Lesser Known Horrors: Part 2
Part 2 of my list of lesser known horror movies that deserve a wider audience, even within the horror community.
1. Cherry Falls
A subversive entry in the post-Scream teen slasher wave that somehow never gained the success of many similar (and often less clever) films of the time, Cherry Falls is a whole lot of fun if you like your humor dark and can stomach a little sleaze (even the heroes' behaviors are often seriously sketchy). Featuring a young, vulnerable Brittany Murphy, an older, grizzled Michael Bien, and a somewhat out of place seeming Jay Mohr, this movie has the gall to switch up the formula from the usual teen stalk and slash film, with its killer targeting virgins.
2. The Weekend Murders
This delightful giallo (bet you never thought you'd see a giallo described that way) is much more lighthearted than its Italian kin, and that alone makes it worth a watch for the curious. It is not without it's darker aspects, but this English manor house murder mystery is actually a lot of fun. It has a sense of humor about itself and the genre conventions that most of it's contemporaries never came close to. A must for fans.
3. The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave
Another, more by the book, giallo, oozing with generous helpings of sleaze, this admittedly misogynistic tale feels like a beautiful fever dream. Lower on substance, but particularly high on style, this is another must for fans of the genre, albeit for vastly different reasons than The Weekend Murders.
4. Someone's Watching Me
This early John Carpenter film was directed for television, so it comes with the usual limitations of the medium. However, Carpenter is a master of building suspense and tension, and he is at peak form with this picture, taking a lot of cues from Hitchcock's Rear Window. The cast is also superb. Lauren Hutton is genuinely likable as the lead, and Carpenter mainstay (and eventual ex-wife), Adrienne Barbeau is charming as ever in a supporting role as Hutton's friend and co-worker.
I have to give this movie bonus points for having Barbeau portraying an out lesbian. In a decade where lesbianism in film was often being paired with decadence and immorality, it was a refreshing change to see Barbeau's character portrayed likably and realistically.
5. Ravenous
I love a good horror period piece, and this cannibal tale set in a mid 19th century isolated military fort is one of the best I can name. Based loosely on both the Donner party and accused murderer Alfred Packer, and touching on the wendigo legend, Ravenous also boasts a strong cast, including Guy Pearce, Robert Carlyle, and David Arquette. Ravenous is also beautifully shot. A must for fans of slow burn, story driven horror.
6. Scarecrows
This 1988 movie is quite simply a lot of fun. It's a pretty straightforward story of killer scarecrows targeting a small group of on-the-run criminals and their hostages, but it stands out from similar movies due to a streak of dark humor and some genuinely creepy moments. It helps that the antiheroes are well developed and genuinely likable (actually arguably more so than their hostages), and there are some pretty nifty practical effects.
7. Brotherhood of the Wolf
Speaking of period piece horror, this beautiful French film set in the Gevaudan province in the mid 18th century is another must see for fans of the subgenre. Loosely based on a true story, Brotherhood of the Wolf is gorgeous and sumptuous as a French pastry.
8. Company of Wolves
Another wolf centered period piece, Neil Jordan's The Company of Wolves is a feast for the senses. Based on the twisted fairytales of Angela Carter, this stunning film is an allegory for growing up and the loss of innocence. It's also a moody and hypnotic piece of werewolf horror.
9. Severance
This British horror comedy plays like an episode of The Office gone horribly off track and merged with a Saw or Hostel film. And that's a good thing! With standout performances from Danny Dyer, Tim McInnerny (Blackadder), and Andy Nyman (Death at a Funeral), this film starts off very much a comedy before veering head first into horror with some truly brutal deaths and well orchestrated chase scenes. Brilliant!
10. The Cottage
Another underrated British horror comedy, The Cottage stars the always brilliant Andy Serkis as the more competent of two brothers trying to pull off a kidnapping for ransom at a cottage in the British country side. Unfortunately, their cottage happens to be near another where much more unsavory crimes have taken place, and soon everything has gone to shit due to a deformed killer intent on murdering everyone unlucky enough to cross his path. Hilarious and bloody, this one makes for a good double bill with the above listed Severance.
1. Cherry Falls
A subversive entry in the post-Scream teen slasher wave that somehow never gained the success of many similar (and often less clever) films of the time, Cherry Falls is a whole lot of fun if you like your humor dark and can stomach a little sleaze (even the heroes' behaviors are often seriously sketchy). Featuring a young, vulnerable Brittany Murphy, an older, grizzled Michael Bien, and a somewhat out of place seeming Jay Mohr, this movie has the gall to switch up the formula from the usual teen stalk and slash film, with its killer targeting virgins.
2. The Weekend Murders
This delightful giallo (bet you never thought you'd see a giallo described that way) is much more lighthearted than its Italian kin, and that alone makes it worth a watch for the curious. It is not without it's darker aspects, but this English manor house murder mystery is actually a lot of fun. It has a sense of humor about itself and the genre conventions that most of it's contemporaries never came close to. A must for fans.
3. The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave
Another, more by the book, giallo, oozing with generous helpings of sleaze, this admittedly misogynistic tale feels like a beautiful fever dream. Lower on substance, but particularly high on style, this is another must for fans of the genre, albeit for vastly different reasons than The Weekend Murders.
4. Someone's Watching Me
This early John Carpenter film was directed for television, so it comes with the usual limitations of the medium. However, Carpenter is a master of building suspense and tension, and he is at peak form with this picture, taking a lot of cues from Hitchcock's Rear Window. The cast is also superb. Lauren Hutton is genuinely likable as the lead, and Carpenter mainstay (and eventual ex-wife), Adrienne Barbeau is charming as ever in a supporting role as Hutton's friend and co-worker.
I have to give this movie bonus points for having Barbeau portraying an out lesbian. In a decade where lesbianism in film was often being paired with decadence and immorality, it was a refreshing change to see Barbeau's character portrayed likably and realistically.
5. Ravenous
I love a good horror period piece, and this cannibal tale set in a mid 19th century isolated military fort is one of the best I can name. Based loosely on both the Donner party and accused murderer Alfred Packer, and touching on the wendigo legend, Ravenous also boasts a strong cast, including Guy Pearce, Robert Carlyle, and David Arquette. Ravenous is also beautifully shot. A must for fans of slow burn, story driven horror.
6. Scarecrows
This 1988 movie is quite simply a lot of fun. It's a pretty straightforward story of killer scarecrows targeting a small group of on-the-run criminals and their hostages, but it stands out from similar movies due to a streak of dark humor and some genuinely creepy moments. It helps that the antiheroes are well developed and genuinely likable (actually arguably more so than their hostages), and there are some pretty nifty practical effects.
7. Brotherhood of the Wolf
Speaking of period piece horror, this beautiful French film set in the Gevaudan province in the mid 18th century is another must see for fans of the subgenre. Loosely based on a true story, Brotherhood of the Wolf is gorgeous and sumptuous as a French pastry.
8. Company of Wolves
Another wolf centered period piece, Neil Jordan's The Company of Wolves is a feast for the senses. Based on the twisted fairytales of Angela Carter, this stunning film is an allegory for growing up and the loss of innocence. It's also a moody and hypnotic piece of werewolf horror.
9. Severance
This British horror comedy plays like an episode of The Office gone horribly off track and merged with a Saw or Hostel film. And that's a good thing! With standout performances from Danny Dyer, Tim McInnerny (Blackadder), and Andy Nyman (Death at a Funeral), this film starts off very much a comedy before veering head first into horror with some truly brutal deaths and well orchestrated chase scenes. Brilliant!
10. The Cottage
Another underrated British horror comedy, The Cottage stars the always brilliant Andy Serkis as the more competent of two brothers trying to pull off a kidnapping for ransom at a cottage in the British country side. Unfortunately, their cottage happens to be near another where much more unsavory crimes have taken place, and soon everything has gone to shit due to a deformed killer intent on murdering everyone unlucky enough to cross his path. Hilarious and bloody, this one makes for a good double bill with the above listed Severance.
Check back later for Part 3!
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