Halloween Horrors

Whether you're hosting your own movie night or looking to get scared all by yourself, here are some recommendations that are sure to keep you up at night

Yes, it's still early in the month, but the spookiest holiday of the year will be upon us soon enough. You want to make sure you're prepared, right? So, I curated a small collection of chillers guaranteed to make your skin crawl to save you from having to do the dirty work. Isn't that great?

Hunter Hunter (Hulu and Amazon Prime Video)

This survivalist thriller tracks a family (Camille Sullivan, Devon Sawa and Summer H. Howell) who live isolated in the Canadian wilderness. Struggling to make ends meet as fur traders, their lives are further complicated when a wolf is believed to have returned to the area. To protect his family and business, Joseph (Sawa) sets out on a hunt, but nothing could have prepared him for the discovery he soon makes. This bare-bones chiller makes effective use of its authentic outdoor settings and slow-burning tension before diving into an explosive climax. Any questions you might have about it being a horror film throughout most of its runtime will be met with a resounding affirmation by the time the credits roll.

Jacob's Ladder (Hulu and Amazon Prime Video)

As far as unnerving psychological horror goes, "Jacob's Ladder" is every bit as effective as it was upon release. Tim Robbins stars as Jacob Singer, a Vietnam war veteran who finds himself plagued by horrifying visions. Haunted by his past and dealing with a personal tragedy, he goes searching for answers, but the truth behind his waking nightmares leads him down a terrifying path. While the film lives in the shadow of several other heavy-hitters from the 90's, its disturbing imagery had a noticeable influence on the genre (particularly the "Silent Hill" video game series). Between its great cast, nightmarish effects and poignant themes, it's one that will stay with you long after it's over.

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (IMDbTV and Amazon Prime Video)

Laura Linney stars as Erin, an ambitious attorney who's looking to advance her career by taking an unusual case. After an exorcism gone wrong, she's tasked with defending a priest (Tom Wilkinson) who's being accused of negligent homicide. Ever the skeptic, Erin finds herself caught between the scientific and spiritual worlds as she builds her case. This legal drama with a supernatural twist honestly does what the latest "Conjuring" film tried to do with much better execution. The courtroom narrative device adds a layer of authenticity to the movie's "based on a true story" tag and its story packs quite a punch for a PG-13 terror tale. It was the first box office hit for "Doctor Strange" and "Sinister" helmer Scott Derrickson and remains well-regarded in the exorcism horror sub-genre for a reason.

The Strangers (Netflix and Amazon Prime Video)

This 2008 home invasion thriller is a lot more low-key and tension-driven than you might think (a structure its more slasher-oriented sequel wouldn't follow). The fairly intimate story follows James (Scott Speedman) and Kristen (Liv Tyler), a couple returning home from a friend's wedding. Their night doesn't unfold as planned and matters only get worse when a stranger comes knocking at their door. Before long, they must both contend with a trio of masked assailants in a fight for their lives. Its creepy atmospherics and realistic tension are its greatest strengths, framing a narrative that feels as if it were ripped from the headlines. Part of that could be because it was loosely inspired by several real-life events. The other half is due to solid character work by both leads and how their reactions are mostly logical. A double feature with its sequel is an option, as it's on Netflix as well. "Prey at Night" is a lot more "fun" and conventional, but there's quite a tonal shift between the two.

The Stepfather (Tubi and Amazon Prime Video)

Jerry Blake (Terry O'Quinn) is a seemingly ordinary, All-American working man. He's an eligible bachelor looking to settle down with the perfect family and that's exactly what he seems to have found with Susan (Shelley Hack) and her daughter Stephanie (Jill Schoelen). He sweeps Susan off of her feet into a speedy engagement and while nearly everyone in the community is smitten with him, Stephanie is suspicious. As it turns out, she has every right to be. At just under 90 minutes, the film is tight and delivers its thrills effectively. Sure, it's wrapped in a little bit of 80's cheese, but it never goes over-the-top or loses its menace.

Till Death (Netflix and Amazon Prime Video)

Emma (Megan Fox) and Mark (Eoin Macken) are a married couple who've hit a rough patch. Trying to smooth things over, Mark wines and dines Emma for their anniversary and plans a few special surprises for the night. It appears their relationship may have some sparks left, however, Emma soon finds herself handcuffed to her dead husband and stranded at their wintry lake house. This twisty revenge thriller may be light on scares, but it's certainly brutal and tense enough for Halloween viewing. Fox carries most of the movie on her back and does well selling her character's harrowing struggle for survival. Sprinkle in some dark comedy and themes that are fleshed out more than a movie like this even needs and you've got a pretty entertaining popcorn flick.