WRITTEN BY SHREY JAIN
3. A Quiet Place (2018)
Symposia’s rating: 6.3/10
IMDb’s rating: 7.5/10
This John Krasinski movie lives by its tag line “If they hear you, they hunt you” which summarises the main idea of the film. The Abbott family chases survival in a world where many have been killed by a blind, noise-sensitive creatures. We see their struggles while they endure this horrifying journey and how they battle it till the very end. This movie finds its spot on my top 3 as it displays great understanding of the genre and has an accurate balance between elements of the horror genre. This truly grasping movie is one that emanates from a simplistic, but unique idea and executes it perfectly. It has a fair number of jump scares while simultaneously evoking a sense of empathy and pity in the audience. The movie lacks in some areas and it’s safe to say that the plot is dragged periodically. Nonetheless, ‘A Quiet Place’ secures the 3rd place since it is vastly entertaining and a spine-chilling work of horror.
2. The Shining (1980)
Symposia’s rating: 7.5/10
IMDb’s rating: 8.4/10
Standing in second place, ‘The Shining’ is a classic horror movie. The movie plays on many 'horror movie stereotypes' by revolving around the idea of a small family moving into a big mansion with long creepy hallways. But of course, being a 1980 release, it was one of the first movies to utilize these tropes and present them effectively. The story line easily entrances the audience into an intricate world of madness, spectral murder and supernatural visions, leaving the viewer daunted by the end of it. Filled with jump scares like most early age horror films, this movie is capable of alienating you from reality. Unfortunately, a major drawback is the fact that when the movie was made, the industry did not have access to present day editing and VFX, which made some aspects of the movie less impactful. Regardless, ‘The Shining’ is a must watch if you are ready to brave many sleepless nights.
1. Sinister (2012)
Symposia’s rating: 8.7/10
IMDb’s rating: 6.8/10
This Netflix original obtains first place in view of the jaw dropping experience that it provides. The moment I was done with the film, I was utterly mesmerized by the quality of the story line and the direction. ‘Sinister’ uses the tools of old horror classics and modifies them in order to present viewers with matchless scares. In the movie, Ethan Hawke plays the role of a crime-thriller writer who is in the process of writing a new novel. This leads to him discovering numerous secrets and the connections between them. The ideas have been underscored powerfully and the level of creativity with which the film has been made is impeccable. The film leaves you greatly unnerved and completely speechless. The immersive viewing experience is predictable at places but frightening nonetheless. The attention to ‘sinister’ details in this movie is what makes it so exceptional. The superior factor of this movie is the director’s understanding of his audience. Horror enthusiasts, like myself, are sick of happy, resolved endings that most movies provide. However, ‘Sinister’ doesn’t delve into resolving problems, but ends on a harsher note. In conclusion, I’d encourage everyone to watch ‘Sinister’ since a horror film with well developed mythology, characters and crime is hard to come by.
Trigger Warnings :
A quiet place : Violence, recommended for 16+
The shining : Nudity ( you could close your eyes during the explicit scenes, bath in holy water or watch a censored version online) sex and violence. Recommended 18+
Sinister : Violence, mostly disturbing images that might scar you for life, recommended for 16+
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