Last year I created a list of ten awesome horror films mixed up in the Netflix bargain bin. This year, I bring you 10 more that are definitely worth a watch! Check out my first list of 10 Horror Gems on Netflix here!
Veronica (2017)
A teenage girl in 1991 Spain must protect her family from evil spirits.
Watch if: You want a super scary, super well-done demonic film.
Last Shift (2014)
A rookie cop gets pretty much the worst first shift ever.
Watch if: You want a haunting that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Black Rock (2012)
Three friends go to a remote island and chaos ensues.
Watch if: You know that people are scarier than ghosts or demons.
Creep (2014)
A videographer realizes his new employer is not what he seems.
Watch if: You want to see the guy from The League be super, well, creepy.
The Ritual (2017)
Four friends go camping in the woods but something else is with them.
Watch if: You love those “lost in the woods” tales.
Teeth (2007)
A girl has the deadliest vagina in history.
Watch if: You want something original and kind of f*cked up.
Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2010)
Two redneck friends get misinterpreted a lot.
Watch if: You like a side of laughs with your blood and guts.
All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (2006)
A bunch of drooling High School guys are obsessed with Amber Heard.
Watch if: You appreciate a low-budget but still satisfying slasher.
The Nightmare (2015)
A documentary that will scare you more than any horror film.
Watch if: You know how actually terrifying sleep paralysis is.
Holidays (2016)
Eight short films each taking place on a different holiday.
Into the Drowning Deep was written by Mira Grant and published in 2017. This is the story of a scientific voyage, a television network known for cheap thrills, and a whole bunch of people who are getting in over their head. When Imagine Network announces a trip to the Mariana Trench to investigate the disappearance of their mockumentary film crew who was lost at sea there, the takers are many. Among those on-board the ship are ambitious executives, a plethora of scientists, television personalities, and the sister of the missing host. The ship is big and bad but what they find out there in the deep ocean is even worse.
Photo from the film Mamula (2014)
Let me start off by saying that all book reviews are inevitably biased towards the reviewer’s personal preferences. That being said, I LOVED this book! My review below is, as always, spoiler-free.
This story is well-thought out and well-written. The amount of detail put into every aspect of the voyage is extraordinary. The specifics behind the science and technology are the perfect balance of explanation. The author also did an amazing job in providing diversity in the characters. I listened to this on audiobook and found myself itching to get back in the car so I could turn it on. This was simply a story that, once invested in, you can’t put down. Whether you like marine horror, science with your sci-fi, or just out-of-the-box characters, this book delivers it all.
I had a few pet peeves, and one more major concern, with this book. The first is that at times, I felt there was too much explaining in some of the writing (have some confidence in your audience’s intelligence). Some of the characters were a bit one-dimensional but when you’re writing about this many major characters, it’s bound to happen. The most important problem I had was the “climax” or lack thereof. Simply put, the big finish lacked enough of a bang. There were plenty of awesome action and horror scenes, don’t get me wrong. It just felt like by the end the writer got a bit tired and wrapped it up super quickly. I wouldn’t let that dissuade you from reading this one, however; since I think it’s fantastic and possibly my favorite read of the entire year.
Final Score: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Below I present my fancast for if the book ever gets adapted. I think it would make a great limited series or mini-series!
Sarah Dumont as Victoria “Tori” Stewart, whose studies ocean acoustics and whose sister went missing on the original voyage
Ray Santiago as Luis Martines, Tori’s lab partner and fellow scientist who studies marine megafauna
Katie Cassidy as Anne Stewart, Tori’s sister who was a TV presenter and went missing on the original voyage
Tia Carrere as Dr. Jillian Toth, a brilliant Hawaiian scientist who is trying to prove that mermaids exist
Daniel Dae Kim as Theodore Blackwell, Jillian’s ex-husband who sold out to the entertainment industry after a debilitating injury
Jessica Parker Kennedy as Olivia, Imagine Network’s top TV presenter and the face of the journey
Tyler Labine as Ray, Olivia’s camera-man, bodyguard, and best friend
Katie Leclerc as Holly and Heather Wilson, deaf twins who study various aspects of oceanography
Kim Coates as Jacques, one half of the extreme hunting-enthusiast couple on board
Renee Lim as Michi, Jacque’s wife and another hunter from a long line of whalers.
Note: There are a ton of characters in this book and at some point I got bored. Feel free to fancast the rest in the comments.
I’m baaaaaaack. This time with yet another installment of fantastic authors worth reading during the spookiest time of year. Check out my first list here and my second list here.
1. Neil Gaiman
Check out: The Graveyard Book (2008), Coraline (2002)
2. M.R. James
Check out: Ghost Stories of an Antiquary (1904), Collected Ghost Stories (1931)
3. Dan Poblocki
Check out: The Stone Child (2009), The Nightmarys (2010)
4. Ramsey Campbell
Check out: The Grin of the Dark (2007), The Darkest Part of the Woods (2001)
5. John William Polidori
Check out: The Vampyre and Other Tales of the Macabre (1819)
6. Peter Straub
Check out: Ghost Story (1979), The Talisman (1984)
7. Wilkie Collins
Check out: The Woman in White (1860)
8. Dan Simmons
Check out: The Terror (2007), Children of the Night (1992)
9. Riley Sager
Check out: The Last Time I Lied (2018), Final Girls (2017)
10. Jay Anson
Check out: The Amityville Horror (1977)
11. Dawn Kurtagich
Check out: The Dead House (2015)
12. Paul Tremblay
Check out: A Head Full of Ghosts (2015), The Cabin at the End of the World (2018)
13. Henry James
Check out: The Turn of the Screw (1898)
14. Thomas Ligotti
Check out: Songs of a Dead Dreamer and Grimscribe (2015)
15. Brian Keene
Check out: Ghoul (2007), Urban Gothic (2009)
16. Mary SanGiovanni
Check out: Chills (2015)
17. Jack Ketchum
Check out: The Girl Next Door (1989), Joyride (1994)
18. Sarah Pinborough
Check out: Mayhem (2013), The Dead House (2015)
19. Michael McDowell
Check out: The Elementals (1981), Cold Moon Over Babylon (1980)
The Merciless was written by Danielle Vega and published in 2014. There have since been three sequels and the book is rumored to be getting the film script treatment by Pretty Little Liars executive producer and writer, I. Marlene King. Overall, I have to agree with the most popular description of this plot as “Mean Girls” meets “The Exorcist.” I’d also like to add that I got a “The Craft” feel from this one.
Pros: The idea is super original and it’s what made me immediately seek out the book as soon as i learned about it. There were some nice twists in there and I liked how the flashbacks paced out.
Cons: It’s not bad writing, but it’s pretty typical YA writing, although I think it improved as the book goes along. There’s some gaps that could have been filled plot-wise, especially in the beginning and the end.
Overall, this is a good book to sit down and read through on a stormy night if you’re into teenage horror.
Hulu is no doubt on par with Netflix nowadays and that includes horror movie content as well. Below I recommend ten great horror films that are just a Hulu subscription away.
Tragedy Girls (2017)
Two best friends in small-town America use murder to make themselves social media famous.
Watch if: You want a bloody good satire of social media culture.
Rings (2017)
Samara is back to once again terrorize some teenagers.
Watch if: You want to learn more about the mythos behind this series.
The Canal (2014)
A man’s sanity begins to unravel after viewing a mysterious videotape.
Watch if: You appreciate a good ghost story.
The Houses October Built (2014)
Five friends road trip to find secret haunted locations.
Watch if: You like Halloween-set horror and found footage.
Byzantium (2012)
Modern-day vampire life in Britain isn’t as glamorous as you’d think.
Watch if: You are a fan of dramatic vampire stories like Interview with a Vampire.
Daybreakers (2009)
A plague has turned most humans into vampires and now there’s a blood shortage.
Watch if: You want some action sequences mixed in with your vampires.
Grabbers (2012)
Pub-goers on an Irish island must stay drunk to stay alive in the face of invading aliens.
Watch it: You want a hilarious creature feature like Tremors.
Insomnia (2002)
Detectives investigate a murder in a town where the sun doesn’t set.
Watch if: You prefer serial killer thrillers, especially in cold climates.
The Den (2013)
A woman studying webcam behavior witnesses an online murder.
Watch if: The horrors of the internet freak you out.
Flesh and Blood (2018)
A young agoraphobic woman begins to suspect her father capable of murder.
Watch if: You appreciate condensed settings and a slow build up of terror.
What other horror gems are on Hulu at the moment? Share in the comments!
The Broken Girls was written by Simone St. James and published in 2018. This is a paranormal-tinged mystery thriller about some murdered girls across multiple decades.
Book Review:
This was a fantastic thriller with just enough twinges of Supernatural to it to be believable. I really liked how the story went from 1950 to 2014 back and forth. Sometimes with these types of tales you find yourself wishing you were in one time period while just getting through the other. However, with this one, both timelines were equally enjoyable to read. There were multiple plot lines but it wasn’t just enough not to be confusing. I loved the twists and I liked how it ended as well. The importance of female friendship is also highlighted in a great way. The Broken Girls definitely belongs in the “must-reads” category for 2018 mysteries.
And now, the Casting Call:
Kelly Reilly as Fiona, a journalist whose sister was murdered 20 years ago
Jason Winston George as Jamie, Fiona’s cop boyfriend
Katherine Langford as Katie, the beautiful wild child
Lily-Rose Depp as Sonia, the mysterious French refugee
Maya Hawke as Roberta, the quiet athlete of the group
Brooke Markham as Cece, the sweet girl born on the wrong side of the bed.
Note: For the purpose of this blog, I’m defining modern as written in the 20th century or later.
Honorable Mention: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (1938) Rebecca is the oldest book on this list and, in my opinion, can be considered a classic gothic tale just as much as a modern one. I have included it on this list for two reasons. First, it is amazing and needs to be read. Second, there’s a new film interpretation coming out starring Lily James and Armie Hammer and you will definitely want to read this before seeing it.
The Other by Thomas Tryon (1971) While the themes explored in this novel may be too familiar to today’s audiences, try and remember who was reading it when it first came out. This was before studying psychology became America’s podcast-lovers’ past time. Even if you think you know what’s going on, the novel has more up its sleeve to surprise you with.
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (2005) I am constantly recommending this book to everyone. It’s part historical fiction, part Eastern-European adventure, and part gothic horror. A woman goes on an epic journey across Eastern Europe to find her missing father and discover the mystery of Vlad the Impaler along the way. The path is the type that Indiana Jones or Professor Langdon would take, but just a bit spookier.
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (2006) This rich and investive tale has some of the most beautiful writing I’ve ever come across with an absolutely amazing story. You become infatuated with the characters and feel the need of the narrator to know more about this odd family. Set in a creepy house and featuring a slew of interesting and secretive people, this is a mystery worth unraveling. This was one I kept coming back to for just “one more chapter.”
Wylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand (2015) This book about a band in the 1970’s spending time in an isolated old house instantly became one of my favorites after I read it. This was a beautiful, wonderful, whimsical story. I could call it “horror-lite” as it was still terrifying without actually being scary. I got some Picnic at Hanging Rock vibes from it: the other-worldliness of nature, how some places are magical and transcend the rules of time and space. Yes, it frustratingly leaves many questions unanswered, but that’s part of the charm. I am absolutely blown away by Elizabeth Hand’s storytelling in this one.
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell (2018) The Silent Companions currently sits at the top of my list of 60+ favorite books I’ve read this year. I adored every single moment of what I would call the perfect mix of Victorian gothic horror and a touch of extra “oomph” that comes from a modern writer. With all the elements of a classic gothic horror tale (widowed pregnant woman, creepy house, possible supernatural elements) it’s a brilliant story that had me gasping out loud and an ending that packed a punch!
I’m a sucker for creepy tales set in boarding schools and this one did not disappoint. A young woman starts to think that there may be something supernatural about the new girl who is stealing away her best friend. While it was made into a film in 2011, the book retains a fairy-tale-like halo due to its clearly unreliable narrator. This ambiguity is equally as frustrating as it is satisfying.
The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon (2014)
Set in alternate timelines of Vermont, this was a great mystery steeped in atmosphere with just the right amount of supernatural. I appreciate a story where you’re equally interested in both narratives and this one does just that, featuring strong and interesting female characters across centuries. This book is full of dread, twists, and enough storytelling to put a chill in the air.
The Shadow Land by Elizabeth Kostova (2017)
The Shadow Land is a mystery about an American girl who gets caught up in conspiracy and heartbreak while traveling abroad. Kostova brilliantly paints us a picture of Bulgaria, both then and now, in a thriller that keeps you guessing while also playing out like historical fiction. It’s a richly told story that delivers atmosphere, characters, and emotions and will certainly make you want to go abroad and befriend strangers.
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite (2018)
My Sister, the Serial Killer is a fresh take on the uber-popular genre. The story is told through the eyes of a woman who will protect her sister at all costs and no matter what crimes she may have committed. With a unique setting, fantastic characters, and new take on the angle of serial killers, this one is unlike anything you’ve likely read before. Equally dark and light, funny and sometimes sad, this is genuinely just a good read; original, smart, and well-written with a fantastic ending.
Sadie by Courtney Summers (2018)
This book is perfect for fans of the podcast My Favorite Murder; it includes different point-of-views including our main lead and the podcaster who is investigating her disappearance. This roller-coaster of a ride reminds us of the reality behind all these true crime entertainments we love. It has just enough twists to keep you hooked but not too much to be confusing. Sadie is an experience worth having.
It’s that time of year again where I tell you what spooky authors to read to go along with our 31 days of Halloween. This year, I’m bringing you a list of all female writers. Note that many of the most famous female horror writers have already been included in previous year’s versions of “authors to read during the Halloween season.” Read Part 1 here, Part 2 here, and Part 3 here.
Laura Purcell
Check out: The Silent Companions (2017), The Corset (2018)
2.Joyce Carol Oates
Check out: Zombie (1995), The Accursed (2013)
Elizabeth Hand
Check out: Waking the Moon (1994), Wylding Hall (2015)
Mira Grant
Check out: Feed (2010), Into the Drowning Deep (2017)
Caitlín R. Kiernan
Check out: The Red Tree (2009), The Drowning Girl (2012)
Ann Radcliffe
Check out: The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794), The Italian (1797)
Lisa Jackson
Check out: If Only She Knew (2000), Left to Die (2008)
Dorothy Macardle
Check out: The Uninvited (1942), The Unforeseen (1946)
Kim Liggett
Check out: Blood and Salt (2015), The Last Harvest (2017)
V.C. Andrews
Check out: Flowers in the Attic (1979), My Sweet Audrina (1982)
Gretchen McNeil
Check out: Possess (2011), Ten (2012)
Sarah Waters
Check out: Affinity (1999), The Little Stranger (2009)
Danielle Vega
Check out: Survive the Night (2015), Haunted (2019)
Ania Ahlborn
Check out: Seed (2011), Within These Walls (2015)
Amy Lukavics
Check out: Daughters Unto Devils (2015), The Woman in the Walls (2016)
Rin Chupeco
Check out: The Girl from the Well (2014), The Bone Witch (2017)
Octavia E. Butler
Check out: Bloodchild (1984), Fledgling (2005)
Kathe Koja
Check out: The Cipher (1991), Skin (1993)
Helen Oyeyemi
Check out: The Icarus Girl (2005), White is for Witching (2009)
Tananarive Due
Check out: My Soul to Keep (1997), The Good House (2003)
“Our job is often confused with diminutive stuff like shopping. But if you talk to costume designers, they want to have an intellectual discussion. They want to make great movies, not necessarily great costumes. We design from the inside out, not the outside in. We bring characters to life,” says Landis to the Los Angeles Times.
Deborah Nadoolman Landis has designed some of the most iconic costumes from films and music videos. Her range of talent is apparent when you learn she not only created Indiana Jones’ signature look in Raiders of the Lost Ark but also designed Michael Jackson’s iconic red leather jacket in the Thriller video and styled the infamous Blues Brothers.
Landis was nominated for an Academy Award in 1989 for her costume work on Coming to America and in 2015 was awarded the Edith Head Award at the Costume Designers Guild Awards. Landis served as a two-term president of the Costume Designers Guild, Local 892 for six years and has written six books. In 2012 Landis curated the immensely popular “Hollywood Costume” exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Check out her entire resume over at IMDB.com and scroll down to see some highlights.
National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978)
According to IMDB, “Originally popular during the late 1950s and early 1960s, fraternity “toga parties” became a huge fad all over again at colleges across America following the release of this film.”
The Blues Brothers (1980)
The Blues Brothers (1980) suits were designed to exaggerate John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd’s height and weight differences.
Raiders of the Last Ark (1981)
Landis credits Charlton Heston’s look in 1954’s Secret of the Incas as direct inspiration for Indy’s look, including the iconic jacket, hat, and whip combination.
Michael Jackson: Thriller (1983)
She attributes Jackson’s jacket to “reductive design”— capturing the spirit of the horror film both narratively and visually.
Coming to America (1988)
Landis earned an Oscar nomination for her work on the clothes for the fictional African country of Zamunda in this film.
Burke and Hare (2010)
The main actress, Isla Fischer, was allegedly three months pregnant during production, leading her to trade in traditional stays for a more modern push-up bra underneath her costume.
There are few things I love more than watching horror films but one of those is reading. It comes as no surprise then to know that I love reading about horror films- including all the characters, tropes and myths that come with them. Below I give you five recommendations for books to read if you too are a horror film fan.
Bitches, Bimbos, and Virgins: Women in the Horror Film by Gary Svehla (1996): This one is a great history of how women have been portrayed in the horror genre, from the golden age of cinema through the horror revolution of the ’90’s.
If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor by Bruce Campbell (2001): Any true horror fan is also a fan of the indomitable Bruce Campbell, star of the Evil Dead series. Bruce tells us his story of movie-making in a fun and entertaining way with his book.
How to Survive a Horror Movie by Seth Grahame-Smith (2007): The format of this book is definitely unique but for those who are fans of the genre, the quantity of call-outs will be sure to put a smile on your face.
Shock Value: How a Few Eccentric Outsiders Gave Us Nightmares, Conquered Hollywood, and Invented Modern Horror by Jason Zinoman (2011): The 1970’s was an amazing time for horror and this book is the perfect companion to the decade, and beyond, where horror films went from cheesy features to award-winning films.
Frankenstein: How A Monster Became an Icon: The Science and Enduring Allure of Mary Shelley’s Creation by Sidney Perkowitz, and Eddy von Mueller (2018): From the novel to the stage to the big screen; this book not only gives us a history of the iconic story but delves into the social insight behind it.
We all know Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland are amazing movies, as are the classics such as Young Frankenstein and Evil Dead II. I am personally a big fan of the horror-comedy genre and there plenty more films out there worth checking out if you are too. Below I name ten horror comedies that I believe either flew under the radar and/or don’t get the props they deserve.
10. Witching and Bitching (2013) A coven of witches takes on jewel thieves in this Spanish-language flick. This one flew under the radar but if you’re looking for a laugh embedded in classic horror tropes, then check it out.
9. Lesbian Vampire Killers (2009) The perfect anecdote of the exploitative films of the 1970s, this horror comedy pokes fun at our obsession with sexy queer women while still delivering a fun narrative starring the now-famous James Corden.
8. Satan’s Little Helper (2004) What happens when a little boy jealous of his big sister’s new boyfriend makes a new friend of his own? This slasher packs a punch and is perfect for those looking for that Halloween-feel.
7. Grabbers (2012) Especially poignant in these times of isolation, this tale of Irish pub-goers stuck inside a bar is a fun time. Their choice lies between getting blasted drunk or facing blood-sucking aliens.
6. Cooties (2014) Children are scary as is, but what if they become actual virus-ridden monsters? Starring a bevy of famous faces, this movie is a darn good time.
5. Popcorn (1991) The oldest film on this list, Popcorn is a gem for vintage slasher lovers who want to have a little laugh as teens get picked off at an abandoned movie theater.
4. Krampus (2015) Immediately a Christmas classic, Krampus boasts a fantastic cast, realistic laughs and creepy scares all in the right ratios. This one is a must-watch.
3. Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2015) Boy scouts vs zombies complete with lovable characters, fast-paced action scenes and warm laughs make this a delectable watch.
2. All Cheerleaders Die (2013) This film certainly isn’t for everyone but fans of noughties classics like Mean Girls might get a kick out of this story of resurrected cheerleaders out for revenge.
1. Idle Hands (1999) This holiday classic seems to have gotten lost in the latest generations’ Halloween marathons. We need to bring it back though because the deliciously 90s-feel of this horror comedy is worth rewatching.
Since it looks like quarantine isn’t going away any time soon, it’s time for some more book recommendations. This time, I suggest a story for everyone based on their favorite television show.
If you love Game of Thrones, then check out Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo for your fantasy world-building fix.
If you love The Good Doctor, then check out The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang, one of the most popular romances of 2018.
If you love Vikings, then check out Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman to learn more about all those mischievous characters.
If you love This is Us, then check out An American Marriage by Tayari Jones to further explore the intricacies of family in America.
If you love The Haunting of Hill House, then check out House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski, a story about another thoroughly creepy home.
If you love The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, then check out Saturday Evening Girls Club by Jane Healey, a period piece about female friendship.
If you love Stranger Things, then check out Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero, a fantastic mystery filled with friendship and nostalgia.
If you love The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, then check out Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand, featuring teenage girls with supernatural powers.
If you love The Handmaid’s Tale, then check out The Power by Naomi Alderman, a provocative speculative fiction tale.
If you love Riverdale, then check out We Were Liars by E. Lockhart about another group of teens embroiled in scandal and mystery.
“The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter” by Theodora Goss is a fun story for lovers of fantasy in the vein of Libba Bray and all things gothic horror. This is the story of the daughters of those famous literary figures and how they come together to solve a crime on the streets of London. According to Variety, The CW is developing the book into a drama series. Below I present my humble opinions on who could be cast in the lead roles.
Lily Sullivan as Mary Jekyll, our responsible main protagonist and would-be detective
Emilia Jones as Diana Hyde, Mary’s fiery younger sister and sometimes street urchin
Deva Cassel as Beatrice Rappacini aka The Poisonous Girl from Italy; beautiful but dangerous
Hannah John-Kamen as Catherine Moreau, the cat-like scribe of the group
Mia Goth as Justine Frankenstein, a young woman as sweet as she is tall
Miranda Richardson as Mrs. Poole, the loyal guardian of our misfit girls
Charlie Cox as Sherlock Holmes, the famous detective
Luke Pasqualino as Dr. Watson, Sherlock’s dashing assistant
Kevin McKidd as Inspector Lestrade, who investigates the strange murders
Himesh Patel as Dr. Prendick, a scientist who gets in over his head
Andy Serkis as Mr. Hyde, Dr. Jekyll’s violent alter-ego
Brett Azar as Adam, Dr. Frankenstein’s first man-made monster
The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll is a New York Times bestselling mystery about sisters, reality television, and murder. Big Littles Lies producer Bruna Papandrea’s Made Up Stories obtained the rights to turn this story into a television series. Below I give you my humble opinion on who they could cast in the most important roles of the story.
Evan Rachel Wood as Brett, the down-to-Earth lesbian business owner
Deborah Ann Woll as Kelly, Brett’s “perfect” sister and single mother
Candice Patton as Stephanie, successful writer and Brett’s ex-best friend
Kayla Ewell as Jen, vegan fitness guru and life coach
Brittany Snow as Lauren, the fun blonde who drinks too much
Sara Angelina Rivera as Layla, Kelly’s twelve-year-old daughter
It’s Autumn which means House of Geekery presents a spooky-filled reading list for the Halloween season. We’ve been doing this for many years now but luckily, the number of talented and entertaining people writing and creating horror stories is near limitless. Below are links to our previous Halloween reading lists.
1. Uzumaki (by Junji Ito): A small coastal Japanese town becomes obsessed with all things spiral and the consequences manifest in the most unusual ways.
2. Harrow County (by Cullen Bunn and Tyler Crook): A southern gothic fairy tale about a forest filled with ghosts and monsters.
3. Scooby Apocalypse (by: by Keith Giffen, Jim Lee, Howard Porter, J.M. DeMatteis, Wellinton Alves, Dale Eaglesham, Ron Wagner): The members of the Scooby Gang must survive a post-apocalyptic world where everyone else has turned into a monster.
4. Savage (by Jeff Frank, Dan Wickline, Steve Niles, Mike Mayhew): Perfect for readers who’ve ever wondered what would happen if the legendary Bigfoot met werewolves.
5. Happiness (by Shūzō Oshimi): A teenage boy’s encounter with a mysterious girl in the night leaves him feeling very different.
6. The Woods(by James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas): On October 16, 2013, 500 people from Bay Point Preparatory High School in Milwaukee vanish without a trace.
7. Freaks of the Heartland(by Steve Niles): A small midwestern town is hiding a terrible secret that might become more dangerous than they can control.
8. Snow, Glass, Apples(by Neil Gaiman and Colleen Doran): The story of Snow White told with chilling horror and hauntingly beautiful imagery.
9. Ghosted(by Joshua Williamson, Goran Sudžuka, Miroslav Mrva): What happens when a crack team plans a heist in a haunted house?
10. Anthony Bourdain’s Hungry Ghosts (by Anthony Bourdain, Joel Rose, Alberto Ponticelli, Vanesa Del Rey, Mateus Santolouco, Leonardo Manco): Japanese ghost stories retold with additional recipes to put you in the mood.
11. Exorsisters (by Ian Boothby, Gisèle Lagacé, Pete Pantazis): Hire Kate and Cate Harrow to solve all of your weirdest, more devilish mysteries.
12. The Beauty(by Jeremy Haun, Jason A. Hurley, John Rauch, Fonografiks): This story is about a new sexually transmitted disease- one that makes you beautiful.
13. When I Arrived at the Castle (by Emily Carroll): A beautiful queer vampire tale sure to satisfy lovers of dark fairy tales.
14. Wytches(by Scott Snyder, Jock, Matt Hollingsworth, Clem Robins): Something ancient and evil is waiting in the woods for a new family in town and it’s hungry.
15. Black Magic (by Greg Rucka, Nicola Scott): Someone knows Detective Rowan Black’s secret heritage of witchcraft and will do anything to expose her.
It’s spooky season and what’s spookier than an old hag with the power to turn you into a toad? Whatever the witch of your choice may be able to do, she should certainly be scary. After watching the unfortunately terrible House of the Witch (2017) I decided to cleanse my brain by creating this list of ten good horror films about witches and witchcraft.
This list is by no means exhaustive, nor is it necessarily the ten best witch movies, just really great horror movies that I think every genre fan should see.
10. Witching & Bitching (2013)
This Spanish horror comedy about a group of armed robbers who accidentally take refuge in a village filled with witches is a delightful film filled with awesome character designs and some really fun action sequences.
9. The Lords of Salem (2012)
For whatever reason, Rob Zombie’s story of a radio DJ with a traumatic past and a coven of witches in Salem is never given the credit it’s due for its creepy ambience and stunning visuals.
8. The Craft (1996)
This 90’s classic may be considered a team flick but there’s no denying the terrifying powers of Nancy, especially in the film’s climax.
7. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
The holy grail of found footage makes us feel the witchcraft more than we see it and that’s exactly why this movie makes your skin crawl and makes you fear the woods.
6. The House of the Devil (2009)
This slow-burn 70’s throwback excels in its character development and portrayal. You won’t trust any anonymous house-sitting jobs after this any time soon.
5. Sleepy Hollow (1999)
A Halloween classic steeped in legend, stunning set design and all the things that make Tim Burton films great, this film features a few different witchy characters to love.
4. Hereditary (2018)
This recent horror masterpiece is no doubt terrifying. Watch one family completely fall apart as they discover the secrets of their recently deceased matriarch.
3. Häxan (1922)
While technically a “documentary” the haunting visuals presented as the history of witchcraft unfolds onscreen are scary even in the 21st century.
2. The VVitch (2015)
The VVitch excels in atmosphere with the combination of creepy folklore, haunting score and amazing acting chops from everyone involved that makes it a must-watch for any horror fan.
1. Suspiria (1977)
Suspiria may be the most classic of witch-themed horror films. With its fantasy-like quality and incredibly unique visuals, we can’t help but follow our main girl in her terrifying journey.
This queer, disabled furry-fiction writer wants you to know that your voice matters too.
Linnea B. Capps is a powerhouse; a queer, single, disabled mom of one who has loved to write since a very young age and she somehow manages to support her own creative endeavors while helping keep niche-interest communities alive for thousands of other writers. After getting into writing post Guillain–Barré Syndrome-diagnosis in High School, Linnea has gone on to add her voice to a plethora of projects including competitive video games and Pokemon trading but is now a reigning Queen of furry fiction; her first piece of short furry fiction was accepted into the Roar anthology series and later went on to win a Leo Award.
As a niche writer of an often misunderstood topic, Linnea knows that society’s misconceptions about this fandom can hold people down. She wants to share her stories with the world but beyond that, help others to do the same. Whether part of her beloved furry fandom or otherwise, Linnea is the type of person you want in your corner.
On her unique childhood growing up in the circus:
I grew up in Baraboo, Wisconsin aka Circusville USA- the largest home for circuses in history where almost all US circuses spend the winter. I started as a young teen selling concessions but after meeting performers, I learned my own skills such as juggling, fire breathing, and more. I had the weirdest high school job experience that you could probably have but it was wild to enjoy those years and see a bunch of the United States.
On being part of the furry community:
Despite society’s many misconceptions, the furry community is really for anyone who is a fan of anthropomorphic animals and it includes tons of people with lots of different ideologies. There’s a good chance you love these stories already; from Zootopia to The Secret of Nim to Disney’s Robin Hood, all of these classics are anthropomorphic animals. The furry fandom is just a place that loves these types of stories and sometimes we take it to another level.
In the history of our community, furries and fursonas (the furry characters we create for ourselves) have helped us express ourselves, especially when we’re part of a marginalized group. We’re the only fandom I’ve seen that goes far out of their way to keep the community safe and remove bad apples. For example, we refuse to allow Nazi-oriented people in our spaces (a stark contrast to other fandoms such as the My Little Pony community). Our populace is incredibly diverse and welcoming (but of course there’s always more work to be done.)
On society’s furry stigma and misunderstandings:
People assume there’s a sexual aspect attached to being a furry and that’s not true. Not all of us own or have sex in those expensive fur suits like they showed on that one CSI episode. Unfortunately, a lot of the hate for the furry community is thinly-veiled homophobia, despite there being plenty of cis-heterosexual members of the fandom. While it certainly is an open, queer, sex-positive community, the fandom has so much more to offer than just mature content; from music to art to fiction to children’s books, we have it all.
People also don’t realize how charitable the furry community is. 95% of furry conventions are used to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities. That’s something I want to impress on others about our community; how generous people can be
On the art of writing furry fiction:
Some stories are told better when we use animals as a frame of reference; it gives us a unique lens that you can’t have with humans. It also helps people address serious issues like racism that are difficult to examine when having to look inside oneself. We can address lots of different social issues through fiction, and particularly furry fiction, that can lead to some fascinating stories you won’t find anywhere else. For example, the Stonewall Chapbook award recently went to a Furry poetry chapbook.
It’s a very niche market itself and not easy to get paid a lot for it. While some people can make a living doing it, they tend to do so by earning commission on requested stories. It’s amazing that there are now multiple publishing houses that allow hobby writers that would never otherwise have the opportunities to tell these types of stories.
On what to read for furry beginners:
If you really want a large sample of safe-for-work furry stories to dip your toes into the genre, I suggest reading the Roar anthology series by Fur Planet. These are some of the best writers in the fandom providing a wide variety of furry stories from historical fiction to sci-fi to poetry. If you want to dig your teeth into a novel right away, I would recommend “Skeleton Crew” by Gre7g Luterman. This three-book-long sci-fi series will blow your mind. There are also tons of young adult and children’s books about furry characters.
On the importance of coming together:
I’ve been President of the Furry Writer’s Guild for the past year. What we’re trying to do is simply help people who want to write about anthropomorphic animals. From finding venues for publishing to gaining a wider audience or fan base, we want to help people connect with other furry writers and readers. Constantly working to improve our diversity and inclusivity is important to me as well. One of the first things I did as President was to make sure everyone felt safe in their spaces. I get to go out of my way to help people achieve their writing dreams. This is rewarding in ways I couldn’t have even fathomed when I first started writing furry fiction.
On disability and the importance of intersectionality:
There are particular difficulties being both a member of the disabled community and the queer community. The intersectionality of these two marginalized groups is a topic super worth talking about. To be honest, it can be very difficult for me at times. For example, being an amputee prevents me from having certain surgeries that other trans women are able to have. My disability prevents an entirely new medical barrier even for common medications like PREP.
I’m lucky to live in a place that’s pretty wonderful for LGBT acceptance within the medical community but within the general community, I find people like me tend to be ignored. When you’re in a wheelchair, it doesn’t matter what you look like because they don’t want to look down at the chair in the first place. It’s harsh and unfortunate but something people really need to talk about. Additionally, the ADA isn’t really well enforced in the US making it difficult for me to attend certain LGBT events at locations that aren’t wheelchair friendly.
On the future of her furry literature:
Fiction writing is a major part of the furry fandom that doesn’t usually get enough focus and it’s my job to try and change that. I’m currently in the process of working on three different anthology projects that focus on specific marginalized groups within the fandom. I absolutely love writing but doing work for the Guild is especially rewarding because I love being able to help people build things.
I’m very excited to write sequels to my recent book “What Makes a Witch.” It’s a novel for middle-grade readers. I was inspired by my own daughter who I wanted to have access to furry stories made for her. Now, she’s the one begging for a sequel which is why I am so excited to work on it. It’s so great to write a story like this because when I was younger, I didn’t have stories that showed characters like me- young kids discovering themselves as a queer person. I don’t know if a mainstream publisher would be brave enough to let me do that but thanks to the furry community, I was able to. Now it’s doing well on Amazon and even with mainstream readers.
I have way too many stories I still want to tell and thanks to the furry community, I can go wild.
As summer winds down for those of us in Northern Hemisphere, I give you a list of five summer-filled horror films you can currently watch on Shudder to help remind you that the season isn’t over yet.
Summer of 84 (2018)
After suspecting that their police officer neighbor is a serial killer, a group of teenage friends spend their summer spying on him and gathering evidence, but as they get closer to discovering the truth, things get dangerous. (IMDB)
2. Piranha (1978)
When flesh-eating piranhas are accidentally released into a summer resort’s rivers, the guests become their next meal. (IMDB)
3. Sleepaway Camp (1983)
Angela Baker, a shy, traumatized young girl, is sent to summer camp with her cousin. Shortly after her arrival, anyone with sinister or less than honorable intentions toward her gets their comeuppance. (IMDB)
4. Blind Sun (2016)
Greece. A seaside resort plagued by a heavy heatwave. Water is rare and violence is ready to explode. Ashraf, a solitary immigrant, guards a French family’s villa while they are away. In this dry land, crushed by the sun, he is stopped by a policeman for an I.D check… (IMDB)
5. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Two siblings and three of their friends en route to visit their grandfather’s grave in Texas fall victim to a family of cannibalistic psychopaths. (IMDB)
