Q Wave’s Watchlist: Happy Halloween!
Spooky season is upon us! Halloween is fast approaching, and there is no better way to celebrate than by turning the lights off and throwing on a scary movie or TV show. We’ve organized a list of some of the best streaming content to scare yourself silly this Halloween!
Midnight Mass (Netflix)
Mike Flanagan has become Netflix’s go-to guy for horror TV. With two seasons of the horror anthology series ‘The Haunting’ under his belt, he takes a break from the series while staying in the genre he’s found success in with Midnight Mass.
The miniseries revolves around a small, isolated island community and the arrival of a charismatic young priest that brings with him miracles and mysteries.
Flanagan continues to be a refreshing voice in the genre, relying less on traditional jump-scares and more on well-developed characters and strong performances from his cast. Much like The Haunting, critics have devoured Midnight Mass, noting that while it is a bit of a slow burn, the quality with which the series is shot as well as its focus on grief and faith, make the show a winner. Although set in the United States, the show gets bonus points for being shot entirely in Canada, in Richmond, BC, just outside of Vancouver.
You'd like this if you enjoyed: The Haunting, Hush
Runtime: 7 episodes, 60-71 minutes each
Genre: Horror
Freaky (Crave)
Releasing in 2020 when movie theatres weren’t really a thing, you’re forgiven if this hidden gem flew under your radar. From Blumhouse Productions, which is becoming one of the most prominent producers of horror in the current landscape of content, Freaky is one of the more fun slasher flicks we have had in a while.
The concept is simple, through some mystical hijinks, a 17-year-old high school girl, played by the up-and-coming Kathryn Newton (Blockers), ends up switching bodies with the town serial killer, played by Vince Vaughn (Fighting With my Family).
While the movie operates as your typical slasher flick with Newton doing an outstanding job of going from sweet high schooler to deranged killer, it’s Vaughns embodiment of a high school girl that delivers the best performance of the film. It’s an easy movie to look at and write off as something you may have seen done time and again, but the performances and the required gore are enough to keep this movie fun and refreshing.
You'd like this if you enjoyed: Happy Death Day, Ready or Not
Runtime: 101 minutes
Genre: Horror, comedy
The Rental (Amazon Prime)
Another movie you may have missed with theatres being on the outs last year, The Rental tells a timely story of being stuck in isolation, albeit with a creepy twist.
Written and directed by - somewhat surprisingly given his filmography is littered with more comedic fare - Dave Franco (Neighbors), The Rental focuses on two couples who decide to take a trip to an oceanside rental home together, only to grow suspicious that the host of their property might be spying on them.
Despite being an indie slasher flick, the cast is filled out by solid performers, including Dan Stevens (Legion), Jeremy Allen White (Shameless) and Franco’s real-life wife Alison Brie (Promising Young Woman).
Franco proves himself as a more than capable director with The Rental, which weaves between standard slasher flick and interesting character study of two different relationships with ease. He’s also gone on record stating he has an idea for a sequel, so here’s hoping he gets a chance to make a follow-up.
You'd like this if you enjoyed: I See You, The Strangers
Runtime: 88 minutes
Genre: Horror
Candyman (Amazon Prime Early Access)
For those of a certain age, the idea of looking in a mirror and saying the word ‘Candyman’ five times still sends shivers down the spine. Now there is a new installment in the franchise to re-introduce the character to a new generation of fans looking for a thrill.
Largely ignoring the three movies following the original, 2021’s Candyman operates as a sequel, picking up 27 years after the first one. The film revolves around a visual artist played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (The Trial of the Chicago 7) who along with his wife live in the now gentrified Cabrini-Green (the setting of the original film). The residents there still remember an urban legend of a supernatural killer with a hook for a hand known as Candyman, and Mateen’s character begins to explore the story through his artwork, only to fall down a rabbit hole of terror and violence.
The movie is produced by horror auteur Jordan Peele, coming off directing horror hits Get Out and Us. Like those films, Candyman isn’t just a movie about a deranged killer, it carries with it an underlying social commentary about gentrification, social class, poverty and race. That’s a lot to pack into an hour and a half, but newbie director Nia DaCosta does so masterfully while layering the film with all the scares your heart can handle.
You'd like this if you enjoyed: Us, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Runtime: 91 minutes
Genre: Horror
Rocky Horror Picture Show (Disney+)
It just wouldn’t be Halloween without a visit from our favourite cross-dressing alien scientist from Transylvania, Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the Rocky Horror Picture Show, available on Disney+ through Star (just make sure you have your parental controls configured properly to access it).
A certified classic that gets theatre showings every year, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a 1975 musical comedy horror film based on the musical theatre production. Sweethearts Brad and Janet suffer a flat tire during a bad storm and find refuge in a creepy mansion with a wild cast of characters. Through a number of elaborate songs and dances the aforementioned mad scientist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter reveals his latest creation; a tall, muscular fellow named Rocky.
Originally panned upon its initial release, the film went on to become a midnight movie and has achieved cult status over the years. Audiences began attending dressed as their favourite characters and participating with the movie, singing along and performing alongside the film. The LGBTQ community was quick to embrace the movie, and it has since built quite a legacy with a number of conventions honouring the film being held in varying locations as well as extended theatre runs with differing troupes performing it around the globe.
You'd like this if you enjoyed: Little Shop of Horrors, Flash Gordon
Runtime: 100 minutes
Genre: Horror, musical, comedy
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