Movies
What Are Some of the Best Beheadings in Horror?
Someone said to me recently, “Heads don’t roll like they used to,” and I took that as a personal challenge. Whatever happened to the good ol’ snap n’ drop? Nothing! Beheadings and decapitation have stayed alive and well in our neck of the woods. Let me highlight a handful of the best beheadings in horror that need to be added to your watch list, or give you a reason to revisit some classics.
The Best Beheadings in Horror
Hereditary (2018)
No, I don’t think Ari Aster is okay. A two-fer of decapitation in only 128 minutes is almost as rare as little Charlie’s (Milly Shapiro) headless body after marinating in the back seat of her brother’s car overnight. The only thing that could possibly trump the infamous nut allergy sequence is a self-inflicted beheading for a cute lil’ nightcap right before the credits roll. Toni Collette eats those wounds like an absolute champ while hoisted 10 feet off the floor.
Saint Drogo (2023)
Saint Drogo is the second feature film to drop out of Monster Makeup Entertainment. The story follows a gay couple going through a rough patch. The two make an effort to heal their relationship by taking a trip to Rhode Island’s P-Town during the winter off-season. While pretending to fix their bond, one of them faces their suspicion of the disappearance of an ex who never returned home.
It’s a tense and uncomfortable slow burn that ends on an even more anxiety-ridden note with some gorgeous body horror. A must-see for queer fans of psychological horror and gore that’ll leave your head spinning as the heads on screen are rolling.
Deadly Friend (1986)
Before M3GAN, before Anabelle, and even before Chucky, there was Samantha Pringle; the deadliest “girl next door”. Take a stroll down Wes Craven’s catalog, and you’ll find this wildly overlooked piece of gore gold- which includes one of the best clapbacks of the decade.
Paul is the new robotics prodigy in town, and his creation, a bot named BB is all the proof he needs. When there’s meddling kids on the block, the mortal enemy can’t be far. In this case, it’s the old Karen down the street, Elvira. When Sam Pringle suffers a critical injury due to domestic violence, Paul places BB’s chip into her brain, turning her into the cutest cyborg around. Maybe ol’ Elvira should’ve thought twice before stealing the neighborhood kids’ basketball- Sam Pringle shoots a nasty free throw, knocking her head clean off and into a bloody pulp.
The Coffee Table (2022)
You don’t know true stress if you haven’t seen The Coffee Table. Director Caye Casas is one sick dude who just delivered the blackest horror comedy you’ve ever experienced. The film explores the fragile familial relationships between Jesus, his wife Maria, and his brother Carlos. It’s an equal opportunity horror in here- no one is granted immunity. I’m sure you’re wondering how decapitation and family drama mix. I’ll quietly throw this on the list and leave you to your trauma. I’ve already said too much.
The Omen (1976)
Arkasha Stevenson’s The First Omen was a fun time, but nothing could ever compare to the crater-sized impact that was left in viewers after the late David Warner’s incredible death scene. Warner stars as the photographer Keith Jennings, assisting in the investigation to determine whether the boy Damian is the Antichrist.
During an assassination attempt, Jennings becomes distracted and fails to notice the industrial glass truck heading full speed towards him. A sheet of glass comes loose, slicing his throat with the precision of a Michelin star chef’s knife, popping his head clean off the stem. Just to rub it in, viewers get the play-by-play from at least four different angles in glorious slow motion. The 70s couldn’t have been ready for all that.
I Saw The Devil (2010)
This beheading comes at the finale of a masterclass of revenge. Director Kim Jee-woon is extra generous with flesh and violence. Around these parts, we’re all game, but to the Korea Media Rating Board, absolutely not. The board had forced a recut on two separate occasions to avoid a “restricted” rating, which would prevent the film from having a theatrical or home video release. Lucky for us, the international cut puts all the squishy stuff right back in.
Lee Byung-hun stars as Soo-hyeon; a professionally trained agent on a revenge mission against his finance’s “decapitator”, Jang Kyung-chul (Choi Min-sik). Decapitation plays a special role in this film, as that’s where our story starts and ends. After 144 minutes of an extreme level cat and mouse chase, Kyung-chul finally meets his demise by decapitation from his own personal guillotine. And the best part? Soo-hyeon invites the maniac’s parents and son to watch the show.
Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989)
I’m not the biggest slasher fan, but I’m a New Yorker, which means my pride forces me to pretend that Friday the 13th Part VIII is good. I won’t lie and say it’s not worth a watch- there are some great moments in here. One of my favorites being Julius’ (Vincent Craig Dupree) hilarious knockout scene.
Squaring up for a rooftop fist fight is a very New York thing to do, but picking a fight with Jason? It’s grade-A comedy camp. All it takes is one swing to send poor Julius’ head flying off the rooftop with immaculate aim into the dumpster below. Swoosh.
Day of the Dead (1985)
I’ll always be down for a hate-watch, but I’ve never wished painful deaths on any cast of characters to the degree that I have while watching Romero’s Day of the Dead. I’ve got to believe that was intentional; George Romero was definitely a conduit of on-screen divine karma. Luckily we’ve got the legendary special fx duo, Tom Savini and Greg Nicotero on board to deliver the inevitable with style and satisfaction. This death is drawn out to the absolute max, leaving Private Torrez howling before, during, and after his head is forcibly ripped from his body by classic Romero zombies.
House of Wax (2005)
The list needs a little more love from the 2000s. This star-studded soft “remake” doesn’t have much connection to its 1953 namesake, but we love her anyway. In a House of Wax situation, I’d much rather lose my head in a quick death, than be damned to starvation and solitude by becoming a wax figure. Dalton (Jon Abrahams) gets the easy out. While looking through the museum for Wade (Jared Padalecki), Dalton discovers his petrified (and still very much alive) body coated in wax. After making a hysterical attempt at freeing Wade, Dalton is chased down the stairs by the wax-bandit, where his throat meets a pair of chef’s knives. He has no idea how easy he had it.
Final Destination 2 (2003)
In my opinion, the best kind of beheading is the kind where all you can do is lean in and wait for the inevitable. Even better in a time sensitive situation like an elevator ride. I think every horror fan has had the “what if” notion when riding the elevator- a rite of passage for the fandom, if you will. I’d like to thank Nora (Lynda Boyd) for her contribution to our intrusive thoughts. If you don’t know what happens when getting your head stuck in a pair of elevator doors, now you know!
‘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)
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.
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)
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.
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)
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.
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.
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