The Golden Age of Horror continues to churn out fun, exciting, imaginative, shocking, and innovative delights for all!
Thank you, 2022! For all that you were a wildly chaotic (and often downright disturbing) mess in other areas, you sure coughed up a tremendous glob of fright fare for all us rabid horror fans. There was so much goopy goodness, I had to cheat and put two films in at #6! But enough about my problems.
Let’s do this!
1. Smile– Written/Directed by Parker Finn
When psychiatrist Dr. Rose Cotter [Sosie Bacon; TV’s Mare of Easttown (2021)] witnesses an horrific event involving a patient, she has no idea her life is about to go completely off the rails. Parker Finn’s debut feature-length film is an edge-of-the-seat horror/mystery that proves the old adage once again: Everything is better with Bacon.
Smile is streaming on Paramount+ and many other streaming platforms.
2. A Wounded Fawn– Written/Directed by Travis Stevens
The sophomore effort from Jakob’s Wife (2021) director, Travis Stevens, does not disappoint. His latest film comes in with ferociously surreal energy and delivers a painful, bloody story wrapped in the highly artistic trappings of ancient, feminist mythology. Serial killers beware.
You can find A Wounded Fawn streaming on Shudder.
3. Prey – Directed by Dan Trachtenberg
If ever there was a franchise that needed a shot of adrenaline to perk it up, it’s the Predator series. Lucky for us, 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) director Dan Trachtenberg showed up with a franchise defibrillator named Amber Midthunder [TV’s Roswell, New Mexico (2019 – 2022)]. With Trachtenberg at the helm and Midthunder easily carrying the action-filled prequel, there may be life left in this old franchise yet!
As a Hulu original movie, you can catch Prey over there.
4. The Black Phone – Directed by Scott Derrickson
No stranger to our favorite genre, Scott Derrickson returns to the horror fold and brings with him a crapton of studio cash! It’s refreshing to see the studios aren’t entirely unable to make a decent horror movie. Young Mason Thames hits the ground running in his movie debut holding his own against four-time Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke.
The Black Phone can be found streaming from Amazon and lots of other streaming spots.
5. Nope – Written/Directed by Jordan Peele
Speaking of a crapton of studio money! But if you’re going to bet big, best bet on someone who’s delivered the goods time and time again. With Nope, Jordan Peele brings in a fresh take on the UFO story with some stellar performances from Daniel Kaluuya [Get Out (2017)] and Keke Palmer [Scream: The TV Series (2019)]. Don’t forget your tinfoil hat!
If you’ve got Peacock Premium, you can stream Nope right now. It’s also available for purchase/rent wherever you like to do that.
6 (TIE). Moloch – Written/Directed by Nico van den Brink
A moody and mysterious gift from the Netherlands! With his feature-length debut, Nico van den Brink marinates the viewer in gruesome, boggy folklore about family curses and long forgotten gods. You can practically smell the swampy ground from here.
Moloch is available over at Shudder.
6 (TIE). You Are Not My Mother – Written/Directed by Kate Dolan
Another movie debut and another wonderful piece of folk horror! Kate Dolan brings the old Irish folktales of baby stealing and doppelgangers into the modern days of North Dublin. Oppressive and brooding, You Are Not My Mother slow-burns its way to a fiery finish while Carolyn Bracken gives a masterclass on how to be the creepiest mom in town.
Hulu has You Are Not My Mother available for streaming today.
7. Barbarian – Written/Directed by Zach Cregger
Zach Cregger’s been directing TV shows and feature-length films since at least 2007. So, it’s understandable that when he finally got the chance to try his hand at writing & directing his own horror movie he decided to play it safe MAKE THE MOST BONKERS CRAZY THING HE COULD THINK OF. Weird, disturbing, funny, surprising, and occasionally hard to watch, Barbarian is nothing if not unforgettable.
Catch Barbarian over at HBO Max.
8. X – Written/Directed by Ti West
Lead actor Mia Goth [Suspiria (2018)] has quickly become a genre favorite and this is the movie that secured her place in our horror-loving hearts. With Ti West riding point, X drops you into a vat full of 70s sleaze and leaves you to simmer in the heat and dust of the American Midwest. As Scariest Liz said, you’ll probably need a shower after this one.
Slide on over to Showtime or several other streamers to watch X.
9. Deadstream – Written/Directed by Joseph & Vanessa Winter
It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re a fan of found footage-esque horror/comedies starring annoying social media influencers, Deadstream rises above the rest. Joseph Winter excels as disgraced social media star Shawn Ruddy who’s desperate to win back his sponsors and return to internet stardom by spending the night in a haunted house. While it’s mostly the Joseph Winter Show, supporting actor Melanie Stone [V/H/S/99 (2022)] adds her own kind of awesomeness.
Shudder has all the Deadstream goodness you could want.
10. Speak No Evil – Written/Directed by Christian Tafdrup
Oof. Sometimes a movie makes it to the Top 10 because it’s fun and you love it. Other times, it’s because it bruised your soul and left you feeling cold inside. Speak No Evil is the latter. What starts out as a playfully awkward social commentary on politeness and social correctness takes a steep, very bleak dive into brutality. Did I put this on my Top 10 because I loved it and want to watch it again and again? No, not even a little bit. Did I add it because it’s powerful, masterfully crafted, and I can’t stop thinking about it? Absolutely, 100%.
Our pals over at Shudder will happily stream up Speak No Evil for you.
And that’s all there is! Thanks for sticking with us for another great year of horror goodness. We couldn’t do this without you, our Scariest Family!
Happy Holidays!
Article by Robert Zilbauer.