30th Oct 2020 – Me, Myself and Chronic Illness Blog

Living with chronic illness it can be hard finding activities you can enjoy that are low energy, so with Halloween around the corner now is the perfect time (chronic illness or not) to emerge yourself in the world of film.

The genre of horror has such an array of different categories it really can be for anybody. From slasher to psychological and comedy to monster, the choices really are endless. So with this in mind I have selected my top films to watch this Halloween if you dare….

FYI – Please note all these films should only be watched if age appropriate – always check the certificate.

Kids Halloween Film – The Witches

Let’s start gently with a good children’s Halloween pick (also ideal if you are not a big horror fan) and my top recommendation The Witches. You already know this is a great pick as it is based on the great children’s book of the same name by Roald Dahl. Although there is a new version for 2020 I still believe the 1990 version starring Anjelica Houston as the Grand High Witch is brilliant.

Runner up – Casper

Comedy Horror – Shaun of the Dead

Runner up – Scary Movie

Splatter Horror – Saw

People have very mixed views on the franchise that is Saw and the mastermind behind it Jigsaw, but for me Saw was one of the best horror franchises I have ever seen. As with a lot of films I found the very first film the best which centres around two men being chained up in a room and not knowing how they got there. The twists and turns are highly entertaining and the plot twist at the end was something I never saw coming. Not forgetting of course the array of games that are played throughout the film and the gore they produce.

Runner up – Hostel

Slasher Horror – Halloween

Runner up – The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Supernatural Horror – IT

There are so many worthy supernatural horrors out there, but one of the most memorable is Stephen King’s IT because lets face it what’s scarier than a creepy looking clown? Pennywise (the clown) is actually a shape shifting monster who forces the characters to face their scariest fears. The film is actually split into two parts (so you need to watch the second film to get the whole of the story) as the children from the first film come back as adults and try to defeat the clown once and for all.

Runners up – Sinister and the Blair Witch Project (I couldn’t resist picking two!)

Monster Horror – The Babadook

Runner up – A Quiet Place

Psychological Horror – Escape Room

Now not everyone would call this a traditional horror as this film is about six people taking part in a mysterious escape room experience which quickly becomes more real than they were expecting. Watching the players go from room to room you feel yourself go along for the journey on the different challenges they face.

Runner up – The Belko Experiment

Other strong recommendations on my little list of horrors include: