Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

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Barefootgirl
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Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by Barefootgirl »

We are having a Halloween gathering next week: munchies, drinks and a psychological thriller movie, if we can find one we think might be good.

Not into gore or horror or comedic mystery - truly looking for a well made psychological thriller - for reference, other examples would be like Silence of the Lambs, Misery, The Sixth Sense, etc.

If you have one to suggest, that would be most appreciated!
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mhc
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by mhc »

The Clovehitch Killer is really good.
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rebellovw
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by rebellovw »

The 1970's Black Christmas is a blast - I'd say it is the Hill Street Blues of Horror. Raunchy for sure (language wise) - adult content but quite fun and great acting - a Classic.

Edit: Also very festive, great humor - with drinking and Christmas celebrations - great for a party background type movie.
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by imbogled »

https://m.imdb.com/user/ur63767966/reviews?ref_=m_ur

I like his reviews/takes on the scary/horror genre.

Here's an example of one of his reviews:
The Lighthouse (I) (2019)
9/10
"A masterpiece of psychological horror.
The atmosphere envelops you in a haunting, uncomfortable realm, and the acting forces you to probe the depths of mental illness and loneliness. There is so much craftsmanship and small inflections to pick up, that each viewing leaves you with more to think on. It's not an easy film to watch, and it won't leave you feeling good. But it's truly a disturbing, unnerving film, that terrifies you in a deeper manner than most horror films attempt to. I could go rattle on, and on about it, but suffice to say, it's a masterwork."
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Bogle101
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by Bogle101 »

Fracture with Anthony hopkins

Gothica with Halle berry

What lies beneath with harrison ford

Never forget me (I think that’s the name, French version is better)

Old boy (korean version much better)

Parasite

Decent thriller with Jude law, Channing Tatum and Rooney Mara, have to Google the name.

Wicker man with nic cage (critics slammed it, but it’s decent)

Midsommer

Prisoners with hugh jackman

The night listener with Robin Williams (absolutely creepy)

24 hour photo with Robin Williams (I think that’s the name)

Insomnia with Robin Williams

Saw (only the first one is good)

Knives out (maybe too “fun” to qualify)
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by bobcat2 »

Psycho
Vertigo
The Shining
The Exorcist
Rosemary's Baby
Repulsion
Wolfen
Frenzy
Diabolique - the 1955 version (not the 1990s remake)
Funny Games - IMO the scariest movie on this list - not gory but unpleasant, the violence happens off screen in your imagination

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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by hidradenitis »

Alfred Hitchcock's "Rope" with Jimmy Stewart

"Sleuth" with Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine
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cheese_breath
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by cheese_breath »

Shutter Island ... Leonardo DiCaprio
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manatee2005
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by manatee2005 »

Seven
Scream
Texas Chainsaw massacre
Ring
rebellovw
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by rebellovw »

My last recommendation would be Play Misty for Me.
GoldenFinch
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by GoldenFinch »

Diabolique (1955) - French film. Wild with lots of twists!

The Mask of Demitrios (1944) - Cool film noir.
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by GoldenFinch »

The Devil Bat (1940) - Great ending.
mhalley
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by mhalley »

Edgar Wright has some suggestions, some may be a little more scary/gory than you are looking for.

https://www.joblo.com/peacock-edgar-wright-curated/

The Sentinel (1977)
Frenzy (1972)
The People Under the Stairs (1991)
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Raising Cain (1992)
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Videodrome (1983)
Dracula (1931)
Train to Busan (2016)
Gremlins (1984)
The Sixth Sense (1999)
Dead Ringers (1988)
Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
It Follows (2014)
Serial Mom (1994)
The Brides of Dracula (1960)
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover (1989)
The Evil of Frankenstein (1964)
The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)

You might try the new the invisible man (2020) with Elizabeth moss
The Girl on the Train
Get Out
Gone Girl
Black Swan
Nicolas
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by Nicolas »

imbogled wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 12:30 pm https://m.imdb.com/user/ur63767966/reviews?ref_=m_ur

I like his reviews/takes on the scary/horror genre.

Here's an example of one of his reviews:
The Lighthouse (I) (2019)
9/10
"A masterpiece of psychological horror.
The atmosphere envelops you in a haunting, uncomfortable realm, and the acting forces you to probe the depths of mental illness and loneliness. There is so much craftsmanship and small inflections to pick up, that each viewing leaves you with more to think on. It's not an easy film to watch, and it won't leave you feeling good. But it's truly a disturbing, unnerving film, that terrifies you in a deeper manner than most horror films attempt to. I could go rattle on, and on about it, but suffice to say, it's a masterwork."
I enjoyed this film. The casting of Willem Dafoe as the lighthouse keeper was genius.
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Papago
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by Papago »

Mom and Dad - funny and good horror
Severance - hilarious and good horror. HIGHLY recommend.
Sightseers - British funny and mild, but good horror
Fido - a boy and his pet zombie; funny with horror

The Descent - female friends get together to explore a cave - what could go wrong? Really good stuff.
Candyman (1992)
The Thing (1982) - John Carpenter at his best

Lizzie - modern take on Lizzie Borden, with Kristen Stewart
Personal Shopper - again with Kristen Stewart!

I've seen both the foreign and American versions of Funny Games - highly recommend either / both.
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by Gertrude »

Prisoners
The Ring
Vacancy
House at the End of the Street
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by minesweep »

I recommend one of Hitchcock's, thrilling, suspenseful, or tense movies.

Such as; Psycho (maniacal slasher killer Norman Bates-Tony Perkins was excellent), The Birds (horrifying & strong visuals), Shadow of a Doubt (thrilling story - Joseph Cotton was excellent), Dial M for Murder (Suspense), Rebecca (tense mystery), The Lady Vanishes (mystery with thrilling climax) & Spellbound (suspenseful).

I saw Psycho, North by Northwest. Frenzy, The Birds, and Family Plot in the theater at the time of their release.

30 Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies Ranked for Filmmakers
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by minesweep »

minesweep wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 9:32 am I recommend one of Hitchcock's, thrilling, suspenseful, or tense movies.

Such as; Psycho (maniacal slasher killer Norman Bates-Tony Perkins was excellent), The Birds (horrifying & strong visuals), Shadow of a Doubt (thrilling story - Joseph Cotton was excellent), Dial M for Murder (Suspense), Rebecca (tense mystery), The Lady Vanishes (mystery with thrilling climax) & Spellbound (suspenseful).

I saw Psycho, North by Northwest. Frenzy, The Birds, and Family Plot in the theater at the time of their release.

30 Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies Ranked for Filmmakers
In 1998 there was a remake of the movie Psycho with Anne Heche in the starring role (thought the scripts would be a little different but it was a mirror remake of the original). A local movie theater complex opened around here at that time as well. The first two days there was free admission for the first 100 customers (plus free popcorn & tee shirt to boot). So the funny thing is that when I entered the theater to see the Psycho thriller I discovered that I was the only attendee. That was my one and only private showing at a movie theater.

I came back the next day and saw another freebee starring Will Smith (Enemy of the State). No private showing for that one. :happy

Around 2012 the Regal movie theater complex was shut down and was replaced by a family fun and entertainment center.
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regularguy455
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by regularguy455 »

Alien is a classic. I watch it every Halloween. I saw The Descent on here - I found that to be terrifying! Cabin in the Woods is like a comedy horror. Definitely recommend it if you haven’t seen it.
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by FGal »

Lots of great recommendations, but most of them are unfortunately not what the OP was asking for (not gory, not comedy, more psychological thriller/twisty-mystery genre).

I have several suggestions along those lines.

The Others - 2001
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0230600/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

The Skeleton Key - 2005
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0397101/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Lights Out - 2016
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4786282/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

The Babadook - 2014
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2321549/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Shutter Island - 2010
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1130884/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1



For older movies, if you're interested in black and white or old school horror/mystery/thrillers:

Any Universal Monsters, but my favorite happens to be Bride of Frankenstein. (see my avatar)

Hitchcock's Spellbound - 1945
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038109/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

The Haunting - 1963 (not the remake)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057129/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_8
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by minesweep »

minesweep wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 9:32 am I recommend one of Hitchcock's, thrilling, suspenseful, or tense movies.

Such as; Psycho (maniacal slasher killer Norman Bates-Tony Perkins was excellent), The Birds (horrifying & strong visuals), Shadow of a Doubt (thrilling story - Joseph Cotton was excellent), Dial M for Murder (Suspense), Rebecca (tense mystery), The Lady Vanishes (mystery with thrilling climax) & Spellbound (suspenseful).

I saw Psycho, North by Northwest. Frenzy, The Birds, and Family Plot in the theater at the time of their release.

30 Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies Ranked for Filmmakers
A few trailers:

Psycho (1960)

The Birds (1963)

Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

Dial M for Murder (1954)

Rebecca - (1940)

The Lady Vanishes (1938)

Hitchcock had a penchant for casting blondes in the female leading movie roles. Tippi Hedren, Grace Kelly, Vera Miles, Doris Day, Carole Lombard, Marlene Dietrich, Eva Marie Saint, Janet Leigh, and Madeleine Carroll.
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by Eowyn »

Get Out - There is a character who provides much-needed comedic relief, but I would not describe it as a comedy. It is not without a brief bit of gore, but still it is very much a psychological thriller and not a slasher film.

Donnie Darko - This film is even set around Halloween.
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by Sandtrap »

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The Ring
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by 123 »

If its a small group who are focused viewers than something new (to them) is likely a good choice.

If it's casual background viewing while people are doing other things I think a/some classic(s) that everyone has seen, like Frankenstein (1931 version), Halloween (1978), The Shining etc, might work if the primary purpose is to set the mood.
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by Nicolas »

The Innocents (1961) is a good psychological thriller, we enjoyed it. It’s based on the story "The Turn of the Screw" by Henry James.

A young governess for two children becomes convinced that the house and grounds are haunted.

We streamed it on The Criterion Channel but I think it’s gone from that platform now. Your local public library may have a copy.
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by telemark »

I have not watched Corridor of Mirrors, but this description sounds like a possible match.

http://www.horrormovie.today/comic/hahaha/
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by Papago »

FGal wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 12:04 pm Lots of great recommendations, but most of them are unfortunately not what the OP was asking for (not gory, not comedy, more psychological thriller/twisty-mystery genre).

Agree that my earlier recommendations might not have met OP's request.

How about "The Bad Seed" (1956)? Very psychological, not comedy, no gore, but very scary and will stick with you for years afterwards.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048977/
Barsoom
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by Barsoom »

Blow Out (1981) - Directed by Brian De Palma, starring John Travolta, Nancy Allen, John Lithgow, Dennis Franz.

Sorcerer (1977) - Directed by William Friedkin, starring Roy Scheider. Very tense movie. Not about sorcery.

-B
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by fsrph »

Barefootgirl wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 11:16 am Not into gore or horror or comedic mystery - truly looking for a well made psychological thriller - for reference, other examples would be like Silence of the Lambs, Misery, The Sixth Sense, etc.

If you have one to suggest, that would be most appreciated!
How about "A Quiet Place" and/or the sequel "A Quiet Place 2"?

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_quiet_place_2018

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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by runninginvestor »

"The Others" is a decent thriller/horror thriller.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Others_(2001_film)

Insidious/The Conjuring set of films
Sinister but may be bloody at times I can't remember
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by Swee'pea »

I recently re-watched the Lady in the Water, it seems to fit the bill.
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by gatorking »

The Omen (with Gregory Peck).
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by MDfan »

The original The Conjuring is a very good horror movie. Another very good spooky movie is recent movie, The Night House.
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by Papago »

Barsoom wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 6:56 pm Blow Out (1981) - Directed by Brian De Palma, starring John Travolta, Nancy Allen, John Lithgow, Dennis Franz.

Sorcerer (1977) - Directed by William Friedkin, starring Roy Scheider. Very tense movie. Not about sorcery.

-B
I forgot about Sorcerer! But actually I thought the French original it was based on was better: The Wages of Fear. Directed by Clouzot (no, not the Pink Panther character) and stars Yves Montand.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046268/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by RightGuard »

It Comes at Night - great psychological thriller. A24 studios has a pretty good lineup in general.

The Night Swallows the World - French twist on the zombie genre.
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Re: Halloween Movie Suggestions /Psychological Thrillers?

Post by cheese_breath »

Presumed Innocent .... Harrison Ford, Bonnie Bidella

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil .... Kevin Spacey , John Cusack
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