The House's Top 10 Horror Films 2016

Happy New Year everybody!

As we greet 2017 now seems as great a time to look back at the very finest horror movies that 2016 had to offer.

Just a quick word to start, this has been a very tough list to compile, mainly due to the consistency of the output in the genre this year. I’ve seen very few poor horror movies over the past 12 months, but by the same token, I’m not sure there’s been a real, stand-out obvious modern classic along the lines of The Babadook, It Follows or Crimson Peak. At different points throughout the year each of my top five occupied the top spot (and there is some debate as to whether at least four of them are even horror movies!).

With that in mind, allow me to present my 10 personal favourite horror films of 2016.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS: Under The Shadow, The Eyes of My Mother, 31, Hush, The Shallows

10. BLAIR WITCH

Dir: Adam Wingard

Stars: James Allan McCune, Callie Hernandez, Corbin Reid, Brandon Scott, Wes Robinson, Valorie Curry

Honestly, if the rest of the film was as good as the last 15 minutes or so of Adam Wingard’s surprise sequel to the 1999 hit, there’s a very good chance that it would be sitting at Number One on this list. Unfortunately, this film is not as groundbreaking as its predecessor and some of the characterisation falls flat.

However, I really do think that the climactic sequence within the confines of that familiar house in the woods is arguably the most terrifying and chillingly effective horror scene of the year, one that single-handedly buys the movie a place on this list.

9. HOLLOWER

Dir: MJ Dixon

Stars: Adam Dillon, Becca Talulah, Nicholas Vince

UK-based micro-budget maestro MJ Dixon has created something astonishing with his Mycho-verse horror franchise. From Slasher House to its sequels Legacy of Thorn and Cleaver, these connected films show tremendous imagination and visual flair.

And Hollower is quite possibly his best effort yet. A taut, lean psychological chiller with a trio of great performances from Dillon, Talulah and Vince, it’s also the most mature and frightening film from Dixon yet. The bar has been raised for Slasher House II — if it lives up this one expect to see that movie on this list next year.

8. PHANTASM RAVAGER

Dir: David Hartman

Stars: Reggie Bannister, A. Michael Baldwin, Dawn Cody, Angus Scrimm

Don Coscarelli’s Phantasm series is one of the most creative horror series there is. There were times when I thought this final chapter would never come.

Then Ravager arrived and somehow managed to be both perfect and disappointing. It gave the fans a real sense of closure, presenting a ballsy, brave conclusion to the tale of Reggie, Mike, Jody and, of course, the sinister Tall Man. Yet as a standalone film for the uninitiated it lacked frights and a sense of cohesion.

But that’s Phantasm for you, a dream-like paradox, tonally uneven but full of heart. We may never see its likes again.

7. THE WITCH

Dir: Robert Eggers

Stars: Ralph Ineson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Kate Dickie

I’m bracing myself for flak here. The critically acclaimed genre movie of the year was visually spectacular, very deep and different to everything else and… well, a bit dry. There can be no faulting the look of The Witch, the tone, the nightmarish imagery or the stunning performances (everybody in this film is incredible, even the goat!). But I found the story a little flat and ultimately, didn’t care enough about the characters. I’m sure this will be the top horror flick for plenty of people and I can understand that decision — but it was a little too cold and detached for me.

6. TRAIN TO BUSAN

Dir: Sang-ho Yeon

Stars: Yoo Gong, Soo-an Kim, Yu-mi Jeong, Dong-seok Ma, Eui-sung Kim

28 Days Later on a train in Korea. So I wrote in my review of this absolutely brilliant zombie flick back in October and that description is still so apt.

It’s intense, frenetic and breathes fresh life into a subgenre that, like its undead monsters, has been shuffling towards obsoletion. It’s gory, pulse-poundingly action-packed and it doesn’t relent for a single moment, yet still manages to weave a sentimental story about a fraught father-daughter relationship as it does so. A genuine triumph.

5. THE CONJURING 2

Dir: James Wan

Stars: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmigia, Frances O’Connor, Madison Wolfe

Much like its predecessor trumped big studio horror rival Insidious: Chapter 2, its sequel surpasses this year’s Ouija sequel and Lights Out. It packs more frights, more heart and some seriously impressive film-making from modern-horror master James than either of its big rivals and delivers some of the very best spooky moments of the year. I can’t be the only fan to hope that Wan’s franchise about real-life demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren runs and runs — if the next film is even half as good as this we have a real treat in store.

4. DON’T BREATHE

Dir: Fede Alvarez

Stars: Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, Daniel Zovatto, Stephen Lang

Sometimes the most simple premise delivers the most effective results. Fede Alvarez’s nail-biting thriller about three burglars who pick the wrong house is a perfect case in point. Built around a powerhouse performance from Avatar tough-guy Stephen Lang, this is a film that is utterly gripping and will have you on the edge of your seat throughout. It also boasts a couple of seriously out-there plot developments that do a wonderful job of establishing the robbers’ blind-victim as far less sympathetic and one of the most intimidating screen characters of the year. A must-see.

3. THE MONSTER

Dir: Bryan Bertino

Stars: Zoe Kazan, Ella Ballentine

This was a film that flew under my radar, then slapped me square in the face when it arrived. Another deceptively simple tale about an alcoholic, The Monster is about a neglectful mother, the tumultuous relationship she has with her damaged young daughter, and a fateful night in which their car strikes, well, a monster. A moving and layered character piece is told in flashback throughout the ongoing game of cat and mouse, the film is both heart-breaking and heart-stoppingly tense. What’s more the central pair of Kazan and Ballentine are amazing. Powerful and brilliant.

2. GREEN ROOM

Dir: Jeremy Saulnier

Stars: Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Joe Cole, Alia Shawcat, Callum Turner, Patrick Stewart

Assault on Precinct 13 with a punk rock band. A good siege movie is tough to pull off. This is an excellent one. 
Notable for being one of the brilliant Anton Yelchin’s last roles before his tragic death, this is a tight and surprisingly bloody thriller which ratchets up the tension to nearly unbearable levels and refuses to let up. The cast is fantastic, the direction assured and the plot utterly riveting. 
For a long, long time, this was my favourite film of the year and remains one that I whole-heartedly recommend.

1. I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER

Dir: Billy O’Brien

Stars: Christopher Lloyd, Max Records, Laura Fraser, Karl Geary

This is not a perfect film, and I’m not sure if it’s even a horror movie, but of all the flicks I’ve watched this year, few have had such a strong effect on me. You’re better off going in not knowing anything, but this darkly comic tale about a borderline psychopathic teen who comes to believe a murderous monster may be operating in his town is hilarious, frightening, disturbing, achingly hip and utterly unlike anything else you’ll see this year. Both Lloyd and Records are awesome and so is this film. These reasons, and so many more, are why I crown it the best of 2016.

And finally, because not every film can be a hit...

DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE YEAR

SADAKO V KAYAKO

Dir: Kôji Shiraishi

Stars: Mizuki Yamamoto, Aimi Satsukawa, Masahiro Komoto, Masaki Saisho, Elly Nanami

In truth, Sadako v Kayako really isn’t that bad a film. The problem is that, considering the source material, it should have been brilliant. I absolutely love the Ring series and I’m a huge fan of the Ju-On franchise, and this just doesn’t get close to the heights of either of them. It doesn’t help that the titular battle gets just a couple of minutes of screentime, and ultimately this just feels like a terrible missed opportunity.

If you haven’t already, do please check out and Like the Hickey’s House of Horrors Facebook page, which you can find here. It gives you a nice quick link to any new posts on this blog, plus regular news updates from around the web. I check the Internet so you don’t have to! Alternatively, follow me on twitter: The House @HickeysHorrors

Until next time, I hope you enjoyed your stay.

RAW REVIEW: THE CONJURING 2

I’m a big fan of James Wan. The likeable, enthusiastic, diminutive director always impresses, from his trendsetting Saw to the rebirth of the haunted house genre, Insidious and its sequel. I honestly believe that he’s well on his way to becoming this generation’s John Carpenter.

I also really enjoyed the first Conjuring movie, which meant this film had pretty big shoes to fill.

So would it enchant me?

Or would this outing spell disaster?

Read on...

The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Dir: James Wan

Starring: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmigia, Frances O’Connor, Madison Wolfe, Lauren Esposito, Patrick McAuley, Benjamin Haigh, Franke Potente, Simon McBurney

SPEEDY SYNOPSIS: I’ll try not to spoil too much here but read on at your own risk.

James Wan returns to the story of real life ghost hunters Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmigia) as they investigate ‘England’s Amityville’ — the infamous Enfield Poltergeist, a sinister supernatural presence that victimised a normal family, the Hodgsons  in 1977.

When a restless spirit makes its presence known to young Janet (Madison Wolfe); her siblings Margaret (Lauren Esposito), Johnny (Patrick McAuley) and Billy (Benjamin Haigh); and long-suffering mother Peggy (Frances O’Connor), they come to the attention of psychic researchers Maurice Grosse (an unrecognisable Simon McBurney) and sceptical Anita Gregory (Franke Potente).

Stateside the case is referred to the Catholic Church, which sends Ed and a battle-weary Lorraine to assess whether this is a genuine case.

But how safe are they all — especially as Lorraine is haunted by a terrible vision depicting Ed’s violent death…

THE BEST BITS (mild spoiler warning): Let's cut straight to the chase — I’m delighted to say that The Conjuring 2 is a more than worthy sequel to the great first outing. It may even surpass the original film and totally washes away the bad-taste left in the mouth by 2014’s derivative, soulless spin-off Annabelle.

The cast impress in their roles, especially the sparkling central duo of Farmigia and Wilson. They are a fantastic screen couple with real chemistry and both show impressive acting chops as they bring their real-life counterparts to life. Wilson really is a fine leading man and once again his strong relationship with Wan yields dividends.

Fans of TV’s Bates Motel already know that Farmigia is an exceptional actress and she brings an impressive blend of warmth, vulnerability and steely toughness to her portrayal of Lorraine. It’s in their scenes together that they really shine, with a strong and believable rapport. Here’s hoping to more films of the Warren’s cases — perhaps more of the case covered at the start of the film, a case GUARANTEED to bring the horror crowds flocking.

However, these stars do take something of a back seat for the first act, so it’s a good thing that the actors playing the Hodgson family are so good. Sure, as somebody who lives a mere 25 minutes from the real Green Street, I did notice a couple of wobbly accents from some of the younger stars but they soon settle down. Elsewhere McBurney is excellent as Grosse and really could have done with more to do. Still, what we do get is fantastic.

The Hodgsons all impress, especially the great O’Connor, and we can’t help but find ourselves drawn into their plight, which is real testament to their performances.

It helps that the frights come thick and fast, with an early scene that pretty much lays the groundwork for every terrifying setpiece to come leading to some chilling payoffs. The scenes with young Billy’s tent and The Crooked Man zoetrope (a toy every bit as a ridiculously unsuitable for children as the Annabelle doll of the previous instalment) are standouts, while a scene in the Warren family home involving a Marilyn Manson-like demonic nun is a show-stealer.

Director Wan’s timing during these (and the myriad of other scares) is impeccable, while the flashy camerawork on display throughout shows plenty of creativity. Elsewhere there is some excellent effects work for the key ghouls and ghosts of the story. The restless spirit of Bill Wilkins is a little underwhelming but a certain long-legged, bowler-hatted entity is sure to get lots of love from horror fans while the profain nun is genuinely disturbing at times, especially during THAT intense scene.

This isn’t the only visual element to impress. The cinematography by Don Burgess adds creepy atmosphere and, when combined with the stunning period set dressing, really encompasses the gritty, grimy feel of the Seventies. It looks great throughout, and even the overdose of British Rain™ doesn't feel too much. Instead it adds to the atmosphere, as does the clever decision to play up the spookiness of the Christmas setting with plenty of eerie choir recitations of Christmas carols.

Clearly the whole film is a labour of love — you get the impression that James Wan and his cast and crew really care about doing this story and its characters justice… and scaring the living daylights out of us along the way.

THE WORST BITS (mild spoiler warning): Unfortunately, the main criticism I can level towards The Conjuring 2 is that Wan may be a little too invested in the characters as written by him and collaborators Carey and Chad Hayes, expecting us to share his affection towards them. This leads to a couple of overly sentimental scenes that veer perilously close to schmaltzy at times (a mid-movie sing-along is especially cloying, even if it does highlight a superb period soundtrack). There are some decidedly soppy conversations that may cause eye-rolling from some viewers.

Ultimately however, this is a price I’m prepared to pay for the chance to watch a horror film with genuine heart rather than mindless, inferior knock-offs and cash-ins.

Another problem I had with the film, albeit a rather minor one, was the manner in which the real-life major investigators of the phenomena at Green Street, Maurice Grosse and especially Guy Lyon Playfair, are marginalised in favour of the more glamorous Americans. Perhaps it’s because I was spoiled by Sky One’s exceptional drama, The Enfield Haunting, earlier this year, but it meant that fascinating personalities such as Maurice Grosse are given short shift. In real life his obsession with the paranormal was driven by the tragic loss of his young daughter, also named Janet. In this film that motive is touched upon very briefly in a single throwaway scene, then promptly discarded (along with Grosse himself) for the fast-paced climax.

Of course, this is a work of entertainment, a horror film not an extensively researched documentary, so in that regard perhaps these decisions can be excused, and not only that, it's a sequel to an established title so of course the stars of the previous film will be given more coverage. It’s just a shame because in terms of drama I feel a lot could have been mined from these characters.

VERDICT: It may have a couple of very minor flaws, but with The Conjuring 2 the brilliant Wan shows us all exactly what he brings to the table — skilled and reverential horror direction — and it is bloody impressive. Here’s hoping that this is just the latest chapter in a long-running franchise from this talented group of film-makers. Highly, highly recommended.

The Conjuring 2 hits UK cinemas next Friday, 10 June. Until then check out the film’s Facebook page for more information.

If you haven’t already, do please check out and Like the Hickey’s House of Horrors Facebook page, which you can find here. It gives you a nice quick link to any new posts on this blog, plus regular news updates from around the web. I check the Internet so you don’t have to! Alternatively, follow me on twitter: The House @HickeysHorrors

Until next time, I hope you enjoyed your stay.

THE WEEK’S HORROR HEADLINES (10th-17th November 2014)

Not got time to trawl the web for all the top horror news of the last week? Well allow me to give you a bite-size breakdown of the all biggest nightmarish news!

1: EVIL DEAD TV SERIES HEADING TO STARZ

The TV station that brought us the sex and gore of Spartacus has announced that it will be producing an Evil Dead TV show to screen in 2015. More excitingly, the show WILL be made with original director/creator Sam Raimi, producing partner Rob Tapert AND original star and horror film icon BRUCE CAMPBELL.

Titled Ash vs Evil Dead, the series is slated for 10 episodes and looks to be focusing on the over-the-top gore and outrageous humour of Evil Dead 2 and Army of Darkness, rather than the darker tone of the original film and last year’s remake.

Read the Variety article on the news here.

2: THIRD JACK SAWYER NOVEL ON THE WAY FROM STEPHEN KING AND PETER STRAUB

I love the works of Stephen King. He is undoubtedly the master of modern horror. From the terror of It and The Shining to the epic feel of The Stand or his Dark Tower stories, King has written some of my favourite novels of all time. One story that best combines the horror and fantasy of his best works was his 1984 collaboration with Peter Straub, The Talisman.

This fantastic novel introduced the character of Jack Sawyer, who later returned in the 2001 sequel, The Black House, which tied the events to King’s Dark Tower. And now King has revealed that a third novel is on the way, and Straub has revealed that they plan to write the novel next year!

Read theexclusive news at Lilja’s Library here.

3: HER NAME WAS TORMENT SEQUEL FUNDRAISER REACHES AND EXCEEDS TARGET

A couple of days ago I reported that the makers of extreme horror flick Her Name Was Torment were posting the film free to view online to spread word of mouth and drum up support for a sequel or even two to complete a trilogy. Having watched and reviewed the film, I was soon onboard.

Well now I’m pleased to say that the fundraising project smashed its meagre $6000 target and reached a whopping $10,769! This means two more films will be coming soon. Congratulations guys!

4: GHOSTFACE MASK GONE FROM SCREAM TV SERIES

The makers of the upcoming Scream tv series at MTV have revealed that they will not be using the iconic Edvard Munch-inspired Ghostface mask — instead they will be using a variation that is more organic.

Mina Lefevre, MTV’s senior vice president and head of scripted development, has been quoted as saying: ‘It’s a darker, almost more grounded, evolved version of the mask.’

The show-runners have gone on to claim that this is nothing to do with any rights issues, as has been reported elsewhere.

I’m not sure how I feel about this, but as the entire story is unrelated to the film’s plot, Sidney Prescott and Woodsboro, I suppose we just have to wait and see. Early rumours that the mask may even be made of flesh have certainly piqued my interest!

Read Entertainment Weekly’s feature on the story here.

5: CONJURING 2 COMING 10^th JUNE 2016

New Line Cinema and Warner Bros have announced that The Conjuring 2 will be released on 10th June 2016. Original stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga will be back as Ed and Lorraine Warren and director James Wan will also return.

6: NEW THIS WEEK

This week’s home releases include the sequel to The Purge, The Purge: Anarchy and the 40^th Anniversary edition of Tobe Hooper’s seminal The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

Both are available at amazon.co.uk  

If you haven’t already, do please check out and like the Hickey’s House of Horrors Facebook page, which you can find here. It gives you a nice quick link to any new posts on this blog, plus regular news updates from around the web. I check the Internet so you don’t have to! Alternatively, follow me on twitter: The House@HickeysHorrors

Until next time, I hope you enjoyed your stay.