While there was a lot of hype forHalloween Ends, the final film in David Gordon Green’s trilogy, it’s fair to say that the film left many horror fans wanting more. Making Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell) the main character was a bold choice that might not have paid off, and the love story between Corey and Allyson Nelson (Andi Matichak) doesn’t fit into the slasher franchise.
Horror fans have otherwise had a fantastic 2022, with many unique movies exciting audiences, making a lot of money at the box office, and impressing critics. There are a few movies in particular that deserve to be praised because they met high audience expectations and hopes.
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Scream
Making moreScreammovies was both a no-brainer and a gamble. While there will always be fans psyched to see more of Sidney Prescott’s (Neve Campbell) bold and tough adventures, fans don’t think that all four previous films are equally good. Audiences could have received the fifth movie, which was released on January 14th 2022, either as a lackluster new entry in a beloved franchise… or as a fun film that stands on its own.
In large part thanks toScream Queen Jenna Ortega, the movie was a hit with critics and fans andScream (2022)also did well at the box office. The movie gives fans what they want: Ghostface, Sidney and Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) and Dewey Riley (David Arquette), and jokes and comments about horror. There’s just as much anticipation forScream 6after seeing that the franchise can definitely continue to impress.
X
Ti West’s slasherXwas such a hit that he made theprequelPearland there will also be athird film calledMaXXXine. Horror fans can’t get enough of the story of Pearl (Mia Goth), an elderly woman whose pain points surrounding beauty and youth cause her to kill. While watching Pearl’s origin story is fascinating, the first film, which was released on March 18th, is a fresh story that alludes to favorite movies from the slasher genre.
From the characters to the atmosphere,Xis basically a flawless scary movie. The main characters are proud of the adult film that they’re working on and Goth impressively plays both Pearl and Maxine, a young actress who becomes the film’s final girl.
Nope
With impressive performances from Keke Palmer, Daniel Kaluuya, and Steven Yeun and a plot that surprises and fascinates, there are a lot ofthings to love aboutNope. Jordan Peele’s third horror film is just as fantastic asGet OutandUsand fans of the genre have enjoyed figuring out thetrue meaning ofNope.
While there’s a disagreement about whetherslashers need to be elevated, Peele is definitely making well-crafted and intelligent movies that scare audiences but also make them think, and that is necessary and important. There was a lot of anticipation forNopeand it doesn’t disappoint as it examines big themes and has a cool setting, too.
Smile
While there are manyscary smiles in horror movies,Smileproves that looking at a character grinning in a strange way will always be effective. Parker Finn is a filmmaker to watch and adapted the movie from his short filmLaura Hasn’t Slept. The movie not only has a solid, confident performance from Sosie Bacon but it also touches on mental health struggles with careful thought.
Smilealso stands out because of the filmmaking choices, from an overall dark tone to the smart use of music throughout the story. Every time that Dr. Rose Cotter sees a horrifying figure or a distorted version of a loved one, the eerie music or startling sound affects make the scene even more memorable.Smilealso deserves praise because while somegood horror movies don’t have jump scares, the movie uses them in a wise way. There are some truly freaky moments that will make anyone jump in their seat.
Barbarian
As soon as critics and horror fans began seeingBarbarianin theaters in September, it was clear that this was a film to watch.Barbarianperfectly balances tonesas it has funny and scary scenes and it’s a story that actually delivers on a flashy and fun premise. Tess Campbell (Georgina Campbell) arrives at a rental home to find someone else staying there. The movie deserves praise for not being predictable as it’s impossible to imagine what happens.
Whilesmart movie plot twistswill always be remembered, sometimes the turns that a story can take can be easy to figure out from the opening scene.Barbariantells the story from different POVs and has enough surprises to keep anyone interested. Horror fans consider this a must-see and it will be fun to see what writer/director Zach Cregger does next.
