Every Halloween, horror fans curate lists of holiday appropriate horror films and TV specials to immerse themselves in. The genre has given us plenty to choose from. The options range from the obvious – such as the Halloween films to new classics like Trick r’ Treat to beloved family friendly staples like Hocus Pocus and everything in between.
Every year websites publish Halloween movie listicles and social media is awash in personalized lists and recommendations.
But what about horror films that are a bit off the beaten path – horror films that don’t have anything at all to do with the holiday, but give us those special vibes that make them great viewing for the season? Below are three films to seek out if you’re looking for fun and immersive thrills for your Halloween binging.
Fender Bender
Mark Pavia of The Night Flier wrote and directed this straight-to-television slow burn slasher. Fender Bender premiered on the now sadly defunct ChillerTV in 2016 and has since languished in relative obscurity. The film doesn’t seem to have much love behind it, which is a shame because despite being nothing particularly new in the slasher genre, it’s very well mounted and offers up some atmospheric fun with an effective killer and a surprising mean-streak.
Fender Bender is an obvious mix of Carpenter’s Halloween and Tarantino’s Death Proof. If that description alone doesn’t pique your interest… I don’t know what will.
The approach to the killer is what makes the film a bit more interesting than other modern day slashers. He is simply credited as The Driver (Bill Sage). We see his face. We hear him speak. We see his methods of operation before he dons his slasher garb – a head to toe black leather, S&M coded get-up that makes him resemble his own car. The goggles act as headlights and the mouthpiece acts as a grill. Where Stuntman Mike from Death Proof uses his car as the murder weapon, The Driver wants to become the car itself.
Outside of his costume, he puts on a laid back charm that still can’t quite mask his creepiness – but when he’s all gassed up and ready to go (sorry, I had to, the pun couldn’t be stopped) he’s silent and purposeful. He’s…ahem…driven, if you will.
It does take a little too long for Fender Bender to hit the gas. Our protagonist Hilary (Mackenzie Vega) isn’t the strongest character to follow around for 45 minutes and the film threatens to tip into tedium, but just as you feel the urge to yell at the film to pick up the pace, it does. The last third of the film is a no-nonsense stalk-and-kill good time with an ending that’s more of a downer than one would expect going in.
If you’re in the mood for some well done slasher goodness this Halloween that doesn’t include Michael Myers, spend some time with The Driver and hit the road with Fender Bender. It’s well worth the trip. And it’s now streaming on SCREAMBOX.
Spook Warfare
Let’s go back to 1968 with Daiei Film’s family-friendly Yokai romp, Spook Warfare. Part of a loose trilogy all centered around the Japanese folklore of Yokai (broadly defined as spirit or entities), the story revolves around an ancient, evil being that is accidentally set free by some treasure hunters. Said evil being, Daimon, makes his way to Japan where he quickly takes over a local Lord – Lord Isobe.
Daimon’s plans of domination and murder must be thwarted by a group of Yokai before he can upset the balance of the spirit world irreparably.
Directed by Yoshiyuki Kuroda, Spook Warfare is the kind of practical effects driven bit of pure cinematic imagination I would have watched endlessly as a kid if it was available to me. Despite not being overtly violent, the film sports a copious amount of moody atmosphere and the threat Daimon presents is taken seriously. The Yokai, all designed to be accurate to the real lore, are varied in appearance and charming as hell to see come to life. Some, like the long-necked Rokurokubien, may even unsettle younger children with their uncanny appearance. Have no fear though, as all of the Yokai are the good guys in this story.
A recent first viewing of Spook Warfare has cemented it as a new favorite here. It’s fast paced, packed with charming humor, and features enough whimsy and old school craft to enrapture audiences of all ages. If you’re looking for truly outside the box viewing for Halloween, Spook Warfare is a must.
Vampyr
By far the oldest movie on this list, Danish filmmaker Carl Theodor Dreyer’s 1932 film Vampyr has gotten more and more reappraisal and analysis over the years. The film was a failure during its initial release, but is now seen as a masterpiece of early technical craft and Talkie cinema. The film’s narrative sets itself apart from most horror cinema of the 1930s with its dreamlike tone and execution.
Not to spoil it for those who have yet to see it, but while Vampyr is indeed a vampire film, don’t go in expecting a tale of fangs and capes and gothic castles in the mountains. Dreyer’s film is moody, opaque, and at times rather experimental. Plenty of films can be described as “dreamlike,” but there is no denying the simple but effective way Vampyr wraps itself around you and pulls you in with its uncanny tone and atmosphere. Dreyer’s strong grasp on creating eerie composition and setting instantly creates an otherworldly sense of unease.
Vampyr is a film that deals with the occult in ways that may surprise viewers who don’t know what to expect. As mentioned before, the technical craft on display is staggering in its intricacies, especially during the last minutes of the film. The sparse, rough dialogue only adds to the film’s sense of unreality.
Turn off the lights, light a few candles, and immerse yourself in the world of Vampyr. It’s essential viewing for the horror faithful and a perfect cap to end your Halloween watchathon with.
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