Review: Unconventional movies to stream and scream to this Halloween

The best way to celebrate Halloween — besides trick-or-treating — is to turn off the lights and find a movie that makes you question whether there’s a monster underneath your bed. 

Instead of rewatching “The Conjuring” or hoping you forgot the jumpscares in “Insidious,” consider some lesser-known films that are sure to haunt you long after the credits roll. 

“Barbarian”

Available to stream on Hulu

Zach Cregger’s 2022 horror film will make you reconsider your next Airbnb stay. 

Best watched with a friend to cling to, “Barbarian” follows two strangers who are accidentally double-booked in an Airbnb, but they soon find out that the scariest thing in the house certainly isn’t the other person.

“Barbarian” is twisted, gory and leaves little to the imagination. Full disclaimer: there are some rather graphic scenes, so I recommend finishing your popcorn early.

“As Above, So Below”

Available on Prime Video

This fan-favorite found-footage film is mostly shown through the view of a handheld camera as a documentary team explores the Catacombs of Paris.

Released in 2014, it’s the first film ever granted access to shoot in the Catacombs, making some of the terror and claustrophobia suffered by the characters all the more convincing. 

Based loosely on Dante Alighieri’s nine circles of Hell from “The Divine Comedy,” “As Above, So Below” brings together cults, demons and thousands of real skeletons. 

“Fresh”

Available on Hulu

Mimi Cave's “Fresh” makes a bad Hinge date look like heaven. A young woman, played by the radiant Daisy Edgar-Jones, is smitten by her new boyfriend – rightfully so, as he is depicted by Sebastian Stan. However, when he brings her on a weekend getaway, she learns he has a rather interesting taste.

The 2022 thriller is terrifying, but isn’t littered with jumpscares or CGI monsters. The fantastic writing and acting combine for a surprisingly enjoyable watch, despite the stomach-twisting premise.

“Creature from the Black Lagoon”

Available to rent on Prime Video and elsewhere

This 1954 classic might make you laugh more than scream, as the campy costumes and score aren’t exactly nightmare-inducing. Nevertheless, it is the quintessential monster horror film from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

A group of scientists discover an amphibious humanoid, referred to as both the Creature and the Gill-Man, deep in the Amazon River. The Creature is soon enamored with the beautiful female scientist, played by Julie Adams, and follows the team violently and relentlessly.

If you want a classic, corny black-and-white horror movie, “Creature from the Black Lagoon” is the perfect display of pre-special effects Hollywood.

“The Killing of a Sacred Deer”

Available on Netflix

Yorgos Lanthimos’ psychological thriller, “The Killing of a Sacred Deer,” is an uncomfortable, disarming watch. 

Produced by A24, the film centers around a teenager obsessed with the heart surgeon who unsuccessfully operated on his father. The teen, portrayed by the talented Barry Keoghan, is creepy, unrelenting and above all, merciless. 

The entire cast gives a stellar performance, and “The Killing of a Sacred Deer” is true to its genre, relying more on terror than outright fear.

“Mandy”

Available for free on Tubi, The Roku Channel and Pluto TV

Nicolas Cage might not seem like the obvious choice for the lead role in a brutally gory horror movie, but he delivers with a deeply disturbing performance.

The only unrated film on this list, “Mandy” is hard to summarize because there is so much action and horror packed into two hours, but it's a personal favorite of mine.

“Mandy” includes a religious cult, a cannibalistic and LSD-happy biker gang and a blood-soaked, cackling Nicolas Cage. This film is weird and not for the faint of heart, but it sure is original and disgustingly absorbing.

@carlybreland

@dthlifestyle | lifestyle@dailytarheel.com