The After Darkish Horrorfest was a game-changer again when it premiered in 2006. Not solely was this movie pageant dedicated to the horror style, it was accessible. Founder Courtney Solomon (An American Haunting) selected the very best venue for this “final celebration of horror”: the massive display. So from November 17 to 21, these hand-picked titles had been proven at choose theaters throughout the U.S.
There have been 4 “sequels” to the After Darkish Horrorfest since then, however for a lot of horror hounds like myself, the unique one is a little more significant. It was an thrilling time for discovery, creating one’s personal style, and for studying what the style needed to provide within the non-mainstream sector.
So in honor of this momentous movie fest, we glance again on the first “8 Movies to Die For”.
The Deserted (Nacho Cerdà)
Pictured: Anastasia Hille in The Deserted.
That February following the primary After Darkish Horrorfest, Nacho Cerdà‘s The Deserted was re-released in theaters for a wider rollout. This Spanish-U.Okay.-Bulgarian co-production was the one film from the 2006 assortment to obtain such an honor. And after watching this spectral, time-based story, it’s simple to see why The Deserted was singled out. Anastasia Hille (The Gap) performs Marie, a lady visiting some inherited property in Russia. That’s when she, together with a long-lost brother named Nicolai (Karel Roden, Hellboy), discovers her darkish and forgotten origins.
Digging up the previous is a continuously, to not point out ill-advised exercise in horror. The Deserted demonstrates that opinion with each pressure and magnificence. It’s the type of film the place the viewer is simply as clueless because the characters, who’re fairly actually being haunted by themselves, but the dearth of explanations solely makes their supernatural ordeal extra intriguing. And if there’s something about The Deserted that’s correctly disappointing, it’s Cerdà not occurring to direct extra horror films.
Darkish Journey (Craig Singer)
Pictured: The killer offers somebody a splitting headache in Darkish Journey.
The one bona fide slasher within the combine is Craig Singer‘s bloody ode to old-school body-count films. Darkish Journey is by the numbers in most regards, however that’s additionally a part of its attraction. It does nothing however get again to fundamentals. And whereas the traditional, no-frills slasher was struggling to remain afloat within the mainstream, indie choices resembling this saved the subgenre alive till the following main resurgence.
Darkish Journey operates on the identical premise as Tobe Hooper’s The Funhouse; each films have younger individuals crashing in a single day at a closed horror attraction, solely to then be picked off by a crazed killer. Not like Hooper’s underrated slasher although, this one performs extra with its atmosphere. That’s primarily as a result of Darkish Journey‘s manufacturing values and set design are what make it pop. In any case, this film’s solid of potential victims isn’t designed to be likable; Jamie Lynn-Sigler‘s character and the opposite fodder are deliberately irritating in order that their over-the-top deaths are extra satisfying for audiences.
The Gravedancers (Mike Mendez)
Pictured: Josie Maran is visited by her character’s supernatural tormentor in The Gravedancers.
Mix elements of The Evil Lifeless with The Frighteners and Poltergeist, and you’ve got a good suggestion of what the The Gravedancers is all about. After displaying his comedic chops in The Convent, Mike Mendez adopted with this semi-serious ghost story. There’s nonetheless a humorous bone jutting out right here, nonetheless, the film is finally extra easy than foolish. Mendez directs with a lot vitality that this film’s wilder results and moments are exhilarating versus ridiculous.
Estranged associates (Dominic Purcell, Josie Maran, Marcus Thomas) come collectively to mourn a shared loss, however after dancing on graves as a part of their grieving course of, they by accident summon three spirits. And never simply any spirits both; the trio is now haunted by an axe assassin, a firebug, and a rapist. The principle characters’ solely hope, after all, is a pair of paranormal consultants (Tchéky Karyo, Megahn Perry).
The Hamiltons (The Butcher Brothers)
Pictured Joseph McKelheer and Mackenzie Firgens, as Wendell and Darlene, get cozy in The Hamiltons.
This offbeat vampire story could possibly be labeled as “mumblegore,” what with the characters speaking greater than feeding and killing. That’s to not say the titular household doesn’t prey; they don’t spare any drop of blood coming their manner. It’s simply that their looking habits appear extra suited to a Jack Ketchum novel. The characters’ sense of brutality goes undetected by society, for essentially the most half.
Whereas The Butcher Brothers‘ The Hamiltons could look and appear amateurish, no less than when in comparison with its friends, it’s actually essentially the most unconventional and envelope-pushing film from the primary After Darkish Horrorfest. It’ll catch viewers off guard no less than as soon as. For extra from this fang household, take a look at the sequel, The Thompsons.
Penny Dreadful (Richard Brandes)
Pictured: Rachel Miner in Penny Dreadful.
Richard Brandes‘ Penny Dreadful is a routinely missed instance of films which have each a excessive idea and a restricted setting. Rachel Miner (In Their Pores and skin) is the eponymous Penny whose excessive aversion to automobiles, in response to trauma, is ruining her life. And when a therapist (Mimi Rogers, Ginger Snaps) forces Penny on a highway journey to confront that drawback head on, they cross paths with a harmful hitchhiker.
For a film that takes place largely inside a automobile, Penny Dreadful manages to maintain your consideration and excite. Miner’s efficiency as a distraught and simply rattled amaxophobe is convincing. It’s a bit too handy how the story managed to weaponize the primary character’s worry — the factor Penny feared essentially the most is now her solely technique of security — nonetheless, the execution is strong.
Reincarnation (Takashi Shimizu)
Pictured: A creepy doll from Reincarnation.
The opposite film right here to obtain a separate displaying on the massive display was this forgotten piece of “J-Horror” from The Grudge director Takashi Shimizu. That’s solely as a result of Reincarnation (initially Rinne) was launched in its dwelling nation of Japan months earlier than the primary After Darkish Horrorfest. When it got here time to observe this story of a haunted resort with the opposite Horrorfest entries although, many viewers didn’t give the film a good probability. In actual fact, it’s mentioned that some viewers members left their screening, on account of the subtitles.
For many who did keep the entire time or sought out Reincarnation on their very own, they had been in for a deal with. Admittedly extra sluggish burning than thrilling, Shimizu’s uncared for film is an exemplar of up to date psychological horror, Japanese or in any other case.
Unrest (Jason Todd Ipson)
Pictured: Corri English’s character, a med scholar, will get to know her cadaver in Unrest.
Somewhat than delving into the potential, reality-based horrors of med college, Jason Todd Ipson‘s Unrest depicts a extra typical risk. Right here a first-year pathology scholar (Corri English) and her lab companions come to search out that their medical cadaver is cursed, and anybody who is available in contact with the physique is doomed to die.
Whereas Unrest approaches generic territory, its conventionality doesn’t make it unwatchable. There’s sufficient right here to maintain your curiosity, together with an enthralling lead, the startling use of precise cadavers — not for the primary one, thoughts you — and a dread-inducing soundtrack made extra distinct by its use of a recurring “tribal” beat.
Depraved Little Issues (J. S. Cardone)
Pictured: Lori Heuring, Scout Taylor-Compton and Chloë Grace Moretz in Depraved Little Issues.
The ultimate entry right here is, like Unrest, a bit common. Nevertheless, many would agree that “undead miner children attacking people up within the mountains” is an irresistible elevator pitch. The follow-through is typically patchy, however oh does J. S. Cardone (The Slayer) ship the products in the case of creepy zombie kids taking their revenge.
Depraved Little Issues (also referred to as Zombies in different areas) doesn’t come up typically, if in any respect, in conversations about killer child horror. Possibly that ought to change as a result of this film is nicely shot and surprisingly atmospheric.
So, of those 8 Movies to Die For, which one is your favourite?
