2015 has proven to be a strong year for horror films.
February saw the release of David Robert Mitchell's 'It Follows,' a creepy 80's
throwback with an original story and memorable soundtrack. Later, in Spring,
was the surprisingly strong 'Unfriended,' a unique take on the dying found
footage genre. During summer, another film I was initially sceptical about was
the third chapter in the 'Insidious' franchise. I thought it was a decent
sequel with some original scares and I enjoyed it far more than the second.
With 2016 fast approaching, there are many promising films
from both indie and mainstream directors to look forward to. Here are five of
my most anticipated 2016 horror films.
1.) K-Shop
First up is an independent horror film that you may not have
heard of, from director Dan Pringle. Filmed in the sunny seaside town of
Bournemouth, Southern England, 'K-Shop' is a 'Sweeny Todd' inspired story about
a kebab shop owner who decides to sort out the town's drinking problems and
rowdy behaviour. You definitely won't want to try the donors on this menu! The
trailer looks very promising, gritty and should deliver on the gore. Being a
local to Bournemouth too, I'm very excited to see this!
Check out the teaser below:
2.) The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist
The Conjuring is one of my all time favourite supernatural
horrors and in my opinion one of James Wan's best films. I was excited to hear
that Wan would return once again to direct the sequel as well as the original
cast, who are also returning. Though the plot is currently unknown, I have high
hopes that the cast and crew can deliver the tension and scares of the
original.
3.) The Forest
This intriguing supernatural horror stars Natalie Dormer as
a young woman searching for her missing twin sister in Mount Fuji, Japan. She
is led to the mysterious Aokigahara forest, a place where locals come to end
their lives. Given only one strict warning, not to stray from the path, Sara
must face the restless souls that lie within to discover the truth for herself.
Jason Zada's chilling new film is set to be a promising directorial debut.
4.) The Witch
A film generating a lot of buzz recently is from another up
and coming director, Robert Eggers. What is particularly interesting about this
film is that it is set as a 17th century period horror. The unsettling trailer
depicts an isolated family living in rural New England on the edge of a
foreboding forest. When sinister events begin to unfold and paranoia arises,
the family turn on each other in fear of an evil presence within. Like 'The
Babadook', I feel 'The Witch' will rely on disturbing imagery and it's bleak
atmosphere to unsettle its audience, rather than jump scares.
5.) The Boy
Continuing 2016's trend of supernatural horrors is William
Brent's 'The Boy' which should really deliver on the creep factor. The story
follows an American nanny hired by an English family to take care of their
"son," who is actually a life-sized porcelain doll. Though comparable
to 2013's 'Annabelle,' this film seems more like a classic British ghost story
with a foreboding atmosphere and psychological elements.
Anything I've missed? What are you most looking forward to
seeing in 2016? Let me know in the comments below.
