Zeit-bites: Netflix and chills

During this creeptastic time of year, when you can watch as many thoroughly revolting horror films as you like without anyone worrying you’re about to go full-Ed Gein on them, Netflix is your pal.

Its ‘‘Netflix and chills’’ selection has enough goresoaked titles to satisfy even the most bloodythirsty fright-fans.

First, for monster lovers, Ritual is the one for you. Featuring one of the most grotesque and original creatures in recent horror, Ritual also has a lot to say about masculinity, friendship and what it’s like to be chased through the Swedish wilderness by the demented followers of a horrific Norse god.

If you’re looking for more than just jump scares and splatter, modern classic It Follows brings the age-old tension between sex and death screaming into the 21st century. The Neon Demon explores the many ways we’re starving in an unsatisfying world, and Green Room makes mincemeat out of class, violence and Nazi Punks.

Box set-bingers have the pick of the pumpkinshaped candy dish with Kiwi-made Ash vs The Evil Dead, cult-tastic drama Superstition, Brit-thriller Requiem and funny-bone muncher Santa Clarita Diet.

And junior chill-seekers aren’t forgotten with Series of Unfortunate Events, stop-motion masterpiece Coraline, animation joy Monster House, and 1980s classic Gremlins also on offer.

If you’re in the mood for audio rather than visual chills, try Thom Yorke’s soundtrack to the forthcoming witchy remake Suspiria, which will be released on Friday. The 25 songs are pared back, atmospheric and delightfully creepy mood setters. If you’re not too scared to leave the house after that, Nicholas Cage-starring, 80s splatter-gore homage Mandy hits Kiwi cinemas on Thursday, while the sequel to 1978 classic Halloween (also called Halloween) is in cinemas now.

Kylie Klein Nixon