Okay, elephant in the room – I’ve never really liked watching horror movies. In fact if you’re willing to pay me to sit through 120 minutes of self-trauma and jump scares, I’d rather jump off a building, onto an open fire.
Yes, I’m that terrified. That said, I’ve previously had the ‘honour’ to somehow sit through a few horrifying flicks (friend belanja-ed on one occasion, another is part of a dare, don’t ask) and let me tell you, they got me scared s*hitless. If you’re a horror noob like me, why not spend a good part of the weekend having nightmares and being traumatized? :’)
1. The Wailing (2016)
A must-must watch if I have to say. Hailed by horror fans and critics alike, The Wailing is indeed a dreary, depressing journey that opens up to a thought-provoking ending.
Disturbingly crafted by an excellent director and even more convincing actors, I particularly fancy the ingenious mix of horror-thriller and the unexpected splash of comedic moments.
Watch it for: An incredibly twisted plot that is the very definition of mind-fu*k.
2. The Conjuring (2013)
The first of out the critically-acclaimed Conjuring franchise, James Wan had really set the bar a few notches up with his incredible ability to weave an intriguing plot along with genuine scares in an overall troubling setting. Based on real life case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren as paranormal investigators, the film follows the story of the Perron household and the suspicious hauntings of a witch’s cursed home.
Watch it for: Trust me when I say you’ll probably swear off playing hide-and-seek after this movie.
3. The Shining (1980)
A psychological horror film straight out of Stephen King’s classic 1977 novel, The Shining remains relevant even after more than 3 decades due to its timeless appeal to horror buffs. The storyline revolves around the caretaker and his family in a desolate hotel during wintertime, and his eventual descent to madness as The Overlook’s mysterious past catches up within the sparse, spine-chilling settings of the uninhabited hotel.
Watch it for: The scene with THAT woman. You’ll know what I’m talking about when you’ve finally mustered up the courage to watch it.
4. Shutter
This movie is the epitome of karma biting back. After an accidental hit-and-run on a mysterious girl, Tun and his girlfriend, Jane begin to discover the strange instances revolving around them – severe neck pains, bizarre suicides and of course, unexplainable shadows appearing in photographs. The streak of puzzling incidences continue, until a shocking backstory on the girl comes to light.
Watch it for: The ending. Honestly, that particular scene practically scarred me to (almost) death.
