2022 brought us a thrilling amount of horror films. Even better, most of them were originals. I compiled a list of the notable 2022 horror films I watched this year, in order from least impressive to most impressive:
Halloween Ends
To say I am disappointed with this conclusion to the Halloween story is an understatement. I was so frustrated after an hour of sitting through the movie with nothing happening. Even when things started moving, it was not enough. Laurie and Michael deserved a better send-off.
Fresh
I love horror films that probably started with a filmmaker thinking: “What if…this happened?” and running with it. This Hulu original was full of surprises, and my slasher-loving self enjoyed them all. It’s not for the squeamish, but definitely worth checking out.
The Black Phone
I knew this one would be chilling from the moment I saw the trailer. I was not disappointed. I have been planning on watching it again, but…I am not ready yet.
X
X dared to break the mold, and it was worth it.
Bodies Bodies Bodies
This was a fun summer movie that shows that a project does not have to sport a high budget with all the bells and whistles to connect with an audience. The filmmakers also applied some interesting lighting techniques and blocking, which made it even more fun for film geeks to enjoy.
Don’t Worry Darling
Florence Pugh (one of my favorite actors) undoubtedly carried this movie, but I still enjoyed it in its entirety. This may not be the most blatant horror film, but once that twist is revealed, women everywhere got the point. Overall, I found this movie engaging and beautiful to watch.
Barbarian
I will never be the same.
The Menu
I love cooking-themed stories for some reason, so this one hit the spot. The Menu is a tense and foreboding film with spectacular performances.
Nope
Jordan Peele always brings something groundbreaking to the horror scene. I was not prepared for how scary this one ended up being. Birthday hats and clouds feel completely different to me now.
Terrifier 2
Without a doubt the most repulsive movie I’ve ever seen. I’m impressed.
Smile
I cannot begin to describe how this movie exceeded my expectations. I have not been genuinely terrified by a movie in years. I thanked myself multiple times for not watching it in a theater so I could scream and hide behind furniture in the privacy of my home.
Pearl
This stunning prequel to X is one of my favorite movies of the year. Mia Goth’s performance was absolutely enthralling all the way through. Pearl is a vibrant daylight horror (featuring many allusions to The Wizard of Oz, one of my favorite films) with plenty of ominous overtones. For me, this makes it one of the most unique horror experiences in a while.
***
Have a safe and happy new year!
Until next time,
Jordan
By Night 