National Library Week was April 6th-12th, and supporting your local library is more important now than ever. Libraries have far more than books. Many libraries provide activities for children, career help for adults, and resources for financial hardship. There are computers and internet access. They even have games and movies that you can check out. Libraries also host events and sometimes historical exhibits. In March, the DC Public Library hosted a Green Book exhibit to show the history and impact of the Green Book and how it helped Black motorists travel amongst the dangers of sundown towns. Your local library can also help you save money on streaming.
Kanopy is a streaming platform that partners with libraries (local and university) to give access to great movies, shows, and documentaries to users. There are no commercials! Your library system will determine how many movies you can watch monthly, but it’s hard to complain when the platform is free. My university allowed for unlimited movies. My local library gives me 20 tickets per month, and most movies are two tickets. Moreover, Kanopy has media from all genres, but I am constantly spending my tickets in the Horror/Thriller tab. There are new movies, classics, cult films, and shows that horror fans can sink their teeth into. They also have subgenres like vampires, monsters, survival horror, giallos, body horror, etc. Here’s a list of what you can catch on Kanopy.
Titane (2021)
Directed by Julia Ducournau
I will find any excuse to recommend Titane. It’s a New French Extreme movie that is sure to stay with you. I love the body horror, the music, the camera work, and the sheer unpredictability of the plot. We follow a woman with a titanium plate fitted to her head as she goes on a bizarre journey. This is all the information you need. Julia Ducournau knows how to traumatize viewers (in the best way possible).
Battle Royale (2000)
Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
If you want to see a bunch of teenagers murder each other, then check out Battle Royale. Viewers are immersed in a dystopian world where selected classes engage in battles to the death. It’s great for fans who are looking for violence and action. The commentary on society and the actions people may take under these circumstances is raw, overshadowed only by the pure violence.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
Directed by Philip Kaufman
Invasion of the Body Snatchers is for the Sci-Fi girlies! This remake of the 1956 film gives us a stacked cast, quality special effects, and one of the most horrific sounds I’ve ever heard on film. We follow Matthew Bennell (Donald Sutherland) as he discovers that something sinister is consuming the citizens of San Francisco.
Late Night With The Devil (2024)
Directed by Cameron Cairnes and Colin Cairnes
If you enjoy horror that takes place on film or TV sets, then Late Night With The Devil is for you. The scares are inventive, the performances are incredibly realistic, and the lore is engaging. We look at Jack Delroy’s final show, which aired on Halloween 1977, featuring costumes, worms, and the devil. This film makes you feel like you’re backstage and on set with the rest of the crew.
Opera (1987)
Directed by Dario Argento
If you have a taste for Giallo, Opera is worth checking out. The creative kills, interesting score, and gripping mystery will strap you to your seat. Opera follows a young opera singer who is forced to watch the death of her friends at the hands of a hooded figure. The reveal at the end is WILD.
Cuckoo (2024)
Directed by Tilman Singer
Cuckoo is a unique creature feature that follows 17-year-old Gretchen as she navigates life with her father in a hotel in the German Alps after her mother’s death. As time passes, she learns the dark secret about the hotel and her blended family. The camera work, interesting creatures, and the showdown make Cuckoo a feast for the eyes. This film taps into the wave of body autonomy films sweeping through the genre.
Suspiria (1977)
Directed by Dario Argento
I recommend Suspiria as much as I recommend Titane. The lighting, set design, kills, and maggots will keep you coming back for more! The plot is chaotic and often feels like a fever dream, but it’s an experience that no Horror fan should miss. We follow Suzy Bannion, who has just arrived at the prestigious Tanz Akademie Dance School from the United States. She sees a series of bizarre events that influence her to investigate the happenings at the school. Finally, she comes to a dangerous discovery.
Longlegs (2024)
Directed by Osgood Perkins
I have to admit that I love a screaming Nicolas Cage. Whether it’s Mandy, Mom and Dad, or Faceoff, Nicolas Cage never disappoints (the movie might, but not Cage). His name alone was enough to get me in the seat. I was pleasantly surprised to see Blair Underwood (whose presence would have also gotten me in the seat). Longlegs feels like a 90s cop drama with a supernatural twist: it follows FBI agent Lee Harker investigating an unsolved serial killer case. Harker uncovers the involvement of the occult and a potential personal connection.
Train to Busan (2016)
Directed by Yeon Sang-ho
Train to Busan is a zombie jamboree that wrecks viewers emotionally. The characters are well-fleshed out. Their dialogue and actions give them so much weight that when they die (a LOT of people die), it feels like a personal attack. Plus, this flick features sprinting zombies who will stop at nothing for a bite. This amps up the stakes and keeps the audience on their toes. The plot focuses on a man and his daughter on their way to visit her mother when a zombie outbreak occurs.
When Evil Lurks (2023)
Directed by Demián Rugna
I LOVE demon possession movies. However, the subgenre can easily become stale. They often use the same strengths, weaknesses, rules, and lore. When Evil Lurks flips the script by presenting demons with unique lore and detaching them from religion. It feels bleak and nihilistic (my kind of carrying on). We follow the residents of a small town as they discover evidence that a demon will soon be born nearby. There are a LOT of good scares.
The Den (2013)
Directed by Zachary Donohue
I had to leave you all with at least one found-footage film. I watched this film within the past few years and haven’t considered entering a chat room since. The horror of The Den is so grounded that it’s palpable. Most of us use computers or connect with people via the internet, so the danger in the movie could find us, just as it found the main character. The Den focuses on a young woman studying the behaviors and habits of webcam users. When she witnesses a murder, she becomes the next target. Check it out!
These movies are just a fraction of what Kanopy has to offer. Get yourself a library card (if you don’t already have one), and tap into Kanopy. If you are a university student or staff member, you may also have access to Kanopy. Having fun isn’t hard with your library card.
