Cemetery Stories

Final Girl: Halloween

Creeping Death

Truth or Die

 

All Hallows Eve: Eve

Terrifier 3 (2024)

Terrifier 3 (2024)

A horror villain hasn't been as popular since his debut over ten years ago as this silent and deadly menace. With the release of the original Terrifier movie eight years ago, David Howard Thornton's portrayal of Art the Clown has transformed him into the new face of horror, a slasher that fans can't get enough of. Art the Clown has evolved into a horror icon unlike any other in recent years. It has been five years since the deadly night that Sienna and Jonathon survived, and both are dealing with the physical and psychological aftermath. While visiting her family and trying to enjoy the Christmas holiday, Sienna suspects that Art the Clown has returned to finish the job. Still, she isn't sure she can survive another confrontation. What has made Art the Clown so popular in the past decade is the truly creative and sadistic methods utilized by this silent menace. Most slasher killers don't put the effort that Art employs; his kills are brutal, and this franchise has made it popular with horror fans. Terrifier 3 stands out among other franchise films in that this movie isn't merely a vehicle for Art to mutilate more people; the focus on Sienna Shaw and the aftermath of her nearly fatal encounter helps to carry this film into a new holiday season. Lauren Lavera returns as Sienna and delivers an award-winning portrayal, showing why she is now one of the premiere scream queens in this era. Elliott Fullam returns as her brother Jonathan, showing what a great pair they make as screen siblings. Damien Leone has hit a triple with this entry, amping up the gore and creative slays with a new holiday setting, giving Art the Clown a new season of murderous mayhem. Since the first Terrifier release, Art the Clown has become a fixture at fan cons and Halloween events, with David Howard Thornton becoming a fan favorite. Before its release, Terrifier 3 earned some scorn for the intense violence, but fans of this franchise know precisely what they are getting with Art the Clown. 

The Pumpkin Man

The Hollow

Idle Hands (1999)

Idle Hands (1999)

A teenage stoner and his two friends have an awkward situation when the spirit of a serial killer takes control of his right hand. The murderous desires of the hand make it uncomfortable for his two buddies and new girlfriend as he fights for control as the hand leaves bodies for him to take care of. Idle Hands is a 1999 comedy directed by Rodman Flender, starring Devon Sawa, Seth Green, Elden Henson, and Jessica Alba. Idle Hands is a silly black comedy that works due to Sawa's excellent slapstick-style performance. His comic delivery works well, with the costars Green and Henson providing excellent support as his stoner pals. Idle Hands has become a cult classic and one of the best stoner buddy comedies of the late 1990s, joining the ranks of Friday, Half Baked, and Scary Movie. 

The Curse of Halloween Jack

 

The Jester (2023)

The Jester (2023)

During the Halloween season, two estranged sisters are brought together following the funerals of their father, but the reunion only brings more tension between them. They soon find themselves stalked by a mysterious jester figure who leaves several dead bodies in his path as both sisters must band together to fight back. The Jester is a 2023 holiday slasher directed by Colin Krawchuk and stars Lelia Symington and Delaney White. At first glance, this movie looks like a Terrifier copycat, and it is not difficult to think as much when you watch the silent Jester behave in a manner that Art the Clown is known for. Despite these similarities, The Jester is not a mere copycat, as the movie is less sadistic than Terrifier. The Halloween setting heavily factors in the plot as the dark comic style of The Jester is in full display with its often unique methods of mayhem.

V/H/S Beyond

 

Halloween Night (2006)

Halloween Night (2006)

Asylum Studios is better known for its mockbuster movies, so seeing a traditional slasher from the studio behind Atlantic Rim and Transmorphers is surprising. A Halloween costume party goes south when a poorly staged prank disrupts the drunken fun. This event distracts the partygoers from the disguised killer who uses his convenient mask to murder folk one at a time. Halloween Night is a by-the-book slasher film that checks off all the boxes you expect with an 80s-style slasher. Despite being an Asylum movie, this is one of their better efforts, as the film is pretty bloody, has a cool villain, and plenty of the usual horny teens breaking all the rules of slasher movies. While it is derivative of Halloween and Friday the 13th, October Night is a fun throwback to the age of 80s slashers and won't disappoint if you are looking for a bloody, stabby, slashy movie.  

Halloweentown (1998)

 Halloweentown (1998)

Marnie is a 13-year-old girl who longs to celebrate Halloween with her friends but finds that her mother strictly forbids this with her siblings. When her grandmother pays a visit, she is encouraged to embrace her love for Halloween, and when she sneaks out, she learns that her family has a magical secret. While Disney is better known for its cartoons, it also has a rich tradition of live-action action on holiday fare, and Halloweentown has emerged as one of the most believed Halloween films. Featuring a cast that includes Hollywood legends Debbie Reynolds and Judith Hoag and introduces Kimberly Brown as Marnie. Halloweentown is a delightful film that celebrates family and the cast to help deliver a spooky, fun time with great characters and a story that isn't too scary for younger audiences. While the film's special effects might seem rudimentary compared to bigger-budget movies, Halloweentown delivers a story that has made it one of Disney's best Halloween family movies.   

Amityville Scarecrow

 

Halloween Horror Tales (2018)

Halloween Horror Tales (2018)

A lady dressed in white presents four dark tales in this anthology that, despite its title, does not involve Halloween. The first story involves an escaped lunatic who dresses as a clown; the second tale focuses on an actress being interviewed by a horror personality; the third involves a deadly sunflower, while the last one features a detective investigating some murders. Halloween Horror Tales was released in 2018 and directed by Jeff Kirkendall, a fixture in Mark Polonia's micro-budget movies. While the stories span from creative to outright silly, the movie overall reflects the low-budget style that Mark Polonia movies are known for. The sets are simple, the props and effects cheap, and the actors are little known outside Polonia's movies. Overall, this movie suffers from a cheap look, and the stories suffer as a result; it also seems misleading to have the Halloween title as there is not one reference to Halloween in any of these segments.   

Autumn Road (2021)

Autumn Road (2021)

Two brothers who run a local haunt attraction have to relive the events of a tragic night when a young friend disappeared years before. This event resurfaces when her sister returns after a tragedy, which brings her back to her hometown, exposing the brothers' rift and some dark secrets. Autumn Road is a 2021 indie horror film directed by Riley Cusick and starring Lorelai Linklater, Riley Cusick, and Lar Park Lincoln. Unlike other haunt movies that have been released in recent years, Autumn Road focuses more on the troubled relationship of the two brothers and how it has shaped their lives. While the film is set during the Halloween season, it is more a psychological thriller than a slasher, as viewers might suspect. The brothers are portrayed by a single actor who effectively portrays both roles, but it follows the trope of a good and evil brother often seen in other horror films. Autumn Road is a bit slow, but the best parts are the contrasting roles of the two brothers and how easy it is to forget that there is only one actor.