It’s time for scares, screams and survival with our Halloween movie scare-fest, all selected by our very own team. Are you ready to scroll through our terrifying tales?
Lock those doors and pay tribute to the film industry.
Delve into your darkest fears with thought provoking, bone-shaking and teeth-chattering tales. Guaranteed to help keep you on the edge of your seat during this most haunting of seasons!
This year’s films being released for Halloween are paying tribute to some of the old classics ‘The Craft’ with the ‘The Craft: Legacy’ and staring Anne Hathaway in ‘The Witches’ a remake of the classic Anjelica Huston ‘The Witches’
Steph - I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016)
Available on: Netflix
For those needing to ease into horror, this movie is beautifully shot and gives your imagination a real work out.
- The composition of each shot seems simple, but is highly calculated and curated, to create an unsettling atmosphere throughout.
- This atmospheric approach forces the spectator to create their own sense of dread and fear based on traditional antics that define the genre.
- With this movie there is no looking at your phone or getting up to make tea! Give this movie your full attention and immerse yourself in its plot twists and turns – your imagination will be rewarded with the ride of its life.
- The storyline may initially appear to be slow but this allows the viewer to move away from superficial scares and stereotypical storylines and focus on internal fears and personal projections.
Will - Alien (1979)
- The title typography is shown in stark white, ultra-kerned and futuristic typography, which gives an unsettling vibe alongside the terrifying tagline: “In space no one can hear you scream.”
- Although a technically simple design, the contrast between the vast depth of black with neon green shows that the simplest of visuals can evoke the greatest of fears.
- The composition of the central ‘cracking egg’ and pile of bodies below prompts curiosity of the unknown which is a key theme to this franchise and is replicated throughout the sequels.
Em - Rosemary's Baby (1968)
- The overall approach for the movie poster of Roman Polanski's 1968 mystery Rosemary's Baby, is simplicity, directness and meaning.
- The composition of the large and looming imagery, paired with smaller text at the bottom, create an unsettling feeling – true to the themes of the movie.
- The contrast between the giant, and ghostly, Mia Farrow and the tiny shadow of the baby carriage further enhances that uneasy feeling, and a sense of danger.
- In terms of typography, Helvetica Neue Medium was used for the main title, and modified by connecting letters in different stanzas to form a glyph – symbolic of an umbilical cord.
James - Final Destination 5
- A minimal and confident approach showing nothing more than a skull and the number 5. This is a bold statement made by the Final Destination crew; claiming that because they are such a well established name within the horror movie fold they don’t even need to mention their own name.
- “To-die-for” use of typography (literally). This example intertwines the number 5 like a shank through the eyes of the skull letting the viewer know what’s in stall at a glance.
- Blockbuster use of creepy colours. Bone white, metallic grey, blood red on an ominous shady black backdrop. Say no more.
Theo - Jaws
- A very simple and iconic image that perfectly showcases the subject and the horror of the film.
- Very strong and clear typography looking like tight bloody teeth visually weighting heavily on top of the swimmer.
- A nice contrast with the “usual” horror films posters. The giant white shark, main protagonist (antagonist?) and origin of the terror and fear of the audience is clearly displayed at the centre of the image. Very often, the source of the horror within the movie is a little hidden, mysterious or shown metaphorically on a dark background.
- The fear of what lurks beneath us in the sea is key to the film, and it is perfectly captured through the off-balance image and the size of the shark on this poster. It is rare that a still image so perfectly captures the essence of the film that is essentially moving images and sound.
Sam - Ghostbusters
- Ghostbusters was the first comedy film to employ expensive special effects.
- Competition for special effects studios among various movies in development at the time meant that part of the budget was used to co-found a new studio under Richard Edlund.
- Using a combination of practical effects, miniatures, and puppets to deliver the ghoulish visuals.
- Use of Iconic locations in New York City and LA, one being a converted firehouse which still stands today.
Nnamdi - Evil Dead
Evil Dead (1981) is a horror movie that follows five friends who decide to spend a weekend at a very dilapidated cabin in rural Tennessee, releasing a legion of demons and evil spirits, leading to demonic possession. Essentially getting what they deserve for agreeing to spend the weekend in rural Tennessee in the first place.
- The angle of the actress and rotting hand are dynamic enough that you feel her desperation.
- The angular copy is sharp and tight adding to the claustrophobia.
- The use of negative space forces you to watch and realise you can do nothing to save her.
- The hand drawn image and washed out colours make it feel real and uncomfortable.
- Zombies are just inherently scary.
Tara - The Hitcher
I’ve always been traumatised by this movie. The ultimate living nightmare embodied by the pure fear Rutger Hauer can instil with just his face. He’s coming to get you. Classic 1980’s horror.
- The illustration style and type is so 80’s
- They should have used a photo though. Rutgers real face is scarier!
