Horror Movies With Mom

I have a longstanding relationship with horror, thanks to my mother, who nurtured my passion for the macabre. We dressed up and went trick-or-treating every year. When I was a young warthog, she also took me to the theater to see iconic horror films. We also had plenty of discussions on the car ride home. Usually under a dark purple sky, alongside the tall dark trees, as we always preferred late screenings. This past Mother’s Day, I took the time to honor my mom by reflecting on my favorite theater experiences with her. She was my movie partner. Although she isn’t here now,  I carry her with me, around my neck, to every movie I see.  Here is a list of movies and memories I revisit whenever I want to be closer to my mom. 

Scream (1996) 

My mom enjoyed a good slasher. At six, I didn’t understand the concept of a sub-genre, but if it was going to be scary, I wanted in. We were sold after seeing the trailers. It came out around second-grade Christmas break. We sat near the front, a ritual, and my mom let me get concessions. I held the world’s largest Pepsi (always a Pepsi so she could have some) with both little hands as I watched Drew Barrymore get gutted. It felt like my eyes were going to pop out of my skull.

I was thrilled by the chase scenes and terrified that a stranger could call my house, telling me they could see me. Although, I don’t think I was allowed to answer the phone without my mom giving the green light anyway. I also remember my mom buying a separate caller ID around this time (yes, some phones did not automatically have caller ID). I do not answer private numbers to this day.  During the movie, I managed to steal a few glances at my mom, her face illuminated by the screen. She was smiling. She was probably catching all the humor that was flying over my head. Everyone, including my brother, dressed up as Ghostface the following Halloween.

Halloween H20 (1998) 

I had seen every Halloween movie, except Halloween 3, by the time I was 8. I didn’t truly understand the plot, but I understood that Michael Myers had a knife and beef with his relatives. When Halloween H20 was announced, it was a family affair in my household. Even my little brother went. He was sitting with his feet dangling off the seat. At the time, it was the best Michael Myers movie I had seen. Mainly because it was the only entry I had seen on the big scene with a booming sound system. Every other Halloween movie I had seen was on a big-back TV with a rounded screen and basic sound. I also watched those movies in a busy house versus the dark and quiet theater experience.

Looking back, it is not the best installment, but I have nostalgia for it. Nothing beats the memory of us yelling at the screen as a family with the rest of the theater. It felt like a sporting event. 

The Sixth Sense (1999)

I vividly remember the trailers for The Sixth Sense. The movie was released around my birthday. So, I made it evident (with great enthusiasm) that I wanted to be in the front row for this film. The line, “I see dead people,” lived rent-free in my brain before I ever saw the movie. I was also interested in a horror movie that featured a child lead (Haley Joel Osment). Mom delivered! Opening weekend, we went to the mall (remember malls?), got tickets, and made our way toward the front. Most of the sentimental drama went right over my head, but the ghostly images HAUNTED me deeply. The tent scene made me nearly jump out of my skin. I don’t remember my mom jumping much, but she bought the movie later, which meant she held it in high regard. 

Bride Of Chucky (1998) & Seed Of Chucky (2004)

Mom introduced me to Child’s Play (we referred to as Chucky Movies) at a young age. Before I went to grade school, I knew who Charles Lee Ray was. My mom and older sister used to tease me and say Chucky was going to get me. We had Child’s Play 3 on VHS. My siblings and I ran that tape into the ground! I was too young to see any of the Child’s Play movies in theaters until Bride of Chucky. My mom took us to see it as a family. It was one of the wildest movie experiences I had at the time. So, I LOVED it! However, my mom wasn’t too thrilled about the honeymoon scenes, and she even covered my eyes a few times. I was a bit older when Seed of Chucky was released, and my mother, of course, took us to see it.

I remember her eyes widening at all the inappropriate jokes (which mostly flew over my head). She was pleased to learn I hated the movie because I could not grasp most of the raunchy comedy. That also meant I wasn’t going to ask her too uncomfortable questions. We talked about how silly the movie was on the car ride home. After revisiting the film with adult eyes, I have grown to love adult humor (now that I can understand it). 

Final Destination 2 (2003)

Speaking of car rides, my family had the most uncomfortable ride home after watching Final Destination 2. I’m not sure how we skipped the first movie as a family, but we managed to see the second one in theaters.  I don’t remember the trailer much, but I remember my older brother’s excitement. I’m sure he roped Mom into taking him, and because it was a horror film, I was tagging along. We all watched in horror as the log truck wreaked havoc on the road. My brother and I were not old enough to drive yet, and I’m sure this movie zapped our eagerness to learn.

The ride home was nearly silent. Mom did not take her eyes off the road. She didn’t turn on the radio to 106.5 The Beat. She didn’t even consider smoking a single cigarette (she smoked Newports my whole life – about 2 to 3 packs a week).  My brothers and I were late bloomers on the road. I did not get my license until I was 23. I still don’t drive behind logging trucks (or utility trucks), and I avoid riding near school buses. 

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)

Thirteen is an important age in adolescence. I spent that year watching horror that would shape my views on the genre for years to come. In 2003, I begged my mother to take me to see House of 1000 Corpses (none of us were prepared for that, especially a 12-year-old). I went with one of my best friends to see Freddy Vs. Jason, which is where I’m sure I saw the trailer for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003). I had seen bits and pieces of the older sequels when they aired on TV, but not enough to identify the franchise. The trailer had me and my homegirl stressed, which meant we were going to beg our parents to see it.

My mother was willing to take me on the first ask. I found out later that she had seen the original and was interested in the remake. Hell, I hadn’t even connected that it was a remake at the time. I saw chainsaws and screaming, and that was enough to get my butt in the seat. I was sitting next to Mom while watching 30% of the movie through my fingers. This was the most stressed I had been in the theaters since Scream! Unlike the Scream theater experience, my mom grimaced and moved in her seat a bit. On the ride home, Mom and I laughed about how we’d never be caught dead in the backroads of Texas. I stepped foot in Texas for the first time in 2024 for Fantastic Fest and was still looking over my shoulder.  

To Pumpkin

I was blessed to have a mother who nurtured my interests. Her being a horror fan already definitely helped as she allowed me to explore the genre under her guidance (albeit it was 90’s, so the guidance was loose). She’d be so proud to see what I have turned this passion into. Thank you, Pumpkin.