10) Arachnophobia (1990)
Ok, so this one’s a PG-13 horror flick, however, before you reach for your pitchforks we’d just like to say our piece: we genuinely think that working within the confines of a more palatable PG-13 rating while crafting an authentically creepy creature-feature is an art-form in itself. By virtue of that alone, Frank Marshall’s directorial debut, which focuses on a deadly spider infestation within a small North American rural town, is an absolute doozie.
Add in an awesome opening sequence shot in the isolated mountains of Venezuela, Trevor Jones’ magnificent sweeping score, a terrifically memorable turn from John Goodman as a cocky pest exterminator and an endearingly affable Jeff Daniels as a newly-appointed arachnophobic doctor and you have one of the finest PG-13 horror movies ever created. Period.
Those – like me – who have a fear of those pesky eight-legged beasties may want to pick up a fresh batch of bug-spray before settling in and checking this sleek little chiller out.
9) Audition (1999)
Takashi Miike’s deeply disturbing Japanese lo-fi horror opus takes no prisoners. A recent widower, played by Ryo Ishibashi, is encouraged by his son to find a new wife. The father agrees, and with help from a close friend they set up a fake audition in an attempt to discover the new love of his life. Unfortunately for him, the lady in question turns out to be something a lot more than he bargained for.
The majority of the film plays out like a fairly jovial romantic drama, however, it’s within its final third where the movie truly shows its full, bloody and shocking hand. For some, the closing act may well be so horrific it could prove to be unwatchable — you’ve been warned!
