Knock on Wood

Welcome to the second edition of May’s Monthly Horror Recs, where it’s always the time of year for scary movies! I had a ton of fun writing the first article and was eager to get back on it and watch even more horror films, because let’s be honest, what else am I doing? Hope you enjoy and/or get a kick out of the five I’ve brought this month!

The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)

The 1970s were a time of major change for American films. The romanticism, color, and wonder of old Hollywood was being replaced by a newer, grimier, more violent, and significantly more pessimistic outlook. The Abominable Dr. Phibes is a dynamite combination of those new and old ideas. Vincent Price is already iconic, but he is especially excellent here, bringing his usual delicious camp and a genuine sense of operatic drama that significantly elevates the whole film. It looks like a Technicolor smorgasbord of beautiful locations and incredible sets. This movie may have my favorite evil lair set design of all time, and that is no small feat. It’s also frequently punctuated by some shockingly brutal violence, never terribly graphic, but always portrayed in a way that gives it significant impact. The climactic scene of tension must be one of the main scenes and sequences that inspired James Wan and Leigh Whannell when coming up with Saw. It increases the tension as it goes, but the ending hit such a perfect dramatic note that I couldn’t help but fall in love. This film should absolutely be considered a classic of the genre, and it is an absolute must-see for anyone even tangentially interested in horror.

Dead & Buried (1981)

Just thinking about this hidden ’80s gem makes me feel like the fog is rolling in off the salty sea. This is a Twilight Zone-esque horror mystery that positively bursts with atmosphere. It follows the point of view of a small-town sheriff, played by James Farentino, as he investigates a series of increasingly brutal slayings with an unknown motive. This film is truly the best of both worlds between horror and mystery. The way it weaves through its many characters and plot threads genuinely feels like a well thought through whodunit with red herrings, cryptic clues, reveals, and surprises around every corner. It plays each of those beats with surprisingly effective horror moments acting as the potent emotional component that it combines with the mystery. It has evocatively brutal imagery throughout that is always realized beautifully with some of the best effects the 1980s had to offer. This is one of those “if you know, you know” horror films, where those who have seen it champion it with all their heart. Dead & Buried is a true cult film, in which I am happily part of the cult. I highly recommend you also get in the know.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Fandango at Home, PlutoTV

The Company of Wolves (1985)

Fantasy is far more tied into horror than I think most people give it credit for. Like with animation (which will be discussed two entries from now), the concepts of both are so intrinsically connected with our imaginations and how it can take abstract ideas and make them vivid and emotionally involving. It’s escapism in a way that no other genre can truly achieve. Enter this little ’80s gem. It’s an anthology film of sorts that also serves quite well as a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. There are multiple stories told to our main character, Rosaleen, by her plucky grandmother that all serve as fun vignettes and symbolic bits of foreshadowing for her own story. Masculinity, trustworthiness, and, of course, the animal nature humanity can show in its darkest of moments are all explored here. When the horror does come in short bursts, it’s always very powerful and intentional. The use of horror always serves the story and it always knows how to make an impact, especially with the added bonus of some truly creative and bonkers practical effects that made me smile so big when they came up. This movie has what is likely the most underrated practical werewolf transformation of all time for me. The film itself also looks immaculate, bringing the storybook feel to life vividly in a way that felt evocative of The Princess Bride. This is a big swing of a movie and it truly stuck with me long after I saw it.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video, Kanopy, Philo, fubo, The Roku Channel, PlutoTV, Fandor

Serial Mom (1994)

I was, admittedly, quite apprehensive going into Serial Mom. While I had seen John Waters’ earlier film, Polytechnique, and been totally fine, there was still an aura around his films that had me intimidated. I wasn’t sure if his infamous filthy and anti-good-taste style would override any appeal any of his stories had for me, but lo and behold, Serial Mom is nothing short of a blast. It’s horror comedy done with a pitch perfect blend of sarcasm, dark wit, prescient commentary, and irreverent scares. It’s almost as if you made The Stepfather with a feminine edge and a lot less self-serious. Kathleen Turner eats up every scene she’s in, protecting her darling son from anything that threatens (or maybe even just minorly annoys) him. The supporting cast all turn in memorable performances, and the whole thing has a light vibe that’s surprisingly easy to get into, even for a casual horror fan! I’d recommend this as a fun and wild movie night to just about anybody, especially if you’re into some real “crazy ladies doing murder” vibes.

Vampire Hunter D (1985)

We need more animated horror! I always try to jump on any I can find, because the possibilities and freedom of animation combined with the atmospheres and concepts of horror are a match made in heaven. This anime is a pinnacle of that idea. It follows a girl in a post-post-apocalyptic fantasy world ruled by magical creatures as much as humans. One night she gets bitten by a particularly nasty vampire, and recruits a hunter of vampires to kill her attacker so she can prevent herself from turning. What follows is an action-horror-fantasy hybrid that depicts an abstract descent into the heart of spiritual darkness and ancestral madness. I can wholeheartedly say that I’ve never seen a film that looks or feels like this ever before. The characters aren’t terribly detailed, but are weirdly endearing; the animation is truly some of the most breathtaking cyber-gothic-fantasy imagery you could ever hope to get and the story is satisfyingly as high concept as its world is. For me, this was a wholly unique experience that I’m excited to share with the world.

Watch it on Shudder, Philo, HIDIVE