The Exorcist pt.3

Dir. William Peter Blatty

1990

Yes, yes, it’s a sequel. A second sequel, in fact. So sure, The Exorcist pt.3 has every reason to be cheesy and even downright awful. What’s funny is, it took me all these years to figure out: that’s just what it wants you to think.

The movie has a solid pedigree; both writing and directing come from the original Exorcist’s creator, William Peter Blatty. The story goes, poor Blatty watched the abortion that was Exorcist 2 and subsequently pledged to save his film’s good name. Some of that hatred must’ve seeped into his process, ’cause what he made is easily the most mentally scarring movie I’ve ever seen. I’m hesitant to reveal too much, since half the terror comes from its slow and suspenseful reveals, but if you’ve ever found old people creepy, this’ll put you into therapy.

Most horrifying of all? Jeffrey Dahmer watched it to get pumped up. Seriously.

Ginger Snaps

Dir. John Fawcett

2000

Not so much scary as just downright awesome, Ginger Snaps is the smartest werewolf movie since An American Werewolf in London (which is mandatory viewing. If you haven’t seen it yet, go watch it now. For real. We’ll wait.) Its genius is in drawing the parallel between werewolf mythology and a girl’s puberty: It strikes with every full moon, there’s lots of blood, and in some cases, you turn into a big, scary hell monster.

Ginger Snaps doesn’t play for the easy laughs, instead going for actual insights in the teenage girl experience. Its two main characters, sisters Ginger and Brigitte, are as nuanced and real as any big Hollywood drama could offer, which is shockingly rare for a monster flick.

And hey, it’s Canadian. Watching it is practically your patriotic duty.

Dead Snow

Dir. Tommy Wirkola

2009

Nazi zombies vs chainsaws. What more could you ask for?

Donal O’Connor and Nimy Leshinski