This was my first year with the Gruesome Magazine podcast! Horror has always been my favorite genre, but being a part of the podcast has given me so many new movies to watch and love. I’m so thrilled to be involved with such amazingly intelligent horror lovers with different perspectives and preferences. If this is any indication of where horror is going in the next year, I’m sure it’ll be thrilling.
My top ten consists mainly of movies we’ve reviewed throughout my time with the podcast, but there are a few outsiders. There were tons of horror movies released at the theatre this year and admittedly I haven’t seen a few of the larger theatrical releases, like Joker, Child’s Play and Us.
The Head Hunter
Anyone who’s listened to the podcast or follows me on social media knows that I love this movie. The Head Hunter follows a father (Christopher Rygh) as a monster hunter bent on revenge for the death of his daughter. This movie is simply a stunning display of show, don’t tell.
The Nightshifter
This Brazilian movie was an unexpected crazy ride for me. A morgue technician (Daniel de Oliveira) can speak to the dead and when he decides to use some private information in a negative way, things get crazy. The story is simple but effective and the creative way the dead speak is actually a little disturbing and definitely freaky.
The Perfection
After her mother’s passing, Charlotte (Allison Williams) a cellist from a prestigious music school revisits her mentor. This movie has incredible scenery, vengeance, lesbians, and a cleaver. The Perfection is amazing.
Incident in a Ghostland (Incident)
A movie with a non-chronological timeline and a central premise of what makes reality seems wild, but comes together to make sense. Intruders attack a mother and her two daughters the first night they move into an inherited home. Incident in a Ghostland has inspirational elements of other horror movies but feels original in its storytelling and design.
Velocipastor
Hands down one of the best campy horror films I’ve seen in ages! Everything is ridiculous and absolutely wonderful. A priest inherits the ability to transform into a dinosaur and a hooker convinces him to use his abilities to fight bad guys. So… good.
Ready or Not
Ready for fun? A bride (Samara Weaving) is forced to play the most dangerous game after she marries into a family that made its mega-wealth from games. It’s not scary, but lively and feels super quick.
Midsommar
A solid and beautifully shot film that’s thankfully not nearly as slow as Hereditary. A group travels to Sweden during a midsummer festival and becomes part of the rituals. Midsommar has all the amazing visuals you expect from Aster but lacks the big payoff.
I See You
Multiple stories are weaved together in a movie that is half one thing and half another. A detective investigates the disappearance of a missing child that resembles his case of solved kidnappings years before. There is a lot of story here and a ton of twists.
Stay out, Stay alive
A cautionary tale with well-developed characters. After an earthquake, hikers discover a cursed gold mine and descend into greed and chaos. A satisfying movie with beautiful cinematography and effects.
Haunt
On Halloween, a group of friends enter an extreme haunted house to discover that they are the main attraction. This movie doesn’t break ground with its tale but offers some nice visuals and spooky villains.
She began modeling at the age of 4, walking the runway for JCPenney and Sears. Was published in multiple magazines as an adult, and served as inspiration for two comic-based publications. With a theatre background in productions of Les Miserables, Into the Woods, and The Bad Seed she lived throughout Texas and California. During this time, she anchored a local news-based program and worked on several local commercials.
Now living in Charlotte, NC, she is making a heavier transition into Movie/TV-based productions. Recently being cast in a horror-based series out soon.
