Editorials
We Recommend These 6 Spooky Documentaries for Horror Fans This Halloween Season
As leaves begin to fall and plastic skeletons start popping up in unsuspecting department stores, horror fans can finally rejoice with the knowledge that the spookiest season of the year is on its way. The autumn chill is also a sign that the media we consume is about to get a whole lot spookier as well, and while everyone loves a good Halloween special, I figured that it’s time to talk about an oft-neglected kind of scary movie.
Naturally, I’m referring to documentaries! Although these (mostly) grounded takes on societal issues and day-to-day life aren’t exactly the first things that come to mind when one thinks of horror flicks, there are actually plenty of documentaries concerning real-world terrors and humanity’s fascination with the macabre. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of six documentaries that I believe are sure to be appreciated by horror fans everywhere.
As usual, be sure to share your own favorites with us below! Now, onto the movies…
Rats
Historically, rodents already have a frightening (albeit highly exaggerated) reputation as filthy, plague-ridden omens of death. However, even that couldn’t prepare me for Morgan Spurlock’s unorthodox exposé on earth’s other highly-successful urban-dwelling mammal.
Featuring everything from baby-devouring swarms to cult-like rodent-worshippers, Rats is a terrifying and informative alternative to your average wildlife documentary. It’s definitely not for everyone, as I’m pretty sure that in-depth rodent dissections don’t make for an enjoyable family movie night, but one thing is for certain: this documentary is best enjoyed on an empty stomach, so squeamish viewers beware!
The American Scream
As I mentioned before, October is fast approaching, so we can’t not talk about one of my favorite staples of Fall: seasonal haunted house attractions! These elaborate homemade decorations are precisely the subject of Michael Stephenson’s The American Scream, which chronicles a handful of different families in their yearly efforts to build the best Halloween experience possible without destroying their homes in the process.
Along the way, we see the impact that this unusual hobby has on neighbors and individual family members (not to mention their bank accounts), in a surprisingly poignant look at America’s fascination with the scariest holiday of the year. If you’re looking for an atmospheric pick-me-up to get in the mood for the Halloween season, I’d recommend giving this movie a shot!
Cropsey
The only thing more terrifying than an urban legend is an urban legend which turns out to be true. This is why Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio’s documentary Cropsey is so damned effective, as they examine the real story behind a horrific figure thought to be the inspiration behind a boogeyman-like figure, proving that there may be a kernel of truth in even the most nightmarish of fiction.
Although the film slowly evolves from an exploration of scary stories to a true-crime investigation, horror fans are sure to be kept enthralled by a genuinely gripping main mystery and Cropsey’s connections to slasher films like The Burning (and consequently the Clock Tower games).
Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown
It’s hard to discuss modern horror without bringing up the master of cosmic terror himself, Howard Phillips Lovecraft. In Fear of the Unknown, director Frank H. Woodward gathers an impressive ensemble of Lovecraft aficionados (everyone from Neil Gaiman to John Carpenter have something to say) as he attempts to reveal the man behind the mythos, and find out why his stories are still so revered nearly a century later.
Being a hardcore Lovecraftian enthusiast myself, I’m actually prone to rewatching this documentary whenever I feel like revisiting the Cthulhu Mythos or even the Call of Cthulhu tabletop RPG. If you’re interested in exploring the possible origins of Howard’s disturbing tales and shining a light on his convoluted personal life, I wholeheartedly recommend this loving tribute to one of the genre’s greatest (and most controversial) creators.
Beware the Slenderman
Evolving from a seemingly innocent internet meme to the alleged inspiration behind a horrific attempted murder, Slenderman is one of the most fascinating (not to mention terrifying) internet phenomena in recent memory. It was really only a matter of time before a filmmaker like Irene Taylor Brodsky would attempt to delve into the internet’s obsession with this faceless creature, resulting in the HBO-produced documentary Beware the Slenderman.
While I was initially hesitant to watch this film, as it seemed to be capitalizing on a real-world tragedy only superficially related to online creepypastas, Beware the Slenderman actually turned out to be an in-depth exploration of internet psychology, storytelling and the unexpected real-world implication of viral memes. This is the spookiest that Slenderman has been in a while, and a must-watch for fans of internet horror.
Demon House
Some of you may remember the media frenzy back in 2014 about a supposedly haunted house in Gary, Indiana. Naturally, the house and subsequent movie rights were purchased by Zak Bagans (of Ghost Adventures fame), who proceeded to produce the aptly titled Demon House documentary, attempting to get to the bottom of the Ammons family haunting.
While skeptics are sure to groan at several logical inconsistencies and the general sensationalized approach to the story, Demon House works exceptionally well as a surprisingly sinister piece of horror entertainment. From spooky reenactments to chilling interviews, this documentary pulls no punches in its attempts to creep you out. Real or not, the Ammons family haunting makes for a good scary movie, and this is ideal viewing material for this year’s Halloween season.
Editorials
‘Leprechaun Returns’ – The Charm of the Franchise’s Legacy Sequel
The erratic Leprechaun franchise is not known for sticking with a single concept for too long. The namesake (originally played by Warwick Davis) has gone to L.A., Las Vegas, space, and the ‘hood (not once but twice). And after an eleven-year holiday since the Davis era ended, the character received a drastic makeover in a now-unmentionable reboot. The critical failure of said film would have implied it was time to pack away the green top hat and shillelagh, and say goodbye to the nefarious imp. Instead, the Leprechaun series tried its luck again.
The general consensus for the Leprechaun films was never positive, and the darker yet blander Leprechaun: Origins certainly did not sway opinions. Just because the 2014 installment took itself seriously did not mean viewers would. After all, creator Mark Jones conceived a gruesome horror-comedy back in the early nineties, and that format is what was expected of any future ventures. So as horror legacy sequels (“legacyquels”) became more common in the 2010s, Leprechaun Returns followed suit while also going back to what made the ‘93 film work. This eighth entry echoed Halloween (2018) by ignoring all the previous sequels as well as being a direct continuation of the original. Even ardent fans can surely understand the decision to wipe the slate clean, so to speak.
Leprechaun Returns “continued the [franchise’s] trend of not being consistent by deciding to be consistent.” The retconning of Steven Kostanski and Suzanne Keilly’s film was met with little to no pushback from the fandom, who had already become accustomed to seeing something new and different with every chapter. Only now the “new and different” was familiar. With the severe route of Origins a mere speck in the rearview mirror, director Kotanski implemented a “back to basics” approach that garnered better reception than Zach Lipovsky’s own undertaking. The one-two punch of preposterous humor and grisly horror was in full force again.
With Warwick Davis sitting this film out — his own choice — there was the foremost challenge of finding his replacement. Returns found Davis’ successor in Linden Porco, who admirably filled those blood-stained, buckled shoes. And what would a legacy sequel be without a returning character? Jennifer Aniston obviously did not reprise her final girl role of Tory Redding. So, the film did the next best thing and fetched another of Lubdan’s past victims: Ozzie, the likable oaf played by Mark Holton. Returns also created an extension of Tory’s character by giving her a teenage daughter, Lila (Taylor Spreitler).
It has been twenty-five years since the events of the ‘93 film. The incident is unknown to all but its survivors. Interested in her late mother’s history there in Devil’s Lake, North Dakota, Lila transferred to the local university and pledged a sorority — really the only one on campus — whose few members now reside in Tory Redding’s old home. The farmhouse-turned-sorority-house is still a work in progress; Lila’s fellow Alpha Epsilon sisters were in the midst of renovating the place when a ghost of the past found its way into the present.
The Psycho Goreman and The Void director’s penchant for visceral special effects is noted early on as the Leprechaun tears not only into the modern age, but also through poor Ozzie’s abdomen. The portal from 1993 to 2018 is soaked with blood and guts as the Leprechaun forces his way into the story. Davis’ iconic depiction of the wee antagonist is missed, however, Linden Porco is not simply keeping the seat warm in case his predecessor ever resumes the part. His enthusiastic performance is accentuated by a rotten-looking mug that adds to his innate menace.
The obligatory fodder is mostly young this time around. Apart from one luckless postman and Ozzie — the premature passing of the latter character removed the chance of caring about anyone in the film — the Leprechaun’s potential prey are all college aged. Lila is this story’s token trauma kid with caregiver baggage; her mother thought “monsters were always trying to get her.” Lila’s habit of mentioning Tory’s mental health problem does not make a good first impression with the resident mean girl and apparent alcoholic of the sorority, Meredith (Emily Reid). Then there are the nicer but no less cursorily written of the Alpha Epsilon gals: eco-conscious and ex-obsessive Katie (Pepi Sonuga), and uptight overachiever Rose (Sai Bennett). Rounding out the main cast are a pair of destined-to-die bros (Oliver Llewellyn Jenkins, Ben McGregor). Lila and her peers range from disposable to plain irritating, so rooting for any one of them is next to impossible. Even so, their overstated personalities make their inevitable fates more satisfying.
Where Returns excels is its death sequences. Unlike Jones’ film, this one is not afraid of killing off members of the main cast. Lila, admittedly, wears too much plot armor, yet with her mother’s spirit looming over her and the whole story — comedian Heather McDonald put her bang-on Aniston impersonation to good use as well as provided a surprisingly emotional moment in the film — her immunity can be overlooked. Still, the other characters’ brutal demises make up for Lila’s imperviousness. The Leprechaun’s killer set-pieces also happen to demonstrate the time period, seeing as he uses solar panels and a drone in several supporting characters’ executions. A premortem selfie and the antagonist’s snarky mention of global warming additionally add to this film’s particular timestamp.
Critics were quick to say Leprechaun Returns did not break new ground. Sure, there is no one jetting off to space, or the wacky notion of Lubdan becoming a record producer. This reset, however, is still quite charming and entertaining despite its lack of risk-taking. And with yet another reboot in the works, who knows where the most wicked Leprechaun ever to exist will end up next.
Horror contemplates in great detail how young people handle inordinate situations and all of life’s unexpected challenges. While the genre forces characters of every age to face their fears, it is especially interested in how youths might fare in life-or-death scenarios.
The column Young Blood is dedicated to horror stories for and about teenagers, as well as other young folks on the brink of terror.
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