Trick and treating ourselves, and exploring the wonderful genre of horror, we delve into the world of films and series which are so eerie-sistible, that they give us the heebie-jeebies. Have a look:
‘Bulbbul’
If you want a breath of fresh scare, ‘Bulbbul’ is just the title for you to watch this Halloween. Set in a quaint Bengal village in the pre-independence era, this Anvitaa Dutt directorial stars Tripti Dimri as the titular Bulbbul, along with Avinash Tiwary, Rahul Bose, Paoli Dam and Parambrata Chattopadhyay. An ode to Bengali horror stories, Bulbbul explores not just the themes of its genre, but also the sub-themes of feminism in the nineteenth century.
On a scale of one to ten, this series is an 11. ‘Stranger Things’, the brainchild of the super-talented Duffer Brothers, is like a bag of Halloween candy – it’s got all the best flavours of horror, thrills, and science fiction, seamlessly mixed into a spooktacular narrative. With an ensemble cast that includes Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, Dacre Montgomery, and Maya Hawke, the series has become a cult classic in the realm of horror. Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, the mind-bending episodes (literally!) and the mind-blowing story arcs make it a must-watch for a Halloween that’s out of this world – or rather, out of the ‘Upside Down’!
‘The Fear Street Trilogy’
Experience the spooky universe of ‘The Fear Street Trilogy’ which takes you on a cinematic adventure across horror’s diverse subgenres, from slashers to the supernatural, all rooted in R.L. Stine’s iconic literary world. Directed by Leigh Anne Janiak and featuring Sadie Sink, Gillian Jacobs, Maya Hawke, and Ashley Zukerman amongst others, these three films transport you through time, delivering spine-tingling thrills with each instalment.
On Wednesdays, we wear black! ‘The Addams Family’ has been a cult classic amongst horror enthusiasts who find solace in the creepy characters of the family. Adding a dash of mystery to this supernatural comedy, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar brought alive the character of Wednesday Addams in the Netflix original ‘Wednesday’. Starring the mysterious Jenna Ortega as the titular character, the series does not disappoint OG fans of ‘The Addams Family’. With a devilish blend of dark humour and mysterious shenanigans, ‘Wednesday’ is the perfect potion for a bewitching Halloween.
‘The 8th Night’
Directed by the masterful Kim Tae-hyoung and featuring a stellar cast led by Lee Sung-min, Park Hae-joon, Kim Yoo-Jung, and Nam Da-reum, ‘The 8th Night’ is your one-way ticket to a sleepless night under the covers. Our heroes are racing against the clock, armed with just eight nights to rescue the world from the clutches of dystopia. With its eerie backdrop and diabolical characters, this gripping tale seamlessly weaves supernatural and mythic elements from two rich cultures—India and South Korea, delivering a mesmerising experience that’s tailor-made for an unforgettable All Hallow’s Eve.
‘The Fall Of The House Of Usher’
What can one expect from the master auteur of Horror himself? Mike Flanagan, the conjurer behind spine-tingling Netflix originals like ‘The Haunting Of Hill House’, ‘The Haunting Of Bly Manor’, ‘Midnight Mass’, and ‘The Midnight Club’, is back with yet another wicked enchantment that breathes life into Edgar Allan Poe’s tales, particularly the short story ‘The Fall Of The House Of Usher.’ Starring remarkable actors including Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Zach Gilford, Henry Thomas, Kate Siegel, Rahul Kohli and Samantha Sloyan, with cinematography that is sure to send shivers down your spine, ‘The Fall Of The House Of Usher’ doesn’t just put the "scream" in "scream-fest,” it makes your heart race, your hair stand on end, and your popcorn disappear faster than the ghost standing in the corner of your eye!
‘Tooth Pari: When Love Bites’
Looking for an unconventional Halloween experience that combines romance, thrills, and horror? Look no further than ‘Tooth Pari’. Join Tanya Maniktala as she takes you on a fang-tastic journey where a vampire falls in love with her dentist. With a fantastic cast that includes Shantanu Maheshwari, Revathi, Adil Hussain, Tillotama Shome, Saswata Chatterjee, and Sikandar Kher, ‘Tooth Pari’ is a series to sink your teeth into!
‘We Have A Ghost’
Horror comedy is a genre which fascinates most! A kid-friendly movie, ‘We Have A Ghost’, directed by Christopher Landon stars stalwarts like Anthony Mackie, David Harbour, Jahi Winston, Tig Notaro, Jennifer Coolidge, Erica Ash, Niles Fitch and more. The movie which seamlessly blends the two contradictory genres, gives both chills and thrills as the comedy adventure unfolds in the Horror realm.
‘All Of Us Are Dead’
Zombies, apocalypse, and a dash of chaos – ‘All Of Us Are Dead’, adapted from the webtoon of the same name, is the ultimate scare stew bubbling in the horror cauldron! Picture a school, its students, and an entire town under the chaotic siege of zombies, all thanks to a teacher’s failed experiment spiralling out of control. Created by the brilliant trio of Chun Sung-il, Lee Jae-kyoo, and Kim Nam-su, ‘All Of Us Are Dead’ dives headfirst into deception, betrayal, friendship, love, and, yes, a horde of relentless zombies, giving you an adrenaline rush like no other.
Get bingeing this Halloween with these fantastic titles, scream-ing only on Netflix!
