1. "The Babadook"
This Australian-Canadian film tells the story of a widow as she faces the many challenges in raising her son, the very boy that she blames for her husband's death. Her harbored resentment plays on the notion of guilt, and the fine line between the awareness of the conscious and the monstrous qualities of the unconscious. The use of color in the film is as meaningful and symbolic as the themes within the plot - the literal fight against a monster that encroaches on the safe confines of the protagonist's home, jeopardizing both her own life, and her son's life. "The Babadook" does not rely on blood and gore, but rather, on psychology, turning the lens onto the deepest, darkest corners of our minds where we hide our guiltiest and rawest thoughts.
2. "Creep"
"Creep" is yet another "found footage" film, and if it weren't for the fact that the film featured Mark Duplass, I probably would have never chose to watch it to begin with. We've all seen the "found footage" style before in these genres, but I've never seen it quite like this. The seemingly quiet volume of this piece contrasts well with the sense of impending doom, and constant mounting tension. You'll be left with the conflicting feeling that the antagonist of the film is one of two kinds of people - either a harmless kook, or a menacing psychopath. It isn't until the final moments of the film that this question is finally answered.
3. "I Am Not Scared"
"I Am Not Scared", or in its original Italian title, "Io Non Ho Paura", will forever be one of my favorite thrillers. It is a coming of age story in the process, as young protagonist, Michele, a boy from a rural village in southern Italy, is suddenly faced with very adult conflicts. His cunning is tested throughout the film, which brings to question the notion of childhood innocence, and the perspective of a child when faced with insurmountable danger. It tests the boundaries of family values, trust, and what it means to stand up against authority in the face of injustice.
4. "Horns"
"Horns" is the kind of film that leaves you with a dozen questions throughout, and two dozen more once it's ended. To be honest, I'm still trying to understand this one for myself. There are portions of this movie that are too outrageous to believe, and it plays with the notion of deus ex machina, or the plot device that seemingly drops out of the sky just in the nick of time to answer some kind of prodding question, or solve a conflict in the easiest way possible. But there's something about this that works - because nothing about the world created within "Horns" makes sense. Even the protagonist himself, played by Daniel Radcliffe, never truly understands why he literally grows a pair of horns overnight. Could it have something to do with the town demonizing him for being a suspect in the murder of his girlfriend? Most likely. But in this thriller-mystery where new, complex facts are constantly springing up, we're left with as much information as the protagonist, feeling connected to him, rooting for him along the way, despite his many character flaws. If you're looking for an other-worldly, mysterious vibe, this is the film for you.
5. "Housebound"
"Housebound" isn't my first choice for much of anything. If you're looking for something profound that can stir your intellect, this isn't it. If you're looking for a film that plays with the cliches of dark comedy, this is your film. "Housebound" is the perfect choice for a night in with friends when two of you want a little something to get the adrenaline going, but one of you is a wimp. Even the most easily frightened friend can get through this film, and while it may not be in the top list of horror/thriller films in my mental collection, it's certainly one I'll always go to when a friendly movie-night compromise is much needed.
