10 Best New Horror Movies For Halloween 2022
By: BY JAMES EGAN
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
10 Best New Horror Movies For Halloween 2022
Happy Halloween!
There was a time where avid moviegoers would struggle to think of the last truly great horror. But in recent times, we're suffering from the opposite problem. There have been so many cleverly crafted and frightening films over the last few years, it's tough to keep track of them all.
Because the genre hasn't been this consistent in a long time, what better way is there to celebrate this Halloween than by watching films designed to curdle your blood?
Also, it doesn't matter what kind of horror you like - there's something for everyone. Whether you're into paranormal flicks, recognised franchises, gory slashers, or trashy schlock, you'll have no issue finding what you want this October.
Because 2022 also marks the long-awaited return of Hellraiser, and the final instalment of Halloween (for now), there's never been a prouder time to be a horror fan.
If you're hankering for something to scare the living hell out of you, but don't know where to start, this list is sure to give you a helping hand. Here are ten horrors you need to check out this Halloween.
10. Bodies Bodies Bodies
A24
In terms of horror, A24 has been on a winning streak as of late. Over the last year, they've released Saint Maud, Lamb, X, Pearl, and Men, all of which were met with rave reviews. In fact, A24 has churned out so many gems, some horror fans may have missed Bodies Bodies Bodies.
Halina Reijn's satire kicks off with a group of rich Gen-Z teens partying in a family mansion. While playing a party game, the group gradually turn on each other, which leads to tragedy.
Because Bodies Bodies Bodies regularly mocks its target audience, it appears to shoot itself in the foot. However, the way the film belittles Gen-Z comes across as relevant and creative, rather than nasty.
Since the ensemble is full of douches, Bodies Bodies Bodies could've been grating from beginning to end. But thanks to wonderful performances, especially from Pete Davidson and Borat's Maria Bakalova, we see these characters as human beings rather than one-note stereotypes.
Although some moviegoers regard satire horror as "not real horror", Bodies Bodies Bodies is sure to remedy that notion. It's so uncompromisingly vicious when things take a dark turn, you would never doubt this film as anything but a true frightfest.
9. Terrifier 2
Bloody Disgusting
Considering Terrifier wasn't that great, no one was expecting much from the sequel (especially after a six-year hiatus).
To everyone's surprise, Terrifier 2 is WAY better than it deserves to be. Instead of tossing out more of the same, Terrifier 2 expands on the mythology of our returning villain, Art the Clown, allowing us to see him more than a perverse jester.
Then there's the gore. When you think of the bloodiest movies ever, you probably picture Braindead, Cannibal Holocaust, or Ichi the Killer.
Well, guess what? Terrifier 2 has joined those ranks. While watching the way Art gleefully tears his victims asunder, it's impossible not to feel squeamish. Although a lot of horror sequels make the mistake of focusing too much on upping the bloodshed, Terrifier 2 gets away with it since the violence is so unabashedly mean-spirited.
Boasting a 138-minute run-time, Terrifier 2 is one of the longest slashers ever. And yet, you rarely feel its length, since it finds a fine balance between developing the overarching plot and keeping viewers entertained with visceral gore. All in all, Terrifier 2 stands out as among the best horror sequels we've had in a long time.
8. Speak No Evil
Nordisk Film
In Speak No Evil, a Danish family visits the country home of a Dutch couple that they met on holiday. Once there, the Danes discover their hosts are not who they say they are.
What's really fascinating about Speak No Evil is how it highlights a factor that's rarely touched upon in horror: politeness. Even though the Danes know something is wrong, they bend over backwards not to come across as rude. As their hosts become increasingly hostile, the Danes are pushed to the absolute brink, but feel they can't leave, since they're in too deep.
Like the best kinds of horror, Speak No Evil works best when it doesn't try to be scary. Because it begins with only a mild undercurrent of apprehension, it feels more like a thriller or a black comedy. Just when you feel like you've settled in, the film reminds you how sadistic it can be.
Even if horror is your bread and butter, Speak No Evil is not the sort of film you enjoy. The awkward conversations will make you cringe. The depravity of the antagonists will cause your toes to curl. And that climax is sure to make you lose a few hours of sleep.
7. Hatching
IFC Midnight
Hatching follows 12-year-old gymnast, Tinja, who's become increasingly frustrated by her overbearing mother. When she discovers a strange egg in the forest, Tinja decides to look after it to prove she's a better parent than her own mother.
As time passes, Tinja notices the egg has swelled to incredible size, proving it is not from any ordinary creature. When the newborn breaks out of its shell, Tinja quickly realises her life will never be the same.
Although this Finnish horror could've been a straightforward creature-feature, the focus on Tinja's alienation makes the viewer more invested in her struggle than what lies within the egg. (Speaking of which, avoid the trailer since it contains all the spoilers.)
The practical effects are so convincing, you won't be surprised to learn they were crafted by Oscar-nominated effects artist, Conor O' Sullivan. Even though most horrors can't help forcing in needless comedy, the light-hearted moments in Hatching are highly entertaining.
If you're worried the movie loses steam once you learn what's inside the egg, that isn't the case. Without giving too much away, things take a gloriously bloody turn after the big reveal.
6. Smile
Paramount
In Smile, Dr. Rose Cutter is left traumatised after witnessing a patient taking her own life. Trying to move past the experience, Rose notices she is seeing people grinning at her, everywhere she goes.
Now, smiling doesn't sound bone-chilling. (The god-awful Truth or Dare proves this fact.) But Smile gets under your skin immediately. You wouldn't guess this was Parker Finn's directorial debut since Smile is well-shot, fluidly edited, and perfectly paced.
If you thought watching people smirking for two hours would stop being scary after a while, it actually has the opposite effect. If you don't find it unnerving at first, you can guarantee all the inexplicable grins will make you feel uncomfortable before the credits roll.
Smile also stands out, not just by what it does but what it doesn't do. Instead of relying on rug-pulling revelations, Smile focuses on making the viewer constantly unsettled. Yes, there is wince-inducing gore, but it's the eerie atmosphere that keeps you on edge.
Smile may have a legion of jump-scares but it earns every one of them. Even if you consider yourself someone who doesn't fall for jump-scares, Smile is sure to test your mettle.
5. Deadstream
Stonehaven Entertainment
In Deadstream, Shawn Ruddy is an online influencer with a firm fanbase and more sponsors than he can count.
When one of his videos stirs up a controversy, Shawn is left disgraced. Desperate to win back his followers, Shawn decides to perform a livestream in America's scariest haunted house. When things start going bump in the night, Shawn realises that pestering demonic spirits for clicks was probably a bad idea.
Although there are many horror films highlighting the downfalls of social media, most of them aren't remembered very fondly.
Fortunately, Deadstream ticks all the right boxes. The found-footage style is handled so well, there are times where you'd swear you were watching a genuine livestream. The lead actor, Joseph Winter (who's also the co-director) channels so much Ash Williams energy, you could mistake this film as a zany Evil Dead spin-off.
If you're worried Deadstream will hit you over the head with its "social media is bad" message, don't worry. Like the best social commentaries, Deadstream highlights its themes quickly before it moves onto the scares.
If duds like Unfriended made you doubt the Screenlife format could work in horror, Deadstream proves the sub-genre still has plenty of life in it.
4. You Won't Be Alone
Focus Features
In You Won't Be Alone, a witch kidnaps a mute teenager called Nevena, and turns her into a shapeshifter. Upon entering society for the first time, Nevena becomes fascinated by humanity, taking the form of those she encounters to understand them better.
Based on the posters or trailers, you could easily mistake You Won't Be Alone as a rip-off of The VVitch. But after watching ten minutes, it's clear the film is its own animal. Instead of relying on outright scares, You Won't Be Alone focuses on our protagonist's yearning to connect. Since Nevena is an unspeaking changeling, it's intriguing to see multiple actresses convey her emotional journey without uttering a word.
Due to the lack of conventional terror, you can momentarily forget you're watching a brutal folk-horror, which makes the gore more hard-hitting.
However, this movie isn't for everyone. Because of the slow pace and the meandering structure, the inattentive viewer may get lost. If you're seeking something a bit more traditional, look elsewhere. But if you want a horror that's more of a character study, You Won't Be Alone will feel tailor-made for you.
3. Hellraiser
Hulu
Horror fans rejoice - the Hellraiser reboot is the franchise's best entry since the original. There may be flaws, but the latest instalment in Clive Barker's series dodges nearly every pitfall we've come to expect.
You can forgive some underdeveloped characters since none of them act like complete morons, as is custom in slashers. The reboot hits the same beats as the original but never copies it, keeping everything fresh. CGI is utilised for the torture scenes but it's so minimal, it's never distracting. The new design for the Cenobites is extremely inventive (and downright disgusting).
Of course, the most important element is the iconic villain - The Hell Priest AKA Pinhead. Because Doug Bradley has played the role eight times, it's nearly impossible to picture anyone else as the Cenobite leader.
Despite having massive shoes to fill, Jamie Clayton crushes it as the latest incarnation of Pinhead. Even though she doesn't show up for over an hour, she steals the show when she appears, due to her commanding presence and chilling voice.
A few months ago, no one thought Clayton could play Pinhead with the same ferocity as Bradley. But after seeing this performance, horror fans are desperate to see her return to the role.
2. The Menu
Searchlight Pictures
If you thought Fresh was the only food-oriented horror out this year, guess again. In The Menu, Chef Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) invites a bunch of food-lovers to his remote island, enticing them with a unique dish they will never forget.
Because Slowik is hailed as a visionary, his guests think they've been offered a golden opportunity. But after noticing bizarre activities on the island, they believe their host has more sinister intentions.
Contrary to how the premise sounds, The Menu never goes in the direction you expect. Instead of fully committing to the horror, Mark Mylod's film doesn't fit in any one category, making it completely unpredictable.
As can be expected, Ralph Fiennes, Nicholas Hoult, John Leguizamo, and Anya-Taylor Joy are all on top-form. Throughout the movie, our ensemble showcases their ability to switch from comedy to drama in a heartbeat.
Even though The Menu is surprisingly funny, it's still very frightening. In fact, the comedy works in the movie's favour since you'll be laughing so hard at certain performances, you'll be sideswiped when the horror is suddenly implemented.
Not only is The Menu guaranteed to leave you shaken, it's sure to turn you off your food for a while.
1. Barbarian
20th Century Studios
In Barbarian, Tess arrives at an Airbnb rental while preparing for a job interview. Upon entering her accommodation, she discovers the house has been double-booked, and is currently occupied by a young man called Keith (Bill Skarsgard). With nowhere else to go, Tess reluctantly decides to stay. But as she spends more time in the house, she discovers she's in terrible danger.
Based on the synopsis, Barbarian sounds like the same-old same-old. If you watched the trailer , you'll convince yourself you know how it's going to play out.
Without letting the cat out of the bag, Barbarian's narrative never makes the obvious choice. Just when you think you have a handle on what's happening, the story throws another curveball, blindsiding you over and over.
Although the director, Zach Cregger, has no experience with horror, the lighting, sets, and make-up are so astounding, you'd assume he's been making these sorts of films his entire life. He's also a master of subverting expectations, since he repeatedly plays with horror tropes in creative ways.
Not only is Barbarian the best horror of 2022, it's also one of the most thrilling films of the year.
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There are a number of suggested new for 2022 Hallowe'en movies that have different choices by authors who have different tastes, but this one looked pretty good.
I miss the days when Halloween was about ghosts and witches and goblins and the supernatural, instead of what it is now, which is gore and pain and suffering.
I went past a house in my neighborhood that has all sorts of costumed lifesize "Halloween" figures in its front yard. All of these figures are from slasher movies and the like. That is what Halloween is now, at least to adults.
I agree.
Hulu the station makes movies?
Hulu isn't a station. It's a streaming service. To my knowledge, a lot of the streaming services make movies.
Thank you
The captions under the images are a copyright necessity, giving credit to their source.
Hulu is owned by Disney. So in regards to #3 up there, fun fact...
The new Pinhead is a Disney Princess!!!!!!
I dont think HULU makes movies, but they bankroll them, yes.
Hulu's quality of shows and original movies has improved quite a bit in the last couple years. I'm not sure if any of their movies has been nominated for an Oscar yet, but I do know that had a number of shows that were nominated for Emmys last time.
I never had a desire to subscribe to streaming services, because my cable company package offers a good number of movie channels and series with all genres. However, most of them are showing two-star blood and guts/slasher type movies this month and ignore the classic suspense/scary movies that I enjoy.
I'm in the same boat - I wouldn't be able to even open a streaming service here even if I wanted to. The movie channels here play a lot of movies over and over again. Yesterday they played the original The Magnificent Seven and Independence Day 2, but the day before they played The Imitation Game, which I'd never seen before.
I may be a dude but hell, that Bill Skarsgard is a good looking guy.
Hard to believe he was the clown in It.