Halloween is almost here! But for some of us, every day is Halloween. In celebration of the best month of the year, we assembled a watchlist of 31 horror films that made us think, What the hell did I just watch? Luckily, an overabundance of bizarre, trippy, horrifying, and shocking movies fit the bill. Over on TikTok, I have been sharing a new film every day in October. So, I thought I would put together a streaming guide of some movies I have already covered. I present to you my favorites of our 31 Days of Halloween Watchlist.
Brain Damage (1988)
Directed by Frank Henenlotter
Where You Can Watch: Tubi, Kanopy, Fandor, Screambox, and Shudder (Apple TV)
Brian (Rick Hearst) becomes addicted to a parasite that induces euphoric hallucinations in its hosts. This is one helluva ride. First, watch this for the gross, lumpy, phallic-shaped parasite named Aylmer. By the way, he eats brains. Yum! I found him adorable, and he has a killer sense of humor. The scenes where Brian is under the influence are fantastically trippy. Last but not least, fun fellatio.
Titane (2021)
Directed by Julia Ducournau
Where You Can Watch: Hulu and Kanopy
The story follows Alexia (Agathe Rousselle), who has a metal plate on her head from a car accident in her childhood. She embarks on a strange journey that leads her to meet a firefighter whose son has been missing for a decade. It’s a beautiful, psychological body horror. Caveat: I’m a fan of body horror. Watch this for serial killer slasher vibes. Enjoy the gorgeous car love-making session. Most importantly, enjoy the evolution of Alexia.
The Untamed (2016)
Directed by Amat Escalante
Where You Can Watch: Kanopy and Tubi
The story centers on Alejandra (Ruth Ramos), a young mother trapped in an unhappy and abusive marriage with her husband, Angel. She turns to her brother Fabián for support, who harbors his own secrets. Soon, their lives change when Veronica (Simone Bucio) claims that an otherworldly force in a nearby cabin could solve their problems but also poses a danger if not properly appeased. Find it, watch it, and try not to open your eyes too wide. Holy shit, this movie had me aghast. First, the cringe was from the gross horror factor and then there’s the sex. Mostly, I love the tentacled alien monster; just picture Possession (1981). In fact, Jodorowsky drew inspiration from and dedicated the film to Polish director Andrzej Zulawski. Finally, the animal orgy-filled crater is the least of the highlights of The Untamed.
Santa Sangre (1989)
Directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky
Where You Can Watch: Prime Video (with and without ads), Freevee, Kanopy and Tubi
A former child circus performer escapes from a mental hospital and reunites with his armless mother. She forces him to commit brutal murders in her name as he becomes “her arms.” The story follows a young boy named Fenix (Adán and Axel Jodorowsky) who becomes an orphan after his mother is maimed and his father commits suicide. This film, at its core, is beautifully crafted to illustrate the struggles and coping mechanisms that Fenix employs to manage his childhood trauma. Foremost, it’s difficult to choose my favorite moment, but the performances are captivating, and there are some sick murders.
Society (1989)
Directed by Brian Yuzna
Where You Can Watch: Kanopy, Plex and Screambox
Bill (Billy Warlock) worries that he is ‘different’ from his sister and parents. They mix with other ‘upper class’ people, while Bill is more down to earth. Even his girlfriend seems a bit strange. When Bill returns home, he discovers a party in full swing. Not for the weak of stomach. I honestly watched this for the shock value. However, this is a freaking good story. It’s beyond strange and stomach-turning sometimes, but it’s just so creative, and I enjoy body horror. Moreover, Yuzna made everything look otherworldly, and it’s fantastic. Watch this for the shunting.
House (1977)
Directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi
Where You Can Watch: The Criterion Channel and Max
Hoping to find a sense of connection to her late mother, Gorgeous takes a trip to the countryside to visit her aunt at their ancestral house. She invites her six friends, Prof, Melody, Mac, Fantasy, Kung Fu, and Sweet (nicknamed after their most interesting attributes), to join her. The girls soon discover that there is more to the old house than meets the eye. This is one of the best films I have discovered in my adulthood. It’s surreal and gorgeous. It’s like a bizarre, fantasy-like horror musical but without the singing. Watch it for the unique kills, magical house, and eccentric immortal aunt.
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