Halloween fans this year have a plethora of new films that scratch that spooky season itch.
From major blockbuster horror to gloomy psychological period pieces, there is something for every horror fan. The following five films are some of the best horror experiences released this year.
‘The Devil’s Bath’
This film is a period piece horror film with an intriguing story. It is shrouded in mystery and leaves the viewer having to pick up on anything they can. The movie’s slow start begins to burn into deep-rooted issues after about an hour.
Even then, only nuggets of clues are given to what’s going on. The cinematography is amazing, making use of long shots that are just the right length to keep a viewer interested. It’s based on historical accounts which adds to the peculiar nature of the film. It is entirely in German which gives the period piece a heightened sense of realism. So while this movie does leave a lot up to the viewer and can be confusing, it is a fascinating film for fans with patience and detective skills. Anyone up for the challenge can watch this 2024 film on Amazon Prime Video.
‘I Saw the TV Glow’
For those who are into psychological horror and are fascinated by finding the meaning to things, this film does the trick. The entire film leaves the viewer uneasy and almost lost. Despite this, there’s a sense of obsession with finding out what is actually going on. The use of vibrant colors and flashes makes the viewer feel joyful and comfy, but the plot and the way the dialogue is spoken is so distressing. This is due to the obsession with a TV show that goes way too far. All these aspects add towards the hypnotic feel that the film has. The main character does a phenomenal job at making the audience nervous. His delivery and body language is unorthodox, quirky and nerve wracking. All in all this film is, by far, one of the most unique horror movies of the year. Experience this 2024 psychological trip for free with a Max subscription.
‘Sting’
An arachnophobe’s worst nightmare. This film is styled like a slasher, with a spider being the main killer. It starts off charming and sweet with a little girl and her family. The progression of her relationship with her stepfather unfolds in an organic way that leads to some high tension scenarios as well as heartwarming scenes. The spider’s journey from pet to killer will leave the viewer feeling chills and twitches all over their bodies. Nothing about it stands out as a classic, but for a 90 minute film it is well worth the time. It’s a very fun horror thriller for the spider lovers, but nightmare fuel for spider haters. Amazon Prime Video has this 2024 eight-legged killer available for purchase or rent.
‘Longlegs’
One of the biggest blockbuster horror films released this year, Longlegs, delivers on a lot of its promises. The cinematography is high class, the use of color is superb and the pacing is a nice slow-burn. For all of its triumphs, however, Longlegs has been a divisive movie for audiences so far. Anyone expecting a masterpiece will be let down, but those coming with no expectations will be amazed at the quality of the film. One of the only knocks on the film is the casting choice of Nicholas Cage for one of the antagonists. It could seem out of place and a bit too outlandish for some despite his stellar performance. Besides that, “Longlegs” is a great film that does nearly everything well. This 2024 blockbuster is available for purchase or rent at multiple streaming platforms including YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu and more.
‘Late Night with the Devil’
This is the most fascinating horror film released this year. It takes place on a studio set that slowly progresses into madness. It pulls viewers into the story with subtle hints and references. The viewers are left to guess what will happen next, while also having a character in the film who is trying to debunk what’s happening. This character adds to the tension by putting others in high-stress situations. There is a sense of dread looms throughout the movie. There’s no reliance on jumpscares, so the film doesn’t feel cheap and has a great pace. Finally, the plot itself is captivating. If all the supernatural elements are taken out, it’s possible that this film would still be great. The main protagonist and all the side characters are full of charisma. This film is a must-watch for those who like to be taken on a ride when watching movies. Those who want to go on the ride can find the 2024 film for free on Shudder and AMC+ with subscriptions.
There are dozens of movies outside of these five that horror fans can still enjoy as early October segues into Halloween. The studio A24 has a catalog of consistently entertaining scary movies. Other films like “Oddity” and “Alien: Romulus” are also well worth a watch. A few skips to watch out for include “Night Swim” and “The Watchers”: These are vanilla horror movies that fail to capture the Halloween vibe.
