The recent release of Smile has garnered a lot of attention for its obscure marketing tactic that certainly got horror fans excited to watch the psychological thriller. The movie re-imagines the symbol of a smile, replacing its nice nature with a terrifying one when Dr. Rose Cotter becomes the entity's next victim, encouraging many viewers to rethink the heartwarming gesture.
Smile recently found fame on TikTok before its release, as the marketing team employed actors to stand in crowded football stadiums and just smile. This sparked many fans' inspiration for a last-minute Halloween look, whilst others look for more gruesome representations from their favorite horror flicks.
Orphan: First Kill (2022)
Stream On Paramount+
Orphan became a huge name within the horror genre when it was first released in 2009 and saw a young child leave many viewers traumatized. This horror thriller observes a couple as they begin the adoption process and adopt Esther, who soon exhibits unusual behavior that leads the pair to look into her past, leaving them horrified.
The film's success led to a second movie being released this year that proved to be just as terrifying as the first, due to Esther's childlike appearance not matching her actual age. Her character has become well known for her haunting appearance, categorized by pigtails and a Peter Pan collar before being tied together by the staple velvet choker, which helps to contrast her childlike image with her horrifying past.
Nope (2022)
Buy On AppleTV
Nope's movie ending may have left viewers wanting more, but it's safe to say that Jordan Peele fans were impressed as he delivered yet another mind-bending thriller. The science fiction horror sees two siblings become increasingly worried at strange events happening in the atmosphere, but the owner of a close-by theme park sees it as a way to cash in.
The movie takes advantage of its desolate setting by using its dusty terrain as a fear tactic whilst also leading producers to employ bright and memorable costumes so that the audience could spot the characters in the dust. The most distinctive costume was that of the theme park owner, who embraced the nearby horse ranch through a red embroidered suit, cowboy hat, and a bolo tie, which is hinted to be the inspiration of many Jordan Peele fans this All Hallows Eve.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)
Stream On Netflix
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a well-established horror franchise dating as far back as 1974, marking the beginning of teen slasher flicks. The series of films proved popular and finally returned to screens this year with a direct sequel to the first movie that sought to poke fun at the influencer culture that dominates society today.
The franchise's main villain, known famously as Leatherface, has been the main source of fans' terror and was a popular costume choice back in the '70s. The return of the chainsaw-wielding killer saw a more gruesome and realistic portrayal of horror that encouraged its viewers to seek out their own mask to pair with a skin-colored apron and fake chainsaw to mirror the classic character of horror.
Bodies, Bodies, Bodies (2022)
Buy On AppleTV
Bodies, Bodies, Bodies is one slasher movie that critics actually liked and has recently received a lot of attention from cinema buffs who labeled the movie a murder mystery with both humor and horror when their innocent party game results in murder.
Bodies, Bodies, Bodies is considered one of the most up-to-date horrors of its time as it continuously references Gen Z culture, including through its costume choices. The movie offers some great looks for Halloween that are perfect for both girl groups and students, as it employs current fashion trends. Its stylish choices will allow many fans to pull their favorite clothes out of their wardrobe before adding some blood and glow sticks to recreate the group of Gen Z sleuths at the center of a murder mystery.
The Invitation (2022)
Rent On AppleTV
The Invitation marked a resurgence of the classic vampire horror and plays into the idea of reconnecting with family members through DNA, putting fans off when Evie finds herself surrounded by her newfound 'family' who prove to be much darker than they seem.
This freaky flick plays into the sophisticated, sultry attitude often associated with vampires by placing its two main leads in smart suits and ballgowns, but it was Evie's wedding dress that stirred conversation. Her unconventional white dress cleverly paid tribute to her quirky style, whilst also posing as a great Halloween look through the clever use of fangs, contacts, and fake blood that pay homage to the movie's vampire roots.
Pearl (2022)
Not Available To Stream
Pearl is A24's latest horror release guaranteed to terrify its viewers with its unconventional premise bringing the slasher subgenre back to life.
The film is located in the deep south and makes full use of the family's working farm, cleverly mirrored through Pearl's outfits that usually picture her in dungarees and headscarves. Pearl offers a series of unique visuals that eventually present her newfound freedom and move to showbiz through her costumes, marked by her recognizable red dress, blue bow, and ax (expected to be a popular costume choice this year).
Scream 5 (2022)
Stream On Paramount+
Scream 5 is one horror movie sequel that's actually better than the original, and it marks the return of the infamous movie villain known as Ghostface.
The Scream franchise is responsible for the classic Halloween look that revolves solely around the employment of a mask and its latest release has certainly reignited horror fans' love for Ghostface. Scream 5 offers a lazy alternative to fancy dress by encouraging fans to purchase a black cape, gloves, and mask in a bid to create a simple yet effective costume guaranteed to scare.
Fresh (2022)
Stream On Hulu
Fresh sparked a lot of conversation when it was released in 2022. The peculiar picture accompanies Noa on a date where she meets Steve, someone who turns out to be just her type. The two go on a holiday weekend away together and that's where everything goes horribly wrong, as Steve reveals his true motives.
Despite Steve actually being Noa's worst match ever, to say the least, the pair make up one of the best Halloween costumes this season Their iconic dance scene has circulated on TikTok as other couples donned pink bow dresses and all-black suits to recreate the memorable sequence, resulting in many viewers planning this look for their costumes on October 31st.
The Black Phone (2022)
Stream On Peacock Premium
The Black Phone was one of the most anticipated horror movies of 2022, as fans looked forward to seeing Ethan Hawke take on a terrifying role rather than his usual good guy performance. The film follows Finney, a young boy being held hostage in a serial killer's basement, and a phone connecting him to his abductor's previous victims proves to be his only lifeline.
Ethan Hawke embodies true terror through his petrifying performance and anxiety-inducing appearance, resulting in it being the perfect flick for a Halloween movie night. His appearance in the film employs a series of props to hide his identifiable features, but often reveals his ghoulish smile, which encourages its audience to get inventive with sunglasses, top hats, and masks to mirror The Grabber's spooky aura.
Don't Worry Darling (2022)
Currently In Theaters
Despite only being released last month, Don't Worry Darling is one of the most talked about movies of 2022 and transports its audience back to the 1950s American dream. The movie opens in polished suburbia and tells the story of a young couple living in an experimental town, but Alice soon becomes suspicious of the real reason they are there.
This freaky flick certainly delivered the thrills and chills it promised, whilst also providing fans with an array of inspiration for Halloween. Don't Worry Darling stays true to its 1950s setting by decorating its female characters, particularly Alice, in patterned swing dresses. These stylistic choices have led to Alice's final blood-spattered white dress being the perfect representation of escaping her 'pure' life and, in turn, a great costume choice for Halloween.