Fall is my favorite time of year. The leaves are turning, there is a nice crispness in the air, and the mood is just right for a good scare. As a horror fan, I’ve already been deep into the well of titles Netflix has to offer since August. It’s easy to binge through so many shows you lose count, but a few have been memorable enough to stay with me and not get lost in the spooky sea. Here are my ten recommendations for your viewing pleasure this scary season.

Ghoul (Series)

“Ghoul is a chilling series about a prisoner who arrives at a remote military interrogation center and turns the tables on his interrogators, exposing their most shameful secrets.” -Netflix summation

Normally I don’t rate movies with “religious” or “military” undertones very highly because they can become preachy and heavy-handed. When done well, it adds a depth to the terror the protagonists are dealing with.

This story is filled with personal conflict and staggering tests of loyalty, as characters have to chose between patriotism and family. The effects are well done, and the acting is superb. I watched it in the original language, as I’m not a big fan of live action dubbing. However, even reading the subtitles was not enough to distract me from the ghoul, and macabre setting.

The Haunting of Hill House (Series)

I would be remiss in not including this year’s horror darling, The Haunting of Hill House. This series is amazing. The ambiance, lore, characters, scares, acting, and development are all so well done it’s hard to find something I don’t like. Subtlety is used to build suspense and lead to unexpected twists and turns in a creative way that was incredibly engaging. It’s easy to really feel for these characters and the challenges they faced.

On the surface, this show is a well-made story of a family terrorized by the spirits of a massive, beautiful home, and how its influence never leaves them. The truth of the series is even deeper. It is an amazing exploration of death, the stages of grief, and how trauma can stay with a family.

The Ritual (Movie)

This film follows a group of friends on a challenging outdoor excursion in memory of a comrade. A simple, and often done concept for a horror film, The Ritual was quite enjoyable. It does rely heavily on the mystique of what secrets are hidden in the wild, but still manages to keep viewers invested. The gore and special effects aren’t too over the top and don’t take you out of the experience. You might be reluctant to go on a hike after watching this film.

Clinical (Movie)

“A psychologist’s horrifying encounter with a disturbed young patient continues to haunt her — causing her to question her own sanity as her visions of the past become increasingly more visceral.” – Netflix summation

It’s hard not to find yourself engrossed in this film’s protagonist. She is trying her best to recover from a traumatic experience she suffered as a result of her profession, yet she still tries her best to move on and keep helping others. Things seem to be going well, until she takes on a new patient who causes her to face her trauma head on. Can she really help him, or will it finally be too much?

Chernobyl Diaries (Movie)

A modern classic in the “dark tourism” sub-genre of horror, this film follows a group of young adults looking for the thrill of a lifetime. This film was recommended to me by fellow horror fans, and it was well-worth the watch.

While there are missed opportunities, and inaccuracies relating to the real Chernobyl nuclear meltdown site, the suspense and pacing help create a story that keeps interest the whole way through.

Malevolent (Movie)

“Brother and sister team Angela (Florence Pugh) and Jackson (Ben Lloyd-Hughes) are nothing more than scam artists. Preying on the grief-stricken and the vulnerable, they convince the bereaved that Angela has the ability to contact the dead. It’s a simple con, until Mrs. Green (Celia Imrie) summons the pair to her home — the orphanage that was once stage to a string of murders of young girls — and Angela grows less and less certain of what’s actually real. The fake paranormal investigators suffer the ultimate reality check when they are confronted by the true horrors and terrifying past that lie hidden within the haunted orphanage. ” -Netflix summary

It was interesting and fun watching the con artists deal with actual paranormal events after faking them for so long. The only real negative I found was the big twist seemed to have no actual point. The rest of the film handles the building of suspense and use of paranormal events rather well though.

Before I Wake (Movie)

“Still mourning the death of their son, Mark and Jessie welcome foster child Cody into their lives. Soon they discover he has a strange ability.” – Netflix summary

This sad and beautiful movie was much more enjoyable than I thought it would be. The Canker Man, the main antagonist, is haunting, and the truth of the creature is incredibly heartbreaking.

As Above, So Below (Movie)

A young archaeologist seeks to continue her father’s work in discovering the mysteries of an ancient tomb. As stated earlier, I don’t tend to enjoy movies with “religious” undertones, but this one uses the theme to explore the characters’ “sins” in a creepy, and memorable way. The setting, acting, and build up are handled well. The terrorizing flashbacks are used to fill out the story without going overboard.

Here Alone (Movie)

This is not your typical zombie film. Here Alone uses the walking dead as background tension rather than the main focus. Instead we are treated to a film about a woman who has lost everything she loves. She has been surviving alone for so long it’s difficult for her to interact with the two non-infected people she meets.

We are treated to a calmer story, but it is no less terrifying when you take into account what our protagonist has had to go through.

Dark Tourist (Series)

The last selection on our list is something very different. New Zealand filmmaker David Farrier travels around the world seeking out the places that celebrate and embrace one’s morbid curiosity.

We watch as he visits villages with mummified family members, former drug cartel assassins, and more. There are times when you can’t help but feel scared for him. His life genuinely feels like it’s in danger on several occasions. The rich history he uncovers and showcases each episode makes this show something I would recommend for any dark history enthusiast.

Have any recommendations for me? I’d love to hear them!

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