IT’S NO AXE-IDENT
Nicholson’s ‘Shining’ moment among fans’ fright faves
On Halloween, you don’t need to go outside to get seriously spooked.
There’s no shortage of soul-shaking horror movies to terrorize your dreams in a year when people are skipping parties, haunted houses and trick-or-treating due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Here are the Daily News’ choices for the scariest movies to watch.
“THE SHINING” (1980)
Has there ever been a more perfect year to watch a movie about a man losing his mind after spending so much time isolated indoors?
Yes, “The Shining” features its fair share of jump scares, but what makes this movie truly freaky is Jack Nicholson’s performance of a stress-riddled writer descending into madness.
Don’t overlook the horror that occurs at the Overlook Hotel this Halloween.
“THE CONJURING” (2013)
James Wan’s first movie in “The Conjuring” franchise combines the tried-and-true genre of demon movies with modern technology that’s so realistic you’ll want to throw away every doll inside your house.
The end is particularly disturbing — if you can make it that far.
“THE EXORCIST” (1973)
Perhaps no scary movie has had a greater impact than “The Exorcist,” and for good reason.
The fanfare around this horror masterpiece about a young girl possessed by the devil is second to none, with stories about people fainting or throwing up at movie theaters becoming commonplace following the film’s release.
At least you’ll be in the comfort of your own home if you pass out.
“A QUIET PLACE” (2018)
The premise of blind monsters that hunt with their acute sense of hearing is intriguing.
The performances by Emily Blunt, John Krasinski and the rest of the cast are captivating.
But what separates “A Quiet Place” from other horror movies is that viewers never get the chance to relax as the suspense continues to build throughout this freaky thriller.
And with a sequel coming out next April, now is the perfect time to give it a re-watch.
“HEREDITARY” (2018)
You can make the case that the newest movie on this list is the scariest.
Released a couple months after “A Quiet Place,” the horrifying “Hereditary” doesn’t hold back with its disturbing visuals or spine-chilling plot about a tormented family.
There’s a reason the movie, which stars the always-excellent Toni Collette, boasts a 89% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
“THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE” (1974)
Maybe it’s the disturbing subject matter. Maybe it’s the fact that it’s loosely based on a true story. But this downright disconcerting story of a cannibalistic, chainsaw-wielding murderer has always felt particularly unsettling.
“THE RING” (2002)
A still image of that demented little girl in “The Ring” is creepy enough to keep you up at night.
The overall eerie vibes featured throughout this classic about a cursed videotape that prompts the deaths of its viewers is haunting enough to make you never want to sleep again.
“THE WITCH” (2016)
It’s the movie that introduced us to modern-day scream queen Anya Taylor-Joy, but there’s nothing modern about the secluded farm setting in this Puritan-era nightmare.
The bloodcurdling goat at the center of “The Witch” will leave you in a baaaa-d state of mind.