When the sun goes down at 4pm and the weather report says ten solid days of rain, there is nothing I like more than a hot cup of tea, a blanket, a cat on my lap…and watching something scary. For horror fans, there is nothing better. Like listening to moody music when you're feeling down, watching horror unlocks a sense of acceptance of the short days, long nights, and feeling trapped inside. At least you're not the protagonist of any of these movies, right?
Viewer discretion advised for these films. If you would like to check for specific content that may be upsetting to you, Does the Dog Die is a good resource. Be warned for spoilers, however.
Now on to the list! A selection of contemporary horror films from around the world that feature snow, rain, and gloom - perfect for a wintry Seattle day…or night, if you dare.
The Lodge - (USA/UK, psychological thriller)
The Lodge is an atmospheric tale of winter isolation, trauma, and cults. The only film on this list with a snowy setting, the film follows a woman's terrifying experiences while alone with her fiancé's children in a snowy cabin. Surreal and unsettling with a few truly terrifying scenes, watch this for the outstanding performances, the cinematography, and the brooding thrills and chills. This is partially inspired by Hitchcock's classic film adaptation of Daphne DuMaurier's Rebecca. (DVD & Streamable on Kanopy)
Honogurai mizu no soko kara / Dark Water - (Japan, supernatural horror, hauntings)
Dark Water confirms what many of us already know: the real horror is being a renter. Joking aside, this melancholy tale of haunted dread follows a young mother trying to keep custody of her child. After her dilapidated apartment springs a leak, she starts to experience a haunting that threatens her sanity, her custody case, and her life. Damp and tense, this one will really pull at the heartstrings… and finally get you to call your landlord to get that leaky tap fixed. Adapted from a short story by acclaimed horror author Kōji Suzuki. (Streamable on Kanopy)
The Last Matinée - (Uruguay/Mexico/Argentina, slasher)
A pure slasher for the slasher fans. Not much plot, just a storm, a cinema, and a killer on the loose. The deaths are creative and the camera is unflinching, so this is not for the squeamish. If you like Italian giallo films (Italian murder mystery thrillers that spawned the slasher genre), modern slashers, or straightforward stories with lots of blood, you'll be glad you got a ticket. (Streamable on Kanopy)
Córki dancing/The Lure - (Poland, monsters and folk tales, slasher)
In an alternative version of 1980s Poland where magic and monsters are real, two mermaid sisters make a go of life on land. While gaining success as nightclub singers, one sister wants to become more human while the other…well, she wants to eat them. Gritty and glamorous, this film is an original blend of rock music and fairy tale, with a bloody twist. (DVD)
El orfanato/The Orphange - (Spain, supernatural horror, hauntings)
The absolutely heart wrenching saga of a woman who returns to her childhood home—an orphanage for disabled children. The atmosphere is misty, with nary a sunbeam in sight, and you can almost smell the mildew in the old mansion. With husband and a young son in tow, her ambitions to reopen the orphanage for a new generation of children fall apart as she is confronted by past trauma and then a devastating loss that sends her to the brink of madness—or perhaps a connection to the supernatural. Produced by the esteemed Guillermo del Toro. (DVD)
~Posted by Billie B.
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