5 Underrated Horror Movies for Halloween (And What to Eat While Watching Them) – KQED

Where to see it: Criterion, YouTube, various public domain sites

A cabin in the woods is easily the most sure-fire horror movie location. But why not a palace in the desert? That was director Herk Harveys proposition in 1962 when, armed with a few cameras and a paltry $30,000 budget, he made the cult classic Carnival of Souls. Filmed in Kansas and Utah, Harveys film benefits from a Midwest accessibility: this is a movie your uncle could have made. Which only makes the whole thing creepier.

Candace Hilligoss plays Mary, a woman whose life is changed after a car accident. She relocates to a new town, doesnt exactly fit in, and finds herself preoccupied with a giant empty carnival pavilion (portrayed by the Salt Lake area resort Saltair, still standing). After she gets fired from her job as a church organist for playing eerie, minor-chord dirges, she begins to experience strange visions and reality lapses while a ghostly figure (played by Harvey) follows her around. I wont give away the ending, except to say that after 70 minutes of rudimentary cinematography, the special-effects budget finally kicks in.Gabe Meline

Pair with: Fondue spread, Chicken in a Biskit and Fiddle Faddle. You could opt for carnival foods like cotton candy and corn dogs, but thats a bit too easy. Think of what Mary Henry might eat before entering the pavilion. Fondue was one of the biggest food trends of the 1960s, and its great if you and your roommates want a communal scare. First released in 1964, Chicken in a Biskit makes a great accompaniment to your cheesy dip. (Beware, vegetarians: these crackers contain dehydrated chicken.) As for Fiddle Faddle, it came out toward the end of the decade, in 1967, as a competitor to Cracker Jack. Granted, this would be a from-the-future snack for Mary, but who doesnt love popcorn that flies in the air during a scary scene?U.R.

Where to see it: Amazon

Ostensibly, It Follows is about a deadly curse transmitted via sexual intercourse. Once you've caught it, a shape-shifting demon begins its steady shuffle towards you. Once it catches up, it kills you. First reviews touted it as a cautionary tale about STDs, but a far more convincing argument positions the film as a story about sexual assault survivors. After Jay gets infected by a boy she trusted, the police prove to be useless, and her mother distant. She then turns for help to her sister and friendskids with zero parental supervision, who are in no way equipped to deal with the gravity of the situation. No one else can see the demon Jay sees, nor can they relate to her fear of everything and everyone outside of her inner circle. As the horror creeps around and through their quiet suburb, and as the kids seek asylum in places that should be safetheir bedrooms, a playground, the beachit becomes increasingly clear that there is no respite or sanctuary. The terror in It Follows is slow and creeping, masterfully enhanced by David Robert Mitchells always pivoting direction, and a soundtrack from Berkeleys own Disasterpiece that successfully swings between creeping and jarring. Just like the ghoul in the movie, It Follows lingers long after you expect it to.Rae Alexandra

Pair with: Roasted garlic dip with creamy garlic shrimp, a blooming onion and black coffee. Much like the curse in the movie, this will ensure that bad breath will follow you long after the credits roll.U.R.

Where to see it: Criterion

For much of your first viewing, the genre of The Wicker Man isn't entirely clear. Murder mystery? Weird '70s musical? Sexy caper? The introduction of Christopher Lee as the mysterious Lord Summerisle is the first clue that this is, in fact, a horror moviea truth that becomes indisputable after the terrifying twist at the end. The true terror of The Wicker Man, though, lies in the sense of paranoia and impending doom that builds throughout, as Scottish policeman Sergeant Howie tries desperately to unravel the secrets of the island of Summerisle. As he hunts for missing child Rowan Morrison, the remote islands Pagan inhabitants line up deception after gleeful deception which frustrate and frighten in equal measure. The sharp contrast drawn between the stern and stiff Sergeant Howie and the playful and hedonistic Summerisle inhabitants creates an air of conspiracy so all-encompassing, it feels like slow suffocation. The moment you figure out what the island is really up to, youll feel your air supply has been cut off altogether.Rae Alexandra

Pair with: Doom Cake, fairy butter and soda bread, poached canned peaches and mead. This is the last one, so Im going to leave you with lots of options. In May Morrisons shop, make sure you count the number of intentionally creepy cakes. No one ever eats them, but theyre on full display. Make yourself a Doom Cake and pair with some poached canned peaches, which is the only dish offered at the local pub in the movie. Lastly, the whole premise of this movie stems from Scottish pagan traditions, so heres a simple recipe for fairy butter; you'll need orange-flower water. Wash down this feast with some mead or a good ale.U.R.

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5 Underrated Horror Movies for Halloween (And What to Eat While Watching Them) - KQED

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero