Three Must-Watch Classic Horror Films For This Halloween

Violet Rhoades

I think first and foremost, I should preface the fact that I am in no way shape, or form a horror fan. These classic films are not for the faint of heart. Unfortunately, I am of the faint of heart. Although true horror junkies may think these are amateur movies, it's safe to say that I won't be sleeping for the next two weeks. With all that being said, I think it's time we move on to the actual list.

#3- Halloween
Arguably one of the most well-known horror movies, Halloween had me jumpier than I care to admit. During the year of 1963, six-year-old Michael Myers brutally murdered his older sister who was babysitting him on an eerie Halloween night. Fifteen years later, while being transferred for a court day after being locked up, Myers makes his debut escape. All these years later, what will he do when he finds Laurie Strode, a new babysitter to obsess over? More importantly, what will she do when she finds out Myers isn't as mortal as she once believed? Despite the fact that this movie had a dangerously low budget, producer John Carpenter was able to create such an enthralling film, that utilizes dramatic irony to a horrifying extent. With one of the most successful horror franchises in history, Halloween is a great pick for this Halloween night!

#2- The Shining 
The simplicity of this 1980 film is what makes it so perfect. The Shining is extremely unnerving despite its straightforward editing with no over-the-top special effects or gimmicky characters, and the inimitable cinematography that not only makes the film appealing to watch but also fits the tone of the movie incredibly well. In the film, with hopes to cure his writer's block, Jack Torrance, his wife Wendy, and their son Danny all move into Overlook Hotel in Colorado which is snowed in entirely in the winter seasons with no outside connections. Danny has always had the talent of “the shining”, which essentially gives him psychic powers, and it seems this hotel has only triggered more and more morbid visions. As the dark and mysterious secrets of the hotel start to unravel, Jack gets trapped in the insanity of it, turning him into a homicidal maniac, with a new need to kill his family.

#1- The Exorcist 

The Exorcist was genuinely nothing like I expected it to be. To be fair, I went into this film with no prior knowledge, and no preconceived notions. It was creepy and repulsive at times, but also had heartfelt, and some almost comical moments. This 1973 film follows a famous movie star mother, who has a growing concern when her once sweetheart daughter Regan, starts spewing nonsense in different languages, and even levitating at times. After seeking help from every psychiatrist and doctor possible, they all advise her that it may be out of their hands, it may even be that she's possessed. After hearing this, a local priest named Father Damien Karras decides on the fact that it may be more than a simple possession, suggesting that it may be the devil himself in the innocent 12-year-old girl. The church sends Damien in along with Father Lankester Merrin, an expert on exorcisms, but the two are quick to realize this won’t be as simple as they had once hoped.