Sean Liang is one of the kindest, funniest, down-to-earth people you’ll ever meet. This is ironic because it took me forever to ask him to be on my podcast even though we had been mutuals forever, and I wanted to talk to him about his time on American Horror Story: 1984. When I did get out of my way, I had a delightful time talking to Sean and now invite him back every season. Because I’m one of many podcasters in love with Mr. Liang, he also got invited to some of our virtual movie nights last summer. Honestly, we’ve seen some truly chaotic movies together. I can’t wait to do it again either. When we’re not making Sean to watch weird movies with us, he’s working on movies that are scary, funny, or some combo of the two. While he is primarily an actor, he’s also known for wearing a few other hats. One of those titles is director, and he has a bunch of shorts to dig into. However, I have my eye on the upcoming Over A Dead Body.
Because I have known Sean for a couple of years, I was really interested in what movies he would bring to the table when I finally made this list his problem. He came through yet again with iconic films. However, he explained this is the list of movies he has watched the most and cannot seem to get sick of. Because picking five favorites was too much pressure. I agree, it’s an impossible task (even though I make people do it anyway *evil cackle*).
Scream (1996)
Where You Can Watch: Paramount+
A year after her mother is murdered, Sidney Prescott finds herself being the target of a masked killer. This Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson combination is the movie of my generation. It taught most of us culture, and I am happy Sean listed it. This is one of the few consistently fun franchises and is still going strong today with a new core four. Sean is working on a fan-made film in its honor, so I should’ve seen this coming. However, I’m freaking out so much that I might try to crawl through the doggy door in my weird boyfriend’s garage.
Signs (2002)
Where You Can Watch: HBOMax
A retired reverend who is a single father finds mysterious crop circles in his fields. This was the only M. Night Shyamalan I couldn’t figure out early on. So, it is the one I liked the most as a youth. There was a scene where an alien walks out in broad daylight that for some reason was the only jump scare that made me jump as a kid. I think there’s a case to be made for this being one of Shyamalan’s best movies. I also love that the cast includes Rory Culkin, Cherry Jones, Abigail Breslin, and Merritt Wever because they deserve a truly iconic moment together.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Where You Can Watch: Redbox, Shudder, and Tubi
Three film kids disappear in the Maryland forest while working on a documentary. All that was left was their footage. If nothing else, the way this movie is marketed is iconic. I’m pretty sure it was also my first found-footage movie as a kid. While I was too uncultured to appreciate it then, every time I return as a supposed adult it seems even more disturbing. This is also probably the one billionth movie whispering to my subconscious that I don’t belong in nature.
The Exorcism Of Emily Rose (2005)
Where You Can Watch: VOD
A lawyer must defend a priest who performed a failed exorcism in a court of law. This movie let Jennifer Carpenter live her best-possessed girl life. This film also runs in to yell, “Horror can happen in a courtroom drama,” and then dials 1-800-Today-Satan. As we’re watching the weird goings-on and being caught up in the case, we almost forget that it was inspired by real events. That always makes it that much more terrifying for me. It also drives home the questions at the heart of the plot while making it an interesting movie to discuss.
It Follows (2014)
Where You Can Watch: Netflix
After a sexual encounter, a woman finds herself hunted by a supernatural force. If someone had told me, “sex might result in demons”, that would’ve been the only sex talk I would have ever needed. This movie is terrifying and introduced many of us to Queen Maika Monroe, but that piece is what sends me. A sad five minutes in the backseat of a car shouldn’t lead to evil forces chasing you around your town. Also, the fact that the friend group stayed together is a testament to these characters because it could never be me.
Sean Liang served an iconic list and kept this streak of quality people with quality tastes. You should check out all of Sean’s projects but Scream: The Fan Favorite is one of the next features you can catch him in. It is a fan-made film paying homage to Scream and will be available on Youtube later this year. You can also see his scene in the upcoming Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley. He also has a movie hitting Netflix next year that he can’t talk about yet. So, of course, I can’t rest until I find out what it is. Follow Sean on Instagram and Twitter to keep up with all of his upcoming projects.
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