nope Archives - The Void of Celluloid

It was a fantastic year for horror this previous year. Nearly every month, something notable dropped. Sure, we had some ugly ones (I’m looking at you, Texas Chainsaw Massacre), but we also had some great ones. 2022 is going to be a year that we talk about when we look back on film history, and horror is a standout genre in that discussion. My top three picks will remain in people’s mouths for sure. Due to awards season always looking bleak for this genre, I am taking it into my own hands to give these films the praise they deserve.

Already looking forward to the new year? I also talked about my top five most anticipated horror films for 2023, which you can check out here. If you would rather a starter guide to horror and have no idea what I’m on about, I made a series just for you, which you can check out here. Nevertheless, let’s move on and discuss my top ten picks for this previous year.

10. The Black Phone

The Black Phone' review: Ethan Hawke embodies fears of Stranger Danger generation | Mashable

While I consider this one more of a thriller, The Black Phone stands out this year for the outstanding performances it provided. Not only did Ethan Hawke kill it as the diabolical Grabber, but its two lead protagonists are sure to be rising stars. Sure, this film did have its plot holes, but it is easily corrected by imaginative autofill or reading the source material, which is a quick read. A slow burn in an entertaining way–I was a fan. You can read my review for this film here, but there is definitely enough here to make my top ten.

9. Studio 666

Foo Fighters Made a Horror Film. Because Why Not? - The New York Times

Speaking of endearment behind films, Studio 666 is a beautiful, hilarious ode to the Foo Fighters and what they were and still are. Taylor Hawkins was a tragic loss this year, and it happened so quickly after the release of this celebratory film. However, it is honestly a heartwarming and heartbreaking tribute to the glorious friendships in that band. It’s still a fun watch however, with goofy scenes followed by grisly kills. I definitely don’t recommend it to the merely acquainted fans, but if you’re in on the jokes already with the Foo, then you’re in for a grand ol’ time.

8. Watcher

Watcher was a fantastic watch. This is Chloe Okuno’s debut feature film after co-directing V/H/S ’94, a fun anthology from the previous year. Her and Maika Monroe are a match made in heaven as a shocking, disturbing tale takes form over a fast hour and a half. The paranoia you will feel during this film is exemplary and will have you checking out your windows for suspicious activity–or make you too scared to even do so. This was a terrifying watch when I lived in my downtown apartment.

7. Sissy

I just recently reviewed this film right here on TVOC, so be sure to check it out if you want some more details. Sissy is the unsung hero of 2022. A smaller, indie film that was released as a Shudder exclusive made me laugh and gasp the whole way through. It’s the first horror film that accurately spoofs the influencer generation in the best way without making fun of the concept. It also is an introspective look on trauma and how severe things can get if its triggered. While that might be in a satirical way, there is still some endearment behind it all.

6. The Menu

Alright, this one definitely leans more towards the thriller-comedy, but the concept alone is horrifyingly brilliant that I had to include it on this list. No, this film isn’t about cannibalism like the trailer made it seem like it was, but rather about the horrors of the service industry–something that a lot of us can relate to. There are brilliant performances all around in this movie, the story is exciting, and it is full of twists and turns. This film is available for streaming on HBO Max as of January, so watch it as soon as you can. It is just as good on the rewatch as well. This one isn’t in my top five only because it is barely horror.

5. Bodies, Bodies, Bodies

Bodies Bodies Bodies: The Void's Top Ten

This one looked like it might have been a stinker this year, but it ended up being one of my favorites. Bodies, Bodies, Bodies is a brilliant horror comedy that has one of the best twists I’ve ever seen in a horror movie. While the first twenty minutes of this movie take a while to get going, you’ll be hooked once it kicks off. If you’re skeptical throughout, I beg you to wait for the ending. It clicks everything into place and steps it up from a fun time to a great, hilarious time. This one has stuck with me and made it pretty high on my top ten list.

4. Fresh

Who knew dating could be just as horrifying as cannibalism? This one IS about cannibalism, even though the first twenty minutes play out like a traditional romcom. Sebastian Stan and Daisy Edgar Jones deliver a performance that leaves you on the edge of your seat throughout its runtime. I feel like this one deserves a revisit as it was huge and then disappeared as the year went on. It is gross, but if you can get past it, there is a worthwhile film in there with a final act that makes it all worth it in the end, two times over.

3. Pearl / x (TIE)

This one is a tie, because one would not exist without the other. Ti West has returned in triumphant fashion with his films X and Pearl. This is the quickest trilogy ever to exist once Maxxxine drops this year. Not only is it the quickest, but it’s also dripping with quality. X and Pearl are both effective horror films that tell the most outlandish stories that provide metaphors on aging, inhibitions, sex and more. It is female rage incarnate with Mia Goth playing the starring role, and I am eating it up, not leaving a crumb.

2. Nope

Alright, some may argue this isn’t a horror film. It’s definitely a genre fusion, leaning more towards sci-fi and comedy, but has some standout horrifying moments that makes it jump up on this list for me. The Gordy situation as well as the entire Star Lasso experience are some of the more disturbing things I’ve seen in a film in a while. NOPE is a fantastic film and while Get Out is a masterpiece and one of my favorite horror films of all time, this is my favorite of Jordan Peele’s releases so far. I wrote an entire article on what the Gordy scene is even about, I loved it so much.

1. Barbarian

You had to see this coming. Barbarian is inventive and will go down as a legendary horror film. It’s hard to believe that this is Zach Cregger’s first horror film. He completely knocked it out of the park. This film has its immaculate twists and turns, making it a fun, disturbing and memorable watch. I simply laughed in disbelief the entire time due to how great this movie is. If you haven’t seen it, go watch it as soon as possible and go in completely blind. It’s truly a trip and an experience you won’t forget. I don’t even want to write about it because I don’t want to give it away, but it is possibly in my top ten of the decade.

What’s NExt

Thank you for hearing me out on these top ten films. What are your thoughts on these films? Let me know in the comments and I am happy to discuss. As for what’s next, TVOC is posting daily content on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. There will be buttons below to check out that and you can see my lovely face discussing various topics on the regular. Be sure to follow those if you’re into fun facts, history, and the occasional fan edit dedicated to the art that is horror. There usually isn’t many top ten lists, but there is top fives. New blog posts will be posted Monday, Wednesday and Friday as regularly as possible.

Anyways, thanks for spelunking this void with me. If you’re new to the Void of Celluloid, welcome. Feel free to spelunk some other voids while you’re here and follow me on other platforms by clicking the buttons below. We post regularly and stay up to date about what’s going on in horror today, reflect on what went on yesterday, and plan for a better, horror filled tomorrow. See ya next time.

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We’re back this week with the next seven movies in this year’s 31 Days of Horror. This is the third iteration of the 31 Days of Horror; you can find the one chock full of classics here. As for this year, we have classics, newbies and deeper cuts peppered in here and there. You can check out the first week here and the second week here if you see a movie you missed on the calendar below.

There will be one more post after this one: The Final Ten Days. Now that that’s established, let’s go ahead with days 15-21.

A Micro-rant from The Void

For those that are going to stay away from some of these films because of tiny little words you have to read, please try and push yourself to do so. There will be subtitled movies in this week as well as next week, and if you aren’t open to subtitles, you’re going to miss out on a lot of good horror. As Bong Joon Ho said, “Once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” Alright, micro rant over, let’s get to the goodies.

October 15th: The Slumber party massacre (1982)

The Slumber Party Massacre': Slashing the Patriarchy - Bloody Disgusting

We’re cheesin’ it up with a cult classic: The Slumber Party Massacre. A film in which was written as a parody but then shot as if it was a slasher. Therefore, it is hilarious and has quite a bit of meta humor before the time meta-horror was popular. There isn’t much to say for plot as the title gives it away immediately but be prepared for a hilariously cheesy and somewhat bad movie that is fun, nonetheless. A charming example of communication is crucial in the filmmaking business.

How about a slumber party where no one gets murdered? First off, the food of a sleepover is definitely pizza. Therefore, try out these dunkable Pizza Bites that keeps that lovely greasy goodness all folded into the dough for a relatively mess free snack. You gotta add a little sin to the party, so try out this sweet Malibu Sunset–doesn’t even taste like booze which is every young drinker’s dream. If you’re not into the drinking thing, that’s alright too–I found this Virgin Sunset for you. To keep up with classic 80s slashers, the double feature has to be Prom Night to double down on the fun and comfort cheesy slasher films can bring.

You can rent The Slumber Party Massacre on Amazon Video or flaunt that you’re cultured in the genre by adding it to your collection here. Check out the custom sticker I made for this romp of a film on Redbubble.

October 16th: THe Omen (1976)

The Ace Black Movie Blog: Movie Review: The Omen (1976)

Alright, fun and games are over. When it comes to classic horror films, The Omen ranks up there. A very dreadful story that doubles as birth control, this had to make the list this year. Evil children are always creepy, but the Devil in an actual child? Absolutely terrifying. The more stressful element is for the parents–how do you handle this situation? The Omen deals with that stress throughout its runtime and it is a very worthwhile watch. It might have you side eyeing your little ones, however.

We’re dealing in terms of heaven and hell here, folks. Protect yourself by drinking this Sainte Trinite cocktail which has to be just as effective as holy water. You can make an ode to Mother Mary herself if you prefer the alcohol-less route with this Virgin Mary Mocktail. We can’t have it all pure up in here however, as we want to convince Damien we’re on his good side. Make a dish in his honor with these ‘Devil’ Deviled Eggs–a deviled egg recipe with a twist. The double feature has to do with evil children as well, but she wasn’t born evil. Go visit Regan with The Exorcist.

Rent The Omen on Amazon Video and if it isn’t in your physical collection already, you can get that here. You guessed it, I did make a design for this one too.

October 17th: Raw (2016)

Raw (2016) is a Radical Coming of Age Horror Film That Gives Women Power Over Their Desires – Flip Screen

This one is a doozy. Raw is one of the best horror films I’ve seen in recent years, and it is also one of the most disgusting. A vegetarian freshman is hazed to eat raw meat upon her arrival at university. After ingesting, she develops an animalistic craving for flesh–both animal and human. Quite an interesting take on a coming-of-age film. This is Julia Ducournau’s debut feature-length film, who recently released the bonkers Titane in 2021. However, it seems like she’s been in the game for years as she never fails once in this movie to intrigue and terrify.

This is a French film, so it’s time to indulge in some French food. I decided to go vegetarian as meat might not be appetizing during this film’s run. Therefore, check out this savory Triple-Threat Onion Galette and snack on it if you’re not queasy. This is also a college film, and you might need to remember your college years in order to forget Justine’s. Get a big group and plan a sleepover, then make the iconic college party drink Hop, Skip and Go Naked–which contains a lot of booze. If it’s just you and a buddy, however, indulge in this Blood Orange Lemonade which you can keep as is or add booze to take off the edge. Cannibalism is a rough topic, but fascinating, nonetheless. A double feature to stay on topic but lighten it up is the cult classic Parents.

You can check Raw out on Amazon Video or add some surreal culture to your shelf by adding it to your physical collection here. You can check out my slick typography design for this film here on Redbubble.

October 18th: Shutter (2004)

Fatal Frame: Chilling Thai Horror Film 'Shutter' Turns 15 - Bloody Disgusting

At the turn of the century, there was quite a boom of Asian horror. We got Ringu and Ju-On: The Grudge from Japan, but what about the other countries? Out comes Shutter from Thailand. A ghost story that has to do with cameras is sure enough to give you the creeps. Shutter follows Jane and her boyfriend, Tun after Jane hits someone with her car and murders her. Noticing that there are figures appearing in the background of her boyfriend’s photographs, she fears it is the vengeful spirit of the young girl she hit. This one is twisty turn-y and is a must watch for any horror fan.

Thai horror needs to be accompanied with some Thai food. Make these easy Chicken Satay skewers to snack on–they make great leftovers as they are delicious cold. Try something new with this refreshing Sabai Sabai Cocktail. If you’re not into the alcohol side of things, Thailand has quite an array of mocktails including this Ko Tao Mocktail. Continue down the path of Thai horror and check out another spooky tale, The Unseeable.

Rent Shutter on Vudu as it is unavailable on Amazon at the moment. This design for this film brings more to the eye, make sure to look closely on Redbubble.

October 19th: Nope (2022)

Film review: Jordan Peele's 'Nope' provides unsettling social commentary with strong execution - Daily Bruin

If you’re a regular, you know that I loved this film. I understand it is one of the more polarizing films of the year, but NOPE toes the line between disturbing and hilarious during its entire runtime. A pair of siblings take over their family business after their father dies in a freak accident. Upon the opening of a theme park near their property, they see something Not Of Planet Earth lurking in the hills. The thing that makes this film disturbing is best kept secret until after watching, but you can read all about that scene here.

Upon viewing, I HAD to know what a Cactus ICEE tasted like. Well, this Prickly Pear Frozen Margarita will have to do instead, especially since the original probably didn’t have booze. I sure as hell wouldn’t give Jupe a liquor license. If booze doesn’t suit your fancy, try out this Prickly Pear and Coconut Water Smoothie. The theme park gave me discount Knott’s Berry Farm vibes, so I had to go with a Dupe of Knott’s Berry Farm Boysenberry BBQ Meatballs since no one does crazy theming better than Knott’s. For this film, I wanted to pair it with another creature feature. Therefore, be sure to check out The Host from the genius Bong Joon Ho.

You can now watch Nope on Amazon Video or complete your Jordan Peele collection by adorning it on your shelf which you can purchase here. This is the film that caused me to start these designs, so check out the OG Gordy’s Home design on Redbubble.

October 20th: Suspiria (1977)

Ah, Argento. Suspiria remains as one of the prettiest horror films out there. The colors, the geometric patterns and the groundbreaking cinematography in this film continues to influence the world around it and even inspire a remake in 2019 (which is also quite good). An elite ballet school has a violent, brutal secret lurking in every room, and we follow Suzy as she unravels the knots and discovers the truth–and it has to do with some freaky witchcraft. It’s a slower burn, but has some of the most brutal and iconic death scenes of all time.

Class it up with this Ballerina Wine Cocktail that is an easy sipper to nurse throughout the movie. If you’re not into an herbal wine drink, try this Pumpkin Witch’s Brew to become one with the coven. It does take place in Germany as well, so eat something that a ballerina probably wouldn’t eat with this German Beer Cheese Spread–versatile with multiple types of carbs. The double feature is another mystery-horror with its twists and turns and that is Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho, so have fun with these girls really going crazy.

Watch Suspiria on Tubi (the only platform to have Suspiria?) or have it on your shelf alongside your other Giallo films by purchasing the physical version here. I did a rather classy, painting-style design for this one, so be sure to check it out on Redbubble.

October 21st: His House (2020)

This was a surprise from Netflix after an overall lull in their original movies. His House is filled with terror and rich with metaphor. A couple who has escaped from South Sudan takes refuge in a quaint English town. Haunted by the death of their daughter, they struggle to adjust and take different methods of coping. However, their house seems to be haunted, and the thing haunting it is something truly evil. This is an intense, surreal ride, so try to pay attention during the times you’re able to keep your eyes on the screen.

For this film, we are blending an English drink with a South Sudanese treat. When I think of English cocktails, I immediately think of a Pimm’s Cup–a perfect tasty blend of herbs, spices and booze. Believe it or not, I found a Virgin Pimm’s as well that emulates that complexity in flavors as well. You can usually find Pimm’s rather easily in the US at specialty liquor stores. As for food, we’re going sweet with this delicious Sudanese Kahk–a recipe that might contribute to your Christmas baking as well. Shape them with these spooky cookie cutters. I chose another Netflix original turned modern horror essential with The Ritual.

You can watch His House on Netflix–a platform that sadly doesn’t have any physical copies readily available. You can check out my original design here on Redbubble.

Coming Up Next

So, there’s the third week of the 31 Days of Horror here on The Void of Celluloid. Hopefully this spawned some ideas on what to make for any upcoming movie nights this spooky season. For those that like to go hard and celebrate every day like me, go for it–I have given you the tools. We had Week 1 and Week 2, coming up next are The Final Ten Days which will be linked respectively once published.

Tag: nope

The Void’s Top Ten Horror Films of 2022