If you're looking for Halloween-appropriate things to watch this month, Hulu has you covered. Not only is the service dropping another title every day of the month, but a visit to the app shows a section in which every horror movie, thriller, and Halloween-themed sitcom episode is sorted by scariness and genre.
Among the films that fall under the Huluween category, you'll find a range of everything from genre to budget to quality. There's definitely something for everyone.
The Omen (1976) 7.5
The Omen is essentially about a man who comes to believe he has adopted the devil in the form of a child. It's a dated, but still frightening film that imbues a series of grisly occurrences with a sense of mystery.
A particular highlight is the score, for which the film won an academy award. This is one of those movies that is timestamped in such a way as to offer a snapshot of what the horror genre was often like in the 70's.
Interview With The Vampire (1994) 7.5
Interview With the Vampire is told from the point of view of a vampire named Louis (Brad Pitt) as he recounts his life up to the present to a journalist. Much of his story is centered around his relationship with his creator Lestat (Tom Cruise), with whom he shares an intense, tumultuous bond.
The film is an adaptation of the popular novel of the same name by famous horror writer Anne Rice. It's become something of a classic among fans of vampire stories, with a balance of gore, sex appeal, and a strong lean towards camp.
The Guilty (2018) 7.5
The premise of The Guilty is something we've seen before: an alarm dispatcher on an emergency phone line gets a call from someone who is in trouble. The call disconnects, and the race to save the caller begins.
The film stands apart from others like it, however, due to its smart plot twists, pacing, and strong performances. This is the first film from Danish director Gustav Möller, and it premiered to much praise from critics and audiences alike.
The Hurt Locker (2008) 7.6
At first glance, The Hurt Locker might not seem like an obvious choice for a Halloween watch. The story of a wartime bomb squad falls more obviously into the war/action category than any other genre.
However, Kathryn Bigelow's masterful direction of the many tension-filled scenes (which helped gain a best picture win for the film and a best director win for Bigelow) make this film fit in the thriller genre just as well. The film was met with critical acclaim and was popular with fans of the genre as well.
The Tenant (1976) 7.7
The Tenant is a story of paranoia. A man named Trelkovksy moves into an apartment once inhabited by a woman who died by suicide. He begins to believe that his fellow tenants dislike and are out to get him, and his mental health deteriorates as he begins to slowly spin out of control.
Upon its initial release, the film was met with many negative reviews. However, in the time since, it has garnered a cult following, and is a favorite among many fans of the horror and thriller genres.
Evil Dead II (1987) 7.8
Evil Dead II is an iconic horror-comedy that has gained popularity among horror fans and those with a more macabre sense of humor. When a tape is played that features a man reading from the book of the dead, Ash is trapped in a cabin in the middle of the woods. It's less of a sequel and more of a remake of the first Evil Dead, just with added budget and humor.
It's considered a cult classic, and many believe that it's light-hearted approach to the material make it an improvement on the original. It works as both a horror movie and a horror parody, and as a result has something to offer nearly every viewer.
Mother (2009) 7.8
Before finding mainstream American fame with his best picture/best director win at the 2020 Academy Awards, South Korean director Bong Joon-ho was already a well-established talent with a lengthy and impressive filmography. Mother is another example of his creative genius. This film tells the story of a widow living with her son, who is the prime suspect in a murder case.
She becomes desperate to prove her son's innocence, and the mystery of what happened to the murder victim begins to unravel. Bong Joon-ho has a particular talent for employing tools from a variety of genres, all with equal skill and effect. Horror, drama, mystery, and comedy are present here, and this is the perfect feature to watch during Halloween.
Let The Right One In (2008) 7.9
Let the Right One In is a film that is at times horrifying and at times sweet, and often both. A young boy who is bullied at school suffers from loneliness and a lack of friendship. In comes a new neighbor who appears to be about the same age as him, and he is desperate to form a connection.
It turns out that this new young person isn't human or, technically the same age at all, but that they're a vampire. A series of killings occur as a result of their feeding habits, and there's a question of whether the boy can safely maintain this most important relationship.
Prisoners (2013) 8.1
Prisoners is another thriller about a parent taking the law into their own hands. This time, it's the father (played Hugh Jackman) of a missing girl. This thriller does a very convincing job of creating a deep sense of fear and dread in the viewer.
There's also a major twist that few will be able to predict, but it's the tension-filled journey that makes the movie worth watching. This film is elevated by a remarkably talented cast, including, in addition to Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano, and Viola Davis.
Parasite (2019) 8.6
There really isn't much that can be said about Parasite that hasn't already been said. Yes, it really was the best film of 2019, and yes, it totally deserved that best picture win. Also, yes, Bong Joon-ho really is that good (as is the cast, all of whom were sadly overlooked at the last Academy Awards). So, instead of extolling the film's greatness, let's talk about why it's a great movie to watch during Halloween. Parasite doesn't start off as a thriller- instead, it's more of a dramedy offering social commentary about class-based inequality.
However, as the film goes on (and that twist is revealed), the film is imbued with a sense of fear, tension, and dread, as we wait for all of what we've seen to inevitably hit the fan. There are certain scenes that are shot like a horror film, and an ending that is shocking in its violence. As the movie will tell you, capitalism is scary.