13 Great '80s Movies Guaranteed to Creep You the Eff Out
13 '80s Movies Guaranteed to Creep You the Eff Out
David Cronenberg movies are famous/infamous for provoking audiences with some truly disturbing/violent images, to the point where the guy basically pioneered the body horror genre. In honor of his classic "Dead Ringers" turning 35 this year, here are a few more '80s films that will mess you up for life.
'The Fog' (1980)
Fog is an inherently creepy thing, as there's nothing more terrifying than the threat you can't see. That's the appeal of this early gem from horror master John Carpenter. It helps that the ever-present fog in this movie helped disguise the low-budget production values.
'The Shining' (1980)
Few things sound less appealing than the prospect of being locked in a remote mountain hotel for an entire winter while restless spirits roam the halls. "The Shining" makes the most of that premise. It features some legendarily terrifying scares, but also a generally unnerving atmosphere. Something clearly isn't right in the Overlook Hotel, but we're left to question whether the culprit is actually ghosts or just a family suffering from a nasty case of cabin fever.
'An American Werewolf in London' (1981)
While technically classified as a horror comedy, "An American Werewolf in London" is a genuinely unsettling experience at times. A lot of that has to do with its Academy Award-winning makeup effects. Never has a werewolf transformation looked this ghastly or painful. Yeah, we know director John Landis' son, Max ("Chronicle"), is pushing forward with a remake, but, yeah... don't.
'Possession' (1981)
You can argue over whether or not "Possession" actually qualifies as a horror film, but there's no denying that it's a very bizarre and unsettling experience. Isabelle Adjani delivers a mesmerizing dual performance as a formerly faithful wife who suddenly becomes obsessed with the horrific monster she keeps hidden in her apartment. It's a shame this one was mostly buried by the "Video Nasty" backlash of the early '80s.
'Poltergeist' (1982)
Short of "Watership Down," "Poltergeist" is about the most disturbing and graphic movie you'll find that carries a PG rating. While hardly the first nor the last horror movie about a family dealing with a haunted home, this one features some all-time great scares. From creepy clown dolls coming to life to that infamous face-peeling scene, this movie is great for people who have decided they never want to sleep peacefully again.
'The Thing' (1982)
The '80s were John Carpenter's decade, and his horror skills arguably peaked with this incredible remake of "The Thing From Another World." Like so many great horror films, "The Thing" works on multiple levels. The creature designs and sound effects are downright terror-inducing. But at the same time, the movie emphasizes the creep factor of wtahcing a group of men stranded in the most inhospitable place on Earth and not knowing who among them is human and who is an alien imposter.
'A Nightmare on Elm Street' (1984)
This slasher franchise got progressively more goofy over the course of the '80s and '90s, but the original "Nightmare on Elm Street" retains the power to chill and unnerve. On one hand, it's got some great, gory death scenes (especially that Johnny Depp blood geyser). On the other, it's a film all about the terror of knowing that you're not safe in your own dreams. What's more creepy than that?
'Re-Animator' (1985)
Even if "Re-Animator" weren't a movie about a crazed medical student using his magic serum to raise the dead, it would still be a creepy movie just on the strength of Jeffrey Combs' performance. That guy knows how to play a nutjob. But once you throw in the gore, the zombies and all the other craziness at play, you have all the ingredients for a horror classic. It's a welcome reminder that Hollywood can occasionally do right by the work of H.P. Lovecraft.
'The Fly' (1986)
"David Cronenberg" and "body horror" are basically synonymous at this point, and "The Fly" is a major reason why. This gruesome update of the classic B-movie features some iconic, grotesque shots of a man slowly transforming into a human fly. We figure no one is ever going to attempt another remake, because how can you top this for sheer gross-out factor?
'Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer' (1986)
While technically an '80s movie, the fact that "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" didn't see wide release until 1990 gives you some idea of how controversial it was at the time. The MPAA refused to give it anything less than an X-rating. And after watching Michael Rooker's haunting portrayal of a wandering serial killer, you can maybe understand their reasoning. It's a bit too realistic for comfort.
'Hellraiser' (1987)
What if there exists a realm just beyond our comprehension, a place where sadistic demons are just waiting for you to solve a puzzle box so they can drag you away for an eternity of pain and pleasure? We'll take a hard pass on that. especially after seeing the horrible fates that befall many of the characters in this Clive Barker classic. Pinhead is just one of those villains with a face we can't trust.
'Dead Ringers' (1988)
With his gravelly voice and steely screen presence, Jeremy Irons is basically tailor-made to be a horror movie villain. That's something director David Cronenberg used to full effect in this underappreciated gem. Irons pulls double duty here as twin gynecologists who abuse the women under their care.
'Pet Sematary' (1989)
"Pet Sematary" is easily one of the creepiest books in author Stephen King's massive library. That's to be expected when you have a tale that revolves around a cursed graveyard in the Maine woods that can bring the dead back to life as murderous, soulless monsters. Fortunately, that source material fueled one of the better King adaptations. Watching this movie will make you think twice about venturing into the woods at night or owning a cat.
