(“Fresh”, photo credit: Empire)
Heart shapes, doves, roses, and… horror movies? Valentine’s Day is one week away, meaning now is the perfect time to start making plans. A lot of people are not huge fans of the holiday, feeling a need for the day to be on fast-forward and forgotten.
Yet there is a way to celebrate while skipping the romance: horror movies.
Straying from the typical Romantic Comedy, there are a variety of horror films that use relationships as their monster. When romance turns fatal, these terrifying films will have you on the edge of your seat this Valentine’s Day.
“Fresh” (2022)
Produced as a Hulu original, “Fresh” stars Daisy Edgar-Jones (Noa) and Sebastian Stan (Steve) as the two form a relationship amidst the current struggles of modern dating.
As Noa tries to find her way in the world of dating apps, she is met with constant disappointment and fears she will not find a partner. This soon changes with the encounter she has with Steve, giving her newfound hope.
However, as their relationship progresses, Noa discovers that Steve has a dark secret.
I have seen the movie multiple times, each time remaining as unsettling as the last. Of all the horror movies I have seen, this one stands out with its modern take on dating that hits close to home, combined with a twist that is not common. The ending is also a peak in the movie, leaving viewers satisfied with the outcome.
(“Fresh” Trailer)
If you are looking for a reason to never swipe left or right again, look no further. Fresh is a unique film, its twisted story taking dating fears to another level. For those in a happy relationship, this movie provides the suspense and shock that will make this Valentine’s Day memorable.
“Down” (2019)
“Down” is another Hulu original, an addition to their “Into the Dark” series. The film stars Christina Leone and Matt Lauria, who are coworkers leaving the workplace for a long weekend. They end up getting stuck in the elevator and having to figure out how to survive when no one notices them there.
During their time in the elevator, the two start to learn more about each other and what each is hiding.
(“Down” Trailer)
When I first started watching the film, I was unsure of how far I would get before turning it off. For movies set in one place for a majority of the time, it can be hard to stand out or keep the audience excited.
Yet “Down” had my jaw drop when they uncovered the secret one of the coworkers is hiding. It sets the rest of the film up with high anticipation as to who, if anyone, will make it out alive.
If you are looking for a movie about a sparking connection gone wrong, then this is the one for you. The coworkers are strangers at the beginning and fight for their lives until the end. Plus, it is set during Valentine’s Day weekend.
“It Follows” (2014)
“It Follows” is a movie you can currently stream on Netflix. The film follows Maika Monroe (Jay) after an explicit encounter with Jake Weary (Hugh). The film opens with Jay tied up as Hugh explains the aftermath: she will be followed until she passes ‘it’ along. She must not let ‘it’ touch her or get to her.
(“It Follows” Trailer)
The film follows her journey with her friends as she tries to navigate away from whatever is following her.
This horror mystery will have you biting your nails awaiting what will happen to Jay next.
The best part of this movie is the unknown aspect of what Jay is going through and how she will overcome what others cannot see. It is filmed in a way that engages the audience until the very last scene.
If you are a fan of movies diving into new terrors while ending on a cliffhanger, this is the movie for you. It captures what can happen after getting close to new people, turning this into a fatal twist that will forever haunt those involved.
“Lights Out” (2016)
Another option currently streamable on Netflix is “Lights Out,” a film following Teresa Palmer (Rebecca) and Gabriel Bateman (Martin) who play siblings dealing with supernatural terror that keeps them up at night.
(“Lights Out” Trailer)
Rebecca goes back to her childhood home when she realizes that Martin, her younger brother, is dealing with the same things she used to. She is determined to keep him safe and get to the bottom of what is happening.
“Lights Out” is a story well received by many people who have watched it. I would say it is one of the better horror options on Netflix.
The film also features Rebecca’s romantic progression with Alexander DiPersia (Bret), who sticks around to try and help in any way he can.
This one is pretty haunting, exploring what happens when the lights turn off and vengeance is present. You might want to watch this one with the lights on.