Hello Hooligans of Horror, my fellow Mischief seeking folks. What a year. It was a wild ride for Horror. We had some great creepy films. We had a few truly awesome Haunts, Podcasts that just jumped right in off the cliff.
I wanted to make this list as efficient as possible. I wanted to pick ten films but, there were a few more I wanted to include. I was fortunate enough to be a part of Panic Fest 2023, virtually, and as always they went way above and beyond.
The horror movies we saw this year varied from sequels, prequels, films that have been in the making for years, and a few treasures that stick with you like Jigsaw sticking thumbtacks in everything I drink out of.
I decided to do this in no particular order. I wanted to include the Best of 2023, and what’s coming in 2024.
So, let’s discuss horror for a moment. Horror movies have been my comfort zone since I’m a kid. (which was like, yesterday.) The horror genre has never been known to shy away from any topic. I was able to see some incredible films. There were quite a few incredible Short films, and series.
So… Here we go…
SAW X:
“A sick and desperate John Kramer travels to Mexico for a risky and experimental medical procedure in hopes of a miracle cure for his cancer.”
I have been waiting for SAW X for months, a few years maybe…. To be able to see Tobin Bell come back with Josh Stolberg and Pete Goldfinger writing. Kevin Greutert directing. The greatest MOMENT. THE MOMENT, watching Billy the Puppet roll out onscreen. It was BEAUTIFUL. The SAW franchise has delivered over the years. I do believe SAW and SAW II are two of the greatest Horror films. The stories, the way Tobin Bell portrays John “Jigsaw” Kramer is incredible.
WHEN EVIL LURKS
“When Evil Lurks”… In a remote village, two brothers find a demon-infected man just about to “give birth to evil itself.” They decide to get rid of the body.
This film… I will say this, WATCH IT.
In the fifth Evil Dead film, a road-weary Beth pays an overdue visit to her older sister Ellie, who is raising three kids on her own in a cramped L.A apartment. The sisters’ reunion is cut short by the discovery of a mysterious book deep in the bowels of Ellie’s building, giving rise to flesh-possessing demons, and thrusting Beth into a primal battle for survival as she is faced with the most nightmarish version of motherhood imaginable.
I loved EVIL DEAD RISE. It was fun, and creepy. The cast was amazing, and the special effects are next level.
Totally Killer (2023)
“When the infamous “Sweet Sixteen Killer” returns 35 years after his first murder spree.
Kiernan Shipka and this cast did such a great job. It was a fun movie.
Insidious: The Red Door
“The Lamberts must go deeper into The Further than ever before to put their demons to rest once and for all.”
Shockingly, we got this on Netflix. It was fascinating to see Patrick Wilson direct, and Leigh Whannell and Scott Teems.
SUITABLE FLESH
“A psychiatrist becomes obsessed with one of her young patients, who she later discovers is linked to an ancient curse.”
Where do I begin? Perfection. Joe Lynch, Barbara Crampton, and based on an H.P. Lovecraft. You can never go wrong with Joe Lynch.
It’s a Wonderful Knife (2023)
“When she wishes she’d never been born, she finds herself in a nightmare parallel universe where without her, things could be much, much worse.”
Tyler MacIntyre did an excellent job with It’s A Wonderful Knife.” An amazingly fun Horror-Christmas queer iconic film was given to us.
ATTACHMENT (2023)
“ATTACHMENT is a horror romance about Maja, a has-been actress in Denmark, who falls in love with Leah, a young, Jewish academic visiting from the UK. When Leah suffers a mysterious seizure, Maja fears their whirlwind romance might be cut short and decides to follow Leah back to her home in London. There, Maja meets her new downstairs neighbor: Leah’s mother, Chana. An overbearing, seemingly religious and highly secretive woman, Chana seems resistant to all of Maja’s attempts to win her over. And as Maja notices strange occurrences in the building, she begins to suspect that Chana’s secrets could be much”
This film was beautifully made. It was dark and gritty.
TALK TO ME (2023)
“When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces.”
I went with my cousin and family to see TALK TO ME in theaters. It was an unforgettable film. It sparked a lot of debate… Is it specifically demonically based or not? I say, it was a demonic-based film. The special effects made it great.
SWALLOWED
ON DIGITAL AND ON DEMAND: February 14, 2023
DIRECTOR: Carter Smith
WRITER: Carter Smith
CAST: Jena Malone, Mark Patton, Cooper Koch, Jose Colon
SYNOPSIS: After a drug run goes bad, two friends must survive a
nightmarish ordeal of drugs, bugs and horrific intimacy in this backwoods body-horror thriller.
Swallowed was beautifully shot. It’s a film that I would suggest watching.
HOLLYWOOD DREAMS & NIGHTMARES: THE ROBERT ENGLUND STORY
ON SCREAMBOX AND DIGITAL: June 6, 2023
DIRECTORS: Gary Smart and Christopher Griffiths
WRITERS: Gary Smart and Neil Morris
CAST: Robert Englund, Nancy Englund, Eli Roth, Adam Green, Tony Todd, Lance Henriksen, Heather Langenkamp, Lin Shaye, Bill Moseley, Doug Bradley and Kane Hodder
SYNOPSIS: A classically trained actor and director, Robert Englund has become one of the most revolutionary horror icons of our generation. Throughout his career, Englund starred in many well-known movies, but shot to super-stardom with his portrayal of supernatural serial killer Freddy Krueger in the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET franchise. This unique and intimate portrait captures the man behind the glove and features interviews with Englund and his wife Nancy, Lin Shaye, Eli Roth, Tony Todd, Heather Langenkamp and more.
THE WRATH OF BECKY
EXCLUSIVELY IN THEATERS: May 26, 2023
DIRECTORS: Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote
WRITERS: Matt Angel; Story by: Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote
CAST: Lulu Wilson, Seann William Scott, Denise Burse, Jill Larson, Courtney Gains, Michael Sirow, Aaron Dalla Villa, Matt Angel, Kate Siegel
SYNOPSIS: Two years after she escaped a violent attack on her family, Becky attempts to rebuild her life in the care of an older woman – a kindred spirit named Elena. But when a group known as the “Noble Men” break into their home, attack them, and take her beloved dog, Diego, Becky must return to her old ways to protect herself and her loved ones.
The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster is one of my all-time favorite films of this year.
THE ANGRY BLACK GIRL AND HER MONSTER
IN THEATERS: June 9, 2023
ON DIGITAL AND ON DEMAND: June 9, 2023
DIRECTOR: Bomani J. Story
WRITER: Bomani J. Story
CAST: Laya DeLeon Hayes, Denzel Whitaker, Chad L. Coleman, Reilly Brooke Stith, Keith Holliday
PRODUCERS: Jack Davis, Darren Brandl, Bomani J. Story
SYNOPSIS: Vicaria is a brilliant teenager who believes death is a disease that can be cured. After the brutal and sudden murder of her brother, she embarks on a dangerous journey to bring him back to life. Inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, THE ANGRY BLACK GIRL AND HER MONSTER thematically challenges our ideas of life and death. Bomani J. Story, the film’s writer and director, crafts a thrilling tale about a family that, despite the terrors of systemic pressure, will survive and be reborn again.
COBWEB
EXCLUSIVELY IN THEATERS: July 21, 2023
DIRECTOR: Samuel Bodin
WRITER: Chris Thomas Devlin
CAST: Lizzy Caplan, Woody Norman, Cleopatra Coleman, Antony Starr
PRODUCED BY: Roy Lee, Andrew Childs, Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen, James Weaver, Josh Fagen
SYNOPSIS: Eight-year-old Peter is plagued by a mysterious, constant tap, tap from inside his bedroom wall – a tapping that his parents insist is all in his imagination. As Peter’s fear intensifies, he believes that his parents (Lizzy Caplan and Antony Starr) could be hiding a terrible, dangerous secret and questions their trust. And for a child, what could be more frightening than that?
THE PASSENGER
ON DIGITAL AND ON DEMAND: August 4, 2023
MGM+ RELEASE: Coming later in 2023
DIRECTOR: Carter Smith
WRITER: Jack Stanley
CAST: Kyle Gallner, Johnny Berchtold and Liza Weil
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Jason Blum, Chris McCumber, Jeremy Gold, Lauren Downey
SYNOPSIS: Randy (Johnny Berchtold) is perfectly content fading into the background. But when his coworker Benson (Kyle Gallner) goes on a sudden and violent rampage leaving a trail of destruction in his wake, Randy is forced to face his fears and confront his troubled past to survive.
GOOD BOY
IN SELECT THEATERS: September 8, 2023
ON DIGITAL AND ON DEMAND: September 8, 2023
DIRECTOR: Viljar Bøe
WRITER: Viljar Bøe
CAST: Gard Løkke, Katrine Lovise Øpstad Fredriksen, Amalie Willoch Njaastad, Nicolai Narvesen Lied
SYNOPSIS: A bold and original thriller from up-and coming director Viljar Bøe. Sigrid thinks she’s met her perfect match with the charming and handsome Christian, but there is one catch- he lives with a man who acts like his pet dog. Trying to be open-minded, Sigrid continues the relationship but soon notices an insidious under-tone to Christian. Maybe ‘puppy play’ isn’t as innocent as it seems.
TERRIFIER 2
IN THEATERS: November 1, 2023 (RE-RELEASE)
DIRECTOR: Damien Leone
WRITER: Damien Leone
CAST: David Howard Thornton, Lauren LaVera, Felissa Rose, Elliott Fullam, and Chris Jericho
SYNOPSIS: After being resurrected by a sinister entity, Art the Clown returns to the timid town of Miles County where he targets a teenage girl and her younger brother on Halloween night.
Let’s take a moment to discuss the shows now and a few honorable mentions.
The Fall of the House of Usher (2023) on Netflix
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (2023)
The Last of Us (2023)
NEIGHBOR (Short Film)
What’s to come in 2024.
Imaginary
Nosferatu
A Quiet Place: Day One
Night Swim
Lisa Frankenstein
Out of Darkness- February 9th.
Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2
Saw XI
They Listen
Alien: Romulus
Baghead
Radio Silence Monster Thriller
Return To Silent Hill
Horrorscope
The Watchers
Trap – M. Night Shyamalan’s newest Horror film.
Beetlejuice II
Speak No Evil
Adrift
The Crow – Reboot – still TBD
Dust Bunny starring the brilliant Mads Mikkelsen. Bryan Fuller will be directing.
The First Omen
Faces of Death (2024)
Immaculate
Heretic
MAXXXine
Never Let Go
Longlegs
The One
Salem’s Lot
The Strangers Trilogy
Terrifier 3
Thread: An Insidious Tale
Weapons
Witchboard
Smile 2
Wolf Man
Psycho Killer
Your Monster
Out Come The Wolves
Mindful
Stay safe out there in the world. “May Your Nightmares Inspire You.”