EJ Moreno on 2018’s 10 horror films…
2018 is another year with some of the most remarkable horror films to grace our screens. In a year stacked with slashers, witches, and even the horror of silence, there is something for every viewer to enjoy. Michael Myers returned to the screens, Toni Collette scared us all, and Nic Cage became one of the masters of horror. It’s been quite the journey, and there needs to be a recap for anyone who might’ve missed one of the year’s better offerings. Don’t expect to see films like Truth or Dare and The Nun to make this list as the entries here are solid contenders.
Below is my list of the year’s best dives into the horror genre. This piece will cover theatrical releases, home video outings, and even some masterful foreign films. If I left out your favorite movie, don’t forget to let me know in the comments below!
Honorable Mentions:
– Unsane
– The Strangers: Prey At Night
10. Halloween
The return of Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Michael Myers comes in at number ten on this list. Blumhouse found a way to revamp the classic feud with a direct sequel to the John Carpenter 1978 classic. This year’s Halloween saw David Gordon Green & Danny McBride tackle this well-worn franchise with fresh eyes and a real appreciation for the original. Ignoring the many sequels that followed the first film, this rebuilds how we look at Laurie and the trauma she faced from the slayings.
Halloween sadly didn’t break any new ground, mostly going for a throwback feeling than something akin to Rob Zombie’s retelling. The film would place higher if it did something a little; that’s only a minor swipe against Halloween as it just shows this year is stacked with insanely original pieces.
9. Upgrade
Another entry from Blumhouse, but Upgrade is vastly different from Halloween. Where the latter feels like more of the same, Upgrade is a refreshing take on the action and horror genre. Director Leigh Whannell (Insidious, Saw) crafts the year’s most brutal action movie and a damn fun one at that. The film follows Grey Trace (Logan Marshall-Green) on his hunt for the killers of his wife. Grey is implanted with STEM, a microchip that moves his body for him, and the pair journey down a rabbit hole of madness.
Blumhouse’s Upgrade is a little rough around the edges, and that only adds to the charm. The biggest takeaway from this film is they need to venture back into this universe again as this plants the seed for something thrilling in the future. Like the biggest superhero movies, Upgrade requires a cinematic universe!
8. A Quiet Place
Who knew John Krasinski would craft one of the scariest movies of the year? His directorial debut, A Quiet Place, received massive praise from critics and audiences flocked to see this original horror piece. The gimmick going into this film is the use of the silence and how that builds the tension. Not only does it work as a tool to scare, but it makes A Quiet Place feel unique next to this year’s offerings.
While the overall consensus was in agreement about the film, the hardcore horror community was left polarized. If it was the monster reveal or the use of jump scares, there’s something that didn’t connect with everyone. Regardless of some minor complaints, the way A Quiet Place handles the deaf character is worthy of praise alone.
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