11) The Hallow
Irish filmmaker Corin Hardy throws his hat into the dark fairytale ring with The Hallow, and does a damn good job staying both mystical and deranged.
Based on Celtic folklore, Hardy’s film is equal parts psychological tormentor and creature attack, pitting a family against unmentionables who haunt their surrounding woods. Efficiency is Hardy’s favorite tool, as nothing here really re-writes the genre – it just makes proper use of all facets. Monsters come alive, tension mounts, and nature’s splendor brings a unique look to each scene. In other words, it’s a visual page-turner.
Our own David James likened Hardy’s work to Guillermo del Toro’s canon, which I can’t argue with. There’s a whimsy about all the spooks and jumps, and creativity helps The Hallow burst with descriptive valor. The color schemes may accentuate murky green and dark shades, but the film itself is bright with detail, and pops with intrigue.
It’s a wicked bedtime story come to life, and while it might not keep you up all night, you’ll have an absolute blast watching a forsaken family battle everything that bumps in the night.
10) Krampus
Thank you, Michael Dougherty, for not letting me down this Christmas.
Trick ‘r Treat is a Halloween movie tradition, and I hoped Krampus would become the same. Yet, with big-budget involvement and a PG-13 rating, there were a few hesitations. But you know what other Christmas classic has a lesser rating? The PG-rated Gremlins. Like that film, Krampus understands that a horror movie doesn’t rely solely on gore. Dougherty’s offering is cheerfully driven by visual jolts, sinister holiday sweetness, and effective storytelling – and that’s why this supremely f#cked up fairytale works so well.
Let’s also give credit to WETA’s Christmas toys from hell, who all function as tremendous practical effects. From a Predator-esque Jack-in-the-box to a murderous teddy bear, Dougherty’s creations all jump to life through the magic of seasonal horrors. Even his CGI baddies are pixelated winners (Gingerbread assassins)! Dougherty’s cast gels warmly, from young stars to old vets, and no holiday normality is safe from a satirical skewering that reminds us what’s most important in life.
Dare I say it’s…ho-ho-horrifying? *downs glass of whiskey*