There’s something undeniably charming about films that try to be “retro.” I’m not one to get all sappy over 90s cartoons like the rest of my generation, but even I am prone to the odd bout of nostalgia. More than just wistfully wishing that my glasses today were as rose colored as those of my childhood, there’s a legitimate style and craft in moulding something that feels authentically dated. In an industry dominated by imitations, re-releases, sequels, and shameless cash grabs, bucking the trend for the tastes of yesteryear is risky. If done right, it can be both an homage and triumph of its own.
Of all genre geeks, horror fans are chief among them for adoration of the past. Horror isn’t really a hobby, it’s an infection. At some point, horror happens to us, and we’re forever changed by it. It’s a voracious hunger for more, and an undying love for that first bite that transformed us into our ghoulish form. Seeing that love reflected on the screen by a filmmaker with the same eternal itch is a special kind of fix, a nod from the creator to the fans as much as the source material.
With Never Open the Door releasing on DVD, Blu-ray, and VOD on December 6th, now is the perfect time to remember some of the best recent flicks that make us remember some of the best not-so-recent flicks. Written and directed by Vito Trabucco (Bloody Bloody Bible Camp), Never Open the Door is an homage to classic series like “Twilight Zone” and “The Outer Limits.” Telling the tale of a group of friends enjoying Thanksgiving together, their holiday is soon interrupted by a mysterious knock at the door. Shot entirely in black and white with an original score, it feels very “60s” (but with cell phones). So without further ado, here’s my 13 Great Modern Retro Horror Flicks.
13) Turbo Kid (2015)
With the apocalypse soon at hand due to climate collapse/nuclear war/antibiotic resistant pandemic/sentient GMO crops, it’s good to be reminded that the wasteland can be fun sometimes. Set in the harrowing year of 1997, Turbo Kid’s alternate reality is equal parts quirky, cute, and bloody. It’s a movie you would say kids would love, if not for the head explosions and ripped off jaws. In a world without water, the little guy needs a hero. Known only as “The Kid,” this BMX riding comic book junk trader stumbles upon the body of the Turbo Rider. But being the hero we need isn’t just about having a power glove that shoots lasers. You have to learn to be brave, trust your friends, and melt faces. It sounds campy, and definitely is. But Turbo Kid is a film with a ton of heart. A fair amount of which is ripped out of chests and left in bloody piles on the dusty wasteland.
12) It Follows (2014)
You might think I’m cheating a bit with this one, since It Follows is technically a film “out of time.” Aside from the weird clamshell thing, there’s nothing to imply what actual era this film takes place in. With today’s hipster fashion, you can’t even really date the clothes. But the foreboding synth soundtrack and floral furniture patterns practically scream “80s.” This is one of those films that you have probably already seen and made an opinion on. It made a huge splash when it came out, but is still contentious among horror fans. Taking a spot on as many “best” lists as “most overrated” lists, it can be easy to try to make a bold claim on this film. Personally, I see the flaws, but you have to try really hard to call this film “bad.” It’s slick and unique, and the fact that everyone that sees it has a strong opinion on it speaks volumes to its effectiveness. If you’re the one person reading this that hasn’t seen it yet, do so now.
11) Paranormal Activity 3 (2011)
Another modern horror staple that is in equal measures loved and hated, the Paranormal Activity franchise has doubtlessly molded a generation of haunted house films. Yes I know, it wasn’t even close to being the first found footage movie, but it made more money than some countries and spawned countless imitations. I’m a fan of the series, and for me the films reached their peak with the third installment. You can accurately say that each Paranormal Activity film is defined by its camera gimmicks, ranging from single camera setup to “Kinect.” Paranormal Activity did things differently, going back in time instead to the days of bulky tape recording home cameras. It forces them to get creative with their shots, leading to the memorable “camera on a rotating fan” scene. Fan of the series or not, the mix of intense action and creative shot design set the third installment close to the top of the series.
10) The House of the Devil (2009)
When I first watched The House of the Devil a few years ago, I thought they had gotten the date on the description wrong. It’s not uncommon for films to be listed by their distribution date rather than their filming, so I just assumed the 2009 release date was when the DVDs went out. It genuinely feels like this film was made in the 80s. Unlike the previous two entries, this is one that is almost universally loved by horror fans. A stylish, slow burn film, its restraint builds to a genuinely explosive finale. It’s easy enough to find streaming, so do yourself a favor and check it out. Just don’t watch it drunk or distracted, this one demands your attention.
9) We Are Still Here (2015)
This is a great film to follow up The House of the Devil with. Cinematographically speaking, We Are Still Here is not as retro as The House of the Devil. In terms of design, atmosphere, dialogue, characters, and costuming, this could almost be considered a period piece. In tone, this film captures the “anything can happen” essence that made the 80s awesome. It makes sense in the end, but don’t expect to figure out where this movie is going. As a professional plot-sleuth, I was constantly drawn in by the unexpected twists and turns. Plus, there’s a good deal of gore.
8) Grindhouse (2007)
I don’t see how I could make this list and not have Grindhouse on it. It’s an anthology film made by rockstar directors dedicated to the oldschool double features of its namesake. Complete with cigarette burns, lost frames, and fake trailers, it’s like being in a theater in your living room. Of the five “fake” trailers between Planet Terror and Death Proof, both Machete and Hobo with a Shotgun have been made into feature films. The two feature films are as different as can be, but unified by a grainy, cheesey core that’s just dripping with sleaze. If Cannon films had 50 million dollar budgets, they would look exactly like Grindhouse
7) Berberian Sound Studio (2012)
I’m not even going to try to explain to you what Berberian Sound Studio is about. Set in a 1970s Italian horror film studio, stuff… happens. I know, not the most compelling description. Trust me, this film is worth watching. It’s not a perfect film. At the same time, it’s not one that can really be judged by a 1-5 scale. It’s a unique experience. Even if you hate it, you’ll take something away from it.
6) The Call of Cthulhu (2005)
If there were an olympics for “keeping true to the original,” The Call of Cthulhu would take home the gold. Filmed to look like it was recovered from a 1920s archive, the story stays true to the original save for a few alterations. At 47 minutes, it’s technically only a featurette. Still, it’s a fascinating watch. In those 47 minutes, I got more Lovecraftian goodness than in most two hour features. It’s a fascinating experiment that went right, and a testament to the fact that longer isn’t always better.
5) A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
Calling A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night a vampire film is a poor description. The urban decay, minimalistic dialogue, and stark visuals make it feel more like a western. Except Persian. And surrealist. And without any gunfights. And with a vampire. Okay, so I guess it more defies genre than anything. When I saw this in theaters, I really didn’t know what to expect. It’s a good way to go into this one. With a noir dramatic sense and a smattering of surreal imagery, the scenes are as gripping as they are open to interpretation. It’s not quite avant-garde, so don’t shy away because it’s too “artsy.” There’s some good blood and murder here.
4) Fear(s) of the Dark (2007)
As horror fans, it takes a lot to genuinely disturb us. Directors will always pile on more grotesque and shocking scenes to try to make us squirm. After the third impromptu amputation or forced C-section, it loses its weight. What really gets you is when you least expect it. When I first saw Fear(s) of the Dark in high school, I was not prepared. As a pretentious young lad, I frequently perused the foreign section of my local Blockbuster under the misguided assumption that things non-American were “better.” It’s a practice I have since abandoned, but it did a good job of expanding my purview. If anything, it introduced me to Fear(s) of the Dark. Directed by comic book creators and graphic designers, the film has a classic graphic novel feel. Entirely in black and white, the varied visuals all evoke an “on paper” aesthetic unique to the artists.
3) The Sleeper (2012)
I’ll let the words of Steve “Uncle Creepy” Barton speak for me here: “If I didn’t know that The Sleeper had come out recently, I would have assumed it was something I just missed.” From the filming to the filthy comedy, The Sleeper is a sorority massacre movie in the vein of Black Christmas. It’s a knock off for sure, and I struggle to call this film “great,” but it’s a guilty pleasure. Sometimes, you just need to watch some sorority sisters get their faces torn off with a hammer.
2) The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra (2001)
Everyone has their favorite “it’s so bad it’s good” movie. It’s become trendy to like bad things, as countless screenings of The Room or Trolls 2 can attest to. It’s the kind of ironic enjoyment that usually puts me off, but even I can’t deny the charm of Plan 9 from Outer Space. The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra is a film dedicated to this lost era of truly ridiculous filmmaking. Usually when a film tries to be stupid, it falls flat, but this is the exception that proves the rule. Riding the perfect line between reverent and sarcastic, it’s a movie made by fans for fans. If you like to get together with your buddies to watch Manos: The Hands of Fate, The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra should be next on your list.
1) WNUF Halloween Special (2013)
When you start WNUF Halloween Special, don’t be surprised if you think you accidentally dusted off your VHS player and popped in a bootleg recording of your local news broadcast. This is a film so authentic, they actually marketed it by leaving bootleg copies on random tables at conventions. Complete with commercials, static, and fast forwards, this is how I would watch Halloween before my parents let me watch “grown-up movies.” It’s so realistic, it’s actually distracting. It’s something that would normally bother me, but it all adds to the fun. What’s more, it actually delivers an interesting story, with some decent twists and scares to boot. Of all the films on this list, this is the one I’d say is impossible to watch without a smile on your face.
Never Open the Door (2014):
With a retro feel and a score reminiscent of “The Twilight Zone,” The Other Side of the Door drops this Tuesday on VOD, DVD, and Blu-ray. Check out the trailer, and see if this one tickles your fancy. If it does, you can get it online on Amazon Instant Video and Google Play. Check back soon for my full Blu-ray review, and let me know what you think of this list below!