Even if you’re not into the horror genre, there’s a high chance that you’ve heard ofClive Barker. Born in Liverpool in 1952, the author of works likeThe Hellbound Heart,The Damnation Game,andImajicabecame a horror icon when hejumped to the movie realmand made iconic films likeHellraiserandNightbreed. There’s no doubt his literary work in thefantastiqueis much more important than what he did in films, but even so, what he did was unique.
Barker’s work is a mix of every offshoot of the bizarre. But like most artists, he’s been influenced by the origins of the genre, and the visionaries of the 20th century whose early work was considered groundbreaking, just like his own became. His influences range from the work of painters to filmmakers, and like all horror icons, he has a list of horror films he believes you should watch. These are some of those films.
10’The Exorcist' (1973)
The Exorcist
The Exorcistfollows Chris MacNeil, an actor in Georgetown whose daughter, Regan, begins behaving strangely. Clearly suffering from an aggressive condition, Chris tries every doctor and ultimately they’re the ones who suggest an exorcism. Chris contacts Father Karras who is forced to seek the help of the expert, Father Merrin.
The Best Horror Film of All Time
The quintessential classic of 1973 still feels like a powerful hit on faith and the basics of religious values. Directed by William Friedkin, the shocking film quicklybecame a cultural phenomenonand one of the most influential exercises in tension-based cinema. It is truly unforgettable.
9’Eyes Without a Face' (1960)
Eyes Without a Face
Georges Franju’sEyes Without a Facefollows a plastic surgeon who is trying to give his daughter her life back: Christiane has been involved in a car accident and her face is completely disfigured. Her dad believes the only solution is a face transplant and he’s hunting for the perfect donor.
Barker’s Favorite Horror Film
Barker’s favorite horror filmholds its legacymore than 50 years after it was released. Originally titledLes Yeux sans visage, this French film has influenced major horror works from directors like John Carpenter and John Woo, and its haunting imagery makes it a perfect scary film that doesn’t show a single drop of blood.
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8’The Thing' (1982)
In John Carpenter’sThe Thing, an outpost in Antarctica is attacked by a parasitic alien that has the capacity of mimicking human form. Led by pilot R.J. MacReady, the group find themselves paranoid after they realize they can’t trust their own shadow and they’re forced to fight against something they can’t comprehend.
An Underrated Sci-Fi Classic
It’s absurd that some people still try to seeThe Thingas a lesser example of the genre when it’s actually a sci-fi horror experience that’s among the best of its kind.Still relevantafter all these years, the film is a great display of practical special effects and Carpenter’s beautiful use of cinematography as a storytelling device.
Dead of Night
Dead of Nightis a British horror anthology that consists of six original stories with different shades of the comedy horror genre. While it’s not as scary as it was back then, the black-and-white horror imagery is unsettling enough to give you a nightmare or two. The segment you’re probably familiar with is “The Ventriloquist’s Dummy,” a rather creepy story about a dummy that becomes sentient. And hungry.
An Underappreciated Horror Anthology
Made in 1945 during a time whenhorror was extremely rare in Great Britain,Dead of Nightis the best anthology you never saw. While it’s regarded as one of the scariest films from Britain, and Scorsese actually considers it one of the scariest films he ever saw, many simply haven’t had the opportunity to see it. Barker fondly remembers it as an inspiration for hisBooks of Bloodanthologies of horror.
You can streamDead of Nighton The Roku Channel.
6’Psycho' (1960)
Psychofollows Marion Crane, a fugitive who has decided to restart her life by stealing a whole lot of cash and going on the run. During a thunderstorm, she’s forced to pull over on the Bates Motel. Luckily, there are rooms available and the manager even offers her dinner. The problem is that the cozy motel hides a secret and Marion quickly finds out what it is.
“My God, Are They All Like This?”
Consideredone of the most important horror films of all time,Psychomade quite an impression on Barker as he saw it as a child and asked himself if all horror films were like that. Alfred Hitchcock’s groundbreaking contribution to the slasher genre still has the power to leave you trembling with its unexpected and gory twist.
5’Kwaidan' (1964)
Masaki Kobayashi’sKwaidanis a horror anthology that consists of four stories based on the bookKwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things. It’s a gorgeous film that portrays in depth several stories from Japanese lore and tries to capture the visual landscape that’s visible in the pages of the book that inspired it.
Folk Horror Done Right
When it comes tofolk horror,few movies are able to be as precise asKwaidan. Nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Foreign Language Film, this underrated scary movie from Japan is a precursor to J-horror with its creepy imagery, and some elements we’d rather not spoil. Barker called it a beautiful horror film.
You can streamKwaidanon Max.
4’Bride of Frankenstein' (1935)
Bride of Frankenstein
InBride of Frankenstein, the characters from the first film have survived. Based on the same novel as the original by Mary Shelley, this sequel toFrankensteinputs the doctor further down the spiral of madness as the monster requests a bride. Henry Frankenstein is enticed by Dr. Pretorious to follow his endeavor of bringing the dead back to life.
The Classic Horror Sequel That Marked the First Steps of the Format
A timeless classic, and one of the best Universal Classic Monsters films,if not the actual best,Bride of Frankensteinis an impressive follow-up that laid the grounds for horror sequels that took what worked in predecessors, and adapted it to another storyline that could also bring people to theaters. In this case, Elsa Lanchester’s portrayal of the bride and Mary Shelley was good enough to make it a classic horror film.
3’The Fury' (1978)
The Furytells the story of former CIA agent Peter Sandza, whose son gets kidnapped by a colleague. Peter teams up with another psychic, teenager Gillian Bellaver, in order to find Robin quickly. The problem is that Gillian proves to be uncontrollable.
One of the Best Horror Scores of All Time
Barker doesn’t entirely celebrateThe Furyas one of the best horror films ever made (it’s definitelynot). However, what he does mention is the film’s score. Composed bythe mastermind of film scores, John Williams,The Furyis one of the only horror movies he ever worked on. Directed by Brian De Palma in one of his most underrated films,The Furyis an often ridiculous but ultraviolent example of ‘70s horror. And as Barker says, the score is worth it.
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2’Pan’s Labyrinth' (2006)
Pan’s Labyrinth
InPan’s Labyrinth, Ofelia is a young child who’s forced to join her mom when they move to a remote farm. Her mother is going to be the bride of a ruthless military officer, and they will begin their lives again during the Spanish Civil War. Ofelia discovers fairies have entered our realm and allowed her access to an underworld where she’s much more important than she imagined.
How to Do Creature Features
Directed by Guillermo del Toro in a beautiful mashup of fantasy and horror,Pan’s Labyrinthhas the trademark of the director’s skill to craft the impossible by releasing his imagination. Featuring thescariest villains in all of del Toro’s filmography, you can see why Barker holds the film close to his heart, as it shows a gorgeous balance of its two genres but it doesn’t restrict itself when it’s time to be graphic.
1’Kuroneko' (1968)
Kuronekofollows a story that’s very simple. Yone and Shige live together in a remote forest. Samurai warriors brutally kill them, and their souls come back to the realm of the living. Living as ghosts, the women seduce the samurais who killed them and they commit the perfect (and truly scary) act of revenge. It is a film that perfectly depicts some elements of kabuki plays.
The Asian Horror Classic Not Many People Have Heard About
Not many people have heard of thisAsian horrorclassic. Nevertheless, Barker recommends it withKwaidanas a relevant piece of horror in foreign culture. It’s a rather unsettling film that, while it goes heavy on its creepy visual style, tells a truly relevant story of revenge carried out with the same brutal force that it’s based on. Don’t let the black and white keep you away, this will give you nightmares.
You can streamKuronekoon The Criterion Channel.
