The following article reviews movies that contain graphic content.
Fall is in full swing and we are nearing the end of October. With Halloween fast approaching, what better way is there to get into the spooky spirit than to kick back and turn on a new horror movie?
Many of the films released in recent months are perfect for Halloween, and whether you are a fan of jump scares or prefer a less-terrifying film experience, this list of new movies has something for everyone.
Alien: Romulus (Rated R)
Released to theaters on Aug. 16, “Alien: Romulus” is the ninth and newest sci-fi film in the iconic movie franchise that began with “Alien” in 1979.
“Alien: Romulus” was directed by Uruguayan filmmaker Fede Álvarez and starred American actress Cailee Spaeny as Rain, a young space colonist trying to forge a better life for herself and her android companion, Andy, played by David Jonnsson. Spaeny was also recently praised for her leading role as Priscilla Presley in the 2023 hit film, “Priscilla.”
“Alien: Romulus” which chronologically takes place between the first and second movie, follows a complex group of young space colonists that discover an abandoned space station — the Romulus — and seize the opportunity to scavenge equipment, aiming to utilize it to create a better life for themselves. However, along the way, they encounter spine-chilling creatures — some seen previously in prequels and some completely new and disturbing — and must quite literally fight for their lives.
Despite being a sequel, the film was well-praised for honoring its thrilling predecessors while also being original and exciting for long-time fans of the franchise, critics, and general audiences, receiving an impressive 80% on Rotten Tomatoes.
As a longtime fan of the Alien franchise, this film felt more inspired than other recent installments to the series, which was a pleasant surprise. Visually, it was incredible, and Jonsson’s performance as Andy was both touching and entertaining.
This film includes quite a bit of blood and gore, so for more squeamish viewers, this may not be the best pick; however, it was a high-quality example of horror that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Smile 2 (Rated R)
Known for the creative marketing and thrilling plot that propelled its success in 2022, “Smile” was quickly deemed a box office hit, inciting a widely positive audience response that prompted the creation of its sequel — ”Smile 2″ — which was recently released in theaters on Oct. 18.
Like its predecessor, “Smile 2″ is directed by Parker Finn. For the most part, the film is a self-contained story rather than just a continuation of the previous film’s plot, starring Naomi Scott, best known for her role as Jasmine from the 2019 live-action adaptation of “Aladdin.”
The film follows Grammy-winning pop star Skye Riley, as she prepares for and embarks on her comeback tour. As the film progresses, Skye begins to experience horrifying and unexplainable events with the people around her which reflect those portrayed in the first film, including the iconically off-putting smile.
“Smile 2” has already received an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes with viewers applauding the effective jumpscares, intense cinematography, and compelling performances.
Going into this movie, my expectations were initially low, because I wasn’t a big fan of the first film.
However, I can now say I personally prefer this sequel. Despite the film being harder to follow because of the hallucinatory sequences, watching Naomi Scott and her ability to make the audience uneasy just by her expressions raised the film to an entirely different level that it would’ve failed to achieve without her phenomenal acting.
Speak No Evil (Rated R)
Directed and written by James Watkins, “Speak No Evil,” is a remake of a 2022 Danish-Dutch film by the same title. The film is a slow burn psychological thriller starring Scottish actor, James McAvoy, and was released on Sept. 13.
The plot depicts an American family of three befriending a seemingly normal but free-spirited British couple while on vacation in Italy, who later invite them to visit their remote farm home in South England. However, soon after arriving, the American family begins to notice odd and almost aggressive behavior coming from their British hosts before a petrifying truth is revealed to them, and now they must plan their escape.
This movie has been noted as extremely suspenseful, and is praised especially for its tense and awkward scenes. Moreover, “Speak No Evil” received an 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences and critics alike have been praising the acting, particularly that of McAvoy as Paddy, one of the main antagonists of the film.
Since I love McAvoy, I had some bias going into this movie, and my expectations were high. After finishing the film, I can’t say I was disappointed in his and the entire cast’s execution, nor the excellent cinematography, however, as someone who watches a lot of horror, I found the movie — specifically the plot — to be almost frustrating at times. As a remake, it sadly didn’t do the original as much justice as I had hoped. However, “Speak No Evil” is not a bad movie at all. If you’re looking for an eerie and uncomfortable thriller, this movie will definitely do the trick.
The Substance (Rated R)
Both within the horror-loving community, and all over social media, this grotesque, disturbing, and socially insightful film has been a big topic this October. Released in late September and directed by Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance” is a satirical body horror film that, for those who can stomach it, is highly acclaimed by audiences.
The story focuses on Hollywood star Elizabeth Sparkle, played by Demi Moore, whose career is currently falling apart due to her getting older. Out of desperation to remain young and beautiful for her career, Elizabeth turns to a new medication called The Substance, which promises a new younger version of herself. However, this medication is not exactly what it seems, and the movie begins to spiral, showcasing incredible amounts of repulsive body horror and subtle societal critiques.
“The Substance” is definitely something new and original, capturing audiences in ways many horror films fail to. Its deeper messages and its cinematography as a whole have been highly applauded by critics, and the film received a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes.
While the occasional intensely gory scene had my skin crawling, I really enjoyed the movie. The entire experience felt like a rollercoaster, with every scene getting more and more twisted, which for some may be too much; however, that was what made the movie so entertaining and captivating for me. The social commentary on the pressures women — especially women in the public eye — face to stay young and beautiful was well done.
I left the film feeling uncomfortable, which is exactly what I feel the filmmakers intended.
All of these films have their own merit, and I highly recommend watching them for a boost of spooky spirit. Enjoy at your own discretion and happy Halloween!
