What better place to begin this article than by discussing my most recent watch and, in my opinion, one of the best original horror films to be released in recent years. Written and produced by Ti West, Pearl is the second installment in his horror trilogy, acting as an origin story for X’s elderly antagonist that follows her desperate quest for stardom, and with it, a descent into madness and brutality. Despite the prequel-centric plot that is more than rewarding for returning viewers, featuring callbacks to X using setting and parallel cinematography, I fully believe that Pearl is a film that can be whole-heartedly enjoyed with or without prior knowledge of the diegesis (by no means am I suggesting to skip the others; you’d be sure to regret it). With its use of technicolour that directly complements the 1920s aesthetic, Pearl is essentially what would happen if you crossed The Wizard of Oz with American Psycho, which I personally think results in a modern masterpiece. 

When asked what the perfect horror film to watch as a newbie to the genre is, immediately my mind goes to the cult classic The Silence of the Lambs, directed by Johnathan Demme. This novel-turned-movie follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) and her investigation into a frightening series of murders, all of which point to imprisoned psychologist and infamous cannibal, Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). In my opinion, this film is quite simply the epitome of first-class horror, what with its outstanding cast, artistic cinematography and masterfully written script that feels almost highbrow and sophisticated regardless of the genre. Put plainly, Silence of the Lambs is an all-round crowd pleaser, blending visceral scares and high-stakes investigations in a way which provides something for everyone to enjoy, so why not watch it today!

At the risk of sounding pretentious, I’m just going to be completely honest: horror movies don’t necessarily tend to scare me. I’m not claiming that all scary films are lacking, nor does this mean I can’t thoroughly enjoy one without being frightened, but for a while it felt like the odd jumpscare was all that got my heart pumping. Then I watched Scott Derrickson’s Sinister - needless to say that by the time the credits rolled I was eating my words. This paranormal horror follows true-crime writer Ellison (Ethan Hawke) and his family moving into a house where a gruesome murder took place in the past, only to be plagued by a box full of gory home movies which can only result in disaster. Despite excellent visual scares and jaw-dropping found-footage segments, Sinister is in no way style over substance, and doesn’t shy away from exploring deeper narratives such as the exploitation of victims that is all too common within the true crime world. Don’t hesitate to add Sinister to your watch list today, even if Mr Boogie - supposedly terrifying demon and central antagonist - sounds like he’s going to bring a scarily groovy funk album out any day now.

Are terrifying, keep-you-up-for-days movies not really your cup of tea? Fancy something a bit more light-hearted to sink your teeth into? Then look no further than Bodies Bodies Bodies, a horror-comedy written by Kristen Roupenian that essentially acts as Gen Z’s answer to Lord of the Flies. While staying in a friend’s mansion during a hurricane, seven wealthy teenagers find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery with no way out. Going into this film I must admit I wasn’t expecting much - maybe just your typical cheesy slasher - but what I soon realised was that Bodies Bodies Bodies could easily be the classic horror from our generation. Much like Wes Craven’s Scream, this movie is almost meta in its use of real-world references and topical gags, instead choosing to satirise ‘Gen Z’ slang and trends rather than the former’s self-aware narrative. With excellent acting and one hell of a plot twist, Bodies Bodies Bodies is the perfect mix of horror and comedy, so give it a watch today!

For anyone who has a soft spot for cult horror, then look no further than Ari Aster’s Midsommar, the second of the director’s critically acclaimed horror films following on from Hereditary (of which I also highly recommend). In the wake of a recent bereavement, Danny (Florence Pugh) goes on holiday to a Swedish ‘retreat’ with her college friends, only to find herself falling further and further into the group’s rituals and traditions. Not only is this film unique in its use of cinematography, utilising bright colours and high key lighting rather than a gloomy colour palette, but these juxtapositions still manage to provide equally effective scares that will stick in audiences’ minds. Despite the captivating visuals that evolve expertly with the narrative, Midsommar still manages to explore deeper, more disturbing storylines revolving around dysfunctional relationships and the manipulation of cults that only act to emphasise the unsettling nature of the film. It’s impossible to deny that Midsommar’s critically acclaimed reputation is more than deserved despite its unusual narrative which, in my opinion, cements it as a recent release that deserves to be watched by any fan of the genre.

If you’re just starting to dip your toes into the world of horror, what better way to introduce yourself to the genre than by watching The House, a quirky stop-motion feature directed by Paloma Baeza. Over the course of three half-hour stories, the narrative follows a singular house and its subsequent inhabitants during the past, present, and future, all of which seem to inherit a plague of suffering upon moving in. Despite its star-studded cast and captivating animation, The House appears to be less appreciated in comparison to other animated features of this genre, so much so that even on a first watch I couldn’t help but feel like I’d unearthed a hidden gem! Each story in itself is so unique and riddled with slow-burning plot twists that grow more and more rewarding as the narrative progresses, which I’d argue is more satisfying as a viewer to experience. Whether you’re a newbie to the horror genre or a seasoned veteran, The House is a must-watch regardless; after all, where else will you watch a beautifully choreographed dance routine performed by a squad of stop motion insects?