Hereditary, Halloween, The Strangers: Prey at Night and Victor Crowley should be on this list, because they were some of the best horror titles released this year, but my list is going to focus on independent films only. I reviewed dozens of movies this year, and here are the ones that stayed with me and I think you should see.
FEATURE LENGTH:
1. The Dark (dir Justin P. Lange)
You want original horror? Now THIS is original horror, physically and psychologically. Brutal, Beautiful and executed perfectly.
Review: here
2. To Hell and Back: The Kane Hodder Story (dir Derek Dennis Herbert)
I laughed. I cried. I learned a thing or two about horror history. This documentary made me feel like I got to know the man behind the mask.
Review: here
3. Scarecrows (dir Stu Stone)
A mixture of genre troupes, a well rounded cast and palpable atmosphere. This was the perfect 90’s throwback for horror fans.
Review: here
4. Escape Room (dir Peter Dukes)
This movie did so much with so little space. I was impressed by its use of three villains, not saying they’re all people. Plus, I did an escape room around that time, so it was timely.
Review: here
5. Demon House (dir Zak Bagans)
You never know if these ghost hunting shows are being truthful. So, this could be made up. I’d like to believe the story is true, but it’s all the scarier to know Zak pulled off something that felt real. I was enthralled.
Review: here
6. A Taste of Phobia (dir. everyone)
One of the most bizarre, disturbing, uncomfortable anthologies of all time. It has something for everyone, and even a lot of content that you’ll wish you didn’t see.
Review: here
7. The Toybox (dir Tom Nagel)
Poltergeist meets Christine and set in the desert. A great cast and gory effects. What more could you want?
Review: here
8. Christmas Blood (dir Reinert Kiil)
Mark my words. This is going to go down as one of the best Christmas slashers in horror film history. Just give it time.
Review: here
9. American Poltergeist: The Curse of Lilith Ratchet (dir Eddie Lengyel)
I love a good, new villain, and this movie’s got one. Plus, the sequel potential is out of this world.
Review: here
10. Bad Apples (dir Bryan Coyne)
Proves that two teenage girls in masks can be just as terrifying as grown-ups with axes. Plus, Brea Grant is queen.
Review: here
SHORTS
1. The Conductor (dir Alex Noyer)
The way that horror, suspense and story built into a rhythm as memorizing as the real beat. This one is a visual, cinematic masterpiece.
Review: here
2. Baghead (dir Alberto Corredor)
I loved seeing witchcraft, ghosts and death used in such an invigorating way. Bring on the feature, please?
Review: here
3. Machine Gun Baby (dir Rickey Bird Jr.)
I still don’t know how he thought up this baby, but it’s still one of the most bizarre and barbaric things I’ve ever seen.
Review: here
4. Drops (dir Sergio Morcillo)
This one just stuck out to me, even six months after watching it. Great foreign horror.
Review: here
5. Devil Woman (dir Heidi Lee Douglas)
Cute animals. Conservation danger. A real life threat. Expert film-making. Save the animals, folks. No, really.
Review: here
6. SockMonster (dir Wesley Alley)
A childhood fantasy and adult joke is brought to life here in a sleek and simple way. An old adage becomes a horror short worth watching.
Review: here
7. Your Date is Here (dir Todd Spence & Zak White)
Jumanji meets The Ring. Remember when you used to play board games? Yeah, you never will again after this.
Review: here
8. The Woodsmen (dir Jodi & Victor Cooper)
Bigfoot! Bigfeet? Either way, the elusive cryptid was highlighted here in a fun and entertaining way. Equal parts whimsical and horror.
Review: here
9. Virgins Never Die (dir Daniel Allen & John Garcia)
Action, horror, comedy and terror collide in an almost Buffy the Vampire Slayer type plot. Easily adaptable to a feature length concept.
Review: here
10. Where Monster Hides (dir Fernando Rivera)
A more lighthearted version of The Babadook or Lights Out. An easy reminder that monsters from our childhood can still haunt us today.
Review: here
