Category: Psychological Horror
-
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (74)
“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is a groundbreaking horror film released in 1974 and directed by Tobe Hooper. The story follows a group of young friends traveling through rural Texas who become the targets of a family of cannibalistic killers. Renowned for its relentless tension and raw, documentary-like style, the film delves into themes of violence,…
-
TENEBRAE aka TENEBRE
“Tenebrae” (also known as “Tenebre”) is a 1982 Italian giallo film written and directed by Dario Argento. After exploring pure supernatural horror in “Suspiria” (1977) and “Inferno” (1980), “Tenebrae” marked the filmmaker’s return to the giallo horror subgenre, and many consider it one of his finest works. The title is derived from Latin/Italian, meaning “darkness”…
-
THE SHINING
“The Shining” (1980) is a psychological horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick, who co-wrote the screenplay with novelist Diane Johnson. The film is based on Stephen King’s 1977 novel. It stars Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, and Scatman Crothers. Set almost entirely inside the isolated Overlook Hotel in the Rocky Mountains, the film explores…
-
POLTERGEIST
“Poltergeist” is a supernatural horror film released in 1982, directed by Tobe Hooper and produced and co-written by Steven Spielberg. The story was conceived by Spielberg, with the screenplay co-authored by Spielberg, Michael Grais, and Mark Victor. This film is considered a landmark of early ’80s horror, combining suburban realism with elements of paranormal terror.…
-
ENYS MEN
“Enys Men” (Cornish for “Stone Island”) is a surreal, slow-burning folk horror film released in 2022. It was written, directed, and edited by Mark Jenkin, known for his work on “Bait.” The film is shot on 16mm film, giving it a grainy, analog aesthetic, and is set in 1973 on an isolated, uninhabited island off…
-
SALO, OR THE 120 DAYS OF SODOM (NSFW)
‘Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom,’ is a 1975 controversial and highly provocative film directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini. Based loosely on the infamous novel “The 120 Days of Sodom” by the Marquis de Sade, the film is a brutal allegory about power, sadism, and the dehumanizing effects of totalitarianism. Set in Fascist Italy…
-
THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
“The Night of the Hunter” (1955) is an American film noir thriller directed by Charles Laughton in his only directorial effort. Based on the 1953 novel by Davis Grubb, the film was adapted for the screen by James Agee. It stars Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, and Lillian Gish. Set during the Great Depression, the film…
-
THE EVIL DEAD
“The Evil Dead” is a 1981 horror film directed by Sam Raimi. This cult classic is well known for its innovative camera techniques, intense atmosphere, and a blend of horror and dark humor. It has become a seminal piece in the horror genre. My first viewing was from behind a couch. The story centers on…
-
MIDSOMMAR
“Midsommar” is a 2019 horror film directed by Ari Aster. It stars Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, William Jackson Harper, and Will Poulter. The film blends psychological and folk horror elements, creating a uniquely unsettling and visually striking experience.The film begins with Dani Ardor (Florence Pugh) experiencing a traumatic family tragedy: her sister kills herself and…
-
THE WICKER MAN
“The Wicker Man” is a 1973 British horror film directed by Robin Hardy. The film stars Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland, Diane Cilento, Ingrid Pitt, and Lindsay Kemp. Renowned for its atmospheric tension and unique approach to the horror genre, the film has become a cult classic. The story follows Sergeant Neil Howie (Edward…
