A good horror movie scares you in a way that changes you a bit. When A Stranger Calls reassured me that I’m not missing out by not answering unfamiliar numbers. Friday the 13th reminded me to stay away from cursed lakes. As a horror fan, I love watching a good classic and going, “Yeah, I would’ve been left” or “Keep your head on a swivel, pay attention, girl!”
Even someone like me, who enjoys a scare here and there, can find a film that ends up on the Do Not Watch Again or Do Not Watch Alone list. I have three so far: Candyman (1992), Terrifier (2016) and Thanksgiving (2023).
Candyman: the bees and my first true childhood scare
I’m not saying his name in a mirror five times; I don’t even want to say it once.
Growing up, my family took October and Halloween seriously. There was so much candy, ordering takeout, jumping out of dark rooms to scare one another with masks, and, of course, horror films. Candyman was one of the first I remember us watching, and it scared me so much I never wanted to watch it again. I haven’t seen it in my adult life.
It follows a University of Illinois Chicago grad student who’s working on a thesis on how Cabrini-Green residents use the Candyman legend to cope with racial inequality. The student, Helen (Virginia Madsen), accidentally summons Candyman (Tony Todd), a murderous soul with a hook for a hand, and he’s on a mission.
What spooks me out: The way Candyman died was horrible and the reason was even worse. Those bees are everywhere, in his ribcage and mouth. That kissing scene between him and Helen where the bees pour out of his mouth and into hers? Yeah, no.
Terrifier: too much gore…like TOO MUCH
Well, it is in the name, so why was I so surprised to be terrified watching the beginning of this film? I couldn’t even finish it!
Last year, I decided that I wanted to watch more clown horror movies. I’ve seen Killer Klowns from Outer Space (a great sci-fi horror), Killjoy, IT (is he technically a clown?), and more. Someone recommended Terrifier to me, and I almost instantly regretted it.
This movie starts with gore, as a woman with a disfigured face kills the TV host who just interviewed her after hearing her talk about her appearance. Then we meet Art the Clown, who follows two women into a pizzeria and targets them once they leave.
What spooks me out: Art is creepy, not just in an “Ew, look away” way, but in a “lock the doors and go hide” way. His face is unpleasant, and the way he kills the pizzeria owner and an employee had me grabbing my quilt tight. I could not get past the apartment building basement scene.
Thanksgiving: Uh, the turkey scene
This was also recommended to me last year. I finished it, but it was a challenge.
Growing up, I remember Black Friday deals as some of the most “can’t miss” prices for Christmas gifts. I watched broadcast news a lot and saw people fighting over flat screens, blenders, games, you name it. Sometimes, people even got hurt.
So when Thanksgiving started on Black Friday, I just knew something was going to happen. The owner’s daughter lets her friends in early, which sets off the angry crowd already waiting to get in. This results in three people being killed, including the store manager’s wife. A year later, those who were involved in any way are targeted and taken out one by one.
What spooks me out: The film is very gory, but that dinner scene is especially disturbing and really made Thanksgiving go on the Do Not Watch Again list.
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