Halloween is just around the corner and while this year may not come with the usual trick-or-treating and costume parties, there are still many ways to celebrate. One of our favourites includes a scary movie marathon. 

To give you some inspiration for a spooky night-in, we asked a few of our favourite up-and-coming artists about their go-to scary movies. TiKA, who just released her new single “Sideways” from her upcoming debut album, leads the charge with cult-classic The People Under The Stairs. Taking mask season to new heights, Victor Internet serves up a nostalgic pick with the 1978 original, Halloween. Below you will find a mix of old and new picks to keep your skin crawling during this ghoulish time of year. 

TiKA – The People Under The Stairs (1991)
This cult classic features the incredible Ving Rhames and the storytelling is ahead of its time, capturing the insidiousness of gentrification, classism, and white supremacy byway of a vicious and despicable brother/sister duo who steal from Black folks in the hood. The movie is horrifying and gruesome, but I love the realness of it. 

Boy Willows – Hereditary (2018)
I gotta say the movie that rattled me the most was Hereditary. I don’t think there was a single jump-scare in that whole movie, which I really respect. My favourite scene is a shot of the son’s room at night where it’s so dark that your eyes have to adjust to see what’s lurking in the background. That fucked me up in the best way. Brava.

Victor Internet – Halloween (1978) 
I love the classic Halloween slasher film by John Carpenter. It was a pioneer in the slasher genre and the soundtrack was created within two weeks. I could listen to the synth work in the score forever; it scares me and tickles my ears at the same time.

Scott Helman – Midsommar (2019)
My favourite scary movie. Incredible direction, cinematography and casting. Such a creative and beautiful film.

CARYS – Random Acts of Violence (2019)
My favourite scary movie is Random Acts of Violence, but it’s also the only one I’ve seen in the last 10 years. I’m a bit biased because I’m in it, but it is phenomenal. It doesn’t glamorize the violence at all and to me that’s why it works so well. It’s real-life scary.

Myles Castello – The Shining (1980)
The Shining is probably my favourite scary movie of all time, since I’m usually too scared to watch a “real horror movie.” It leans more on the psychological/thriller side, but the pace, story, and way it was shot is what makes it stand out to me. Just enough character development, spook, and gore to keep me interested. Endings where the viewer is left questioning what’s real and what isn’t is always something I love in a movie.

Ruby Waters – Beetlejuice (1988) 
Beetlejuice is one of my favourite movies of all time. Not too scary but hilariously brilliant. I love the concept and the characters. A great movie to watch this time of year.