10 best queer horror movies to watch this Halloween

Water is moist, and horror is queer. By depicting monsters dwelling on the periphery who antagonize a society that others them, the horror style has at all times discovered methods to talk to the queer expertise and battle. As time has handed, the style has advanced from displaying queerness strictly at a subtextual degree to bringing it to the floor.

As a method of highlighting that lengthy historical past, and providing viewing choices for these in search of one thing to look at throughout spooky season exterior of the same old staples, under is an inventory of 10 nice horror movies with queer themes. The primary half has trendy horror movies with visibly queer characters, whereas the second half is comprised of spooky classics with queer connotations.

Seed of Chucky (2004)

Picture: Rolf Konow/Sygma

With the arrival of Bride of Chucky and the introduction of Tiffany (Jennifer Tilly), Chucky’s doll companion, the Baby’s Play franchise moved additional into horror-comedy fare than earlier than. Then got here Seed of Chucky, the collection’ fifth installment, which was an extra development otherwise.

Moreover performing as a slice-and-dice slasher movie and Hollywood satirization, Seed of Chucky is a poignant depiction of familial acceptance and gender id. When Chucky and Tiffany reunite with their offspring Glen(da) (voiced by Billy Boyd), they wrestle with how they need Glen(da) to determine. Chucky needs to assert their little one as a boy whereas Tiffany says she needs a daughter. Finally, it’s as much as Glen(da) to muster up the braveness to inform them their alternative, saying they are often each and, in reality, really feel like each. Given how nonbinary visibility is scarce within the horror style, Glen(da) stays an icon in their very own proper.

Seed of Chucky is obtainable to stream on Peacock, Syfy, USA Community, and fuboTV, or for digital rental or buy through Amazon, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play.

Hellbent (2004)

Picture: Regent Releasing

A uncommon slasher movie with a gaggle of solely overtly homosexual characters, Hellbent is an outlier of its time that’s additionally a fantastic instance of a narrative with queer protagonists that goes past the standard “coming-out” narrative. Our most important group of pals — Eddie (Dylan Fergus), Joey (Hank Harris), Chaz (Andrew Levitas), and Tobey (Matt Phillips) — are already out of the closet and are adults as a substitute of the same old doomed youngsters.

As they exit on Halloween evening with a mysterious, devil-masked assailant shadowing them and selecting them off one after the other, Eddie pursues his good-looking crush, Jake (Bryan Kirkwood). Given how Eddie is the principle character, his performing on his romantic affections disproves the notion that the archetypal closing survivor have to be purely chaste to be able to prevail. Each subversive and gripping, Hellbent is a worthy look ahead to these wanting easy slasher-movie thrills.

Hellbent is obtainable to stream on Right here TV, or for digital rental or buy through Amazon.

Stranger by the Lake (2013)

Picture: Strand Releasing

Though Stranger by the Lake is extra in Hitchcockian thriller territory than conventional horror fare, it nonetheless possesses a chilling environment. That is notably because of its desolate setting on a homosexual cruising seaside and using shadow by cinematography maestra Claire Mathon. When Franck (Pierre Deladonchamps) turns into sensually fixated on Michel (Christophe Paou) even after witnessing him drown one other man within the ocean, Franck is at all times enraptured in shadow, whether or not it’s in a nighttime scene or he’s encased by his personal silhouette through the day. Franck at all times being engulfed in darkness encompasses his temptation main him to hazard. Franck’s combination of compulsion and apprehension are effectively illustrated in Deladonchamps’ expressive eyes. In the meantime, Patrick d’Assumçao impresses in equal measure as Franck’s congenial seaside companion Henri.

Stranger by the Lake is obtainable to stream at no cost with a library card on Kanopy, or for digital rental or buy through Amazon and Vudu.

Titane (2021)

Picture: Neon

Julia Ducournau’s Palme d’Or-winning masterpiece is not only a film; it’s an expertise. Titane begins off as a twisted slasher movie earlier than morphing right into a profound physique horror piece that, like Seed of Chucky, facilities on gender id and familial drama. As soon as serial killer Alexia (Agathe Rousselle) goes into hiding and poses as “Adrien,” the long-lost son of fireman Vincent (Vincent Lindon), what follows is a touching story about two damaged strangers forming a robust kinship. Whereas the automobile intercourse and excessive violence do depart an imprint in a single’s thoughts, it’s transferring scenes like Vincent saying he accepts Alexia/Adrien for who they might be that also closely linger because of the performances by Lindon and Rousselle. Each actors say extra with easy physique language than what loads of actors do with pages of dialogue.

Titane is obtainable to stream on Hulu, or for digital rental or buy through Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play.

Scream (2022)

Picture: Brownie Harris/Paramount Footage

One spotlight of the brand new sequel to the unique Scream is its depiction of Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown). Due to her whip-smart horror data and deadpan wit, Mindy serves as a robust entry within the slasher heroine pantheon. Mindy being overtly queer is a much less defining character trait, which is admirable and makes Scream an antidote to using homosexuality as a punchline in its predecessor, the place the character Robbie Mercer blurts that he’s homosexual simply to keep away from Ghostface’s wrath. Whereas Scream 4 stays a stable franchise entry, the seen, matter-of-fact method through which Mindy is depicted reveals how franchises can nonetheless evolve when it comes to illustration.

Scream is obtainable to stream on Showtime and fuboTV, or for digital rental or buy through Amazon, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play.

The Invisible Man (1933)

Picture: Common Pcitures

Kicking off the “classics with subtext” portion of this checklist is likely one of the traditional Common Monsters. Primarily based on the novel of the identical identify by H.G. Wells, The Invisible Man follows Dr. Jack Griffin (Claude Rains), who initially seeks a strategy to reverse his invisibility earlier than the fun of being in his situation has him drunk with energy. As soon as Griffin enlists the assistance of fellow scientist Dr. Kemp (William Harrigan) as he wreaks havoc on the village the place he went into hiding, his personal fiancée, Flora (Gloria Stuart), turns into an afterthought. Extra fixated on his companionship together with his male companion and antagonizing a society uneasy by his mere presence, Griffin is a determine together with his personal queer undercurrent just like the monster in Frankenstein, one other horror masterpiece from overtly homosexual director James Whale. If you happen to appreciated that, you could be into this.

The Invisible Man is obtainable to stream on the Criterion Channel, IndieFlix, and Peacock, or for digital rental or buy through Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play.

Cat Folks (1942)

Picture: Warner Residence Video

As somebody fascinated by werecreatures, they at all times strike me as a queer metaphor. The idea of getting to cover who you’re or being afraid of who you’re since you worry you’ll be perceived as a monster affords slight parallels to the anxieties felt by these within the queer group who’re afraid to disclose themselves out of worry of being othered. These worries function the idea for Jacques Tourneur’s 1942 traditional Cat Folks. When Irena (Simone Simon) discovers she will be able to flip right into a werepanther when sexually aroused, she initially expresses worry. But, as soon as her fiancé, Oliver (Kent Smith), grows nearer to his assistant, Alice (Jane Randolph), Irena begins to just accept the monster inside as she tries antagonizing them on this efficient horror pic. One with purr-fect use of sound and shadow.

Cat Folks is obtainable to stream on HBO Max, or for digital rental or buy through Amazon, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play.

Hush…Hush, Candy Charlotte (1964)

Picture: twentieth Century Fox

After What Ever Occurred to Child Jane? turned a smash hit, director Robert Aldrich and star Bette Davis reunited two years in a while Hush…Hush, Candy Charlotte. As a result of in Hollywood, you at all times keep on with what works, they once more collaborated on a horror movie that continued the “psycho-biddy” subgenre that Child Jane originated. It additionally amped up its gay-friendly camp issue with not simply extra theatrical actressing, however some queer undertones. In Hush…Hush, Candy Charlotte, Bette Davis delightfully dials it as much as 11 as berserk spinster Charlotte, who lives alone along with her maid, Velma (Agnes Moorehead). Velma is dedicated to serving Charlotte and particularly turns into vigilant when Charlotte’s doubtful cousin Miriam (Olivia de Havilland) out of the blue arrives. But, Velma’s fondness feels deeper than it lets on.

Because the loyal and subtly sapphic Velma, Agnes Moorehead offers a efficiency of unhinged brilliance that earned her a fourth and closing Oscar nomination for Finest Supporting Actress. On the time of its launch, the movie attained the document of getting essentially the most Oscar nominations of any horror image, with seven. So, for individuals who’re Oscar completists in addition to horror followers, this one is a must-see.

Hush…Hush, Candy Charlotte is obtainable to stream on the Criterion Channel, or through digital rental or buy on Amazon, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play.

Carrie (1976)

Picture: Warner Bros. Residence Leisure

Whereas all three movie diversifications of the famed Stephen King novel are superb in their very own proper, the unique Carrie by Brian De Palma arguably stays the very best. Due to its melancholic rating by Pino Donaggio and the well-known promenade scene, the 1976 model is the very best depiction of King’s darkish fable of a teenage outcast with telekinetic powers who enacts revenge on her tormentors. Since Carrie White (a spellbinding Sissy Spacek) is ostracized merely for not conforming, her battle speaks to people who real-life queer youths are compelled to endure. Her mom, Margaret (Piper Laurie), a nightmarish epitome of non secular Puritanism, actually forcing Carrie right into a darkish closet solely furthers the story’s reflection of such struggles. It’s individuals like Margaret and Carrie’s classmates who’re why so many queer adolescents are afraid to come back out and be their finest selves.

Carrie is obtainable to stream on fuboTV and AMC Plus, or for digital rental or buy through Amazon, Apple TV, and Vudu.

The Misplaced Boys (1987)

Picture: Warner Residence Video

Vampires aren’t simply immortalized creatures, however will at all times dwell ceaselessly on display screen. After the vampire development spurred by the success of Twilight, the famed nightly creatures are experiencing one other resurgence because of initiatives like Day Shift, The Invitation, and the brand new TV collection adaptation of Interview With the Vampire. However the 1987 Joel Schumacher traditional The Misplaced Boys stays an early reminder of their timeless attract.

As soon as Michael (Jason Patric) bonds with the mysterious David (Kiefer Sutherland) and his biker gang, their daredevil way of life attracts him to them. Nonetheless, as they’re revealed to be vampires, Michael slowly turns into one himself. Michael should then wrestle with whether or not or to not give into his newfound urges and presumably dwell a life on the margins together with his leather-clad, newfound brotherhood on this sultry, often humorous story that’s nonetheless as terrifying as regular adolescence.

The Misplaced Boys is obtainable to stream at no cost with adverts on The Roku Channel, or for digital rental or buy through Amazon, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play.