GUEST COLUMN: Scary Movies You Probably Haven't Seen Before

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Scary Movies You Probably Haven't Seen Before

by Lewis Robinson

Since the silent era, Hollywood has been producing horror films, and moviegoers love seeing pictures that make them jump out of their seats. Although early horror movies did not appeal to the general public as much as other genres, successful movies like Psycho convinced producers to focus more attention and resources on disturbing scripts once considered “pulp” stories. Soon, scary films became more lucrative and accessible to a growing audience. With dozens of horror films produced every year, it’s challenging to find the exceptional ones that are less well-known. Here is a list of horror movies you’ve never heard of.

Escape Room

The 2017 movie Escape Room was released when the popular puzzle game with the same name was growing in popularity worldwide. The film involves a group of friends who agree to participate in a new game to celebrate Tyler’s (Evan Williams) birthday, and the friends are informed they have one hour to solve puzzles in a locked room in order to escape. When the group is separated into separate rooms, they soon realize the game is more realistic and terrifying than they had imagined. As they solve more puzzles, the terror and difficulty of the game ramp up, and soon they’re fighting for lives to avoid a gruesome death. Although the film performed poorly at the box office, it inspired other directors to make their own escape room pictures. If you’re interested in experiencing a puzzle game with your friends or family, you can check out an escape room in Salt Lake City or other major cities that offer fun escape rooms. 

Suspiria 

Although the remake produced in 2018 has a few surprises, the original Suspiria, made in 1977, is one of the scariest films of all time. Dario Argento’s terrifying film was a hit in Italy, but it had a smaller impact in North America. The plot centers around a young ballet dancer (Jessica Harper) who enrolls in a suspicious dance school in Germany. With a pounding avant-garde soundtrack and vivid cinematography, Suspiria places the viewer in a living nightmare. An unknown killer begins murdering the dance students in increasingly graphic ways, and soon the protagonist realizes her school is run by a coven of powerful witches. The violence and jarring sound effects will make you cringe, but it’s hard to take your eyes off the supernatural masterpiece.

Audition

Audition caused quite a stir when it was released in Europe. The shocking tale caused some audience members to run for the exits before the conclusion, and one Swiss viewer had to be hospitalized after fainting in the theater. Shigeharu (Ryo Ishibashi) is a single father who finally decides to start dating after grieving the death of his wife. He and his film producer friend hold an audition to find an ideal match for the widower, and they meet the beautiful Asami (Eihi Shiina). Asami seems polite and friendly, but her darker side soon manifests and threatens to destroy Shigeharu and his son. Asami appears thin and delicate, but as a villain, she’s brutal and unforgiving. You may have to keep the lights on when you watch Audition.

Opera

Ten years after he made Suspiria, Dario Argento released Opera. Cristina Marsillach (Betty) plays a young opera singer who gets her chance to star in a big production when the opera’s lead singer dies in an accident. Betty enjoys her new success until a vicious killer forces her to watch him murder her colleagues by restraining her with rope and placing pieces of tape lined with needles under her eyelids. The murders are horrifying, but the shots of Betty’s eyes being pricked with needles are difficult to watch. Unlike other slasher films, Opera has an art film feel to it. The set designs are striking and gloomy, and the violent imagery can convince you to visit a therapist. However, if you dislike heavy metal music, Opera may disappoint you. The film has opera music, but it switches to death metal whenever the killer mutilates his victims.

The Main Takeaway 

When you can have trouble finding a well-made horror film to watch, try one of the previous suggestions. Prepare for a horror experience like no other.