THE ORPHANAGE

“The Orphanage” is one of those rare horror films that doesn’t depend on loud, surprising thuds or noises to get a scare out of its audience. As a Spanish film, many Americans might have missed this gem directed by Juan Antonio Bayona and produced by Guillermo del Toro, but don’t let subtitles turn you off. With stylized imagery and an intensely scary and deep plot, this is the perfect flick to watch in the dark. The film focuses on a woman named Laura who decides to reopen the orphanage she was adopted from. Her son, Simón, is HIV positive and requires intense care. After he approaches her with stories of an imaginary friend, Simón vanishes -‑ but his mysterious friend turns up instead. I’ll just say this, this terrifying character is about 3 ft tall and wears a potato bag over its head. While being terrorized by this figure, Laura is thrown into a journey to find her son. On the way, she uncovers a dark secret and one of the most unexpected and satisfying twists ever. By Maxim Alter

THE MIST

I remember when I first saw Frank Darabont’s “The Mist” at a test screening a few years ago. I remember not knowing a whole lot about the movie, but man do I know alot about it now. It’s unbelieveably bleak (and awesome) ending literally had the audience speechless at the end of its running, followed by thunderous applause. The acting in the movie was incredible, especially Marcia Gay Harden as the insanely religious Mrs. Carmody.  Darabont was able to create an intense and terrifying atmosphere that truly had me scared, and accurately portrayed the events that would transpire when a group of people are set in a world where rules are no longer part of the equation.  I reccommend “The Mist” for those who are looking for a smart, but fun, horror movie that has a bleak enough ending to make a puppy sob. By Andrew Wyrich

THE THING

Antarctica. A hostile wasteland where just standing still can kill you, where dark secrets and otherwordly terrors lie just beneath  the icy surface, aching to break free. “The Thing,” directed by John Carpenter, tells the story of an American research team set upon by a parasitic, extraterrestrial, organism that assimilates and imitates its victims, causing paranoia and fear to run rampant. Hailing years before the age of CGI, “The Thing” is a masterpiece of practical effects, with the titular alien monstrosity still standing tall amongst any creature manufactured by today’s cinema. Even with multiple viewings, I still shake with pure, unadultered terror watching this film. With amazing blood-chilling  practical effects and suspense galore, “The Thing” is undoubtedly perfect Halloween fare. By Ryan Patrick Hanrahan

HALLOWEEN

I don’t even like horror movies. They don’t appeal to me. They make me laugh. But “Halloween” (1978) is an absolute classic because it is not another by-the-numbers horror flick. The plot chronicles Michael Myers’ return to his childhood home after being put away for killing his sister when he was six years old. Myers immediately takes to stalking Jamie Lee Curtis and her friends. A few killings and creepy shots of Myers later and you have one of the greatest horror movies of all time. Can you believe that mask is a mold of William Shatner’s face? Terrifying. Unfortunately, the open-ended conclusion left the series open for multiple (unsatisfactory) sequels. Even still, Myers has established himself as one of the creepiest villains in cinematic history and the mysterious killer formula has been repeated ever since. Plus, Jamie Lee Curtis is kind of a babe, right? By Pierce Lydon