Love Horror’s Best Horror Films of 2013

2013And so another year has vanished like a teenage pothead in a slasher movie (but four times as fast it seems) and what a year it has been. There have been highs in horror and there have been lows but best of all there has been plenty of blood, guts and gore.

Below we run through our Top Ten Films of 2013 in no particular order. We hope you agree with our choices and here’s to a happy New Year filled with horror films for all of us.

Love Horror’s Best Horror Films of 2013

1. Maniac

Although made in 2012 the magnificent Maniac didn’t come to our fair shores until 2013 and boy was it worth the wait.

What we said
Maniac is as much a deep and meaningful visual essay on voyeurism as is it is a blood soaked ode to the slasher genre. It’s as much a chaotic, character driven, excellently acted exploration of a serial killer as it is a highly original and imaginative remake. And for these reasons it is also one of the best horror films so far this year.

Movie Rating: ★★★★☆ 


Trailer
YouTube video

2. Byzantium

Vampires get a re-imagining in this epic tale featuring stunning performances from Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan as a mother and daughter with a dark disturbing secret.

What we said
“It’s not a scary film – it never tries to be – more a drama than a horror film really, but the presence of vampires puts it square in our genre house, and we’re thankful for it.”

Movie Rating: ★★★★☆ 


Trailer
YouTube video

3. A Field in England

Some people hated it but we loved it and although it was no Kill List, director Ben Wheatley still proved his place as one of the most innovative and talented English directors working today.

What we said
“Originality is the word though. I haven’t seen anything like this, really ever, and that’s almost revolutionary these days. I would take one film that’s burdened a little with chaos and an overabundance of ideas than five competently made, soulless thrillers.”

Movie Rating: ★★★★☆ 


Trailer
YouTube video

4. The Worlds End

The last in the Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright’s Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy and what an end it was. Sci-Fi, action, horror, humour and everything else we have come to expect from this terrific trio.

What we said
“The laughs are strong and quick like a dirty round of shots and the heart and emotion is heavy, really heavy. Like a stout.”

Movie Rating: ★★★★☆ 


Trailer

5. Curse of Chucky

Who would have thought that a series that had deteriorated into self-parody and silliness could ever redeem itself? Or that the series to do this would be Childs Play? We certainly didn’t, but Curse of Chucky proved us wrong and we were overjoyed to have the real killer doll back doing what he did best!

What we said
“Excellent effects and creative kills along with a great cast and a highly original and innovative plot makes Curse of Chucky not only a fine return to form for the Childs Play franchise but one of the best movies in the series.”

Movie Rating: ★★★★☆ 


Trailer

6. Big Bad Wolves

Revenge thriller taken to a whole new level with an amazing story and some pitch black performances and comedy. The Israeli duo behind Rabies shocked everyone with a film so expertly made it felt like there 20th rather than 2nd ever feature.

What we said
“Brutally beautiful and telling a terrifyingly tense tale for our times with a razor sharp script Big Bad Wolves contains a terrific trio of power house performances and is a must see movie for all audiences. If Papushado and Keshales can achieve all this in only two films who knows what masterpiece they will bring to us next.”

Movie Rating: ★★★★½ 


Trailer
YouTube video

7. In Fear

A truly terrifying British horror, In Fear achieved exactly what its title claimed, placing the viewer on the edge of their seat right until the final frame and staying with them in their psyche long after the credits rolled.

What we said
“The triumph of In Fear is its ability to place the audience in fear and hold them their for the entire running time and that’s what makes it one of the most frightening films of the year. I grantee after seeing this you will never want to get lost while out driving every again.”

Movie Rating: ★★★★☆ 


Trailer

8. Only God Forgives

Another tale of revenge but this time far more artistic and experimental than anything else on the list, as well as being far more shocking. Nicolas Winding Refn and Ryan Gosling give us a metaphysical martial arts movie as violent as it is cinematically stunning.

What we said
“On a par with Chan-wook Park’s Vengeance Trilogy in its performances, spectacular stylization, atmospheric impact and action packed artistry Only God Forgives is a modern day Eastern Western that packs a gripping visual and emotional punch that will knock you to the ground.”

Movie Rating: ★★★★½ 


Trailer
YouTube video

9. Frankenstein’s Army

Richard Raaphorst first feature is a cornucopia of nightmarishly insane and inventive monsters made real on our cinema screen. Equal parts bat shit crazy and gore-tasticaly horrific, Frankenstein’s Army is a must see.

What we said
“Far superior to any other WW2 horror film in recent years, Frankenstein’s Army is a warped and wonderful work, offering up a barmy army ripped from Raaphorst’s insane imagination. It gives a brilliant blood covered bestiary to its audience that does not disappoint.”

Movie Rating: ★★★★☆ 


Trailer
YouTube video

10. Riddick

Sci-Horror Pitch Black was brilliant and who would have thought 13 years later the badass anti-hero with sun glasses, night vision, killer moves and slick sick sarcastic one liners would still be delivering death and fun in equal amounts.

What we said
“Overall the film is an all-out entertaining thrill ride that is a lot more experimental than one would imagine for a threequel and a smashing Sci-Horror with an iconic central character. Vin Diesel and Twohy prove Riddick has a lot more life in him yet and if the films continue to be as good as they have all been so far then bring on part four!”

Movie Rating: ★★★★☆ 


Trailer

Happy New Year from everyone at Love Horror and thanks for all the support in 2013!

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Alex Humphrey

Alex studied film at the University of Kent and went on to work for Universal Pictures in their Post Room gaining an inside look at the movie industry from the very bottom. Constantly writing reviews in everything from local magazines to Hip Hop sites Alex honed his critical skills even spending a brief period as a restaurant critic. Read more

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