Best "Back-to-School" Horror Movies

It’s that wonderful time of year where parents send their precious little angels back to school to fill their heads with whatever nuggets of info the Board of Education has deemed appropriate. To celebrate, I bring you a list of school-related horror to fill your kid-free hours during the day.

Detention (2011)

Director: Joseph Kahn | Writers: Joseph Kahn, Mark Palermo | Stars: Josh Hutcherson, Shaley Caswell, Spencer Locke, Dane Cook (ikr?!)

An entertaining horror-comedy about a group of highschoolers who find themselves being terrorized by "Cinderhella", a killer named after a character from a popular horror movie. I happen to be a particular fan of these meta/self-referential horror-comedies and this one is funny, clever, and rather underrated, if I do say so myself.

The Faculty (1998)

Director: Robert Rodriguez | Writers: David Wechter (story), Bruce Kimmel (story), Kevin Williamson (screenplay) | Stars: Jordana Brewster, Clea DuVall, Laura Harris, Josh Hartnett, Shawn Hatosy, Salma Hayek, Famke Janssen, Piper Laurie, Christopher McDonald, Bebe Neuwirth, Robert Patrick, Usher, Jon Stewart, Elijah Wood, Daniel von Bargen, Summer Phoenix, Danny Masterson, Louis Black

Ok, so did you read that cast list?! Not only is this movie an entertaining and exciting piece of scifi-horror, but it has an impressively solid list of names. Granted, there are the typical “90’s movie” names (I’m talking to you, Josh Hartnett & Shawn Hatosy!), but you’re also lucky enough to see the likes of Robert Patrick & Famke Janssen. Shit, even Usher makes an appearance. If you’ve never seen this, do yourself a favor and give it a watch. You’ll learn how to defeat aliens with drugs - a lesson you probably weren’t taught in school.

Battle Royal (2000)

Director: Kinji Fukasaku | Writers: Koushun Takami (novel), Kenta Fukasaku (screenplay) | Stars: Tatsuya Fujiwara, Aki Maeda, Taro Yamamoto

Most horror fans are familiar with this dystopian novel & film, set in a future Japan. In this future, the Japanese government captures a group of unwilling high school students and forces them to fight to the death - all under the guise of the government's “revolutionary” Battle Royal act. The result is a bloody and vicious fight for survival - and you thought your high school years were tough.

Cooties (2014)

Directors: Jonathan Milott, Cary Murnion | Writers: Leigh Whannell, Ian Brennan | Stars: Elijah Wood, Rainn Wilson, Alison Pill, Jack McBrayer, Leigh Whannell, Nasim Pedrad, Jorge Garcia

Listen...people love seeing kids turn into little monsters and start running around, offing all the adults -- It’s a perfect setup for a dark comedy! So when a mysterious “cooties” virus hits an elementary school, the sweet, innocent little schoolchildren are transformed into feral, flesh-eating savages. Watching the remaining teachers attempt to work together to fight off hordes of snarling students is as entertaining as it is hilarious.

Check out The Bloodlust's review of Cooties here.

Carrie (1976)

Director: Brian De Palma | Writers: Stephen King (novel), Lawrence D. Cohen (screenplay) | Stars: Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving

I shouldn’t even have to explain this movie to you. If you’re a fan of horror (or of movies, in general), you’ve seen the original Carrie. You know exactly what scene is being referenced should you ever hear a group of highschool girls start to chant, “Plug it up! Plug it up!” This is one of those iconic horror films you watched when you were in your early teens and already had an ever-growing list of things to be afraid of. Puberty is no picnic, and when you add a religious, domineering mother and newfound telekinetic powers to the mix, it’s no wonder Carrie lost her cool.

Prom Night (1980)

Director: Paul Lynch | Writers: William Gray (screenplay), Robert Guza Jr. (story) | Stars: Leslie Nielsen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Casey Stevens

This movie has a perfect setup for a successful slasher: a terrifying, masked killer, upset about the accidental death of a young girl, stalks the four high school students who have been hiding this secret for years. It basically writes itself! Fans of the slasher-themed horror probably have this movie permanently placed in their movie canon. It’s really one of the classics that seems to get better (and cheesier) with age.

Scream (1996)

Director: Wes Craven | Writer: Kevin Williamson | Stars: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Skeet Ulrich, Matthew Lillard, Jamie Kennedy, Drew Barrymore

“What’s your favorite scary movie?” We’re all very familiar with this 90’s horror favorite from the master, Wes Craven. How could a person not be familiar with it? It did, after all, spawn a series of sequels, a series of parodies, numerous quotable lines, and was meta before being meta was cool. Granted, it wasn’t the first piece of metacinema in the horror genre - it wasn’t even the first for Wes Craven (check out Wes Craven’s New Nightmare)! However, just because it wasn’t the first, doesn’t mean that it didn’t significantly help pave the way for films like Cabin in the Woods and Final Girl. As a fan of the meta-style of film, Scream will always have a place in my lists.

Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)

Director: Peter Weir | Writers: Joan Lindsay (novel), Cliff Green (screenplay) | Stars: Rachel Roberts, Anne-Louise Lambert, Vivean Gray

A teacher and group of students from an Australian girls’ school, vanish without a trace while out on a excursion to Hanging Rock. Personally, I’m a fan of the horror-mystery movies involving people or groups that go missing and the search for clues, etc. etc. They generally have just enough of that “true crime” touch to get me really interested. If you like this movie and others of a similar ilk, I recommend checking out Yellow Brick Road.

Suspiria (1977)

Director: Dario Argento | Writers: Dario Argento (screenplay), Daria Nicolodi (screenplay) | Stars: Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini, Flavio Bucci

This stylish Argento classic is an absolute must-see for fans of horror. In fact, if you haven’t seen it, stop reading immediately and go watch it. Everything from the music, to the colors, to the setting is all expertly used to create a seriously unsettling atmosphere. The story is a simple one: a dancer arrives at an elite German ballet school only to discover it’s actually being run by witches who will kill anyone who threatens them. That’s it. It’s a perfect example of how a good director can make a gorgeous, yet, unnerving horror film without relying heavily on plot.

The Awakening (2011)

Director: Nick Murphy | Writers: Stephen Volk (screenplay), Nick Murphy (screenplay) | Stars: Rebecca Hall, Dominic West, Imelda Staunton

This is one of those movies that doesn’t seem to get talked about much and I find that to be a shame. Set in 1920’s post-war England, paranormal activity debunker, Florence, heads to an appropriately creepy boarding school to investigate the sightings of a ghostly child. Ghosts have been used as fodder for horror movies since about forever and, because of this, many (if not most) ghost movies are complete shit. The Awakening, however, is a much-appreciated exception. I’m still a bit creeped out by a particular scene involving a dollhouse...

Suicide Club (2001)

Director: Sion Sono | Writer: Sion Sono | Stars: Ryo Ishibashi, Masatoshi Nagase, Mai Hosho

High school can really be a rough time for some kids. I mean, puberty is hitting most people (some harder than others), hormones are all over the place, the desire to fit in and belong is a constant presence...the list goes on. However, regardless of how bad your high school experience may have been, chances are 54 of your fellow students didn’t throw themselves in front of a train, sparking a string of student suicides across the country. Welcome to Suicide Club.

The Blackcoat's Daughter / aka February (2015)

Director: Osgood Perkins | Writer: Osgood Perkins | Stars: Emma Roberts, Lauren Holly, Kiernan Shipka

I’ll be honest, I have yet to see this one. However, since it’s on my “to watch” list, I’m adding it to the list. If you are familiar with Osgood Perkins (or Oz Perkins), you’ll know that his movie background isn’t exactly filled with horror titles. In fact, the two movies I recognized him from are Not Another Teen Movie and Legally Blonde. All that aside, The Blackcoat’s Daughter is a horror-thriller about two girls, who get left behind at boarding school and must deal with some mysterious evil force. If that’s the sort of storyline that does it for you, this may be a movie you’ll want to check out.

The Substitute (2007)

Director: Ole Bornedal | Writers: Ole Bornedal (screenplay), Henrik Prip (screenplay) | Stars: Paprika Steen, Ulrich Thomsen, Jonas Wandschneider

Our favorite token dude, Eddie, puts this movie in his favorite subgenre of “kids knowing something up but the adults don’t believe them.” It’s similar to The Faculty in that the kids are convinced their teacher is actually an alien. If you ask me, there should be more alien-related horror because I seem to dig most of the ones I’ve seen. This is a fun horror movie that has as many funny parts as it does creepy - there’s a particular scene where the teacher reads the kids’ minds that’s particularly great. A great watch if you’re with a group of friends!

Are there any we missed? Let us know in the comments!

5 Free* Mobile Horror Games Worth Playing

I confess, I'm not much of a mobile gamer. Though I love my PS4, I generally don't play anything on my cellphone. It's not that I'm elitist, I just prefer the feel of a controller in my hand. The other day, I was itching to play a horror game. I'd just finished Until Dawn and didn't have the luxury of enough disposable income to purchase a new game. I turned to my phone and thought, "I wonder what happens when you type 'horror' into the app store?" I was surprised by the amount of horror games that came up! Many were "escape" games, where you wake up in a dark room and have to find your way out. Some were survival games that I was terrible at. Some were jump scare prank apps that I presume you use on your friends. But some little gems were narrative, and I downloaded several to try them out.

*Now, of course, you could argue that most of these apps aren't really free. That's fair - several of them are free introductory episodes with subsequent episodes costing $2-$5. I love finding games like these, because you get a chance to try them out before you decide if you want to pay for any further episodes or in-app purchases. I played a lot of free games and most of them I uninstalled immediately after playing. I sifted through the sands of a barren desert to find the games that are worth your time!

Note: I have an HTC One M8 so these games were played on an Android device. I have noted where each game can be found, and whether you play on an Android or Apple device.

So, without further adieu, here are 5 Free Mobile Horror Games Worth Playing:

1. The Last Door
The Game Kitchen
Available on PC, Mac, Linux, iPad, iPhone, Android, Windows Phone and web browsers
www.thelastdoor.com

This was my absolute favourite of the bunch I tried. I was not aware that this game was a Kickstarter project initially backed by "213 supporters and released March 2013." The Last Door is a Victorian gothic narrative game about a man named Jeremiah who receives a mysterious letter from his childhood friend Anthony. Concerned, he travels to Sussex to search Anthony's eerie manor and determine the fate of his friend.

Immediately the game starts off with a man, a chair, and a rope in an attic. No direction is given - but you'll figure it out pretty quickly. This is a dark Lovecraftian story and I loved it. After the opening credits, you take control of Jeremiah and wander the halls of the home. There is no shortage of puzzles, locked doors, and creepy letters left around for you to discover.

The original music by Carlos Viola is amazing in this game. Beautiful, haunting piano fills the mansion as you explore every room for clues of the truth about your discovery. The use of sound and music was a treat and is best experienced with headphones: the floor creaks when you're upstairs, the basement drips, and tension is heightened at just the right moments.

At first, I was put off by the graphics. They were extremely pixelated and hard to make out at times. As the game went on, I began to appreciate the look - the vagueness of the characters and scenery allowed me to imagine the story as frighteningly as I wanted. This is not a horror game that relies on jump scares: it relies on atmosphere, dread, and your own imagination.

It goes without saying that I purchased full access to this game (The "Collector’s Edition") for $5. I'm glad I did, because Episode 2 is already better than the first. And with unique challenges and trophies, the replayability for The Last Door is pretty impressive. If you play only one game on this list, make it this one.

2. Hide and Seek: The Story of Dorothy
TabomSoft
Available on iPhone and Android devices

The look of this game had me at hello. Reminiscent of early Japanese RPG days with cute characters and no end to the nostalgia. Here you play as a young girl who fell asleep... while playing hide and seek. Wake up in a mansion and follow clues, chase scenes, and death traps to regain your memory and make your way out.

This is one of those games where you die - a lot. You might try to examine a painting that shoots knives, or you might accidentally walk through a door to a gaping maw of spikes. Have no fear: you have multiple lives! The only downside is that after you've run through them all, you have to wait real-time to get them back. Of course, you can always purchase more lives if you're impatient but I took those times as a welcome break.

This game employs riddles and creepy imagery in a way I really enjoyed. I wasn't very fond of the chase scenes, but they served to add some urgency that could otherwise be lacking. This is just one episode of many, with the option to buy more. It's unclear whether each episode is a self-contained story...I haven't been able to beat it yet!

3. The Jusou
Edges LLC
Available on both iPhone and Android devices

If you're particularly fond of Japanese horror such as Ringu and Ju-On, you'll be a fan of The Jusou. This is a simple little puzzle game that calls itself "an unspeakable memory from 25 years ago." We begin outside a small home where a mysterious tragedy occurred. Upon entering the home, your character tries to find out exactly what happened.

Explore the dark house as a ghostly woman makes her presence known. Who is she, and what happened to her? You'll need to find some batteries for your flashlight before you can find out!

There are some jump scares in this game, though none of them were particularly frightening. I enjoyed the moody atmosphere and dark graphics, even if I felt the story didn't pay off as much as I would have liked. This felt like a quick play compared to the rest, and I'd like to revisit it to see if there's anything I missed. This is the only game on the list that is 100% free!

4. Fran Bow Alpha Demo
Kill Monday Games
Available on PC, Mac, Linux, iPad, iPhone, Android, Windows Phone and web browsers
www.franbow.com

Fran Bow, like The Last Door, is also at the top of my list. Another crowdfunded game, this one claims to be “an intense story of pain, loss and acceptance.” Your character is Fran, a 9 year old girl in a psychiatric ward which of course, she's trying to escape from. Early on, she discovers pills that make her see hideous images, writing in blood on the wall, spirits, and clues. She knows she must get out, since her cat told her so.

Wander the halls of the ward, meet other troubled children, and fool the adults around you. Follow the clues to uncover something nefarious (probably). I thought the artwork in this game had a certain charm, and I’ll definitely be purchasing the full game to experience the complete story. This one is full of dark whimsy.

5. Into the Dead
Pik Pok
Available on iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone, Facebook, and -- get excited -- this one's coming to Oculus Rift!
www.intothedead.com

Are you sick of zombies yet? Good, because this is a zombie game and it is seriously addictive. This is one of those simple “run as far and as fast as you can” games. In this one, you’re in the middle of a zombie apocalypse and you’re running for your damn life. Get caught by a zombie, and you’re back at the beginning. Unlock perks like weapons and companions to see how far you can make it, and outrun your friends scores for bragging rights!

Perfect for those times you’re waiting in line at the DMV, or you’ve just got a few minutes to spare, it’s worth a shot if you like constantly beating your own high scores (don’t judge my high score okay, I took this screenshot early on!).

There are a ton of mobile horror games in the app store, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the best ones are also available online or on Steam! If you’re new to these games, hopefully this list narrowed them down to help you get started in the right direction. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have The Last Door to continue playing...

@bexbz

*Honourable Mentions include: DearRED, Ellie: Get Me Out of Here, Murder Room, Slendrina: The Cellar, The Exorcist: Story of School, Haunted Circus 3D, Eyes - The Haunt*

5 "Beyond Belief" Episodes You Should Listen To

The Thrilling Adventure Hour posted the last episode they recorded of Beyond Belief from their original 10 year run. If you’re unfamiliar with The Thrilling Adventure Hour (TAH), it is a podcast done in the style of 50s and 60s radio — you know, like when The Lone Ranger would come on at 6PM and the family would gather around the radio. Only in this case, the shows (including Beyond Belief) are comedic homages to that style of shows.

With my love of all things horror, Beyond Belief became the standout in The Thrilling Adventure Hour’s roster. Beyond Belief’s episodes revolve around the spooky situations that “married mediums” Frank and Sadie Doyle get into. The show is rounded out by a constant stream of horror in-jokes, tongue-in-cheek references, and wonderful performances by Paget Brewster and Paul F. Tompkins.

Since TAH has now posted all of the episodes of Beyond Belief, I’ve been re-listening to them from the beginning. So here is my list of the episodes I recommend as a gateway drug to the downright creepy and hysterical world of Frank and Sadie Doyle. Feel free to note your favorite episodes in the comments. CLINK

1. Second Star to the Wrong

This is the episode that really cemented my love for the Doyles. Frank and Sadie are approached by Mr. George Darling, requesting their assistance in getting his wife back from a Pan (which Frank immediately clarifies is a “monstrous creature” and “not a cooking implement”). And in the creepiest twist on Peter Pan I’ve ever experienced, the Pan turns out to be a hand eating, soul sucking creature that can control the minds of people and animals. The jokes in this episode come quick but it’s the downright creepiness of the Pan (played by Tom Lenk) that really sells the episode.

2. Wishing Hell

A lot of the episodes of Beyond Belief are overt references to famous horror stories. The second episode, “Wishing Hell,” really kicked off this style by blending Stand by Me with IT into a hilarious backstory for Frank. Although the nudges towards the source are funny on their own, the best thing this episode sets up is Sadie’s love and humor for clowns and her reactions to Nightmares the Clown become a fantastic running joke throughout the series.

3. Teenagers of the Corn

Another episode with references to a Stephen King story with a dash of Village of the Damned, this episode follows the aftermath of Children of the Corn where the town is now run by the children who’ve grown up into teenagers. All the adults are terrified of them and they’re powers. Enter Frank and Sadie on a trip to visit the town’s corn whisky distillery. There, they attempt to figure out who is killing all the townsfolk with all fingers pointing to Evan (played by Jason Ritter).

4. Scream a Little Scream

I grew up on Roald Dahl’s books so this episode became one of my favorites as soon as I realized what they were referencing. This episode demonstrates just how talented Acker and Blacker can be when combining various source materials together — in this case, they combined Roald Dahl’s works with A Nightmare on Elm Street. These two opposing stories work in harmony by Acker and Blacker noting how horrifying some of Dahl’s works could be. There are also some great special guests in this episode with Cecil Baldwin of Welcome to Night Vale fame and John Hodgman.

5. Dead & Breakfast

The ending, to some extent, to Beyond Belief, this episode plays with the idea of Frank and Sadie dying, once and for all. Dead & Breakfast is an homage to The Shining (there’s even creepy twins!) where the Doyles try to figure out which of the people they interact with is the ghost because obviously one of them is. With a revolving door of characters coming into the Doyle’s room, Frank and Sadie ask each one questions about what happened to figure out who is dead until the spirits turn the tables on the Doyles. The episode is a fitting conclusion for Frank and Sadie Doyle.

~ Kat