A Cut Above the Rest: The 10 Best Horror Movies of 2021

Posted on December 29, 2021 by Andrew Welsh

Just a Brief Note

Undoubtedly, some very good movies don’t make the list. In some cases, it’s simply a matter of not getting a chance to see every movie. Lamb, The Beta Test, The Feast, Separation, False Positive – they’re all still on a ‘to watch’ list. Other artistically exceptional movies – including The Green Knight and Titane – were impressive achievements, but not necessarily movies I’d watch a second time. Other movies that made the Halfway to Hell list at the end of June had to make room for more recent releases. It was that good of a year for horror.

10 – TIE: Caveat (D: Damian McCarthy) and The Power (D: Corinna Faith)

Okay, I’m cheating fight off the bat. But Shudder originals Caveat and The Power are truly among the Best Horror Movies of 2021. Moreover, both movies are indicative of the quality of releases platformed by Shudder this year. True, Caveat’s premise of an amnesiac drifter agreeing to be chained in a house on a remote island with a disturbed woman stretches credulity. But Damian McCarthy’s directorial debut is just so damn scary, it’s easy to forgive the premise. Some audiences will grow frustrated with Caveat’s ambiguous storytelling. Still McCarthy effectively blends atmosphere with disturbing imagery and a handful of excellent jumps.

One of several strong feminist horror movies from 2021, The Power represents director Corinna Faith’s feature-length debut. On her first day a new nurse works the night shift in a nearly empty hospital during a city-wide power outage as an unseen force haunts her. All in all, Faith accomplishes quite a feat with this extremely confident horror movie. Rather than relying on telegraphed jump scares, Faith sets an ominous tone that she maintains throughout the movie. For its first half, The Power trades in a quiet sense of unease, making full use of its decrepit hospital setting. Simply put, The Power soaks itself in haunting atmosphere from its opening scene. All of the scares run deep. And as a writer and director, Faith delivers a satisfying resolution that doesn’t betray the build-up.

9 – Psycho Goreman (D: Steven Kostanski)

When a brother and sister dig up a mysterious glowing gem, they gain control of an evil galactic monster that must do their bidding. Yes, the premise sounds stupid. And it’s supposed to be goofy. Simply put, Psycho Goreman is the horror-comedy you didn’t know you needed. Yes, it’s a little long. And no, not all the humour works. Fortunately, Kostanski avoids beating a dead horse with some of the more spotty jokes. Besides Psycho Goreman is so insanely fun that you won’t really mind spending the time with its title character. In fact, Kostanski’s bizarro creation begs for a sequel. Though horror and comedy are tough genres to mix, Psycho Goreman nails it perfectly. Come for the over-the-top bloodletting, stay for the 90’s-infused rap song over the credits.

8 – Candyman (D: Nia DaCosta)

When news broke that a new Candyman movie was in the works, speculation focused on whether it would be a sequel or reboot. While it’s definitely a sequel with direct connections to the 1992 original, Nia DaCosta re-imagines and re-contextualizes much of the Candyman mythology. In addition to re-claiming and re-contextualizing the original racial allegory, DaCosta ensures her version is still an inventively scary and brutal movie. Specifically, DaCosta proves to be inventive in the staging of the sequel’s scares. And Yahya Abdul-Mateen II more than capably steps into the role. But don’t fret horror fans – Tony Todd makes an appearance.

7 – Censor (D: Prano Bailey-Bond)

A horror movie about horror movies and the UK Video Nasty moral panic of the 1980s – how did it take so long to happen? Writer and director Prano Bailey-Bond’s story of a video censor whose obsession with her missing sisters mixes disastrously with her day job was one of the more affecting horror movies in recent memory. Maybe Censor works slightly better as psychological, surrealist horror. And Censor’s themes may prove to be a little too ambiguous for some viewers. But the movie’s exploration of Enid’s lingering grief, guilt, and obsession proves to be haunting. Her descent into full-fledged madness alongside Bailey-Bond’s striking visuals makes for atmospheric horror.

6 – Fear Street Trilogy (D: Leigh Janiak)

Yes, I’m cheating again. But I am counting all three Fear Street movies as one movie. After all, Netflix released them across three straight weeks. Based on RL Stine’s (Goosebumps) teen horror series from the 1990s, the Fear Street trilogy are teen slasher flicks in the vein of Wes Craven’s Scream series. Unlike his Goosebumps series, Stine’s Fear Street novels had a bit more teeth as they were intended for teens. In spite of a few flaws – including a bit of nostalgia overload – the Fear Street movies are fun, clever, and fast-paced additions to the slasher genre. Even if Part II suffers a bit as a middle act all three movies work well as standalone entries as well as part of a trilogy. In particular, Fear Street Part Three 1666 is one of the most fun horror movies in recent memory.

5 – Saint Maud (D: Rose Glass)

Once again A24 Films puts another movie up on a ‘Best of’ list here. Saint Maud tells the story of a disturbed nurse who slowly believes that God has tasked her with saving a terminally ill patient’s soul. While there’s no doubt it’s an A24 movie, Saint Maud presents a more urgent story with almost relentless tension. In true slow-burn fashion, writer and director Rose Glass allows the audience to see where things may go. There’s also a sense of dread to the movie’s story. And this is where Glass’ use of an ‘unreliable narrator’, provision of limited background information, and tapping into deeper themes widens Saint Maud’s impact. Bottom line, that last shot is one of the more disturbing images in recent horror movie history.

4 – The Vigil (D: Keith Thomas )

Back-to-back entries on our Best Horror Movies of 2021 list that root their horror in religion and faith. Except this one’s rooted in Jewish theology. Though he is estranged from his Jewish community, Yakov agrees to keep a vigil over a recently deceased over whom a demonic presence lurks. As Keith Thomas’ directorial debut, The Vigil is a triumph of horror filmmaking. Straight out of the gate, The Vigil establishes a tone of increasing dread that’s omnipotent throughout the movie. The soundtrack, cinematography, and performances transcend a limited budget. Moreover, a steady grasp on atmosphere alongside a ‘less is more approach’ ensures The Vigil succeeds as pure horror, even when some elements feel familiar. One trip into the basement and a FaceTime call should have audiences squirming.

3 – The Night House (D: David Bruckner)

A handful of horror movies re-visited the haunted house trope with slight twists. Though it’s not on the list, The Deep House was still one one of the better genre movies this year. And David Bruckner’s The Night House offered more proof that the old subgenre just needed some re-modeling. On one hand, The Night House is a tightly paced, atmospheric haunted house movie buoyed by a strong leading performance. Brunker shows you can conjure up scares without expensive CGI effects. Yet The Ghost House successfully reaches beyond standard haunted house tropes. This is a fully realized emotional drama that also happens to be a supernatural horror movie. Both innovative storytelling and filmmaking prove that old formulas can be re-packaged in new ideas.

2 – A Quiet Place Part II (D: John Krasinski)

Now here’s one highly anticipated release that hit all the right notes. As far as sequels go, A Quiet Place Part II exceeded expectations. John Krasinski expands his world and increases the monster action without losing the original’s tension or emotional core. Rather than re-hashing what worked the first time around, A Quiet Place Part II feels like a natural extension of Krasinski’s story where his characters continue to grow into their respective arcs. And Cillian Murphy’s character never feels like a superfluous addition. Instead, Krasinski gives Murphy a fleshed out arc that compliments the Abbott family and parallel’s the sequel’s story and themes. Bottom line, A Quiet Place Part II delivers more tense monster thrills alongside a moving story about survival.

1 – Malignant (D: James Wan)

Undoubtedly, Malignant sitting at the top of this Best of 2021 list will be divisive. Nonetheless, James Wan’s colorful, wildly irreverent homage to the Giallo gave horror fans something original. In a world of shared cinematic worlds, remakes, or soft reboots, Malignant offered a rare movie-going experience – it’s familiar and totally different at the same time. Like Giallo movies from the 1970s and 1980s, this is mystery-heavy affair mixing police procedural, slasher, and supernatural elements. Few movies in recent memory have been so good at keepings audiences off balance. Malignant’s story twists and turns, making it difficult to figure out where it’s going. And as it twists and turns, Malignant teases different horror sub-genres. Wan gives us a memorable horror villain and one of the most insane twists/scenes in horror history. Fortunately, Gabriel may be returning to our screens in the near future.

Halfway To Hell 2021: The Ten Best Horror Movies So Far

Posted on June 30, 2021 by Andrew Welsh

10 – Bloodthirsty (Director: Amelia Moses)

When an indie singer travels to a remote mansion to work with a big-name producer, she slowly undergoes an unsettling series of changes. Finally, horror filmmakers have started using the werewolf as a monstrous vehicle for social commentary like the zombie. Had Bloodthirsty nailed its digs at the music industry and the hunger for fame it might rank higher. However, Bloodthirsty doesn’t quite do for werewolves what Starry Eyes did for occultists. Nonetheless, Amelia Moses’ psychological approach to the material is consistently haunting and often unnerving.

9 – Caveat (Director: Damian McCarthy)

True, Caveat’s premise of an amnesiac drift agreeing to be chained in a house on a remote island with a disturbed woman stretches credulity. But Damian McCarthy’s directorial debut is just so damn scary, it’s easy to forgive the premise. Some audiences will grow frustrated with Caveat’s ambiguous storytelling. Still McCarthy effectively blends atmosphere with disturbing imagery and a handful of excellent jumps. The cat-and-mouse game that ensues delivers genuine edge-of-your seat tension. And the story’s gaps in exposition create enough mystery to engage in the those quieter moments.

8 – Violation (Director: Dusty Mancinelli, Madeline Sims-Fewer)

After years apart, Miriam’s visit with her sister and brother-in-law leads to an ultimate violation that sets her on a path of vengeance. Simply put, Violation is a challenging movie that you’ll likely not want to watch again. On one hand, Violation is beautifully filmed, brilliantly acted, and an immediately imperative movie. Like another Shudder production, Revenge, Mancinelli and Sim-Fewer subvert the rape-revenge narrative, resulting in a uniquely feminist horror movie. But Violation is also unrelenting, uncomfortable, and necessarily unsatisfying. Trauma lingers in real life and, thus, Mancinelli and Sims-Fewer leave with you no resolution. Additionally, the movie’s violence may be too much for many viewers.

7 – Godzilla vs. Kong (Director: Adam Wingard)

C’mon, how was this movie not going to be on this list? After a year delay due to COVID and some mixed responses to Godzilla and Godzilla: King of the Monsters, the ‘Monsterverse’ finally delivered on its promise. Despite some minor grievances, Godzilla vs Kong is the monster showdown that the 10-year-old in all of us were anticipating. Not even the puny human characters can derail the giddy fun for too long. Wingard and his creative team treated audiences to some of the most spectacular big monster action ever put up on a movie screen. Though it’s not completely satisfying Godzilla vs Kong gets the important stuff right.

6 – Anything for Jackson (Director: Justin G Dyck)

When a couple loses their grandson in a car accident, they turn to the occult with a sinister plan to bring him back. After some darkly fun winks and nods in the early going, Anything for Jackson proves to be one of the scarier movies in recent memory. Smarts twists on familiar tropes with inventive scares and practical effects alongside great performances delivers a surprise gem for horror fans. Even if Anything for Jackson’s final act leans towards the expected the overall result is still one of 2021’s better genre movies. With so many takes on ‘dark wishes’ and Satanist cults, there’s a refreshing feeling to this low-budget outing.

5 – Psycho Goreman (Director: Steven Kostanski)

When a brother and sister dig up a mysterious glowing gem, they gain control of an evil galactic monster that must do their bidding. Yes, the premise sounds stupid. And it’s supposed to be goofy. Simply put, Psycho Goreman is the horror-comedy you didn’t know you needed. Yes, it’s a little long. And no, not all the humour works. Fortunately, Kostanski avoids beating a dead horse with some of the more spotty jokes. Besides Psycho Goreman is so insanely fun that you won’t really mind spending the time with its title character. In fact, Kostanski’s bizarro creation begs for a sequel. Though horror and comedy are tough genres to mix, Psycho Goreman nails it perfectly. Come for the over-the-top bloodletting, stay for the 90’s-infused rap song over the credits.

4 = Saint Maud (Director: Rose Glass)

Once again A24 Films puts another movie up on a ‘Best of’ list here. Saint Maud tells the story of a disturbed nurse who slowly believes that God has tasked her with saving a terminally ill patient’s soul. While there’s no doubt it’s an A24 movie, Saint Maud presents a more urgent story with almost relentless tension. In true slow-burn fashion, writer and director Rose Glass allows the audience to see where things may go. There’s also a sense of dread to the movie’s story. And this is where Glass’ use of an ‘unreliable narrator’, provision of limited background information, and tapping into deeper themes widens Saint Maud’s impact. Bottom line, that last shot is one of the more disturbing images in recent horror movie history.

3 – The Power (Director: Corinna Faith)

One of several strong feminist horror movies from 2021 – and the second on this list – The Power represents director Corinna Faith’s feature-length debut. On her first day a new nurse works the night shift in a nearly empty hospital during a city-wide power outage as an unseen force haunts her. All in all, Faith accomplishes quite a feat with this extremely confident horror movie. Rather than relying on telegraphed jump scares, Faith sets an ominous tone that she maintains throughout the movie. For its first half, The Power trades in a quiet sense of unease, making full use of its decrepit hospital setting. Simply put, The Power soaks itself in haunting atmosphere from its opening scene. All of the scares run deep. And as a writer and director, Faith delivers a satisfying resolution that doesn’t betray the build-up.

2 – The Vigil (Director: Keith Thomas)

And here’s yet another religious horror movie on our list. Except this one’s rooted in Jewish theology. Though he is estranged from his Jewish community, Yakov agrees to keep a vigil over a recently deceased over whom a demonic presence lurks. As Keith Thomas’ directorial debut, The Vigil is a triumph of horror filmmaking. Straight out of the gate, The Vigil establishes a tone of increasing dread that’s omnipotent throughout the movie. The soundtrack, cinematography, and performances transcend the movie’s more limited budget. Moreover, a steady grasp on atmosphere alongside a ‘less is more approach’ ensures The Vigil succeeds as pure horror, even when some elements feel familiar. One trip into the basement and a FaceTime call should have audiences squirming.

1- A Quiet Place Part II (Director: John Krasinski)

It’s been so long since we’ve had a big studio horror movie. And this one absolutely delivers. As far as sequels go, A Quiet Place Part II exceeds all expectations. John Krasinski expands his world and increases the monster action without losing the tension or emotional core from his original vision. Rather than re-hashing what worked the first time around, A Quiet Place Part II feels like a natural extension of Krasinski’s story where his characters continue to grow into their respective arcs. And Cillian Murphy’s character never feels like a superfluous addition. Instead, Krasinski gives Murphy a fleshed out arc that compliments the Abbott family and parallel’s the sequel’s story and themes. Bottom line, A Quiet Place Part II delivers more tense monster thrills alongside a moving story about survival.

A Quiet Place Part II: A Worthy Follow-Up to a Classic Movie

Posted on June 21, 2021 by Andrew Welsh

Synopsis

Following the death of her husband, Evelyn and her children, Regan, Marcus, and newborn son, leave their now destroyed home to search for other survivors. Eventually they find shelter in an abandoned foundry with another lone survivor, Emmett. Soon thereafter the survivors stumble on a radio transmission broadcasting the song, Beyond the Sea. Believing it’s a message from other survivors, Regan sets off alone to find the radio tower. She hopes she broadcast the high frequency from her hearing aids to help other survivors. Desperate to save her daughter, Evelyn begs Emmett to find her. Now with the survivors divided, their fight for survival intensifies as more of the creatures relentlessly close in.

A Quiet Place Part II Continues to Find Big Scares From Its Simple Premise

Less a sequel and more a continuation of A Quiet Place, writer and director John Krasinski expands his world without tinkering too much with what worked. Following an exciting and terse prologue set before the events of the first movie, Krasinski picks things up as the Abbott family abandons their family home in search of survivors. Obviously, A Quiet Place Part II faces a different challenge. Unlike the first movie, the sequel can’t lean on the novelty of its premise. Audiences know what to expect now. And Krasinski wisely keeps A Quiet Place Part II moving at a crisp pace. That is, A Quiet Place Part II expertly builds a simple story of survival around several white-knuckle moments. While there’s inevitably some repetitiveness, it’s a minor quarrel with a strong sequel.

A Quiet Place Part II faces a different challenge. Unlike the first movie, the sequel can’t lean on the novelty of its premise.

After all, A Quiet Place Part II knows how to squeeze the most from its premise. Yes, the sequel still relies on the quiet to terrifyingly loud setup for its scares. But Krasinski still finds inventive ways to push you to the edge of your seat. Whether it’s the first chase in the foundry or Simmonds’ Regan’s search of an abandoned rail car, Krasinski’s direction alongside Marco Beltrami’s score and top-notch sound design deliver plenty of thrills. One of the highlights – a scene in which Regan and Emmett discover a clan of feral humans – deftly juxtaposes the two groups of main characters desperate bid for survival. As for the climax, it’s every bit as tense and thrilling as the first movie. Though it clearly signals a sequel, Krasinski still gives us an emotionally satisfying ending.

A Quiet Place Part II Remembers The Importance of Emotional Investment

One of the common complaints leveled at Godzillia vs Kong was its mostly disposable human characters. In contrast, Krasinski – who only briefly appears in the sequel – remembered the importance of emotional investment for genuine suspense. Like the first movie, A Quiet Place Part II succeeds in making you care for the Abbott family. Not surprisingly, Emily Blunt turns in the kind of performance that should garner more attention from critics. As a mother still grieving for her husband, Blunt channels several emotions that make her character both real and sympathetic. It’s the humanity that Blunt brings to her character that makes the concept of alien monsters believable. As the middle-child, Noah Jupe dutifully spends most of the sequel looking terrified though the conclusion promises bigger things for him.

An absolute highlight of the first movie, Simmonds grows into the role giving her character a genuinely compelling arc.

However, Millicent Simmonds, the hearing impaired actress playing Regan Abbott, owns the sequel. An absolute highlight of the first movie, Simmonds grows into the role giving her character a genuinely compelling arc. If A Quiet Place Part II gives us more of the same, it’s Simmonds’ character and accompanying performance that offers something new. Krasinski’s screenplay gives Regan the sequel’s best story and Simmonds steps up to the role putting audiences on notice that she is a start-in-the making. Joining the Abbott family in the sequel, an unrecognizable Cillian Murphy (28 Days Later) is a welcome addition to the cast as his character’s journey offers a nice parallel to what we saw from Krasinski’s character in the first movie. Sadly, A Quiet Place Part II wastes Djimon Hounsou in too small a role.

A Quiet Place Part II a Worthy Follow-Up

As far as sequels go, A Quiet Place Part II exceeds all expectations. Krasinski expands his world and increases the monster action without losing the tension an emotional core from his original vision. Rather than re-hashing what worked the first time around, A Quiet Place Part II feels like a natural extension of Krasinski’s story where his characters continue to grow into their respective arcs. And Cillian Murphy’s character never feels like a superfluous addition. Instead, Krasinski gives Murphy a fleshed out arc that compliments the Abbott family and parallel’s the sequels story and themes. Bottom line, A Quiet Place Part II delivers more tense monster thrills alongside a moving story about survival.

THE PROFESSOR’S FINAL GRADE: A

The Abominable Dr. Welsh

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