Halloween lovers everywhere are now filling their final days of the spooky season with pumpkin carving, costume parties, haunted house visits and endless candy runs. Yet, one of the best ways to embrace the eerie atmosphere of Halloween is by curling up with a good horror film, especially as 2024 has been a stellar year for fans of spine-chilling cinema.
This year, horror has gone big, bringing everything from paranormal tales to gripping psychological thrillers and classic monster reboots, ensuring that there's something to thrill every type of horror lover.
Whether you're looking to set a spooky mood for your Halloween weekend with friends, a significant other or a cosy night in alone, Life has selected six standout films that we have seen (so far) in 2024 to elevate your Halloween viewing experience, ensuring that everyone finds a scream-worthy selection to match their preferences. So grab your popcorn, dim the lights and prepare for some serious thrills.
From unsettling explorations of beauty standards to re-imagined classics, this list has it all. Let's dive into the top horror movies to keep you on the edge of your seat this Halloween.
The Substance
Director: Coralie Fargeat
Director Coralie Fargeat's The Substance plunges viewers into a nightmarish exploration of vanity and fame. This body-horror thriller follows Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a former movie star who injects a mysterious substance to recapture her youth. The treatment appears to work -- until it creates Sue (Margaret Qualley), a younger doppelgänger who shares Elisabeth's consciousness and quickly gains the fame that Elisabeth has been chasing.
The story's unsettling journey into the horrors of self-image and societal pressure on female beauty is both contemporary and visceral, capturing the pitfalls of obsession in an age that increasingly values surface over substance. The film's sharp feminist undertone, paired with body-horror elements, adds depth to a visually haunting narrative. The Substance manages to disturb in ways few films do, hitting nerves that might leave you examining your own reflection a little differently.
The Substance is now playing in theatres.
Photo © GETTY IMAGES
Longlegs
Director: Osgood Perkins
A suspenseful, surreal crime thriller, Longlegs offers a fresh twist on the serial-killer genre. Directed by Osgood Perkins, the film stars Maika Monroe as FBI agent Lee Harker, whose first case involves tracking down a cult-like serial killer known as Longlegs (played by Nicolas Cage). Harker's journey is marked by dark and twisted encounters as she confronts the killer's eerie beliefs and his shadowy connection to supernatural forces.
Unlike typical crime thrillers, Longlegs leans into a psychological depth and bizarre artistry, capturing the dread of the 1990s crime mysteries with an added dose of Satanic panic. The film's intensity builds with each interaction between Harker and her prey, drawing the viewer into a claustrophobic world where reality and horror blur. Perkins' mastery shines, making Longlegs a must-watch for those looking for more than jump scares this Halloween.
Longlegs is now screening in cinemas.
Photo © HBO GO
Salem's Lot
Director: Gary Dauberman
Returning to Stephen King's beloved tale, Gary Dauberman's Salem's Lot is a fresh take on the terrifying story of a small town plagued by vampires. Dauberman, known for his work on The Conjuring series, has crafted a moody, atmospheric adaptation that captures the essence of King's 1975 novel while making it accessible for a modern audience.
The film follows Ben Mears (Lewis Pullman) as he returns to his hometown, only to discover that a sinister presence is transforming the residents into vampires. Dauberman's talent shines in his ability to create tension and dread, balancing horrifying visuals with eerie silence. Salem's Lot blends nostalgic horror with new-age effects, providing a fresh, hair-raising experience for both longtime fans of King's work and newcomers to the classic tale.
Salem's Lot is available for streaming on HBO GO.
Photo © Netfix Thailand
Woman Of The Hour
Director: Anna Kendrick
Anna Kendrick's directorial debut, Woman Of The Hour, retells the chilling true story of Rodney Alcala, a serial killer who appeared on The Dating Game in the 1970s. This thriller stars Kendrick as Sheryl Bradshaw, a contestant on the show, who must navigate the dark tension of an episode that could cost her life.
Kendrick's nuanced direction builds an unyielding sense of dread, as Bradshaw's lighthearted flirtation with the charismatic Alcala (played by Daniel Zovatto) escalates into an unsettling confrontation. Woman Of The Hour is an engrossing thriller that captures the horror of real-life events, proving that some of the most unsettling scares are the ones rooted in reality.
Woman Of The Hour is currently available both in theatres and on Netflix.
Photo © HBO GO
Trap
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Trap is M. Night Shyamalan's latest thriller, taking viewers through a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game within the confines of a crowded concert arena. Josh Hartnett stars as Cooper, a seemingly average concertgoer who is actually a serial killer known as The Butcher. As Cooper's chilling double life unfolds, the tension mounts with authorities hot on his trail, even as he carefully evades detection.
This thriller is a stark departure from Shyamalan's typical twist-ending formula, instead delivering thrills through a suspenseful build-up and character complexity. The film blurs the lines between protagonist and antagonist, making audiences both root for and recoil from Cooper's dual identity. Trap adds a refreshing take on the genre.
Trap is available for streaming on HBO GO.
Photo © imdb.com
Alien: Romulus
Director: Fede Álvarez
Alien: Romulus by Fede Álvarez returns to the franchise's horror roots, plunging audiences back into the claustrophobic terror of deep space. Set between Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986), Alien: Romulus follows a fresh set of characters as they struggle against a xenomorph threat in the isolated and sterile confines of a space station.
Álvarez, known for Don't Breathe (2016) and Evil Dead (2013), masterfully crafts intense chase sequences and horrifying encounters, pushing the physical and psychological limits of the characters. The film's practical effects, combined with its gritty set design, capture the essence of the original films while adding a modern visual edge. Although Alien: Romulus may feel familiar to fans, its atmosphere and relentless pacing make it an exhilarating entry in the series, and should not be missed by fans of sci-fi horror.
Alien: Romulus is currently in theatres.
