Connect with us

Movies

What Your Favorite ‘Halloween’ Movie Says About You

Published

on

It’s October. The wind is blowing, and the leaves are changing.* As the weather begins to cool and the veil between the living and the dead stretches thin, you know in your bones that Halloween is approaching. If you’re a horror fan, this almost definitely means that you’ll be throwing on a Halloween movie or two before the season is over. But the question is, which movie is your go-to? And what does that say about you? Well, I’m here to answer that question in this handy-dandy guide!

*This doesn’t apply if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, anywhere remotely equatorial, or – like me – Southern California, but a Pasadena Halloween is actually more authentic to the first movie anyway, so we all win.

What Your Favorite Halloween Says About You

Halloween (1978)

Now, here’s where the distinction between “favorite” and “best” comes into play. Every Halloween fan secretly knows that John Carpenter’s original is the best Halloween movie by pretty much any qualitative yardstick one can use to measure it. However, there are likely only two major reasons it would be your favorite. The first reason would be that you are new to the franchise and have been freshly bowled over by its eerie iconography. Fans who are more hardcore and long-term have likely overindulged in the original’s charms and moved their attention elsewhere in the franchise for a fresher fix. 

The second reason would be that you’re a purist, a cineaste unwilling to overlook the movie’s aesthetic, atmosphere, and contributions to cinema history. Power to you, and may you forever be entitled to one good scare.

Halloween II (1981)

Congratulations, you are a true slasher fiend. Several of the original creatives are still around (Debra Hill, Dean Cundey, John Carpenter as co-writer and co-composer) to maintain consistency with the original. Still, Halloween II is steeped in early ‘80s slasherdom like no other Halloween movie. The subgenre that Halloween helped birth has now fully dictated the formula that its sequel follows, and that inimitable feeling of seeing a beloved formula executed by people who know what they’re doing can be addictive.

Advertisement

Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

You’re a champion of the underdog. The Myers-less entry in the franchise has had a cultural reappraisal in recent years, but it still generally has a reputation for being a disappointing break from the series norm, so the sad puppy quality of this movie makes it even more endearing to you. You’re also probably less of a slasher person but definitely have a soft spot in your heart for the gooey grotesquerie that 1980s supernatural horror had to offer.

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)

You just love Fall. You’re probably in line for a pumpkin spice latte as you’re reading this. You really dig when something leans in on that autumnal Halloween-y vibe, capturing the nostalgic childhood feeling of trick-or-treating down leaf-lined streets (which Halloween 4 delivers in spades thanks to finally moving production out of the season-free California and centering a kid protagonist).

Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)

You come to the slasher genre for the time capsule aspect of it all. You want to bask in those 1980s signifiers, from the clothing to the hairstyles to the dialogue. You’re mad Becca’s “Romeo, Romeo” isn’t on Spotify.

Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)

You have a crush on Paul Rudd. Barring that, you relish conflict. You can’t resist the siren call of the “*NSYNC vs. Backstreet Boys”-style debate over whether the theatrical cut or the producer’s cut is better, and you have a strong opinion either way.

Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later (1998)

You love having Jamie Lee Curtis around as Laurie Strode, but you also want to have a little fun while you’re spending time with her. Plus, Scream is probably why you got into horror movies in the first place, and this one lights up those same pleasure centers.

Advertisement

Halloween: Resurrection (2002)

I say this as someone with a soft spot for this movie but frankly, you’re a dyed-in-the-wool contrarian. You probably also hate pizza.

Halloween (2007)

Most likely, this is the first Halloween movie you saw, so this is what feels like “your” Halloween. But if that’s not the case, then you’re probably someone who prefers backstory and lore to the more fable-esque “good vs. evil” approach from the 1978 Halloween.

Halloween II (2009)

Did somebody say lore? Either you’re a die-hard Rob Zombie stan for loving this one, or you want your horror movies to be confrontational. You like your genre fare to have more of an art film flavor on top of feeling genuinely dangerous and brutal.

Halloween (2018)

You love franchise movies and legacy sequels and whatnot, but you also want a story with some meat on its bones. You like to leave the theater with something to chat about, whether it’s parsing the themes of generational trauma or untangling the complicated continuity of how this fits into the timeline of the rest of the franchise. You probably own or know somebody who owns a piece of A24 merchandise.

Halloween Kills (2021)

You’re a straight-up gorehound. Forget the story, if Michael is delivering gleefully bloody kills while eerie synths play, you’re there.

Advertisement

Halloween Ends (2022)

You’re a completist. You like the sense of accomplishment you get after seeing a project through. Even though this will almost definitely not prove to be the final Halloween movie in the long run, it still feels like the end of an era. While your marathon may have had some bumps in the road, at least you got to end it accompanied by Laurie, Michael, and a John Carpenter soundtrack.

Brennan Klein is a millennial who knows way more about 80's slasher movies than he has any right to. He's a former host of the  Attack of the Queerwolf podcast and a current senior movie/TV news writer at Screen Rant. You can also find his full-length movie reviews on Alternate Ending and his personal blog Popcorn Culture. Follow him on Twitter or Letterboxd, if you feel like it.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Movies

8 Horror Movies That Are Red Flags When Dating Men

Published

on

‘Tis February, and because of 2025’s Heart Eyes, we now celebrate Valentine’s Day. While many outlets are going to list romantic horror movies featuring the ultimate horror couples, we’re doing something different at Horror Press. We’re highlighting horror movie red flags. That way, you don’t waste your time this Hallmark season with duds who watch crap. These movies are grounds for automatic swipes to the left and leaving messages on read. Read this list to see the ultimate film filter to help you focus on more sustainable hookups, dates, and cuffing season partners.

8 Horror Movies That Are Dating Red Flags

A Serbian Film (2010)

An old pornstar agrees to do an art film only to discover it’s a snuff film. A Serbian Film is possibly the reddest of the red flags. The pedophilia and necrophilia make it a hard watch, so anyone who revisits it often should probably raise all your alarms. We try not to judge people, but this is definitely a title that will get you some bombastic side eye if you try to bring it to movie night. Would definitely not recommend spending the night after being shown this hellish title.

Any Eli Roth Movie

They’re all the same, and that’s why Eli Roth movies are the free space on this red flag bingo board. Whether it’s taking place in a cabin, a hostel, or during Thanksgiving, there is something inherently gross about a Roth film. I need a shower whenever some guy tries to convince me Roth has made any movies of note. Only people who want to be ghosted are suggesting these movies, and you should respect their wishes this February. 

Alone in the Dark (2005)

Advertisement

A paranormal investigator looks into mysterious events that connect to his past. There is nothing nice to say about this Uwe Boll movie. It’s actually one of the few movies where I can’t even count on the design team when searching for compliments. While Christian Slater, Tara Reid, and Stephen Dorff have the misfortune of being the faces we associate with this shit fest, I’m not even letting the colorist and craft service off for their parts in this dud. When we talk about how we all love an occasional bad movie, no one means this one. This makes Alone in the Dark a red flag and alerts you that someone might not have taste.

Fear Street: Prom Queen (2025)

A 1988 prom queen race turns deadly when a killer begins slaying the candidates. Fear Street: Prom Queen is another huge red flag because it has no redeeming qualities. People who like this movie are being contrarians and should immediately lose the right to recommend movies. From the lack of energy to the unserious kills, there is no reason to swipe right on anyone pretending this movie is good. Save yourself some time and probably more ridiculously bad watches and shut it down immediately. 

I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006)

When a Fourth of July Prank goes wrong, someone dies, and their friend circle finds themselves stalked by a mysterious figure. No matter what we think of any other installment/iteration of this story, this one is the worst. This is not my franchise, but this steep decline in quality is not like the others. Anyone who likes this movie is a walking red flag and possibly the most chaotic individual you have ever met.

Advertisement

Men (2022)

A woman heads to the English countryside to work through trauma and discovers more horrors are awaiting her. Men should have been my last straw with Alex Garland. However, I am a damn fool and suffered through Civil War, too. Which is why I can confidently say most Garland films are a red flag for me, but Men specifically underscores all of my problems with his work. If someone likes this movie, I will need them to explain it to me like I am five years old.

Skinamarink (2022)

Two kids wake up in the middle of the night and find that all of their doors and windows are gone. Skinamarink is the embodiment of “Girl, What?” The grainy footage gives many people headaches, and too much time is dedicated to the ceiling. Listening to people suggest watching it in closets, under blankets, with headphones to fully “get it” is weird and extremely unsexy. Which is why the movie and the people forcing the mood onto it are all red flags. I don’t want to kink shame but if someone is that into ceilings then maybe we’re not a good match.

Red Christmas (2016)

Advertisement

A family Christmas Eve gathering is interrupted by a killer seeking revenge. I cannot think of a bigger red flag than an anti-choice Christmas movie. I like my horror to be on the correct side of feminism, and this mess feels gross from a distance. That’s why this Dee Wallace title is a huge red flag and a festive horror mood killer. I know people like to talk about the great kills in this movie, but I insist on not hooking up with guys who like this one. If for no other reason, it probably tells you where they land on Roe v. Wade and we do not have time for that.

So these are some horror red flags from our team to your group chats. Now you can’t say no one warned you about the Eli Roth filmbros, or A Serbian Film fanatics.

Happy hookups and potential dating now that you know what to be on the lookout for! Never forget that it’s okay to swipe left, force close the app, and watch better horror movies than the ones listed above.

Continue Reading

Movies

The Best Horror You Can Stream on Netflix in February

Published

on

It’s still too cold to seriously consider going outside, so I am still in my couch potato era. Cozy, comfort, and Netflix are the three words people will hear me chanting under my breath this month. I also recently finished a group rewatch of Slasher: Solstice and have been looking at the other TV shows currently living on Netflix. Which is why I am looking for the warmth of my next quick binge. That’s right! I’m here with a few shows that could be taken down in one frosty February weekend. Most of them have been on my radar forever, and one of them I want to revisit because it screams lazy Stephen King Sunday. However, what I find most appealing about each of them is that I am guaranteed to lose at least a whole day if it’s a match made in hell. 

Without further ado, here are the five titles I have my evil eye on this month. Check out my five Netflix picks for this February below! Happy binging to all my fellow couch potatoes! 

The Best Movies to Stream on Netflix This Month

Archive 81 (2022)

An archivist finds himself reconstructing the work of a filmmaker and her investigation into a dangerous cult. I missed Archive 81, but have only heard good things about it. Which is why it’s weird it was cancelled after only one season, consisting of eight episodes. The popular show was created by Rebecca Sonnenshine and starred talent like Mamoudou Athie and Matt McGorry. So, I’m long overdue for this Netflix watch and am excited to finally see what all of the fuss is about. 

Castle Rock (2018 – 2019)

Advertisement

A series set in the town of Castle Rock and inhabited by characters from some of Stephen King’s most infamous works. This is the only show on this streaming guide that I have already seen. However, it’s very cozy, and I want to go back in. While this divisive series wasn’t for everyone, it scratched my King itch better than most of his adaptations. Also, this cast was ridiculously stacked. Where else can you see André Holland, Melanie Lynskey, Bill Skarsgård, Jane Levy, Sissy Spacek, and Lizzy Caplan all play together? I will definitely be revisiting these twenty episodes that make up these two seasons of what the fuckery.

NOS4A2 (2019-2020)

An immortal who feeds on children is threatened by a young woman with a mysterious gift. This show has circled my list forever, and it’s high time I cross it off my list. I also need to know what Zachary Quinto and Ebon Moss-Bachrach were doing during this era of genre TV for research. I’m ready to run through these twenty episodes and report back on my findings. More importantly, I love to see a show with big “fuck them kids” energy. So, fingers crossed, he eats a few kids to keep me leaned in. I need this to be good for so many reasons.

Peaky Blinders (2013 – 2022)

A mob family in 1900s England sews razor blades in their caps and causes a ruckus. I am so ready to find out how this alleged crime drama collected so many horror fans. Is it just because it stars Cillian Murphy? Or is it very bloody and violent due to the razor blades being a key factor? Whatever the case, I’m excited to see all six seasons on Netflix. I plan to take these thirty-six episodes down like it is my job. I also cannot get over how lucky I have been to avoid all spoilers for the show, and I need to jump on it before someone ruins it for me already.

Advertisement

Reality Z (2020)

When a zombie apocalypse breaks out, a TV studio becomes a shelter for a small band of survivors in Rio de Janeiro. Because of the pandemic, I missed this Brazilian horror show. However, this seems like the kind of international gory zombie situation that I would like to make my new personality. I’m looking forward to seeing if these 10 episodes are one of the few reasons to keep talking to Netflix this year. Fingers crossed it is a scary good time, because we deserve some scares this February. 

So, that’s where you can find me this February. Under a weighted blanket, in front of a TV, and eagerly taking advantage of the shows Netflix has collected. Let me know if any of these titles on my list will be your excuse to stay in this winter, too. Although, I am sure many of you will be revisiting your favorite Mike Flanagan Netflix Originals. Meanwhile, I am trying to get into some new (to me) stuff because the winter of our discontent is upon us. I plan to beat the winter of our discontent by being unreasonably comfortable and drowning in genre shows. I advise you to do the same because the weather outside is frightful and we have no place to go. 

Continue Reading

Horror Press Mailing List

Fangoria
Advertisement
Advertisement