Alice Maio Mackay makes movies that are events. This is wild because she started making them as a teenager but has created such iconic films like Bad Girl Boogey, T Blockers, and Satranic Panic. Her list of bops is why I was seated to see her newest film, Carnage for Christmas at this year’s Salem Horror Fest. As usual, Mackay’s movie replenished my electrolytes and gave me and my squad so much to talk about. If you have not experienced one of her movies, you are doing yourself a disservice. Each project is queer punk rock goodness that is beautifully smashing the patriarchy. That is my kind of carrying-on, and that is why Alice is one of my favorite names to keep an eye out for. This also put Alice on the list of filmmakers who got the dreaded message from me asking the most difficult question I can think of.
If you are familiar with this column, you know I ask my favorite filmmakers, actors, etc. the rudest question you can ask a horror fan. I make them list their five favorite horror movies. It is an impossible task that should have me barred from civilization. However, it has yielded some surprising results over the last two years. Alice is the youngest person to step up to the bat, and she brought two movies to my attention that I have never seen. She also assembled a list that is so on-brand (from the titles I have seen) for her work that I squealed when I read it. So, without further adieu, I present Alice Maio Mackay’s five favorite horror movies.
Halloween II (2009)
Where You Can Watch: AMC+ and Shudder
Laurie Strode is still reeling from her brother’s recent quest of carnage in Haddonfield, Illinois, as he prepares to strike again. I actually love that she lists Rob Zombie’s Halloween II as her top movie. We have to admit this sequel threw out the rules and did whatever the hell it wanted. This is the movie where Zombie picked up a lot of fans who now spend a lot of time reminding the internet he does not care what the rest of us think about his projects. I think we could all stand to have a little bit more of a “fuck it” attitude when it comes to our art. I can see how that would resonate with many of us, especially with Mackay and her work.
Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight
Where You Can Watch: VOD
A demon war over the blood of Christ is waged at a New Mexico boarding house. This might be my favorite Ernest Dickerson film, so I am ecstatic that Alice is also a fan. Sure, this horror fantasy has Billy Zane living his best demonic life and that’s a good time. However, it also made Jada Pinkett Smith one of the first Black final girls I saw as a kid. This movie is chaotic, important, and fun. I should have expected it would be on Mackay’s list. Seeing it here makes me think it is a heavy influence on her work, which is part of the reason her movies are like catnip for me. I want to rewatch her filmography now that I can pinpoint why the vibes are immaculate.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Where You Can Watch: Paramount+
A high school cheerleader learns that she is destined to fight vampires. Buffy the Vampire Slayer has always been important to me. It might be why I turned out as basic as I am. This movie was fun and starred four amazing actors we lost far too soon. Donald Sutherland, Paul Reubens, Rutger Hauer, and Luke Perry all won me over with this weird horror comedy I planned to rewrite with my crayons as soon as I learned to read. I am happy this 90s gem also resonates with Alice Maio Mackay because we will never give it enough love as a society. It also is probably one of the influences that resulted in her making movies that stay on the patriarchy’s ass.
Twixt
Where You Can Watch: Pluto TV and Prime Video
A struggling writer on a book tour gets caught up in a young girl’s murder in a small town. The longer he remains in town, the stranger things get as he begins to dream of a ghost girl and have visions of Edgar Allan Poe. I relate to struggling horror writers, so I am surprised I have never seen this movie. It is even wilder because the cast includes Val Kilmer, Bruce Dern, Elle Fanning, and Ben Chaplin. Luckily, Alice Maio Mackay is highlighting this title so I can fix this oversight. I cannot wait to dig into this and see if it lives up to the Alan Wake vibes I picked up from this initial Google search. Shout out to Alice for giving me Friday night plans.
The Canyons
Where You Can Watch: AMC+ and The Roku Channel
An LA trust-fund kid spirals out of control when he discovers his girlfriend is having an affair with the lead of his new low-budget movie. He decides to get even with cruel mind games that eventually end in blood and violence. Lindsay Lohan led an erotic thriller in 2013, and this list is how I learned about it. The Canyons is also one of the few times Gus Van Sant has stepped in front of the camera. I feel betrayed that no one told me this existed, and I have to thank Alice again for putting this one on my radar. It has the vibes of the 90s thrillers I used to watch, even though I was a child who did not fully understand them. It sounds messy, and I need it now.
Alice snuck in a 6th pick, and it’s Bad Things, which lives on Shudder. I see the vision with what I have picked up about Alice through her work and think if you dig her movie recommendations, you might also want to hit play on that one.
It seems that Alice Maio Mackay is a filmmaking prodigy and tastemaker. Make sure you are following Alice on Instagram and Twitter. You should also check out her latest film Carnage For Christmas on VOD because it kicks so much ass. Also, be sure to watch her movies on Shudder because you could probably also use a Mackay movie right about now.
