Disclaimer: the movies are not listed in any particular order…they simply rank in the top 10 best horror flicks this year…. So far.
Crimes of the Future
Directed by one of today’s masters of horror, David Cronenberg, and starring Viggo Mortensen, Léa Seydoux and Kristen Stewart, this movie is set in a dystopian future, in an era when people feel no physical pain, organs are grown in strange ways, and plastic apparently has an umami flavor to it, which obviously influences the art scene that takes art a step further (Damien Hirst‘s 90’s controversial pieces would be peanuts by comparison).
Our opinion: Disconcerting, and brilliant, with an interesting and completely unexpected twist. By the way, did you know that Cronenberg took one year of molecular biology in college?….
The Black Phone
The Black Phone is directed by Scott Derrickson, and stars Mason Thames, with Ethan Hawke as the uncanny villain.
Synopsis: Finney Shaw is sequestered by an ominous clown-masked kidnapper. Held captive in a dark, dank and barren basement, he finds himself in the midst of his despair when it sinks in that he will never get out of that place. It is then that the phone rings – yes, there is a disconnected phone in the basement. Finney answers, and on the other side are voices, voices of the psychopathic kidnapper’s previous victims. The distorted voices seem to be trying to help the Finney escape…
Our opinion: It has managed to craft together a good horror story, without renouncing to notable filmmaking. It is well directed, and orchestrated, with great performances and technical savvy.
She Will
She Will is a horror movie directed by Charlotte Colbert, starring Alice Krige. With a supporting role played by Malcolm McDowell.
Synopsis: An aging actress who has just undergone a double mastectomy goes on a retreat in Scotland accompanied by her nurse in order to recover. Once there, she starts a healing process that takes on unexpected and mystical routes.
Our Opinion: It is an elegant viewing experience that is elevated by its aesthetics, and great performances. It takes us back to the movies of the 70’s, and we love that. Guiding us through a fable where the camera tells so much more than what many will believe to have seen, it is a gem.
Speak No Evil
This Danish horror movie is directed by Christian Tafdrup, who very artfully uses the screenplay and, in collaboration with the cinematographer, Erik Molberg Hansen, the photography to tell us the uncomfortable story of a Danish family who visits their new friends who live somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Things go awry.
Our opinion: It is not a comfortable movie, and it is not a conventional horror movie either; nor does it pretend to be one; nor is it a “critique of the conventions” as some have claimed. This is a horror movie that knows how to deliver the goods parting from the script and the camerawork, and it knows how to play with the viewers as well as with the genre to give precisely what is sought by the spectator, a genre piece.
Bodies Bodies Bodies
This flick is directed by Halina Reijn, starring Lee Pace, Amandla Stenberg and Pete Davidson.
A group of young wealthy teens go on a getaway to a mansion. Things don’t end well amidst stabbings, lies and murders.
Our opinion: A contemporary slasher horror movie that is well produced, and the story is adapted to the times we live in, when technology has become an extension of ourselves, and without it we might suffer from withdrawal symptoms so harsh that we would act out in strange ways. Pleasant, it is not.
They/Them
A teen slasher horror movie directed by John Logan, starring Theo Germaine, Kevin Bacon, and Carrie Preston.
Set in a summer camp, where teens are sent to be “healed”. The youngster encounter a masked killer.
Our opinion: If it hits the mark with the broad audience is difficult to forecast. What we appreciate about the movie is its daring attempt to create a story that is different from the traditional slashers we have seen before, and to do so with zest.
Resurrection
Resurrection is written and directed by Andrew Semans, and stars Rebecca Hall and Tim Roth.
Synopsis: Margaret leads and organized and disciplined life where everything seems to be under control until David shows up. This will awaken slumbering ghosts from the past.
Our opinion: This movie tells a story that deserves to be told and narrated in the remarkable way it is. Need we add that it’s definitely recommendable?
Nope
Nope is the latest Jordan Peele masterpiece, starring Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer.
Synopsis: OJ and Emerald have inherited a horse ranch from their late father, who died when a metal object fallen from the skies hits him on the head. The two siblings, and their friend Brandon have been witnessing strange phenomena in the sky, one of them being a cloud that never moves nor changes in shape. Soon after, as people disappear en masse and yet another metal shower falls on the ranch, the siblings and their friend will have to mobilize to defend their territory.
Our opinion: Peele has definitely mastered the art of creating suspense, never devoid of humor and irony. Photographically, it is good, and the special effects applied are somewhat more subdued than one would have expected. It was too long in duration, but it was entertaining enough to keep us engaged. Daniel Kaluuya is great in his role as the stoic ranch owner. Now, the question that haunts us is if it really qualifies as a horror movie, or is it a sci-fi? We will leave that up to each to decide.
X
X is written and directed by Ti West, starring Jenna Ortega, Brittany Snow and Mia Goth.
Set in the late 1970’s, it tells the story of a young group of filmmakers who choose a small town in Texas to produce an adult movie. This does not sit well with the town’s elders, and things are about to take an ugly turn.
Our opinion: In spite of it not being a masterpiece, it does have its quirkiness. With a lot of references to the movie industry – obviously, it is well filmed movie that comes in the guise of a B-movie.
Glorious
Glorious is a comedy-horror movie directed by Rebekah McKendry, starring Ryan Kwanten.
Wes is desperate after a tough break-up. While in a restroom he hears a voice claiming to be a demigod and that is when things start to become nonsensical.
Our opinion: A very funny movie that we can’t but respect for its bold sense of comical-absurdist-metaphysical nihilism, which turned out to be the excuse to simply make a (good) movie.