10 Horror Movies that deserve a Second Chance

Calling out to all those out there who are in much likeness to myself who are not a firm believer in first impressions. Often first impressions are clouded by our own personal expectations of how we wish a film to be, or on how we want it to service our own taste. Because of this, we often come away from an anticipated film with a deflated perception as it simply did not go how we would have liked it. Once if we gave said films a second chance, warranting another viewing where expectation is out the window, and acceptance for what it authentically is is front and centre? Well, here is my personal top 10 horror films that deserve that redemption story, and a second chance and another round of your precious time.

10. The Owners (2020)

This first entry on the list is a little bit of a cop out, as I believe The Owners has remained largely unseen so is very much deserving of a first chance not just a second. Those who have seen it however are divided with somewhat middling reviews across the board – one I feel is totally undeserved. Starring Game of Thrones & The New Mutants Maisie Williams, The Owners is a film that juggles a few various genres, combining them in a satisfying way that is both effectively constructed but also wholly entertaining. As a bunch of youthful thugs attempt to burgle a seemingly helpless wealthy couple, not all is as it seems as they keep the gang hostage and proving they are not as innocent as they may have appeared. The Owners is the right balance of twisted and thrilling, juggling a handful of themes with mostly successful results. The cast also do a great job with the material given, pulling off its more campier moments with convincing efficiency. Many people have slept on The Owners, with many of those who have seen it sleeping on its subversive charm. What are you waiting for, go ahead and get stuck in, it’s certainly worth the pretty pennies.

YouTube video

9. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)

Here is the first (and not the last) entry on this list that features the durable icon himself Michael Myers. Halloween 6 is often considered one of the weaker entries in the ever-growing twelve film franchise, going fisticuffs with Resurrection and Rob Zombie’s reiterations for who’s the biggest loser. All may not be as it seems with The Curse of Michael Myers, which is very much deserving of a higher praise from Halloween and horror fans alike. For starters, it’s easily the scariest Halloween entry from the Jamie Lloyd trilogy, and for me the strongest (calm down folks!). Whilst it does lean the heaviest into the dreadful Curse of Thorn subplot, it is authentically unapologetic in its approach, hamming it up with gleefully silly yet fully realised horror. Yes Paul Rudd’s acting is shaky, and yes it’s laughable in its depiction, but Halloween 6 is nonetheless a gory, stylish and wonderfully mid 90’s Halloween treat that does more than just copy and paste the traditional Myers formula much like Halloween 4 and 5. Did I mention it’s one of the best masks since its ’78 original? Yeah, Very that.

YouTube video

8. Scream 4 (2011)

The fourth entry into the arguably strongest horror franchise of all time, Scream 4 received a fairly mixed response upon release in April 2011, failing to leave a lasting impression on audiences and in the box office alike. Whilst Scream 4 making it on this list is a bit of a stretch given that its finally started to get the recognition its deserved, even ten years later it’s still not being appreciated nearly as much as it should be. Scream 4 is certainly much stronger than 2000’s third entry, and is just as relevant now in 2021 maybe even more so than back in 2011. For starters, it was undeniably ahead of its time, single-handedly predicting the turn of online media fame and obsession that society has become accustomed to with the rise and world-domination of TikTok’ers. Humanities obsession with recording everything and posting it on the web, much like what Robbie and Charlie spout at their Woodsboro Cinema Club. Another notable nod to the impending future is Emma Roberts as Jill, who motive for that decade’s Woodsboro slaying is quick fame and notoriety; “I don’t need friends, I need fans” cries Jill “We all live on the internet, how do you think people get famous anymore? You don’t have to achieve anything!”. If Jill’s motive doesn’t reek of the Gen Z agenda then I don’t know does.

YouTube video

7. Friday The 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989)

Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan may be generally considered one of the worst in Friday The 13th‘s deck of cards, but please hear me out! As a fan of Friday The 13th, if you can accept it within yourself to enjoy (or at least endure) the likes of Jason X and Part VII The New Blood, then there should be no reason why you can’t enjoy Jason causing havoc on a boat and the bright lights of New York City. The slasher antics are as dumb as ever here, and Jason and his new roster of slaughter fodder have never felt so 80’s – an almost winning combination in camp gore and cheese. Yes we know, Part VIII would have been a lot of better if it hadn’t spent most of its time on that damn boat, but when they do take it to the streets the results are shamefully entertaining. The deaths are undeniably ridiculous and the some of the character decisions are the silliest in the entire franchise; however it’s so fun to endure a film that’s only goal is to deliver a wholeheartedly enjoyable horror experience. On the plus side, watching Jason cause carnage on the streets of Manhattan is some of the franchises most entertaining moments, period.

YouTube video

6. Piranha 3DD (2012)

This choice is a controversial one, and one that has received nearly the lowest critical reception on this list. Piranha 3DD is purely and simply dumb fun, and that’s exactly what it wants to be and it knows it. The beauty and charm of 3DD is in its satirical approach to how its predecessor capitalised on the nudity of its female cast. This instalment cleverly plays on the over-sexualised antics of its former remake with often ridiculous yet enjoyable results. Is it borderline misogynistic? Absolutely. In saying that, the modern Piranha duo are hardly known for their respect of the female body. But much like Zombeavers, once you get on board this silly thrill ride, soaking in all its bizarre sense of humour, then there is no reason why this one can’t be enjoyed with a group of friends and a few beers. A lot of beers.

YouTube video

5. The Strangers: Prey At Night (2018)

The Strangers was in a sense a genre-defining horror at the time of its release back in 2008, reinvigorating the home invasion sub-genre with a well-deserved essence of terror. It also solidified the trio of masked intruders as new genre favourites, making them instantly recognisable even by today’s standards. When the news of a new Strangers was making its way to screens, many were expecting a new telltale of home invasion terrors to come our way, unaware that we were actually being served a nostalgic 80’s throwback slasher in a modern day setting. Critics and fans alike has slated the sequel for being a generic by-the-numbers slasher – yet I find Prey At Night to be nothing of the sorts. Ditching it home-invasion formula in favour of that of a slasher was a risky move, but to do a sequel replicating the first ones success would have been a greater loss. Prey At Night features a wonderful setting, a fantastically utilised score and soundtrack, on top of one particular neon-soaked pool scene which is undeniably one of the best moments in recent slasher movie memory. Whether you love it or hate it, Prey At Night is not completely devoid of any craft, and if you’re a slasher fan like me there is no reason why you should not get stuck right back in to this second outing for a good old fashioned slaying from our trio of masked maniacs. Dare I say it’s better than Bryan Bertino’s 2008 predecessor? Yes, I dare.

YouTube video

4. [REC]3 Genesis (2013)

The [Rec] franchises has certainly done its rounds, pumping out four fairly diverse films all things considered. Whilst none even come close to the ingenious and outright terrifying 2007 Spanish debut, one that doesn’t get nearly enough credit it deserves is 2013’s found footage-esque Genesis, wedding crashing a zombie apocalypse onto our unlucky newlyweds Clara and Koldo. [Rec]3 is subversive in its approach, ditching its found footage gimmick half-way through the film, leaving the rest to play out as a good old fashioned zombie showdown minus the shaky-cam approach of its past. Tricking the audience like this resulted in an understandably divisive reception, however there is no denying there is something seriously badass about the Bride of the wedding day strapping herself up with a chainsaw as she slices her way through a horde of the undead. It’s goofy gory fun, exactly how it’s designed to be; leaning heavier into the comedy side of life its predecessors were so deprived of. Many will be turned off my Genesis‘ one-eighty shift in style and substance, but given what it is this third outing is still one hell of a good time for zombie fans and horror fans alike.

YouTube video

3. Texas Chainsaw (2013)

Can we finally talk about this dirty little secret? Remember how much everyone hated this film? Remember how much everyone kinda still hates this film but has basically wiped it from their memory and pretend it doesn’t exist? Here I stand, in the majority, the majority who genuinely believes it’s a decent slasher, for all the good the bad and the ugly. 2013’s Texas Chainsaw 3D is easily one of the dumbest, most illogical slasher films in recent memory, yet in some strange way that is all part of Texas Chainsaw‘s charm; and id be lying through my pearly whites if that wasn’t half the reason why I enjoy it so much. In a recent interview, Alexandra Daddario (who played the mid 20’s but should be nearly 50 year old Heather) confirmed that whilst Texas Chainsaw was not a narrative success, it was to be viewed through a funhouse lens, not to be taken as seriously as everyone did. In other words, it’s great fun, an absolute hoot if you can dispose of your brains for its 90 minute runtime. The plot twist to have Heather help Leatherface in its final act is a hilarious one, spouting the “do your thing cus” which is easily the most iconic line in the entire franchise. Whilst its unrealistic to expect her to stay with Leatherface after butchering all her friends – do remember her cheating boyfriend, unloyal best friend, kleptomaniac hitchhiker and a bunch of cruel townsfolk were hardly nice to her. Shit, I’d be pissed too. Texas Chainsaw is novelty, and there is a tone of fun there if you open yourself up to its wonderfully chaotic energy. Certainly still a step up from half the entries into the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise.

YouTube video

2. A Nightmare On Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985)

This entry on this list will be one on here for different reasons than others. Freddy’s second slice as a mainstream slasher was an unfavourable one at the time, one that has slowly regained a cult following over its many years. The difference here however is in how the film was initially viewed; disliked by many for its strange shift in tone from the original, paired with a final boy instead of our beloved final girl Heather from its previous entry. Why Freddy’s Revenge works better now than it did back in 1985 is how its being interpreted as a piece of Queer text. It’s evident that Freddy’s infliction onto Jesse (Mark Walsh) is the product of the repression of Jesse’s true sexuality – an explanation as to why Freddy’s Revenge feels more of a body horror than it does a slasher. There are many hints and nods to Queer themes throughout its runtime, themes in which I do not wish to spill in fear of ruining all the fun. If there is ever a slasher flick that genuinely deserves a second viewing for a new interpretation it is absolutely this one.

YouTube video

1. Halloween Kills (2021)

On to the grand-daddy and most recent entry on this list, the most divisive Halloween entry in the entire franchise; Halloween Kills. You may think perhaps this is too recent of an inclusion to warrant a position on this list, but Halloween Kills is already very much deserving of every Michael Myers fan to sit back down and give it another whirl. Kills has evidently split fans down the middle, being a little too messy and filler for some but embodying everything a Halloween fan could ask for in others. Kills is undeniably a film built purely on fan service, pumping out a plethora of characters and flashback’s from its ’78 original, enough to make a Halloween fan foam at the mouth. The beauty in it also lies with the sheer amount of nods and winks to the franchise as a whole, proving to be one of the most consistent Halloween films (in terms of mythos) in a while. Yes it’s a tad bit chaotic, but the majority of what the fans have disliked about Kills actually links back to the original and the ’18 instalment. For starters, the tagline “The Night He Came Home” is very much the motivation of Michael’s actions this time around, getting home being his only driving force. Many fans also disliked the controversial ending in which Michael rises from the ground after receiving what should have been fatal wounds – but like the OG Halloween stated, you can never kill the Boogeyman. Remember, Myers has survived seven fun shots, a stab in the eye, a knife to the gut, his fingers blown off, a shot to the cheek and a house-fire; I think it’s safe to say anything else he survives in Kills is not too far of a stretch.

Halloween Kills may be a step down from its 2018 predecessor – but there is no denying its a violent beast pumped full of enough fan service to tickle any Halloween fan pink! As a huge fan of Halloween this was a satisfying albeit clunky new tale on the Michael Myers carnage that is as subtle as a bag of bricks to the jaw (from yours truly, Lindsay Wallace). The gore and suspense was plentiful and fun, Myers was as deliciously vicious as ever, Carpenter and co’s score is devilishly haunting, and the throwback characters were a great new addition to the Green timeline, even if Tommy’s whole character was nothing short of ham fisted. I can absolutely see how Kills will be a divisive experience, and despite being a weaker entry in comparison to 2018, paired with some seriously questionable and cheesy dialogue, Kills is nonetheless an absolute blast!

YouTube video

And there we have it folks! Do you agree with my choices on this list? Do you think there was anything that should have been on this list that I missed out on? Please let me know in the comments what you think.

avatar

Jack Carlin

Related post

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.