In an unsurprising turn of events, I’m still making this column a Radio Silence problem this month. This time it’s Chad Villella in the hot seat, and it seems he also understood this assignment all too well. You might know Chad from his role in the company as one of the co-founders, co-conspirators, and people responsible for making movies I won’t stop talking about. Like the rest of the squad, he has worn many different hats in their various projects. However, he seems primarily focused on producing these films that spark joy, even if they take about 7,000 gallons of fake blood. His commitment to Sparkle Motion is how he ended up with some of my favorite movies (looks to Ready Or Not and Abigail) in his filmography. Which also put him in danger of getting a random email from me asking for his five favorite horror movies.
Luckily, Chad was expecting me and had fantastic answers for just this occasion. He returned with another list that is iconic and further proves my theory. If you ask cool people about movies, they give you cool answers. If you don’t believe me, check out Chad’s 5 favorite horror movies below.
Halloween (1978)
Where You Can Watch: AMC+, Crackle, Plex, Shudder, and Xumo Play
Michael Myers returns home fifteen years after murdering his older sister to kill his younger sister. This is one of my favorite John Carpenter and Debra Hill collaborations. It is also just an iconic slasher that reinvented the subgenre while becoming one of the most influential horror films in the genre. Halloween is often imitated, and the franchise never stays dead for too long, but this one was a cultural reset. Chad chose it and explained that there is nothing better than the original. It is one of many things he is right about.
Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010)
Where You Can Watch: Fandango At Home, Plex, Pluto TV, Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Sling TV, Tubi, and Xumo Play
Two hillbillies on vacation at their new dilapidated cabin are mistaken for murderers by college students. I recently watched this for the first time as I was putting this list together. Chad mentioned it had some great kills, and who knows more about death sequences than the guys at Radio Silence? So, I ran at this, and I am happy to say I am even more suspicious of wood chippers now. As someone with a dark sense of humor who gets giddier the bloodier a movie gets, I thought this was a great use of my time.
E.T. (1982)
Where You Can Watch: VOD
A kid helps a friendly alien return to his home planet. While most people think this is a cute family film, Chad Villella had a much different experience with this movie in his youth. I cannot help but wonder if this childhood fear of this extraterrestrial is partly to blame for Radio Silence’s knack for picking up projects that make ordinary things deadly. Looking specifically at how they turned weddings and child ballerinas into some of the most violent situations on screen. If I have learned one thing from the current R.S. era it’s that anything can become a blood bath if you try hard enough. So, I love that this is the Steven Spielberg movie that messed Chad up as a kid. Look where he started, and look where he is now.
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Where You Can Watch: VOD
A small band of survivors hideout in a shopping mall during a zombie outbreak. This George A. Romero masterpiece is cool and chaotic. So, I love that Chad Villella has it on his list of favorites because those are the two C-words I use to describe the movies his company is responsible for. I go to the theater to see what mayhem this team has entered the chat with. Knowing this Romero flick is probably baked into their DNA, even a little makes me happy. I wonder if this is part of why ensemble films that devolve into the best kind of chaos catch Radio Silence’s attention.
Attack the Block (2011)
Where You Can Watch: Max
A group of teens battle aliens invading their South London block. I do not think this movie gets enough love. So, I basically levitated when I saw it on Chad’s list. I love London, sci-fi, John Boyega, and Jodie Whittaker. So I was here for every frame of this film. Not only is it a cool addition to the kids battling extraterrestrials subgenre, but it manages to make this specific subgenre feel fresh again. I also appreciate how it’s so fun but keeps the drama and tension as it raises the stakes. That’s another one of the things I love about this current Radio Silence era. After all, if we’re laughing and having a good time, it will hurt so much more when someone gets impaled on something.
Won’t my favorites do it! Chad did not just continue the streak of filmmakers I have bothered who have impeccable taste. He was also had tasked with upholding the Radio Silence reputation of killing this prompt, which is exactly what he did. This is extra impressive because he went out of the way to avoid repeating anything that Matt and Tyler chose for their lists. I think that deserves an extra round of applause before I finally exit the company email…for now.
You should clearly follow Chad Villella on Instagram and Twitter. However, I also advise you to keep one eye on the Radio Silence Productions site because there’s always something cool on the horizon. I also wouldn’t be doing my job if I did not remind you that you can watch our favorite tiny dancer, Abigail, on Peacock now. You can purchase the film on Blu-ray, DVD, and VOD if you want to own a copy of this bloody damn good time.
