It's not very often that a The Black Phone has given fans of the horror genre his top five picks for viewers to watch during the Halloween season and beyond.
Halloween 2022 may have recently ed, but that doesn't mean the horror fest has to end. This year has seen plenty of good horror movies, and the site Rotten Tomatoes has some great recommendations to add to the list given by Derrickson.
10 Piggy - 90%
Bullying affects millions of people worldwide every day, and unfortunately, there are plenty of times when the act will go unpunished. The movie Piggy not only depicts violent bullying but shows the bullies receiving a brutal punishment.
While the movie received an audience score of 67%, many critics have praised the film for its intriguing story that approaches the topics of bullying and self-esteem. The actors also received positive , with critics saying their performances were well done considering the difficult storyline and how dark the film becomes in places.
9 Pearl - 90%
Ti West's films contain a lot of great dialogue between characters as well as highly engaging monologues. One of the Pearl.
Pearl is the origin story of the intriguing villain from West's film X, and it is just as gory and disturbing as the first film. Most viewers would find common ground with critics, with their score currently sitting at 80%. Both critics and fans praise actress Mia Goth for her role as Pearl, the film's eerie atmosphere, and bold art direction.
8 Deadstream - 91%
B-movies are a treasure for fans of the genre. While the concept of "B-movies" may be more commonly associated with older films, there are plenty of B-movie gems being made today, including Joseph Winter's directorial debut, Deadstream.
Deadstream tackles something that befalls many internet personalities: public controversy that leads to the person being demonetized and a massive drop in followers. The movie combines this real-world horror with the supernatural in a found footage movie set in a haunted house. Critics have complimented the found footage film for being entertaining with a protagonist who is fun to watch. Many fans would share the sentiment, with the movie receiving an 81% audience score.
7 Werewolf by Night - 91%
The MCU has a lot of entertaining content to provide to its viewers, including some scary content. Among the many MCU movies and TV shows that will deliver chills is is the recent TV special Werewolf by Night.
The special impressed both critics and fans alike as the black and white movie gives off the old, classic horror film vibes that a lot of people still enjoy. Many were surprised by the different direction the MCU took here. Viewers and critics alike were more than thrilled with the results, garnering a 91% rating in both Rotten Tomatoes categories.
6 Hatching - 92%
There are a lot of Hatching is one of the many off-beat horror films that are well worth a watch.
The film gives a gory and brutal look at a family who is not as perfect as they like to pretend they are and a human-bird hybrid that won't hesitate to rip someone to pieces. In this case, most critics enjoyed this more than general audiences, as the audience score is at 61%. However, it still received praise for its storyline, which provides an intriguing metaphor and horrifying monsters.
5 Barbarian - 92%
Bill Skarsgård has starred in many great films, such as the 2017 horror behemoth Barbarian.
Barbarian gives viewers a look into what some fear most: thinking that they are alone when there is actually someone lurking in the shadows. Critics and the viewers, who set the audience score at 70%, enjoyed what many called an unconventional approach to a familiar path with plenty of plot twists and turns that keep the viewers on their toes.
4 You Won't Be Alone - 92%
Revolving around witchcraft in the 19th century, You Won’t Be Alone is not only an intriguing movie with an engaging plot but a disturbing story that deserves the accolade as one of 2022's best horror films.
The film revolves around a young girl who is kidnapped and transformed into a witch by an ancient spirit. The film’s content is dark and addresses themes such as identity and fate. Its highly original storyline leads to a satisfying ending. While the film has yet to receive an audience score, there are still plenty of great reviews, with critics praising it for delivering a fresh take on tired horror tropes.
3 Prey - 93%
Prey is one such title.
Prey takes a different approach from previous Predator films in of its setting, choosing to delve into the past rather than the future this time. This gamble paid off as critics had plenty of great things to say about its style and originality. Although the audience score is lower, currently sitting at 73%, many fans of the original film agreed with critics that this is a promising new direction for the series. Both sides commented on the acting, atmosphere, and build-up to the intense, action-packed sequences.
2 X - 94%
Since her debut in 2013, Mia Goth has had a promising career so far. One of the best movies Mia has starred in that many fans and critics alike enjoyed is X.
X has an impressive audience score of 75% but that's nothing compared to the 94% Tomatometer score. Many critics enjoyed the film's call back to the old grindhouse films of the '70s, but Goth's dual-performance as both Maxine and Pearl caught the attention of those who watched it, with her performance being almost universally praised.
1 Sissy - 97%
Comedy horror offers something different for fans of the genre. One of the films that fall under this horror sub-genre and has made a lasting impression is Sissy.
Sissy is another film about a social media influencer who has many followers and eventually reunites with her old best friend. However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows, and things take a turn for the worst. Critics loved the film for how it tells the tale of morality and the dangers of bullying while also sprinkling in comic relief. While the audience score is 73%, the movie still received plenty of love and attention and is well worth a watch for those who enjoy dark comedy.
