A To-Boo List
Hand picked suggestions from self-proclaimed horror connoisseurs
Has the pandemic bummed you out?! Do you not feel anything except depression, anxiety and despair?!
Here is something that would heighten your emotions, get your heart racing and really make you FEEL!!
“Horror”
This genre is not really for everyone. Though it has always had a dedicated following, we now see more and more content created and consumed under this category.
I enjoy some well baked good horror with strong storylines and quality production, may it be a book or a movie. It moves me like no other type of media and keeps thinking about it for days after.
During these times of uncertainty, where we see “reality becoming stranger than any fiction”, these fictitious musings can become sort of a refuge. Where news can be scary enough to cause you nightmares and keep you up at night. These virtual haunted houses can be actually somewhat spooky yet comforting and fun.
I was really fortunate to spend most of the time of the lockdown, stuck with others who enjoyed “horror” as much as I do. Hence we could experience a lot of new stories together and have meaningful discussions about them.
This is simply a list of “scary/ haunted” content that I recommend and it is completely subjective. This is not to promote anything. Your opinions may differ from mine. So tread carefully and with a pinch of salt (as there might be witches around).
PG 13
(commonly tagged as “for kids” but can be enjoyed and loved by adults too)
Hocus Pocus by Disney (1993) This adorable scary story, directed by Kenny Ortega and starring Sarah Jessica Parker, is one of my earliest encounters with this genre.
Goosebumps (The series) This is the greatest example of horror storytelling I have withnessed in Kid’s category. The series, directed by Rob Letterman based on the Book series by R. L. Stine has such a vast array of themes and flavours.
Courage the cowardly dog- To be honest, this one still gives me the creeps.
Must mention- Tim burton’s Corps Bride, The Graveyard Book and Coraline by Neil Gaiman, Addams Family (animated series)
Movies-
This one is a bit a longish list as my lovely friends have also added their suggestions to my list and they have pretty great taste.
The Shining (1980)- Based on Stephen King’s Novel, directed by Stanley Kubrick is an “all time classic” with deeply unsettling cinematography, acting and music.
Get out- This one’s pretty amazing! Written and directed by Jordan Peele “Get out”, goes from a bit racially awkward to pure horror within minutes.
It (2017) Based on Stephen King’s Novel, directed by Andrés Muschietti has the fun campy 90s vibe with larger than life evil looming over, and only some kids with the task to defeat it.
Oculus (2013) directed by Mike Flanagan would surely mess you up! With intense mind twisting editing that makes you doubt literally everything, Flanagan tells the story that immerses you completely in the horrifying life of two siblings.
Hereditary and Midsommar directed by Ari Aster cult and folk horror film which gives you the feeling of swaying between absolute beauty and extreme horror. This might not be easy to digest for all so be careful. It might just make you nauseous!
Must mention- Conjuring, Insidious, Mirrors, Autopsy of Jane doe, A quiet place, Others
Psychological thriller/ slasher/ non-supernatural- Creep 1 , Shutter Island, Orphan
Movies -foreign
My knowledge in this category is limited but here are some suggestions anyway. Spoiler: No Korean horror suggestion :(
Under the shadow 2016- Persian directed by Babak Anvari is a horror war movie. Yes it cannot get any bleaker.
Mause 2018 — English | Bosnian | Serbian- This violent, brutal and shocking film goes in twisted mind loops.
Veronica 2017- Spanish- This is one of my absolute favourites. A straightforward Ouija board misadventure with beautiful casting and cinematography.
Movies- Indian
13 B or Yavarum Nalam (All are fine) 2009 directed by Vikram Kumar has an intricate story and really captivating plot twists.
Tumbbad (2018)- This period film, directed by Rahi Anil Barve is I think a milestone film for Indian cinema. It is one of the most culturally rooted stories that I have ever seen and gives depth to that fear that the incidents build up. I also admire the background score and art direction for this one,
Makdee (2002)- Written and directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. Even though it can be put in the kid’s category, this movie truly messed up my 10 year old mind and I still find this film absolutely terrifying. Shabana Azmi is so beautifully terrifying!
Shows-
Haunting of Hill House- Based on the Novel by Shirley Jackson and directed by Mike Flanagan, HoHH is like reading a novel. This show has so much more than only jump-scares and gory details. It creates fear for very basic and real things in life, that are relatable, gives them a face and then scares you from within. This easter eggs loaded show is a must watch.
Marianne (French) directed by Samuel Bodin- You enter into a graphic novel-like world with the beginning of this show. This extremely fast paced and heart racing experience is visually dramatic and has a classic black sheep protagonist which you cant help but sympathize with. The monsters in this are truly the stuff of nightmares.
Ratched- Set in the universe of Ken Kesey’s 1962 novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Directed by Created by Evan Romansky is a psychological horror/ thriller with the most effective use of colours and patterns, that remind me of the beauty of “The shining”.
Anjaan: Rural Myths- If you are expecting a polished, beautifully made, big budget show, this isn’t it. I like this show for it’s honest depiction of the horror stories rooted in various places in India. Watching this show reminds me of the experience of listening to ghost stories from your grandparents.
Typewrite- A 5 episode long horror drama directed by Sujoy Ghosh. This is an absolute treat.. till ep. 4. Great story, beautiful Goan/ Konkan vibe, a perfect setting for the horror with naughty kids at the centre of it all. The last episode is pretty disappointing though. As they say “landing is the toughest bit of the journey”.
Must mention- Supernatural, Stranger things season 1
Youtube shows or channels-
Nuke’s Top 5 and Slapped Ham- Curation and compilation of real life ghost videos and pictures. You can’t help but think that ghosts do love to photo bomb a lot! These compilations are a lot of fun and capable of actually spooking you now n then.
Storied- A very well studied and presented content on monsters, urban legends and myths.
Some spooky-pasta story channels that I have been listening to since 2017-Kingspook, creepyPasta Jr, MrCreepyPasta, CreepsMcPasta
Some of these are great podcast substitutes if you are into multitasking.
Curated short films-
These offer you a vast buffet- like offering of different shades, flavours and types of fright bites. Do check out
Alter and screamfest on Youtube
Website- Short of the week https://www.shortoftheweek.com
Scary books
While working on this list, I realised that I have hardly read any horror novels. Except for some short stories, the only horror books I have read are were in Marathi (ask me separately for those recommendations as there are too many). So here are suggestions from my friends..
Shalini’s picks-
house of Leaves
Cask of Amontillado
Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allan Poe
Through the Woods By Emily Carroll
Arpita’s favourites-
Heart Shaped Box — Joe Hill
The Shining — Stephen King
Carrie — Stephen King
Hope these are enough to keep you entertained and spooked till the end of the nightmare, that is 2020. Please send me your suggestions and thoughts, and happy Halloween!
