By: Samantha Ibarra
My all-time favorite horror movie is “Annihilation.” It’s a sci-fi thriller where a group of scientists go into a mysterious growing zone that they call “The Shimmer.” Whilst inside, they discover that the plants and wildlife have all mutated. As they go in deeper trying to discover what is causing “the Shimmer,” they all encounter different fates.
It’s my favorite because of the visuals. It shows the grotesque transformation of the wildlife there and the surrounding area and how the animals have adapted. The sound effects in the movie just add to the chills.
I saw “Annihilation” in Mexico with my cousins on Netflix. I probably would have never seen it if it wasn’t for that trip because it was only available on Mexico’s Netflix.
Its effect on me wasn’t bad. I mean, it didn’t scar me for life. To me it was just the only really interesting movie I’ve seen. Its ending was up for interpretation and it wasn’t really clear which is also a reason why I favored it.
By: Andrea Arciga
Intense, foul-mouthed, and full of violent content, “House of 1,000 Corpses” starring Sid Haig, Karen Black, Bill Moseley, and Cheri Moon Zombie. The film was both written and directed by Rob Zombie in 2003.
Twelve-year-old me was just getting into horror movies after being terrified of them. As I was scrolling through the channels on the television, I came across the movie. Putting it on, I saw the biggest thing I was scared of: a clown. Forcing myself to keep watching it, I had realized how much I admired Sid Haig’s clown character; it instantly had me fascinated. The excessive use of bad language made it comical, which was perfect for me considering I was still not ready to watch a full-on horror movie.
I was infatuated by the directing. I was full of color and would repeat certain clips to emphasize the emotions that the actors are portraying as well as to add tension to what was about to happen next. The story line reminds me of the “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” movies. “House of 1,000 Corpses” is about two couples in Texas who make a stop at a gas station and get intrigued about Doctor Satan, a local torturer and murderer. After picking up a hitchhiker they become stranded and stranded with a psychotic and uncanny family.
Cheri Moon Zombie, wife of Rob Zombie, has an unforgettable and haunting laugh. Her character, Baby Butterfly, is what truly captivated me. At some point in the movie we see her lip-sync to “I Wanna be Loved by You” by Betty Boop. It’s safe to say that it’s my favorite part of the movie. Baby Butterfly’s costume design, makeup, hair, and the editing – the movie is full of many different editing styles, either reflecting herself to emphasize a lyric she’s singing or as a way to let us see everybody else’s reactions. The editing emphasizes people’s reactions to give us a hint of whether they feel disgust, lust, envy, or amusement towards Baby Butterfly and her family. Based on how they react, we see how Baby Butterfly’s attitude towards them is.
While the movie is considered “horror” it’s more comedic than it is horror. Though there are lots of themes in the movie that makes it being rated “R” understandable, it’s not one of those movies that only focuses on scaring you. “House of 1,000 Corpses” has a clear story line, focusing on the family and their dynamics instead of their victims. Though the movie is based and focused on the family, they introduce them through two couples. It’s a movie where you never know what’s going to happen next and even if you guess correctly, it’s still enjoyable to see how they execute the scene.
By: Dalila Lomeli
“Van Helsing” is my favorite horror movie. It’s about a man named Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman), who dedicates his life to killing monsters like vampires, ogres, and many more that are known to terrorize humans.
In the movie, he is hired by the Catholic church to take down Dracula because Dracula has been abducting more and more people to accomplish his grand scheme of bringing to life as many of his children (vampires) as possible. I grew up with it, and my dad was the one who first showed me the movie as a kid. It’s funny yet scary, which is what I like about it.
Also, I have a nice memory of my dad showing us the movie and him impersonating one of the characters for as long as I can remember. My favorite scene would have to be when Van Helsing goes to visit one of the towns and Dracula’s wives attack him. I like the scene because even though the movie is a little old, I think the computer work is pretty good and the fight scenes are also very entertaining.
I think the movie itself is what introduced me to watching more horror movies and it’s something that my dad and I bond over now. Now I’m more open to watching scary movies and I enjoy the thrill of not knowing what might happen next. In conclusion, the 2004 “Van Helsing” movie would have to be one of my favorite scary fantasy movies.
By: Juri Pulido
I’ve seen my fair share of movies and shows especially in the horror genre. However none of them have struck me with fear and have scared me as bad as the “Conjuring” series.
Within the series, the movie I think to be the most terrifying is “Conjuring 2,” which features the Nun, a demon whose real name is Valek and who preys upon a family in England. I think I was maybe 14 or 15 when I watched it during a family gathering. My cousins and I decided to put this movie on and it was probably a good idea that we all watched it together because who in their right mind would want to be alone.
Without going into real spoilers, it’s pretty much about a girl and her family battling their own personal problems with school bullying, mom being an addict, etc. Let’s just say the demon sees this as an opportunity and rightfully so decides to haunt this family. Let’s just say, it definitely scored that horror feel and possibly even exceeded, for me, the horror standard.
Movies such as this one that go into the paranormal are a lot scarier than traditional Halloween horror movies. Basing it on real life theories of ghosts and if there is something of the sort, amplifies that horror aspect, even more making it one of my top movies to watch during the spooky season. So I’d recommend to anyone that wants to watch something with family during Halloween or just for the spooks, delve into the world of “The Conjuring” or any movies that share the same characteristics to give you that adrenaline-filled scare.
By: Nevalet Ceja
“Hereditary,” directed by Ari Aster, is a haunting exploration of grief, trauma, and the darkness within the Graham family. After the passing of their enigmatic grandmother, each family member faces a unique struggle to cope with the overwhelming weight of loss. The mother, Annie, finds herself unraveling emotionally while trying to keep the family’s appearance intact, but her attempts at stability quickly spiral. Her husband, Steve, approaches the tragedy with detachment, attempting to rationalize the increasingly bizarre happenings, while their two children, Peter and Charlie, each grapple with their emotions in isolation, often in profoundly unsettling ways.
As the family’s tension grows, they begin to confront a dark legacy lurking beneath the surface. This legacy reveals itself through terrifying and supernatural experiences that escalate with each discovery, pushing them toward a horrifying fate. The film masterfully blends psychological and supernatural horror, creating an atmosphere thick with dread and foreboding. Aster’s direction, paired with Toni Collette’s astonishingly raw performance, evokes visceral emotions that heighten the film’s haunting impact. The cinematography and score work seamlessly to create a sense of unease, ensuring viewers are constantly on edge.
When I first watched “Hereditary,” I was struck by its ability to linger in my mind long after the credits rolled. The unsettling imagery and intense emotional moments left me feeling both disturbed and fascinated. It’s an unsettling film that invites reflection on complex family dynamics and the unseen burdens people carry, establishing it as a standout in modern horror.
By: Rayne Figueroa
As a kid, I was definitely a scaredy-cat, so the first real horror movie I watched was only a few years ago and I didn’t even know it was horror at first. I was suggested to watch a movie called Fear Street, which was based on a book by RL Stine.
Hearing the name RL Stine,I thought it would be like a Goosebumps movie, kind of childish, silly, and fun. I was very wrong. If you’ve watched this movie, you’ll know that it is very gory and has tons of blood, and I was not expecting that at all. It happens to be my favorite movie because even though watching it was unintentional, it showed me that horror movies aren’t that bad.
Despite being frustrated with my friend for tricking me into seeing a scary movie, and still in shock with all the murder, I really enjoyed it and continued to watch the other two movies in the trilogy. Each of the three Fear Street movies are placed in a different era of time: the first is like the 1990s, the second is the 1970s, and the last is the 1600s. It’s about these friends fighting against this evil force that has possessed one of their friends to want to kill. This evil has affected the town for years, which is why each movie is placed in a different era.The storyline is the best part of these movies, and the books are also really good. Overall, these movies were very good and I recommend it to people who like fleshed-out plots in scary movies.
By: Roleyna Abad
If I had to pick a favorite horror movie as someone who hates watching them, it would be “Bones and All” directed by Luca Guadagnino. I watched this movie just two days before Halloween because I was asked an interesting question by a friend, who had just watched the movie: Would I eat my partner if they wanted me to when they die? So I thought to watch it myself before re-evaluating our friendship. Although it’s not the scariest of movies and people might not consider it a horror movie, it’s my favorite one because it does a phenomenal job of displaying meaningful and complex ideas through things most people may find odd or unusual.
Movie stars Taylor Russell and Timothee Chalamet play in this film as Maren and Lee, who are cannibals trying to survive together on the edge of society. They are in the midwest, in search of a better life or perhaps escaping their lives, while also learning to accept themselves and each other.
Although the plot is focused on their rather abnormal lifestyles, it’s much more than that. It exhibits the art of how ways of showing love aren’t limited to the general things such as quality time and words of affirmation. It can also be shown through eating your loved ones! It may not be to everyone’s taste but I believe to each their own as long it is done through consent.
After watching this movie I was more sure about my answer to the question of whether or not I would eat my partner if they had asked me to when they die. This movie sways me to think that I would, because of how the idea of it is thoughtfully communicated throughout the movie, offering me a new perspective. It shows the true meaning of loving your partner in the best way possible for them and not yourself, creating their fulfillment of love.
By: Zarahi Silva
“IT,” based on the Stephen King book, is my favorite horror movie despite my fear of clowns. It was terrifying to see my biggest fear on screen, but I could tell that the plot was carefully thought out and the character’s storylines were well-written. Thus, I would continue to watch it many more times after that.
The movie is set in the town of Derry, Maine. In this town, children go missing frequently and are rarely ever found. The cause, unbeknownst to the town, is Pennywise the dancing clown, who inhabits the local sewer system that is connected to the abandoned house in their town. This is where he takes the children and eats them.
One of his victims was a 6-year-old boy named Georgie Denbrough. His brother, Bill Denbrough, had looked for him after his disappearance, believing that he was still alive. His friends Richie, Eddie, and Stanley would help him look for Georgie, but they could never find him. Eventually, Bill would realize that Georgie was gone for good, but he didn’t give up.
The boys later befriend a boy named Ben, a girl named Beverly, and another boy named Mike. This group of seven children called themselves the “Losers Club.” They created this group because they all knew about Pennywise and wanted to stop him. They all saw him in different forms. This is how he attacked his prey, by targeting their biggest fears. For example, Beverly saw Pennywise as a fountain of blood only children could see through her bathroom sink.
The rest of the movie showed how the kids would research him and try to stop him from taking more children. All in all, “IT” was a very interesting movie and if I could see it for the first time all over again, I would.
