Top 5 Sci-Fi Horror Films

Science fiction is another genre that I adore, so when it's combined with horror its a match made in heaven! There are many great sci-fi horrors, below are just a few of my favourites! *There may be a few spoilers, you've been warned!*

5.) Event Horizon (1997)

 Released in 1997, Event Horizon is often referred to as the "haunted house film in space". Set in the year 2047, a rescue crew are sent out to investigate the Event Horizon ship that had gone missing seven years earlier. The ship was capable of lightning speed travel through black holes. Upon boarding, the research crew realise something went horribly wrong. The crew slowly begin having strange, disturbing hallucinations. Paranoia and tension amongst them starts to build. The standout moment in the film comes when they find the video logs from the previous crew and discover what really happened! This particular scene is over in a matter of seconds but is surprisingly graphic.

The effects have held up a lot better than some of the 90's dated CGI. There are some disturbing moments (who doesn't find eyeless people creepy?). The plot, though interesting does get a little daft towards the end. I particularly liked the random Shining reference and classic 80's "final scare" though!

4.) The Fly (1986)

David Cronenberg's beautifully grotesque take on the classic 1958 film remains one of the best horror remakes of all time. Jeff Goldblum at his finest, stars as the intelligent yet eccentric Seth Brundle, a scientist busy developing a revolutionary machine that can teleport matter from one place to another through the use of two "telepods". Whilst experimenting he falls madly in love with Veronica Quaife (Geena Davis). 

After several unsuccessful (and messy) results with live animals, Seth finally perfects the machine and begins the first human trial. Unknowingly whilst entering the telepod, a fly enters in with with him, he starts the process and unwilling gets his DNA spliced with the fly. Unlike the original, upon emerging from the other pod, Seth looks and behaves normal. Cue David Croneberg's love for the flesh! What follows is a slow, painful, disgusting transformation into Brundlefly! The makeup effects are fantastic,with some truly revolting scenes, (can anyone stomach that nail peeling scene?). I'm not one for romantic films but you can't help but feel saddened by the final, surprisingly moving moment between Veronica and her now hideously deformed partner.

3.) Aliens

Many people actually prefer James Cameron's sequel to the original Alien. It was very difficult for me to decide as I adore both films, however I feel as a standalone horror film, Alien has the edge. Set 57 years after the original, Ripley is awakened from hypersleep and reluctantly agrees to join the Colonial Marines to supposedly destroy the last remaining aliens.

Though it doesn't quite hold the tension as well as the original, Aliens still remains a claustrophobic, thrilling film with some fantastic practical effects. It's much more high octane and action focused, similar to Predator. Sigourney Weaver once again steals it as the tough, yet compassionate Ellen Ripley.The addition of not one but a whole hive of Xenomorpths, makes for lots of plasma firing, saliva dripping, chestbursting fun!

2.) Alien

Alien has always been one of my all time favourites. I first saw it when I was around 12, thanks to my dad who loves science fiction films. Set in the year 2122, the crew of the Nostromo spacecraft intercept a distress signal on a planet codenamed LV-426. After landing, they discover evidence of earlier lifeforms and a chamber full of thousands of large, leathery eggs. Upon inspection, one crew member is seemingly attacked by a strange, spider like creature, which emerges from one of eggs. Upon boarding the ship, ignoring quarantine, they begin heading back to Earth. Soon after we witness the birth of one of cinemas most iconic aliens, the Xenomorpth! 

H. R. Giger's design of the Xenomorpth, to this day, remains one of the most terrifying aliens ever created. I find the chestburster scene very unsettling every time I see this film. Though it's undoubtedly shocking the first time you see it, I actually find it more horrific when you know that the alien is growing inside Kane and that he thinks he is fine until the famous dinner scene. I love the atmosphere of the film, the Nostromo looks and feels eerie with its dark, claustrophobic corridors. The film has some clever, subtle scares to catch the audience off guard and an unnerving score to accompany the on screen terror. Lets not forget Sigourney Weavers fantastic performance as Ellen Ripley. Alien has since gone onto spawn 3 sequels, 2 crossovers (AVP 1/2) and the underrated prequel Prometheus. For me though, the original remains the scariest and definitely the most memorable.

1.) The Thing (1982)

So how do you top Alien? let me introduce you to John Carpenters masterpiece! The Thing  is actually a reimagining of the 1951 film, "The Thing From Another World", which was loosely based on John. W. Campbell. jr's novel, "Who Goes there?". The story is set in an antarctic research station known as Outpost 31. At the beginning of the film a dog is seen attempting to outrun gunfire from a Norwegian helicopter. Unaware of its origin, the scientists take in the animal. Confused over the event, Macready (Kurt Russell) and Dr Copper (Richard Dysart) travel to the Norwegian research facility. To their horror, they find all the scientists dead as well as a hideous looking creature concealed in ice. An autopsy shows the now dead organism to be made up of previous human bodies. Further tests prove that the creature is capable of assimilating (taking on the form of its previous kills). Upon this realisation, the dog is ordered to be incinerated, however it is already too late. The creature is already amongst them!

I am a big fan of the use of practical effects in films. The creature effects by Rob Bottin are incredibly gross and hold up very well to this day. What really makes this such a unique horror is that you never know who in the group has been assimilated. This quickly leads to a growing sense of paranoia and tension that works so well, even on repeat viewings. The iconic "Bloodtest" scene is a great example of this. The 2011 prequel ties up nicely with the original, but for me the CGI just doesn't cut it compared to the grotesque look of the 1982 creature designs. The remote location of the research base adds yet more panic. In one particular scene, the scientists realise the devastating effects on humanity should the creature reach civilisation. The Thing really does have everything you would want out of a sci-fi horror. Amazing creature design, setting, atmosphere and plenty of scares! A must see!

Note: If your already a fan of the original or would like to learn how the incredible special effects were made, then I highly recommend purchasing the Blu Ray. It includes a feature length documentary on the making of the film plus loads of other goodies!

Well thats my list of my favourite sci-fi horrors, thanks for reading! Please let me know your favourites in the comments below!