Of the many technical aspects I always look forward to in horror movies, one of my favorites is how visually striking a spooky film can get. I’ve always been one for atmosphere, mood, and a distinct look that gives a film its own personality. In some cases, I’m glad I watched a movie, just to look at it. The horror genera is no stranger to striking imagery that sticks with us, and helps give individual films an identity all their own. I’m not trying to make any official list, these are simply my personal top 10 favorite visually striking horror movies.
#10 “Creepshow” (1982)
The 1982 motion picture titled “Creepshow” is perhaps as unique as horror movies get, with a style, presentation and personality unlike any other. It’s a theatrical anthology of five spooky short stories combined into one film, but unlike other horror anthologies, this film also fits right in with our modern-day comic-book genera. While it doesn’t have a direct source, the majority of the film takes inspiration from many of the classic 1950’s DC and EC comics like “House of Mystery” and “Tales from the Crypt”. As such, "Creepshow" captures the look and style of a comic book, with graphic panels, colorful visuals that pop on screen, comic-book strip transitions, word boxes and animated segues appearing all throughout the film. While many resent superhero movies have emulated similar aesthetics and tones, it was “Creepshow” that got the ball rolling, and can even be sighted as something ahead of its time. As such, it’s one of those rare movies that has no limit to how wild, fun, inventive, frightening or disgusting it can get … or look.
#9 “Halloween 3: Season of the Witch” (1982)
If there was one thing this sequel did better than the original “Halloween” classic … it looks great, like … this is a terrific looking movie to watch during October. The colors, the decorations, the costumes, the masks … there is simply Halloween on display in every frame of this film. Truthfully, the overall look of the film did a better job putting me in the mindset of Halloween then the original did. I’d go even further to compliment cinematographer Dean Cundey, who’s a real talent behind the camera, as both his frame work and shot compositions are done with a professional touch. Also, while the film fails to generate any kind of suspenseful atmosphere, it at least captures the essence of the season.
#8 “Insidious” (2010)
When a little boy falls and gets injured, he slips into a mysterious coma, in which his spirit is trapped in a mysterious void, and is suddenly at the mercy of a frightening demon. Thus, the dad has to brave his way into the supernatural upside-down world in order to rescue his son. Visually, I think it’s one of the best-looking horror movies of the whole decade, especially with its other worldly setting. With its twisted supernatural premise, horrific visuals, and likable characters at the helm, “Insidious” was the point when the decade really started showing its creative potential, but things were only just beginning.
#7 “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” (1987)
If you set your spooky adventure in someone’s nightmare, then you’re bound to have some striking imagery. The dream killing Freddy Kruger has always lent himself to memorably frightening imagery that you just couldn’t see in any other horror film. For my money, it’s the third film titled “Dream Warriors” that’s the best looking by far. This sequel worked as a precursor of sorts to “Inception”, as the premise revolves around a group of friends who can enter one another’s dreams, and as such, we spend more time with them encountering various nightmare imagery and obstacles.
#6 “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (1920)
Over one-hundred years old, and still “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” continues to spark the imagination of filmmakers. In fact, it was a huge influence on the worlds and set designs you’d see in Tim Burton’s productions. Without question, the highlight of “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” is its overall visual look, and design. It became a common look in further silent horror movies released in Germany, and pioneered what we’ve come to know as “German Expressionism”. This is when the artist's inner feelings or ideas are emphasized over a replication of our reality, and reality in turn is characterized by simplified shapes, bright colors, and gestural marks. All the windows have a pointed frame, as if drawing the audience’s attention to something important in a scene, which is really cool. Even the characters and their movements feel like their one with both the environment and setting. In general, I’ve actually watched a number of silent films, and personally … I think horror lends itself best to silent cinema better than any other genera. Horror can be conveyed so effectively through visuals, atmosphere, and mood, to the point where silent horror seems to have aged better then contemporary scary films.
#5 “Sleepy Hollow” (1999)
“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is one of the most classic ghost stories of all time, and has been retold in several new ways throughout the ages. The 1999 version directed by Tim Burton probably has the least to do with Washington Irving’s novel, but it’s the first one that comes to mind whenever I think of the Headless Horseman. For an extremely over the top and violent film, it sure has all the stuff I love in a good thriller. Every time I watch it, I’m blown away by its haunting atmosphere, and it’s visually a marvel to look at. Tim Burton’s direction gives it a creepy yet magical dream like quality, and if anything, else, it’s worth a watch in only to just look at it.
#4 “City of the Dead” (1960)
Back in my ignorant, younger movie viewing years, I was under the impression that I’d never be visually impressed by an old black and white movie … let alone be scared by one. Well, I’ve thankfully had my share of B&W movies that gave me goosebumps, and one that I’ve always remembered for its bone chilling atmosphere and foreboding imagery is 1960’s “City of the Dead”. The story is already quite disturbed as it revolves around a sinister cult who’ve leeward young victims to their secluded village to be sacrificed. However, the grim nature and mood is absolutely perpetuated by its striking visual esthetic. There’s an unrealistic amount of fog surrounding the grounds, dark foreground objects standing out among the gloomy surroundings, inside buildings are covered with spider-webs, there’s dooming underground caverns, gravestones dot the landscape, lights are always flickering, objects are slanted, and at the center of the village is barn with an antique clock face. It’s plain and simply one of the most visually appealing black and white horror movies I’ve ever seen.
#3 “Suspiria” (1977)
When it comes to visual horror, Dario Argento’s “Suspiria” is one of the most famous, and proved that neon bright colors can be just as effective as being trapped in shadows. When a young girl takes residence at a dance school, she discovers it’s secretly the front for a supernatural conspiracy. While I’ve personally never called myself a fan of the film, I’ve always remembered it’s striking visual design, and how it crossed blazing colors with heavy shadows. Usually, I find black and white films the most effective when it comes to atmospheric thrills, but “Suspiria” proved that a heavy use of colors can invoke that same sense of nightmarish dread.
#2 “Bram Stoker's Dracula” (1992)
Back in the 90’s, there was a wave of remakes revolving around classic movie monsters, namely in the vein of “The Mummy”, “Frankenstein”, and The Headless Horsman of “Sleepy Hollow”. I genuinely either loved or enjoyed these reimagining’s, but the one I surprisingly liked the least was “Bram Stoker’s Dracula”, which arguable kicked off the whole fad in the first place. I just didn’t connect with any of the characters, and found the experience kind of forgettable. However, the obvious high mark to take away from the film was director Francis Ford Coppola’s epic vision of the classic literary story. While the source already had a sense of wonder, this film took the basic framework of Dracula and elevated it to a gargantuan size, with a lavish production design, huge landscapes, detailed set-pieces, insane costumes, and a haunting sense of majesty. It’s no wonder critics at the time had a soft spot for it, because the film truly is a visionary’s marvel to behold on screen.
Before I reveal my #1 favorite, here are some quick honorable mentions …
Poltergeist
Infurno
The Exorcist
Faust
The Babadook
#1 “Trick R’ Treat” (2007)
As established earlier, any horror movie set on Halloween is naturally going to appeal to me, and I don’t think any is more impressive on a visual look then in 2007’s “Trick R’ Treat”. To say the film gorgeous to look at is an understatement … because I genuinely believe it’s the best-looking horror movie I’ve ever seen in my life. Like, this is Halloween taken to the max, with Atom scenery that glows, and Jack O’ Lanterns everywhere you look. The movie is set mostly at night, but the Halloween colors are always shining. There’s so much Halloween on display that I literally feel like my eyes are feasting on the season. I’m generally not a fan of this movie as a whole, but it’ll always stick with me for being the most visually striking horror movie I’ve ever seen.
Thanks for reading my countdown … and be sure to make every day in October feel like Halloween!
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