If work can be hell, no genre illustrates this better than horror. From Ellen Ripley to Ashley J. Williams, there’s no shortage of working-class heroes populating scary movies. This makes a lot of sense, as the only thing scarier than having to deal with ghosts and bogeymen is realizing that you still have to get up for work the next morning because demonic possession can’t be written off as a sick day.
With that in mind, we’ve decided to come up with a list celebrating 6 blue-collar horror movies featuring characters working thankless (but entirely necessary) jobs while also stumbling into terrifying situations. After all, horror is at its best when it hits close to home, and I think it’s safe to assume that very few genre fans are reading this from inside their Victorian-era haunted mansions.
For the purposes of this list, we’ll be simplifying things by defining “blue-collar” as any non-office job that doesn’t require a college degree. As usual, don’t forget to comment below if you disagree with any of these entries or if you think we missed a particularly fun example of a working-class spook-fest.
With that out of the way, onto the list…
6. The Graveyard Shift (1990)
Despite the common misconception that Stephen King only ever writes about fictional writers, the prolific author has actually showcased a variety of less-than-savory professions throughout his vast body of work. One of my favorites of his working-class tales happens to be the short story The Graveyard Shift, which was later adapted into an unfairly maligned film directed by Ralph S. Singleton.
Telling the story of a group of workers dealing with a deadly rat infestation at an old textile mill, the movie has been cited as King’s least favorite adaptation of his work. That being said, I personally believe that time has been kind to this odd little exploitation flick. From the down-to-earth setting to its relatable heroes being forced to endure terrible working conditions (with Brad Dourif’s exterminator being one of the standouts), there’s plenty to love about this killer rat movie if you don’t mind low-budget filmmaking that’s just as grimy as the furry antagonists.
5. Willy’s Wonderland (2021)
Willy’s Wonderland may have been written off as a mere Five Nights at Freddy’s knock-off back when it first came out, but I don’t really see that as a negative. You can’t really copyright the idea of killer animatronics, and director Kevin Lewis miraculously managed to infuse this low-budget romp with an unexpected amount of creative energy.
Sure, the killer robots would have looked much scarier with a bigger practical effects budget, but you just can’t beat Nicolas Cage hamming it up as a reluctant yet bizarrely competent janitor who prefers to let his fists do the talking. And if you like this one, don’t forget to check out the 2.5D retro videogame based on the movie.
4. Mirrors (2008)
There aren’t enough horror films about security guards working the night shift. Nearly every security guard I’ve ever met has at least one freaky horror story to tell, and that’s why I appreciate Alexandre Aja’s misunderstood thriller about a night watchman who discovers that his new workplace is haunted by a malicious entity that uses reflections to kill its victims.
The meandering script and bizarre mythology (which deviates heavily from its South Korean inspirations) mean that this moody flick isn’t exactly a polished experience, but if you’re willing to turn off a few brain cells and go along for the ride as Kiefer Sutherland patrols the ruins of an abandoned-hospital-turned-department-store, I think you’ll find a memorably spooky romp on the other side of the looking glass.
3. The Innkeepers (2011)
Ti West has finally become a household name now that the X trilogy has cemented the filmmaker as one of the greatest minds currently working in the horror genre, but I think it’s worth remembering that he’s always been a great storyteller – it just took a while for people to notice. And among his earlier films, I think 2011’s The Innkeepers is a particularly underrated example of West’s ingenuity.
Following the titular duo of innkeepers during the final week of operation before the supposedly haunted Yankee Pedlar Inn goes out of business, this remarkably subtle horror picture is a masterclass in weaponizing expectations. It may be a bit of a slow burn, but the relatable banter between disgruntled employees dealing with genuinely unsettling frights more than makes up for that.
2. Poultrygeist (2005)
A musical workplace comedy about a horrific outbreak of flesh-eating chicken hybrids, 2005’s Poultrygeist may seem like a classic case of “too many cooks” in the proverbial kitchen, but believe me when I say that this is both one of the most relatable and most coherent Troma pictures to date.
While the film contains the usual controversial trappings of a Troma production (i.e. confused political messaging, excessive potty humor and the regrettable use of ethnic stereotypes), Poultrygeist is also Lloyd Kaufman at his most personal, with the veteran director making a surprisingly poignant statement about dead-end jobs and corporate greed while chicken monsters feast on fast food worker guts.
1. Session 9 (2001)
I’ll admit that I didn’t get the praise surrounding Brad Anderson’s cult classic the first time that I saw it. However, like a bad case of black mold, Session 9 grew on me over the years, and I frequently find myself thinking back on its dilapidated setting and mesmerizing imagery. I’m clearly not the only one, as the movie ended up influencing everything from Grave Encounters to some of the Silent Hill sequels.
Following a crew of asbestos removal workers as they begin to encounter strange phenomena at an abandoned mental hospital, Session 9 is a great reminder that, when it comes to making horror movie, finding a spooky location is half the battle. And while the end product clearly isn’t for everyone, with the methodical pacing and cryptic narrative requiring some amount of effort on the viewer’s side of things, fans of slow-burning paranoia are sure to appreciate Anderson’s atmospheric opus.
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