Editorials
Welcome to Hellworld: Six of the Scariest Fictional Games in Horror Movies
Despite existing for over half a century and evolving into one of the most profitable creative industries in the world, it’s only recently that filmmakers have gotten the hang of properly depicting video games on the big screen. This is likely because we’re now seeing a generation of writers and directors who actually grew up playing these games instead of observing them as outsiders – and that also applies to genre creators.
In fact, when it comes to horror, there have been a surprising amount of games featured in scary movies, with these interactive experiences often serving a central role in the story in much the same way that a cursed book or video tape might have been used in an older horror flick. With that in mind, we’ve decided to come up with a list highlighting six of the scariest video games in horror movies, as fictional media can be just as scary as the real thing.
For the purposes of this list, we’ll only be considering fictional video games that have appeared in movies, so no one-off cameos like Doom II in Gross Pointe Blank or Simon Pegg playing Resident Evil 2 in the zombie episode of Spaced. We’re also choosing games according to their scare-factor, not necessarily the overall quality of the movie they appeared in.
With that out of the way, don’t forget to comment below with your own fictional gaming favorites if you think we missed a particularly spooky one.
Now, onto our list of the scariest fake video games in horror…
6. Hellworld – Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005)
The Hellraiser sequels are infamous for repurposing original horror scripts by shamelessly inserting cenobites into their stories in order to keep the intellectual property from expiring, but that’s not to say that we didn’t see some interesting ideas in these impromptu follow-ups. One instance of a schlocky yet fun movie coming out of this studio-mandated mess was Hellraiser: Hellworld, which told the story of a massively multiplayer online horror game based on “real” events.
Sure, it barely has anything to do with Barker’s original Hellraiser mythos, but you’ve got to admit that a cursed MMO is a unique idea with plenty of horrific potential for large scale frights. Plus, you get to see a pre-Superman Henry Cavill side-by-side with Lance Henriksen and Doug Bradley in his final appearance as Pinhead! What’s not to love?
5. CURS>R – Choose or Die (2022)
Text-based adventures aren’t exactly the most feared gaming experiences, but Netflix’s 2022 thriller Choose or Die certainly makes a case for the genre as an unexpected source of scares. Telling the story of a cursed 80s game called CURS>R that appears to consciously interact with its victims as it makes them choose between binary catastrophes, the scare-factor here is boosted by having Robert Englund present the game as its “Terror Director.”
Later on, our main characters discover that certain demonic sigils are embedded in the game’s code, which is why it appears to have achieved sentience. While I’m pretty sure that’s not how programming works, it makes for a delightfully frightful lore addition to an otherwise mid-tier horror flick.
4. Stay Alive – Stay Alive (2006)
While William Brent Bell’s Stay Alive is most notable for being the source of the “if you die in the game, you die in real life” trope, the unrated cut of this underrated gem is a surprisingly entertaining romp about a cursed video game that predates infamous gaming-related creepypastas like Sonic.exe.
Based on the real-world horrors of Countess Elizabeth Bathory (who is rumored to have bathed in the blood of virgins), the in-universe game feels like a Resident Evil clone on steroids, tasking players with exploring an abandoned mansion in the Gerouge Plantation as they deal with ghostly children and the murderous Countess herself.
Honestly, I’d play the hell out of this one if it were real, risk of death be damned!
3. Bandersnatch – Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018)
One of the most interesting audiovisual experiments to come out of the Black Mirror franchise, Bandersnatch is an interactive standalone movie that allows viewers to control the outcome of the story as we follow a game designer in the ’80s who’s attempting to adapt a choose-your-own-adventure book into a videogame. Naturally, horrific hijinks ensue as viewers discover that the free-will defying Bandersnatch is leading our main character to madness.
While the film features plenty of gaming-inspired nightmare fuel depending on your choices, it’s actually inspired by a real vaporware title that was never completed. That being said, I doubt it was as trippy as the fictional version of the game featured here.
2. eXistenZ – Existenz (1999)
By far the grossest take on virtual reality to ever grace cinema screens (not to mention the best film on this list), David Cronenberg’s Existenz is a masterclass in both body and existential horror. Following the reality-warping misadventures of a game designer and her security guard/publicist, the entire plot of the film hinges on a virtual reality title meant to be indistinguishable from real life.
Played by connecting yourself to organic game pods, the in-universe eXistenZ appears to be powerful enough to warrant being sabotaged by terrorist-like “Realists” who oppose the rise of lifelike entertainment – which is why I’m glad that an interactive experience on this massive scale isn’t currently possible.
1. Livescream – Livescream (2018)
Screenlife horror seems like the perfect sub-genre for scary fictional games, but the logistical (not to mention financial) challenge behind programming a believable video game simply so it can appear in a non-interactive medium means that very few filmmakers have ever tried this enticing combination. Fortunately, Michelle Iannantuono’s underrated Livescream attempts to break the mold by basing the entire film around an internet personality who encounters the titular cursed game while streaming.
Feeling a lot like a contemporary creepypasta brought to life, the in-universe game is actually boosted by its low-poly assets and odd design quirks, with the janky visuals giving it a realistic touch that you wouldn’t normally get from a studio production. That’s why I wouldn’t be surprised if I saw this cursed title haunting the ever-expanding pages of Itch.io…
New month, new horror recommendations from Deep Cuts Rising. This installment features one random pick as well as four selections reflecting the month of May 2024.
Regardless of how they came to be here, or what they’re about, these past movies can generally be considered overlooked, forgotten or unknown.
This month’s offerings include a self-loathing serial killer, a violinist’s murderous ghost, and a postmodern vamp flick.
Scream, Pretty Peggy (1973)
Pictured: Ted Bessell and Sian Barbara Allen in Scream, Pretty Peggy.
Directed by Gordon Hessler.
The TV-movie Scream, Pretty Peggy first aired as part of ABC Movie of the Week. Bette Davis plays the mother of a reclusive sculptor (Ted Bessell), and after the previous housekeeper goes missing, a local college student (Sian Barbara Allen) fills the position. Little does she know, though, the young employee’s predecessor was murdered — and the killer is still on the loose.
Admittedly, Scream, Pretty Peggy isn’t difficult to figure out; its inspiration is obvious. However, Bette Davis’ overstated performance and the son character’s macabre artwork are enough to stay tuned and learn who’s behind the killings.
Scream, Pretty Peggy is now available on physical media from Kino Lorber. Perhaps watch the movie with your own mother this Mother’s Day (May 12).
Paganini Horror (1989)
Pictured: The ghostly killer in Paganini Horror.
Directed by Luigi Cozzi.
For National Buy a Musical Instrument Day (May 22), check out this absurd Italian entry in the subgenre of cursed music horror. A rock band unleashes hell when they unknowingly use a satanic piece of music composed by Niccolò Paganini, the violinist who was rumored to have made a Faustian deal.
Even though Paganini Horror is hardly deemed a standout of Italian Horror, and the movie indeed drags itself toward the finish line, there are some bright spots worth focusing on. For instance: Donald Pleasence. If that’s not enough, the very ’80s aesthetic helps gloss over the flaws in Daria Nicolodi‘s uneven script.
Paganini Horror is now on physical media from Severin Films and is also streaming on SCREAMBOX.
Nadja (1994)
Pictured: Suzy Amis Cameron and Karl Geary in Nadja.
Directed by Michael Almereyda.
These vampires may or may not cast a reflection, but they sure do love to reflect. David Lynch executive-produced as well as briefly appeared in the film, which Roger Ebert succinctly described as “Deadpan Noir” in his review. This tale of revenge and philosophical pondering begins with the vampiric namesake (Suzy Amis Cameron) seducing the daughter (Galaxy Craze) of Van Helsing after he killed Nadja’s father, Dracula. From there a war erupts between the two sides, all while taking place in modern NYC.
Nadja is quite slow but also just strange, stylish and creative enough to keep your attention. In addition, the trip hop soundtrack is easy on the ears, and Peter Fonda plays a memorable Van Helsing. Overall, this is a unique and artsy approach to vampire horror.
Nadja is now streaming on Freevee.
The Bone Snatcher (2003)
Pictured: Scott Bairstow, Warrick Grier and Rachel Shelley in ‘The Bone Snatcher’.
Directed by Jason Wulfsohn.
For National Sunscreen Day (May 27), dig up the monster movie The Bone Snatcher. It will take more than a high SPF to protect the sunburned characters here; they are stuck in a South African desert with a bizarre monster called the Esikhulu.
The best things about The Bone Snatcher are its setting and the creature. This beast, which is brought to life on screen using a combination of practical and digital effects, sports a ghastly design to go with its unnerving ability to animate skeletons. Something else this movie has going for it is a refusal to show the monster too often; that way there is less chance of becoming desensitized to the Esikhulu. Ultimately, this has nothing on John Carpenter’s The Thing, however, those more forgiving fans of Syfy-ish creature-features should be satisfied.
The Bone Snatcher is currently streaming on Tubi.
#1 Serial Killer (2013)
Pictured: Jason Tobin in #1 Serial Killer.
Directed by Stanley Yung.
May is AAPIM, and the subversive #1 Serial Killer (originally titled Chink) is relevant when discussing the “Invisible Asian” notion. Acknowledging the irony, Stanley Yung’s movie has gone widely unnoticed despite its potent take on race and identity.
Jason Tobin (Warrior) delivers a compelling performance as the vile protagonist here. The self-hating, Ted Bundy-admiring character discriminates against other Asians after years of mistreatment and disregard, and that growing rage finally manifests as cathartic violence.
#1 Serial Killer is currently available at digital retailers like Apple.
No genre is as prolific as horror, so it’s understandable that movies fall through the cracks all the time. That is where this recurring column, Deep Cuts Rising, comes in. Each installment of this series will spotlight several unsung or obscure movies from the past — some from way back when, and others from not so long ago — that could use more attention.
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