, showcasing whether they have stood the test of time.
“Rear Window” (1954) remains a masterful stroke by Alfred Hitchcock. He ingeniously immobilizes his protagonist by breaking his leg, positioning him at an apartment window to spy on his neighbors, ultimately witnessing a murder. This voyeuristic panorama of other people’s lives becomes thrilling as James Stewart, Grace Kelly, and Thelma Ritter deliver engaging performances.
“Halloween” (1978) introduced 19-year-old Jamie Lee Curtis in a sinister film about a psychotic killer targeting a babysitter. Developed by independent producer Irwin Yablans and brought to life by John Carpenter and Debra Hill, the story’s horrifying appeal is undeniable, transforming Curtis from a TV regular into a proud scream queen, despite its clear targeting of the thrill market.
“The Silence of the Lambs” (1991) offers relentless suspense through Jonathan Demme’s direction, sparing no gruesome detail, including graphic close-ups of skinned corpses. Adapted skillfully by Ted Tally from Thomas Harris’s novel, the tension escalates to the breaking point, particularly during the intense showdown between Clarice Starling and Buffalo Bill. Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins elevate the film with their exceptional performances, creating an enduring portrayal of evil.
“Scream” (1996) emerged as a clever, witty homage to horror films. High school students become victims of a killer mimicking slasher movie murders they know too well. Crafted by newcomer David Williamson, the film balances terror and humor without being self-congratulatory, paying homage to predecessors in the genre while establishing its own identity with sharp intelligence and taut thrills.
“The Blair Witch Project” (1999) reimagined horror with its intense, imaginative approach. Posing as found footage of students lost in the Maryland woods while investigating a legendary witch, the film blurs fiction and reality. Co-directors Eduardo Sanchez and Dan Myrick execute this concept with such finesse that the audience squirms with anticipation, making it a unique, well-crafted horror experience.
“Saw” (2004), however, proved disappointing. Despite its intent to frighten, the film falls short with an inane plot, poor writing, acting, direction, and editing, resulting in a lackluster and predictable climax. Director James Wan and screenwriter Leigh Whannell deliver an exercise in unpleasantry without achieving true scares, leading to a universally panned viewing experience.
“Paranormal Activity” (2009) revisits the found footage genre with a no-budget approach, echoing “The Blair Witch Project” in style and impact. Set in a typical home, its ordinary setting amplifies the nocturnal terror. Despite a thin premise, the film’s raw, primal horror is effective, leveraging suggestion over explicit frights to maintain a haunting grip on the audience.
“The Conjuring” (2013) brings the haunted-house genre back, with Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson’s methodical ghostbusting characters grounding the film. Drawing inspiration from ’70s horrors like “The Exorcist,” it delivers sturdy, old-fashioned scares. While it lacks the raw power of its predecessors, “The Conjuring” stands as a well-crafted entry in the genre.
“Get Out” (2017) revolutionizes horror with its satirical take on racial prejudices. Jordan Peele’s directorial debut combines chilling suspense with sharp social commentary, revealing the latent racism beneath progressive facades. This fresh perspective on the genre subverts expectations, making “Get Out” both radical and refreshing.
“Hereditary” (2018) marks Ari Aster’s powerful entry into horror cinema. Toni Collette’s portrayal of a grieving mother leads a family into deepening nightmarish terror. The film’s relentless suspense ensures that audiences remain on edge, encapsulating a sense of inescapable dread that lingers well beyond the credits, established as a must-watch despite its unnerving impact.
Each of these films, whether thrilling or disappointing, contributes distinctively to the horror canon, providing a rich canvas for your Halloween viewing pleasure.