October is almost over, and Halloween nears, but there’s never such a thing as too many horror movies on your list. So, here’s three surreal horror films to add to your October binge!
A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)
This film is a remake of Wes Craven’s 1984 classic. Teenagers are terrorized by a burned man in their dreams when they’re asleep. They will realize, if they die in their dreams, they die in real life. Little do they know, they’re all connected to their childhood.
The Origins of Freddy Kreuger are retconned with a different backstory. It’s simpler than the original, but disturbing and sad. What I like most about this remake is that the aesthetic and the atmosphere is grim. 1984, with its several sequels, leaned into comedy horror, but still gruesome. The new Kreuger still has a humorous side, but it’s dark, and obscene.
Robert Englund will always be the original, iconic Freddy Kreueger, but Jackie Earle Haley was phenomenal.
You can find “A Nightmare on Elm Street” on the following platforms: Peacock (premium subscription), HBO Max (subscription), Sling TV (premium subscription), fuboTV (subscription), Google Play Movies & TV ($3.99+), Apple TV ($3.99+), Vudu ($2.99+), Amazon Prime Video (premium subscription), and Hulu (premium subscription).
Silent Hill (2006)
Based on Keiichiro Toyama’s survival game, “Silent Hill” is reimagined with alterations. The story follows a mother, Rose Da Silva (Radha Mitchell), with an adopted daughter who sleepwalks; dreaming and talking about an oddly specific place. Desperate for answers to her condition, Da Silva decides to travel to the abandoned town Silent Hill, West Virginia.
After a car accident on the outskirts of town, Da Silva wakes to find her daughter missing. She wanders into the town, which is blanketed in fog. As she searches for her daughter, she finds a nightmare within, centered around a young girl that is the striking resemblance of her daughter.
One of my favorite aspects of this adaptation is the transition of reality into a darker realm. It’s videogame-esque, yet remarkably realistic. There’s a sequel, but many people hated it. Don’t let that convince you otherwise if you’re curious!
You can find “Silent Hill” on the following platforms: Sling TV (premium subscription), Starz (subscription), Amazon Prime Video (premium subscription), Philo (premium subscription), Vudu ($2.99+), YouTube ($3.99+), Google Play Movies & TV ($3.99+), Apple TV ($3.99+), and Hulu (premium subscription).
Dead Silence (2007)
When she’s present, don’t scream. “Dead Silence” is a film created by the iconic “Saw” (2004) director James Wan, and writer/actor Leigh Whannell. Jamie Ashen (Ryan Kwanten) mysteriously receives a puppet with no sender. His wife notes that it reminds her of a creepy poem about the legend of Mary Shaw from when she was a kid.
Then, his wife gruesomely dies. Detective Lipton is sure that Ashen killed her. Looking deeper into the puppet in order to find out its origin, Ahsen travels to his hometown searching for answers. He learns more about the legend of Mary Shaw. Shaw was a lonesome ventriloquist, murdered by the town who suspected her of murder. Ashen uncovers secrets that relate back to Mary Shaw, and his bloodline.
“Dead Silence” is an underrated film with an amazing potential storyline. Since Wan and Whannell’s debut from “Saw,” this film carries some familiarity. Charlie Clouser was the music composer for both films, and it’s recognizable. There’s also a fun easter egg of Billy (puppet from “Saw”), so look out for Billy!
You can find “Dead Silence” on the following platforms: Google Play Movies & TV ($3.99+), Apple TV ($3.99+), Vudu ($3.99+), Amazon Prime Video (premium subscription), and YouTube ($3.99+).
Overall, these three unique films are an intriguing, surreal experience. I hope you check either one of them out, if not all! If you haven’t read my previous lists, check out the first and second. Also feel free to check out my “Halloween Kills” review, which I wrote in place of this list last week.
With that said, I hope my insight has enlightened you and I’d love to talk about things horror and more! If you’d like to see more of my content or would like to contact me, you can find me on Instagram or Twitter. You may also email me at jrnw99@gmail.com if you prefer.
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