PopHorror Let's Get Scared
On the heels of Late Night with the Devil, the conversation has steered back to a topic that never really left – Satan! The cinematic Lucifer love has only increased since the boom of demon-inspired intrigue in the ‘70s, and in honor of the latest David Dastmalchian-helmed hit, here are a few gems featuring Beelzebub that I would sell my soul for!
I Trapped the Devil
This movie rarely gets talked about, and I wish it did! Tense, suspenseful, and creepy, the story centers around Steve (Scott Poythress: Parish), a quiet, albeit paranoid man who lives alone and believes he has the devil himself held hostage in his basement. When his brother Matt (AJ Bowen: You’re Next) and sister-and-law Karen (Susan Burke: Southbound) show up unexpectedly for a Christmas visit, they find a disturbing situation they’re not sure what to make of. The buildup ends with quite a payoff. Is Steve crazy or is he telling the truth?
The Exorcism of Emily Rose
There is a literal plethora of pentagram possession flicks, so many that some tend to get lost in the melee. However, I’d venture to say that aside from classic films (such as The Exorcist), the Satanic subgenre really kicked off with this film – kind of the OG of possession films. Emily Rose (played to perfection by a pre-Dexter Jennifer Carpenter) is dead, and what you see in this film recounts the events leading up to the young girl’s demon-fueled demise. What’s cool about this film that others lack is that it’s also a courtroom drama and it’s based – loosely, obviously – on a true story. There are some great moments here and a chilling story that makes it stand out.
We Summon the Darkness
Okay, I’ll confess. I have a crush on Alexandra Daddario (Texas Chainsaw 3D). But who doesn’t? She shines in this movie that immerses you in the vibe from the start. A group of girlfriends heads to a rock show, hyped to see some heavy metal. Naturally after some headbanging, you want to invite some boys over and commence with the ritualistic killing, right? No? Just them? Oh, well, okay! Things get a bit awkward for a trio of guys just looking for some fun, but these girls are more than just sexy dates. It’s a fun film with some wild kill scenes and crazy vibes!
The Witch
I could probably write a novel about how much I love this movie, and if you haven’t seen it or it’s just been a while since you danced naked in the forest with your fellow witches, well, what are you waiting for? The folk horror film centering on the creepy coming-of-age of teenager Thomasin (Anya-Taylor Joy: The Menu) evokes a dreary, dreadful mood that perfectly matches the somber, scary story. I literally got full-body goosebumps the first time I saw this movie in a quiet, late-night, almost empty theater, and it’s still incredible. Shout out to Black Phillip for beginning my obsession with all things goat.
The Devil’s Candy
This is also a movie I don’t see mentioned nearly enough. Painter Jesse (Ethan Embry: Empire Records) and his family are super-stoked about their new abode – a lovely old farmhouse. What wasn’t mentioned in the realtor’s listing was that this house comes with an added feature; it’s absolutely demon-haunted! The scares ramp up as mysterious events unfold, and Jesse’s artwork takes a tonal turn as the devil gets a foothold on the father. This is a stunning, artistic film that’s both terrifying and beautiful, and the acting is incredible. Love the music too and how it helps build fear in this film.
Lords of Salem
I am a big Rob Zombie fan, and The Devil’s Rejects is in my top 10 of all time. That being said, the first time I watched Lords of Salem, it didn’t click. I watched it again, and found the movie oddly compelling. Now I absolutely adore it. The retro feel of this movie brings to mind old-school horror where the mood and tone combine to create a horrific feeling of fright that seems subtle until it climaxes to utter terror. This movie absolutely nails that. I love the all-star cast in this film, including such greats as Judy Geeson (31), Dee Wallace (The Howling), Meg Foster (They Live), Patricia Quinn (The Rocky Horror Picture Show) and of course, Sheri Moon Zombie (House of 1000 Corpses) as a radio station deejay who receives a mysterious record that contains more than just some banging tunes.
House of the Devil
Before brilliant writer/director Ti West resurfaced with bona fide horror hits X and Pearl, he was directing beautifully subtle and sublime stories like The Innkeepers and this movie, House of the Devil. I love how the ‘80s are depicted here, how gritty the film seems, and the whole vibe in general. Jocelin Donahue (Doctor Sleep) is Samantha, a broke college student who accepts what seems like a benign babysitting job for some extra cash, but her elderly employers are anything but average. The kills are surprising, the fear is real, and the ending is culty cuckoo. I love it! Peep the great Greta Gerwig in a cool cameo role as Samantha’s bestie, Megan.
The Sacrifice Game
I saw this movie come up on Shudder and it looked like your average girls-at-a-boarding-school-alone-over-the-holiday film, so I took a pass. I read an interview in Fangoria with the director, Jenn Wexler (read our interview with her HERE), and I was intrigued so I decided to watch it. Wow, am I glad I did! This movie is anything but boring or by-the-numbers. I really loved the completely unexpected and kinda cute ending, and the kills are over-the-top bloody and fun. It’s fast-paced and completely entertaining, and the characters (even the possessed ones) are absolutely lovable and engaging.
Deathgasm
With the long-awaited sequel of this 2015 New Zealand film currently in production, I couldn’t be more thrilled to Hail Satin one more time (no, that isn’t a typo!). Deathgasm is the fresh and funny story of Brodie (Milo Cawthorne: Guns Akimbo – read our interview with him HERE), a total outcast due to his grungy black metal aesthetic, and Medina, the blonde cutie he falls in love with (Kimberly Crossman: Creamerie). The rock band he starts with his buddies unwittingly summons a centuries-old demon and reigns hell over their suburb. If that doesn’t intrigue you, let’s just say you’ll never look at sex toys the same way again, and if you need to howl with laughter, I couldn’t recommend this more. So much fun, and I am so stoked for more of Medina and Brodie’s devilish debauchery.
The Babysitter
Scream queen Samara Weaving (Ready or Not) stars as hot babysitter Bee, who’s the cool kind of chick who’ll let you drink liquor behind your parents’ back, stick up for you when bullies taunt you, and, well, try to kill you as part of a Satanic ritual. No, this movie didn’t reinvent the wheel, but it is funny and has some cool kills and memorable characters with a cast of well-known actors. The film’s stars include Robbie Amell (The Tomorrow People), Bella Thorne (Blended), and Leslie Bibb (Trick ‘r Treat). It’s gory and fun, a combination that always hits the mark when it’s done well!
