Last month, I binged on all things – books, movies, TV shows - creepy. The results? I yelled at two terrible movies, spent enjoyable chunks of time with solid entertainment, and was blown away by one movie and one book.
Hunter Hunter is my kind of movie: dark, disturbing, tense. I was uneasy the entire time I watched it, gaze riveted to the screen. Until the ending. It was so gory I had to look away over and over. And, yet, the ending absolutely fits the story so well that I can't call it gratuitous. It haunts me to this day. (I don't usually talk trigger warnings, but this ending is not for the faint of heart.)
Come With Me by Ronald Malfi is a horror novel for people who don't like horror. In fact, I'd call this more mystery with paranormal elements than anything else. It's atmospheric, creepy, heartbreaking and lovely. Though parts of it felt kind of slow, it still stayed a solid 4 stars for me. Until the ending. When I got there, I gasped then flipped back through the book, re-reading certain moments with fresh eyes. The ending added a whole other layer that had me in tears. It leaped to 5 stars and is easily one of my favorite reads of the year.
*****
How was your October/Halloween? Anything you read/watched that you'd recommend? Are there any endings that haunt you from books/movies/TV shows? What's next for you in November?
I'll have to check out the movie. I've heard of it, but with that glowing review, I'll look for it. And fortunately I can handle most gore.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it, Alex! It was one of the best creepy movies I've seen in a long time. And I really only mentioned the gore factor because most of the movie wasn't like the so it took me by surprise.
DeleteI'll have to add both to my to-do lists.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to them sooner rather than later. But believe me, I know how those lists can grow...and grow...and grow.... Hey, they sounds like horror movie - The Never Ending To-Do List, mwahhaha! :o
DeleteGood that you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteHunter Hunter sounds like something my significant other would enjoy...and something I'd probably have to watch with my hands over my face or something. I'm a chicken. :)
ReplyDeleteThere's a French movie called Them (there was a US remake, but the original French film is much, much better) that both my SO and I found terrifying. The ending was especially chilling—and it has stayed with us for years.
Maybe try watching it between your fingers. :)
DeleteIt might be different than what you're referring to, but the movie THEM I'm thinking of is about gift ants. I saw that many, many years ago and so have to watch it again. :)
GIANT ants. Not "gift" ants. I don't even want to know what those would be....
DeleteHi Madeline, I plan to start something new in November and also focus on my fitness.
ReplyDeleteExcellent, Rachna! Good luck!
DeleteOh, I'm gonna have to check them out. I love endings that have me rethinking the story. I tend to re-read books like that. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Yes! Once you know the ending, it's fun to go back and see all the hints dropped, all the things that have double meanings, etc. It might not be the same as that first time through, with that "gasp!" moment, but it's fun in a different way. :)
DeleteSounds like you found some good sources of entertainment!
ReplyDeleteI did! :)
DeleteThanks for the recommendations. I've been struggling for entertainment the past two months.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Susan! And I hear you. I do tend to read newer books, but I've gone back to watching mostly older movies and TV shows, some of which are new to me.
DeleteI watched Midnight Mass. It started out promising, but ended with a gory, senseless mess. And a lot of not-so-subtle social agenda lecturing. I'd like that seven hours of my life back. I'm still debating giving Squid Games a shot. 😆
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up about Midnight Mass.
DeleteI watched two episodes of Squid Game, and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. I kind of like it...but I kind of don't. I joked to a friend that I'm probably going to have to watch the whole season before I figure it out. :)