June was a month of stone-cold killers and killer horror films, ranging from sophisticated supernatural terrors to nail-biting thrillers.
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At AlethalWeaponArt, movies (particularly horror) are a huge part of our life — and our business — so we take time to celebrate the art of film every day. Each month, we’ll share six of our favorite watches, new and old, from the month so you can hopefully discover (or rediscover) some great horror films to help you escape the nightmarish real world for a bit.
Editor’s Note:
For horror enthusiasts seeking a thrilling cinematic experience, this month’s Six Flix recap delves into a selection of diverse and captivating films, each offering a unique take on the genre.
From fast-paced thrillers to supernatural horrors and clever horror comedies, these movies promise to keep you on the edge of your seat. Want to see everyone’s favorite Doctor, David Tennant, play a wealthy psychopath who turns the tables on a petty thief? We got that. Craving an early 2000s horror slasher that has become a cult favorite? Or, maybe you’d like a tense, critically acclaimed horror thriller/home invasion film with a claustrophobic atmosphere and unexpected twists? Perhaps a thoughtful supernatural film from a modern horror master is more your style. If not, we’ve also got a serial killer mystery drama lauded for its slow-burn tension and strong performances and a clever horror comedy with great representation.
These films offer a range of experiences for horror fans, from psychological thrillers to supernatural scares and darkly comedic tales. Whether you enjoy the adrenaline rush of a high-stakes chase or the eerie atmosphere of a haunted mirror, there’s something here to satisfy your horror cravings.
1. BAD SAMARITAN (2018)
Bad Samaritan is a fast-paced cat-and-mouse horror thriller that is most definitely worth watching.
It is very well acted with David Tennant as Cale Erendreich, a rich playboy with a sick secret and some bad habits. We love Tennant. He is incredibly talented and gives a fantastic villain performance here (as he usually does). He captures an evil essence and brings more depth to the character and the movie.
Our hero is a young thief just trying to do the right thing, played by Robert Sheehan, who also gives a commendable performance. The characters seem well-developed and realistic.
There are some really creepy scenes, a horrific premise overall, and a great build-up of tension. We also love the ending.
Bad Samaritan has an anxious crime thriller vibe throughout and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
2. WRONG TURN (2003)
Wrong Turn is super nostalgic for us because we used to watch this one repeatedly. It follows a group of very attractive young people (Jeremy Sisto, Eliza Dushku, Emmanuelle Chriqui, and Desmond Harrington) being tracked down and chased through the woods by a hillbilly cannibal family.
This one is so much fun and has that classic early 2000s horror vibe that we love. The tension is excellent, and we like how gross and creepy the attackers are.
Wrong Turn is a must-see for horror lovers!
3. DON’T BREATHE (2016)
Don’t Breathe is fantastic! It is one of the best home invasion films out there.
Directed by Fede Álvarez, this fast-paced and unique thriller tells the story of three teenagers who rob houses for extra cash when they choose the wrong house. Jane Levy stars as Rocky, a young girl who lives in an abusive home, looking for enough money to escape to California with her little sister. Dylan Minnette plays her friend Alex, and Daniel Zovatto plays her boyfriend Money. They decide to break into the house of a blind army vet (Stephen Lang), and they find themselves in a sticky situation.
It is shot exceptionally well and keeps you on edge the whole time. The inclusion of the blind character was unique and added significant anxious vibes.
This one is best watched blind. If you haven’t seen it, don’t watch the trailer!
Don’t Breathe is perfect if you’re in the mood for something dark and violent.
4. OCULUS (2013)
Oculus is one of our all-time favorite movies! We adore Mike Flanagan, and this film is fantastic in so many ways.
The score of the film is incredible, fits each scene perfectly, and really makes the movie flow. The idea of a beautiful, horrific, and haunted mirror is intriguing. The writing is super solid, and it weaves seamlessly between the past and present to tell the story of a brother and a sister who encounter the mirror as children, survive, and vow to return to kill it”. There are a lot of really cool shots (in true Flanagan fashion), and overall, the vibe of the movie stays creepy and unsettling throughout.
Rory Cochrane does a great job playing the father, gradually changing his behavior while being seduced by the mirror, and Katee Sackhoff is also stellar. All the acting from the main cast feels very genuine, and the casting for the younger versions is nearly perfect.
The end gets pretty supernatural, to say the least, but if you’re into that, give it a watch!
5. THE CLOVEHITCH KILLER (2018)
The Clovehitch Killer is more of a horror drama than a thriller. It’s not your typical serial killer whodunnit. Instead, it is a very thoughtful and well-written film with a lot of tension and great acting.
Our main stars are Dylan McDermott and Charlie Plummer, who play father and son (Don & Tyler), and Madisen Beaty, who plays the friend. (Kassi) They do an incredible job with their roles and feel realistic and relatable. The movie gets going pretty quickly, and we love that fast-paced start. Overall, however, it is a slower burn that is well worth it.
There are some pretty graphic images shown throughout, and it is just the right level of disturbing. We love the way the tone shifts about halfway through the movie, and that is when it really picks up and feels more like an intense look into the mind of a serial killer. It is a decently long movie (110 minutes), but it never feels slow or boring.
We didn’t love the ending, but we didn’t hate it either; it does wrap the film up neatly.
The Clovehitch Killer is a great watch if you want something thought-provoking and graphic but not too overwhelmingly violent.
6. BAD HAIR (2020)
We watched Bad Hair on Juneteenth, feeling that it was fitting. It shows a really interesting perspective that you don’t see very often. It was cool to see more representation and a relatable character, especially in horror. Aletha has a very sensitive head (like the main character) and struggled with her hair before she grew out her dreads, so this one held our attention.
The main character, Anna (Elle Lorraine), tries to keep her job at a hip MTV-like channel in Los Angeles when her boss is replaced. She is told she needs to look the part to fit into the new brand if she wants to move up and is pushed into getting a weave. When she gets the hair sewed in, it is so cringy and hard to watch that it makes us queasy; it’s one of the creepiest parts of the film.
She soon realizes the hair has a mind of its own, and terror ensues.
It is more of a black comedy/horror and is pretty clever throughout. We also get fun appearances from Usher, Vanessa Williams, and Laverne Cox.
Bad Hair is an eclectic mix of body horror and supernatural set in 1989 with a cool vibe throughout, and it really sticks its landing.
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