spooktober – Trekking with Dennis

Five Spooky Films To Get Spooky With This Spooktober!

Spoiler Warning: Minor spoilers may be present for some of the titles on this list.

Happy Spooktober!

It’s officially the spookiest, scariest, most horrifying month of the year, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to watch some horror films! Horror is not my favourite genre most of the time, but when October rolls around I’m happy to dip my toes in the dark waters of the scary side of cinema.

There have been some exceptional horror films made over the years, and the genre is currently in vogue. Some of the biggest films of the last decade have been in the horror genre; titles like Stephen King’s It, A Quiet Place, and The Conjuring all come to mind. These blockbusters broke out of the horror niche to attract huge audiences – and that’s great!

Still frame from It (2017) showing Pennywise. — Pennywise the clown from *Stephen King’s It*.

When I was a kid, I moved in nerdy friendship groups where watching horror films was almost a rite of passage. Being able to brag that you’d watched a particularly scary film at the cinema (or rented it on VHS from the shop) was a big deal – though I’m sure most of us were just putting on a brave face in those days! As mentioned, though, I’m not the world’s biggest horror fan these days, and when I do choose something spooky for Halloween, it tends to be a lighter, more kid-friendly title! I guess I’m just a big old scaredy-cat.

So to mark the arrival of Spooky Season, let’s pick five horror films that I think are worth watching. I’ve had fun with all of these films over the years, and I recommend each of them.

Artwork of three trick-or-treaters at Halloween. — Ready to go trick-or-treating?

As always, my usual caveats apply: this is by no means an exhaustive list! There are literally thousands of horror films out there, and I’m only picking a few on this occasion. And all of this is simply the subjective opinion of one person – a person who isn’t a big horror fan! So if I pick a film you loathe or skip a film you think should be included… that’s okay! There’s plenty of room for differences of opinion when talking about cinema.

With all of that out of the way, let’s jump into the spookiest list I’ve ever put together!

Film #1:
Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror
1922

Still frame from Nosferatu (1922) showing Orlok's shadow.

Let’s step back in time to the earliest days of cinema and watch a bona fide classic! I watched Nosferatu for the very first time this year, and while silent films are usually not my thing at all… I have to say that I found a surprisingly coherent film. The story behind Nosferatu is almost as compelling as the film itself: it was produced in Germany just after the end of the First World War, and ended up being sued by the estate of author Bram Stoker as a shameless rip-off of his Dracula novel. The film’s producers lost the case and were ordered to destroy all copies and prints of Nosferatu – but thankfully some survived!

You know the classic vampire story by now: Count Orlok (no, his name isn’t Nosferatu!) lives in a castle in Transylvania, feeding on the blood of innocent humans. He moves to Germany to continue his reign of terror, after enlisting a man to buy a house for him there. But can he be stopped in time? One of the all-time classics of cinema, and a film that did more than most to establish the foundations of the horror genre, Nosferatu is worth a watch for any horror fan. With the film being out of copyright, you can find high-quality copies online with ease.

Film #2:
The Hole
2001

Still frame from The Hole (2001) showing a character entering the bunker.

This film really creeped me out when I first watched it! The Hole recounts the story of a group of teenagers who become trapped in an underground bunker having sneaked inside to throw a party. As the situation becomes increasingly desperate, some of them are killed in pretty gruesome ways. The film documents the descent into madness of its main characters, and touches on some pretty dark themes along the way.

The Hole was an early project for Keira Knightley, who later went on to star in films like Pirates of the Caribbean and 2005’s Pride & Prejudice. Thora Birch takes the lead role, and The Hole tells a really disturbing tale of teenage love gone horribly wrong. There are twists and turns along the way, and I was on the edge of my seat most of the time.

Film #3:
Annihilation
2018

Still frame from Annihilation (2018) showing characters examining a mutated corpse.

Annihilation seems to be overlooked, but it’s a surprisingly strong sci-fi/horror title that’s well worth your time. There are some genuinely shocking “mutated” animals, and moments of body horror as the mysterious Shimmer begins to affect the humans sent to find out what’s happening inside it. There are relatively few out-and-out jump-scares, which is something I appreciated, but there are plenty of moments in the film that linger long after the credits have rolled.

There’s some technobabble about how the alien Shimmer is distorting the DNA of the plants and creatures within its boundary, and the scientific focus of the expedition is something relatively uncommon in the horror field. Alex Garland, who directed Annihilation, also directed 2024’s Civil War – a review of which you can find by clicking or tapping here, if you’re interested.

Film #4:
Pan’s Labyrinth (El Laberinto del Fauno)
2006

Still frame from Pan's Labyrinth (2006) showing Ofelia in bed and the Faun.

I think there are enough disturbing and scary moments in Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth to earn it a place on a list like this one! It’s actually been a while since I watched it, but some scenes and moments are still etched in my mind eighteen years later. Young Ofelia is tasked with completing three trials to prove her worth as the reincarnation of a princess from a fairy-tale realm.

Some of the puppets and prosthetics created for Pan’s Labyrinth are truly outstanding – and grotesque. And the film’s twin storylines set in the dark underworld and Francoist Spain are both deeply engaging. The young performer who took on the incredibly challenging role of Ofelia really excelled, and del Toro’s direction is fantastic as well. A disturbing film in many ways… and well worth a watch.

Film #5:
Hotel Transylvania
2012

Still frame from Hotel Transylvania (2012) showing Dracula face-palming.

Despite its themes of death and horror, Halloween is still a holiday for the little ones! So I’ve chosen to include a kid-friendly entry on the list, and this year it’s the turn of Hotel Transylvania. The original film was a blast, as an unexpected human guest shows up at Dracula’s hotel – which is supposed to be a refuge for monsters, vampires, ghouls, and other horror movie staples.

What ensues is a classic comedy with a romantic sub-plot, one set against the backdrop of a haunted hotel/castle populated by Dracula and his clan. There’s a ton of fun to be had here, especially at Halloween, and Adam Sandler puts in what might just be my favourite performance of his as this version of Count Dracula. Hotel Transylvania has since been spun into a franchise – because of course it has – but for me, the first film is still the best of the bunch.

Bonus TV Series:
The Terror Season 1
(2018)

Still frame from The Terror Season 1 (2018) showing a sailing ship at sea.

In addition to the films listed above, I thought it could be fun to highlight one of my favourite horror TV shows of the last few years. The Terror takes Franklin’s lost expedition to the Arctic as its starting point, and weaves a tale of explorers trapped on the ice while being hunted by a soul-eating monster. The crew of the expedition grow increasingly desperate as they’re snowbound and trapped in ice, leading to a desperate bid to reach civilisation.

The monster in The Terror is largely unseen (in the style of films like Jaws), and I think it works incredibly well. There are excellent performances from Jared Harris, Tobias Menzies, and Adam Nagaitis, among others, and the world of The Terror’s first season really grabbed me and pulled me into the world of the mid-19th Century. At time of writing, a third season of this anthology series has just been greenlit, so maybe we’ll watch that together next Halloween. Is that the first time you’ve seen someone mention Halloween 2025?

So that’s it!

Stock photo of two jack-o-lanterns. — Happy Spooktober!

We’ve picked five spooky films – and one bonus spooky TV programme – to watch this October.

I hope this has been a bit of fun. I like to branch out and explore some horror films at this time of year – even though I wouldn’t usually devote much time to the genre. There are a couple of films and series on the horizon that I’d like to take a look at this month, too, and I have a couple of other Halloweeny ideas that may (or may not) make their way onto the website before the 31st. So I hope you’ll stay tuned here on Trekking with Dead-nnis… if you dare!

All that’s left is for me to wish you a happy and spooky October. This really is my favourite time of year!

All films and TV shows discussed above are the copyright of their respective studio, broadcaster, distributor, or company. Some stock images courtesy of Unsplash and Pixabay. This article contains the thoughts and opinions of one person only and is not intended to cause any offence.

Five spooky films to spook you out in Spooktober!

Mon 02.10.23Mon 02.10.23Dennis

Spoiler Warning: There are minor spoilers ahead for the titles on this list.

Happy Spooktober!

To celebrate the arrival of the spookiest, scariest, most terrifying month of the year, I thought it could be fun to pick out five films from the horror genre to take a look at!

When I was a kid, the nerdy friendship groups that I moved in seemed to see horror films as a kind of rite of passage – and being able to boast about having seen a particularly frightening one would score you major bragging rights! In those days we were limited to what was on sale on Betamax and VHS, as well as the meagre horror selection at the local video rental place. How times change, eh?

I’ll have to talk more about this on another occasion, but I have some very pleasant memories of Halloween as a youngster. When I was growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, the “Americanised” version of Halloween was just starting to take root here in the UK, and a local kids’ club that I attended threw a kind of Halloween-themed disco at that time of year. I remember it being great fun, getting dressed up in a silly costume and wearing a mask made either of horrible sharp plastic that would scratch your face when it cracked or a paper one that would tear and get soggy! I’m sure I’m over-romanticising those memories, but even as someone who isn’t a big fan of horror and scary things, Halloween has always had a positive association for me.

The kind of Halloween discos I remember as a kid had snacks like this!

So yes, you read that right: I’m not the world’s biggest fan of horror. In fact, at any other time of year I’d almost never choose a horror title for movie night at home! I scare easily, and jump-scares in particular almost always manage to get me – even when I know they’re coming! I’ve heard folks talk about the adrenaline rush that horror films give them being a major factor in why they like them, but that’s just not my jam! I’m more of a “cowering behind the sofa with my eyes shut” type of horror viewer!

That being said, I’ve watched a lot of horror films over the years, and there have been some great ones. Even if I wouldn’t necessarily watch them eleven months out of the year… well, it’s Spooktober!

So let’s jump into the list and take a look at the films I’ve chosen this year.

Film #1:
Dog Soldiers (2002)

I have fond memories of watching Dog Soldiers with a friend who was absolutely obsessed with the film! He bought it on video as soon as it was available and insisted I watch it right away. While I wasn’t as taken with it as he was, I found its premise interesting and its execution surprisingly solid. The film follows a squad of British soldiers who come under attack by werewolves!

Of all the classic monsters that made their way from folklore to popular culture, werewolves feel under-represented! Compared with vampires, zombies, witches, or even mummies, there are relatively few films in which werewolves are the main focus, and perhaps that’s part of why Dog Soldiers stands out; it’s something a little different in a genre that often returns to the same places.

There are some moments of absolutely gut-wrenching gore that hold up well, but on returning to the film twenty years later, I’m not so sure that all of the practical special effects – particularly those used for the werewolves themselves – have stood the test of time.

Film #2:
Jaws (1975)

Jaws is an absolute classic; a groundbreaking work of cinema that should be on everyone’s must-see list! It’s also a masterclass in how to build tension, with the monstrous shark being scarcely glimpsed for much of the film’s two-hour runtime. Jaws is also a surprisingly relatable human story – of people who ignore warnings and prioritise money and politicking over safety. Some things never change, eh?

Jaws also did a lot to unfairly demonise sharks, the great white in particular. Sharks are nowhere near as deadly as the film suggests, and many species actually need our protection to keep them safe from over-fishing and habitat destruction. One of Jaws’ most unfortunate legacies is the way in which many people came to fear and hate sharks.

I’ve heard some younger folks call Jaws “tame,” and I guess it might be by today’s standards. But it’s a transformative, groundbreaking film – and one I firmly believe everyone should watch at least once!

Film #3:
1408 (2007)

Based on a Stephen King story, 1408 is about a haunted hotel room. It’s a bit of a twist on the typical “haunted house” concept, but where 1408 really shines is in the characterisation of its protagonist. Actor John Cusack really gives a great performance here, bringing the character to life in a relatable and understandable way.

I didn’t realise this until doing a bit of research, but 1408 actually has several different endings – so if you have the film on DVD or Blu-ray you might be able to have a completely different experience of its final act. Deleted scenes aren’t uncommon, of course, but 1408 actually has very different endings depending on whether you watch the director’s cut or the original theatrical version. As a rule of thumb: always go for the director’s cut of any film!

For me, 1408 hits the kind of supernatural horror that I find most frightening – but it does it remarkably well.

Film #4:
Phineas and Ferb: Night of the Living Pharmacists (2014)

There’s got to be room for one kid-friendly entry on any Halloween list, and this time I’m picking the Phineas and Ferb special episode Night of the Living Pharmacists. The extended episode is a fun, gentle parody of zombie films like Night of the Living Dead, and even features legendary director George A. Romero in a cameo role.

I love Phineas and Ferb, and the show has several other Halloween-themed episodes that are well worth checking out. Night of the Living Pharmacists is silly in places – but that’s part of the fun. The story shakes up the typical formula of the show by pairing up the titular kids with antagonist Dr Doofenshmirtz as one of his experiments gets out of control.

Halloween is, at the end of the day, a holiday for the little ones. Night of the Living Pharmacists is spooky and atmospheric – perfect for any Halloween party or sleepover!

Film #5:
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

This adaptation of Thomas Harris’ novel has become a modern classic. There are relatively few out-and-out “scary” moments in The Silence of the Lambs, as the film doesn’t rely on jump-scares and the like. But there’s a real sense of horror in the air as junior FBI agent Clarice Starling races against time to catch a serial killer.

The Silence of the Lambs features Anthony Hopkins’ iconic portrayal of Dr Hannibal Lecter, one of the most infamous villains in modern cinematic history. Lecter is so cold, calculated, and ruthless that he has a totally unique fear factor; he’s a single human being, not a demon or monster, and yet he’s capable of such gratuitous acts of violence. Hiding under a polite facade, pulling the strings, Dr Lecter has rightly become one of the big screen’s most terrifying serial killers.

Though The Silence of the Lambs is arguably as much thriller as horror, I still think it’s worth including here.

So that’s it!

We’ve picked out five spooky films to start Spooktober and the spooky season with a bang! I hope this has been a bit of fun at least, and maybe that you’ve got some inspiration for what to watch as Halloween gets closer.

Although I’m much more a fan of Christmas than Halloween, I unapologetically love this time of year. Autumn is almost certainly my favourite season, and as Halloween approaches I love seeing the wonderful and creative decorations, crafts, and costumes that people make to celebrate the spooky season! Some people really go all-out to make Halloween a massive celebration, and even though I’m not the biggest fan of horror or of being frightened, I’m absolutely there for the holiday!

There may be more spookiness to come before the 31st, so stay tuned here on Trekking with Dennis. If you dare…

All titles listed above are the copyright of their respective studio, broadcaster, distributor, and/or corporation. This article contains the thoughts and opinions of one person only and is not intended to cause any offence.