A horror fan’s guide to Halloween’s next cult classics - Detroit Metro Times

If you're anything like me, a self-proclaimed horror aficionado who devours fright flicks year-round, but only truly comes alive when faced with sheer terror on Halloween night.

When it comes to the usual suspects – Halloween, The Exorcist, Trick 'r Treat, Hocus Pocus – there's nothing wrong with revisiting the classics. However, for those seeking something new and disturbing, here are a few modern horror films that are poised to become future cult classics.

One such film is The Guest, directed by Adam Wingard, which seamlessly blends action and horror in a thrilling narrative. Dan Stevens stars as David Collins, a veteran who shows up at his deceased best friend's family home, only to build relationships with the grieving mother and her children. As he becomes more embedded into their lives, dark secrets begin to unravel, reminiscent of The Terminator, Rambo, and Halloween.

Another standout is The Descent, which still ranks among the scariest movies ever made. A group of women on a spelunking adventure become trapped in a massive cave system infested with terrifying creatures, leaving viewers shaken and disturbed for days on end. This film is a must-see for those who enjoy intense horror.

For fans of cannibal films, Migs Nielson's The Grey Zone offers a unique blend of humor, scares, and excitement, along with an unforgettable score by Damon Albarn. Set during the Mexican-American War, this 19th-century tale follows a group of soldiers as they follow a disturbed man into the heart of evil.

Released without director David Prior's approval, The Empty Man has proven itself to be a modern horror classic despite its troubled production history. This singular film defies genre conventions, seamlessly blending folk horror and detective thriller elements to create an unforgettable viewing experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Last but not least is Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Pulse, a slow-burning Japanese nightmare maker that initially appears as a serial killer procedural thriller but morphs into something much darker. This film masterfully explores the liminal spaces we can't see, creating an unsettling atmosphere that will leave you breathless and disturbed.

With so many exceptional horror films to choose from, it's challenging to narrow down the list. However, for those seeking new scares or simply a fresh take on the genre, consider The Substance, Weapons, or Hereditary – all modern horror classics in their own right.
 
I'm really loving this recent wave of modern horror movies that are pushing boundaries and giving us some serious chills 🎃🕷️. I think what's great about these films is how they're not just relying on jump scares, but actually exploring the darker aspects of human nature and our world 🌑. The Guest and The Empty Man are definitely my top picks right now - there's something so unsettling about the way they weave together genres to create this sense of unease 😱. And can we talk about how awesome it is that some of these films have such complex, layered storylines? It's like, you think you've figured out what's going on, but then BAM! You're hit with a new twist and your mind is blown 💥. Anyway, I'm definitely stoked to see where the future of horror takes us 🎬👻
 
I'm so done with these new horror movies coming out... like The Guest is just another "action movie with some gore" film 🤦‍♂️ and don't even get me started on The Descent - it's just the same old "cute girls go into creepy caves and die" thing we've seen a million times before 😒. And what's up with these remakes of old classics? Can't they come up with something new for once? 🙄 I mean, I guess if you're into that sort of thing... The Empty Man is supposed to be good or whatever 💀. But honestly, I'm not really feeling any of this "new horror" hype... it's just the same old tricks and tropes we've seen before 😒.
 
omg, just watched The Guest and I'm still shakin' 😱🎃 it's like Adam Wingard knew exactly how to mess with my nerves! that scene where Dan Stevens builds a relationship with the grieving family is SO unsettling... like what even is this dude's deal? 🤯 also, can we talk about how underrated The Descent is? I mean, who hasn't seen this one on every "best of" list and still has to watch it for themselves?! 😅👻
 
OMG you guys! I'm totally obsessed with Halloween and watching scary movies on that one night is literally my fave! 🎃👻 But honestly, I feel like most people stick to the same old classic films every year and don't venture out of their comfort zone. Like, what about some new horror flicks? 🤔

I just watched The Empty Man with my friends and it was SO intense! It's got this weird folk horror vibe going on that's so unique and captivating. I also recently binged Pulse and it's literally giving me nightmares 😱. And can we talk about The Substance, Weapons and Hereditary? Those films are like, totally underrated but so scary in their own way.

I'm not a huge fan of those "found footage" horror movies 🙅‍♂️, but I do love a good slow burn like in Pulse or The Descent. And Adam Wingard's The Guest is just so well-crafted - the action and horror blend together perfectly! What are some other modern horror films you guys have seen that would recommend? 💬
 
OMG u guys 🤯 I'm obsessed with Halloween and horror movies but only when it's that one night a year 😱 I was rewatching some old fave films like Hocus Pocus and The Exorcist and then stumbled upon these newer ones that are literally giving me the heebie jeebies 💀 The Guest is soooo good it's like a action movie meets horror flick 🎥 Dan Stevens is amazing in it! And The Descent is just straight up terrifying 😨 can't even watch it alone anymore I've also been listening to some spooky playlists and finding new horror movies to obsess over 🎧💀 Have anyone seen any of these lately?
 
The whole "must-see horror" thing is just a marketing gimmick, you know? Everyone and their grandma loves a good scare, but how many times can we rewatch The Exorcist or Halloween before it starts to feel like Groundhog Day? I'm more of a fan of the weird ones that nobody's talking about. Like, have you seen The Blackcoat's Daughter? It's this slow-burning, atmospheric thing that'll leave you feeling uneasy long after the credits roll 🕷️
 
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