National Library Week spans from April 7-13th, so now is the perfect time to put those library cards to use! It is well known that libraries often have incredible book selections, but did you know you could use your library card to stream? Many libraries allow cardholders to access apps like Overdrive and Kanopy where users can stream movies, shows, documentaries, and more. Hoopla is a similar app that can be accessed online, on the Roku app, and through Google Play. While many of the selections are family-friendly movies and dramas, I was able to weed out the decent horror movies available on the app.
Talk To Me (2023)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLAKJu9aJys&t=18s
This movie is on my top ten list of 2023 horror films! It’s intense, scary, and has biting commentary about addiction, grief, and how technology has desensitized us. We follow Mia, who is still grieving the death of her mother, as she and her friends begin engaging in a new and dangerous game. Talk to Me is brutal and isn’t afraid to be bleak, which is on brand for Australian films. Hoopla is the only place to stream this movie outside of VOD and Paramount+ via the Showtime add-on.
Annihilation (2018)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89OP78l9oF0
Sci-fi genre lovers should tap into Annihilation. This film has some of the most quietly terrifying scenes I’ve ever seen. The body horror is unsettling and will haunt me forever. Lena and a small team investigate a zone called ‘The Shimmer” to uncover what happened to her husband. Their investigation takes a turn as the environment becomes more and more unpredictable.
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMgLMaLlK9k&t=4s
If you’re in the mood for something fun, check out Bodies Bodies Bodies. I’ll admit that some of the characters are annoying, but it’s intentional. There are so many little laughs baked into the dialogue that it encourages a rewatch. A group of young adults party at an isolated mansion during a hurricane, when the games turn sour. Tensions rise when the group discovers a body. This a fun whodunnit with a surprise twist at the end.
X (2022)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awg3cWuHfoc&t=4s
If you have a taste for a modern slasher wearing a vintage outfit, press play on X. This movie doesn’t reinvent the wheel but delivers memorable kills and pays homage to genre films before it. X is great for a movie night with your friends, although I’d avoid watching it with your family. We follow an adult film crew after they rent a house on a farm to make a movie. Their night is filled with terror as someone starts picking them off one by one.
Pearl (2022)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5PW5r3pEOg&t=40s
Pearl is the prequel to X and gives us a peek into Pearl’s life during The war. It feels like The Wizard of Oz’s violent cousin on shrooms and it’s dazzling to watch. Mia Goth masters a balance between violence, delusion, and child-like wonder. If you liked X, then you should check out Pearl.
Terrifier 2 (2022)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4m9WCxb-J8
If you want to see next-level gore, check out Terrifier 2. The first movie is known for the standout SFX, especially the handsaw scene. This sequel is an upgrade from the first movie with the plot and budget. Terrifier 2 is not for the faint of heart and features brains, intestines, hearts, exposed jaw, and burn wounds. Damien Leone takes it there like Degrassi.
Host (2020)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNlKbqHqGcY
Host is for the found footage fans! A great example of lightning in a bottle, Host was released at the perfect time. We were all in our homes being held hostage on work Zoom calls. This film took our reality and transformed it into a nightmare. Host keeps viewers on edge with tons of scares in a tight 57-minute runtime. For full immersion, watch it on a laptop with headphones in the dark.
Let us know what you plan to check out on Hoopla this week. Also, make sure to follow @GirlThatsScary for more horror movie recommendations.
