As a horror enthusiast who’s spent countless nights huddled under blankets while watching terrifying tales unfold on screen, I must say that these four films have left quite an impression on me. Each one offers a unique twist on the genre, from the dark humor of a man fusing with a clown suit to the chilling exploration of AI gone wrong in Child’s Play.
If you’re a fan of horror movies, it’s likely that your initial horror movie experience was a slasher film. Unless you entered the genre through a more refined route, many of us were introduced to horror by the wrath of iconic figures such as Freddy, Michael, Jason, and Chucky – these are the mainstays of the slasher genre, who have already etched their places in popular culture.
Nevertheless, they aren’t the only ones. The slasher subgenre of horror has grown in various directions that range from the ridiculous to the extremely unsettling. To help populate your watchlist during spooky season, we went through the horror bins and dug out some underrated slashers you don’t hear about enough.
10 Urban Legend (1998)
In the chilling tale of Urban Myth, students at Pendleton University find themselves in a terrifying predicament: A murderer is employing well-known urban legends to commit heinous acts. Natalie finds herself right in the thick of it as her classmates are picked off one by one, but she may hold a hidden truth that explains these grisly events, and if she hopes to survive, she must confront this secret head-on.
Sometimes Good Screenwriting Is All It Takes
In a time when horror films were experiencing a revival, Urban Legend was erroneously labeled as a Scream rip-off. However, this film stands independently as a strong horror production with an impressive ensemble cast consisting of Jared Leto, Alicia Witt, Loretta Devine, Robert Englund, and Rebecca Gayheart. The movie proved to be a blockbuster hit, spawning an entire franchise, and its opening sequence is particularly noteworthy and worth analysis.
9 All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (2006)
As a devoted fan, I’d put it this way: In me, “All the Boys Love Mandy Lane” spins a tale about a group of us – still grappling with the repercussions of an unfortunate accident – who find ourselves caught up in a weekend getaway orchestrated on the outskirts of our town, courtesy of Mandy Lane. However, as the body count rises and the air thickens with suspicion, it’s none other than my old friend Emmet who finds himself under scrutiny.
The One Only a Few People Have Heard About
The movie faced a difficult production phase as its distributor collapsed, causing it to be stored away for over seven years. However, when it eventually hit the screens, audiences were rewarded with a glimpse of Jonathan Levine’s impressive first film in the feature realm, which adhered to slasher movie conventions. Its surprising finale will leave you astounded.
8 The Burning (1981)
The narrative, titled “The Burning“, unfolds around a band of summer camp counselors at Stonewater Camp, who are targeted by a vengeful slasher known as Cropsy. In the past, he suffered severe burns during a practical joke, and now he’s back for revenge against those who bear a resemblance to the camp guides responsible for his disfiguration.
One of the Best Slashers of the 1980s
Despite seeming like another typical “summer camp horror” movie, The Burning stands out for its innovative approach and inventive kills. It showcases three actors making their screen debuts: Jason Alexander, Holly Hunter, and Fisher Stevens. This cult, low-budget slasher from the 80’s, which isn’t nearly as poor in quality as some of its contemporaries, was inspired by a story idea from producer Harvey Weinstein, who would later fall from grace.
You can stream The Burning on Prime Video.
7 Cherry Falls (2000)
Initially, the film Cherry Falls appears much like any other slasher flick from the 90s. However, it deviates from convention with an unexpected plot twist: Set in Cherry Falls, it follows a group of teenagers who find themselves hunted by a psychopath targeting virgin teens. Despite a momentary consideration for an orgy as a potential solution, rest assured Cherry Falls is indeed a commendable movie.
Changing the Rules Didn’t Exactly Pay Off
1999 saw the troubled journey of this film, as its content and subject matter made it difficult to release. It didn’t premiere in theaters back then but underwent numerous edits before some viewers got a glimpse. A fascinating point is that the original, unedited version of the movie remains elusive and has never been accessible for public viewing. Starring the late Brittany Murphy, it’s an underrated slasher flick that will occasionally make you smile.
6 The Collector (2009)
In this rephrased version, we follow the story of Arkin O’Brien, a man with a criminal past who now works as a handyman for an affluent family. To clear a debt, he concocts a plan to burglarize the Chase family. However, complications arise when a masked murderer has already targeted the family, and this enigmatic slasher has intentions that don’t involve simple theft.
The Rules of the Genre Applied to a New Era
Initially planned as a spin-off from the “Saw” series, “The Collector” eventually evolved into a self-contained film featuring Josh Stewart in an underestimated leading role. Despite giving off the impression of a direct-to-video, low-budget production, it manages to deliver sufficient gore and violence to keep horror enthusiasts satisfied. It has even spawned a franchise that continues today.
5 Hatchet (2006)
Adam Green’s novel, titled “Hatchet“, narrates an incident involving a group of tourists who opt for an unofficial swamp tour during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, due to the closure of the official one. Unbeknownst to them, they are led into a trap where a gruesome figure named Victor Crowley is lying in wait, ready to carry out a series of chilling murders.
Extremely Gory and Funny
The Hatchet movie rapidly gained its deserved cult status due to its light-hearted approach, boasting numerous horror icons such as Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, and Tony Todd among others. Moreover, it offered a sufficient amount of gruesome violence that made even the most hardened gore enthusiasts flinch momentarily. This film sparked an entire series where the core idea was consistently revisited, resulting in fans eagerly returning to watch each subsequent installment.
4 Sick (2022)
Under the guidance of horror mastermind Kevin Williamson and Katelyn Crabb, the storyline of Sick unfolds around a band of youths navigating the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak. In an attempt to escape the pandemic, they opt for a secluded lake house as their quarantine refuge. However, their peaceful retreat is disrupted when they encounter a gang of masked attackers.
One of the Best Films of the COVID-19 Era
The contemporary horror movie “Sick” is an exceptionally overlooked production that cleverly incorporates the context of COVID-19 into a complex, intricate narrative that never loses momentum. It’s genuinely impressive how the story unfolds and how its seemingly straightforward antagonists are actually seeking vengeance for the loss of a loved one.
3 Clown (2014)
A character named Kent McCoy, who’s a loving husband and father, takes on the role of a clown in an unusual circumstance. Unable to rent a costume from a shop, he dons a clown suit found in an abandoned basement. However, something bizarre happens when he wakes up the next morning – his body starts merging with the suit and makeup. In a desperate attempt to solve this problem, Kent resorts to an extreme measure: decapitation.
A Great Modern Slasher Is Born
This movie deviates from typical slasher storylines, but manages to make Kent’s clown character amusing enough to endear him, despite his questionable moral compass. It was director Jon Watts’ debut feature film and serves as an excellent contribution to the chilling subcategory of horror films featuring creepy clowns.
2 Child’s Play (2019)
The movie titled Child’s Play revolves around a young boy named Andy who receives an extraordinary birthday gift from his mother – a malfunctioning Buddi doll she had purchased as a returned product. However, this AI-powered toy develops sentience and transforms itself into a menacing character called Chucky, who is capable of turning into a lethal robot. This newfound sentient being begins to defend Andy by hacking various technologies at its disposal.
A Horror “Remake” That Dared to Change the Rules
In the revamped Chucky series, there were some alterations to the established storyline. They positioned the murderous doll within the realm of potentially hazardous technology and eliminated the theme of possession. This reimagining yielded an underestimated mix of horror and comedy, with a wildly unsettling third act that may leave you questioning the safety of all technological gadgets nearby.
1 Venom (2005)
In the movie titled “Venom“, a bunch of youngsters inadvertently unleash an old evil entity upon the world when a resident gets bitten by snakes, subsequently resurrected after being infused with the spirits confined within these reptiles. While it may seem absurd, trust me, this film is nothing short of exceptional; it stands out as a captivating gem hidden among the lesser-known horror films that dwell in the shadows.
A Very Crafty and Noteworthy Slasher
In the mid-2000s, the film Venom was launched to unfavorable critiques from critics. Interestingly, it premiered merely days following Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of Louisiana, and viewers weren’t exactly thrilled about it. However, despite the mixed reception, the cinematography in this film is exceptional, and the performances by the young cast aren’t half bad. It’s a movie that deserves another look.
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2024-10-05 06:32