Halloween is the time of year that horror fans stick on the scariest of films and watch them, in part, through their fingers. However, for those who hate horror films, October is a pretty difficult time of year to find something scary to watch that won't produce nightmares.
While there's a great number of Halloween films that are family friendly and play on the traditions of the holiday, there are also more adult films that will at least give viewers a bit of a creepy feeling. These psychological thrillers are perfect to enjoy instead of a slasher or a terrifying, jump-scare filled film.
Seven
Seven may just be one of the most iconic films of the genre. With a truly outstanding cast and an ending that will live in infamy as one of the most grotesque of all time, there's a lot to unpack about this film that really will affect the mind.
With the police investigating a number of grizzly murders, all signs eventually point to one man. However, the path to conviction is certainly not an easy one. This film is intense in every way and may just lead to viewers putting an extra lock on their door.
Zodiac
The Zodiac Killer is one of the most infamous murderers in American history. However, the especially creepy thing about this psychopath is that they were never caught. Zodiac takes a look at the investigation into the killer and the number of sinister crimes they committed.
With another packed cast, this is perhaps some of Jake Gyllenhaal's best work. There's a number of particularly tense scenes, but one to look out for is when Gyllenhaal's Robert Graysmith is seemingly trapped in the house of the potential killer. It's certainly a nail-biting sequence and perfect for All Hallows' Eve.
The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight is so much more than just a superhero action flick. Aside from the fact that Batman is a popular Halloween costume and The Joker is a great villain for the season, this is a perfect October thriller to enjoy.
While it's dark and gritty, the most memorable sequences are those where the Joker has set up the protagonist in a situation that requires an impossible choice. The ferry scene for instance, where a tourist or prison ship may blow up at any point, is a moment of particular tension.
Ex Machina
As the Halloween genre itself continues to evolve over time, there will likely be more technological or sci-fi themes, whether it's digital horror pictures or mechanical thrillers.
the kind of science fiction film already on that path. There's always a natural tension surrounding artificial intelligence, but this film manages to explore it in a way that has audiences fearing for the lives of the protagonists, at all times.
Split
M. Night Shyamalan Split to suddenly crossover into an expanded superhero universe. Heroes and villains like these are always perfect for the costumed Halloween season.
And there's something deeply disturbing about the character at the heart of Split. With a constantly changing personality, this man could become a complete monster at any time, making his each and every scene linger with possible danger.
Gone Girl
Gone Girl is an incredibly disturbing film, littered with moments of sheer psychological terror. When the wife of a man having an affair goes missing, fingers start to point the blame at him. However, the truth behind her disappearance is far darker.
With shocking murders and a sequence of events that could really happen, something about this thriller is even more intense because of the realness of the situation. While not exactly a Halloween film, it may provide some of the same anxiety as a horror film.
Memento
Memento is certainly tense because of its plot, but the genius behind this movie is the way it is structured. With some scenes moving forward in the timeline and some back, each detail is earned by the audience.
With the narrative unfolding in such an unexpected way and the loss of memory resulting in moments of paranoia, there's something very intense about watching this protagonist struggle through such an emotionally stretching series of events.
Silence Of The Lambs
The most famous serial killer of all time is Hannibal Lecter. From the amazing dialogue to the fantastic performance of Anthony Hopkins, there's something mesmerizing about this incredibly intelligent psychopath.
There's no secret to the fact that there's madness behind the eyes, but the way he so eloquently communicates with those around him is what makes his character truly chilling. It's a classic that should be enjoyed at the time of year when plenty of Hannibal masks are likely worn in the streets.
10 Cloverfield Lane
While the threat of an alien invasion may be a terrifying one, the danger of living in a house with a lunatic might be even more disturbing. 10 the concept of the Cloverfield monster to another level.
While there may or may not be some kind of horrifying alien creatures outside, the real monster is very much the man that has supposedly taken this injured woman in. Can she escape or will she be a victim to this insane madness?
The Lighthouse
The fantastic performances alone are enough to make this film feel incredibly real. Perhaps enough isolation can make any man turn to madness.
As the claustrophobia and paranoia start to affect the mental state of both characters, the tension beneath the surface becomes violent. It's a bleak and dark film that may be the perfect replacement for an all-out horror movie.
