Whether it’s October or July, you can cozy up with a blanket (with the AC on full blast), grab a pumpkin spice something or a tropical drink, and scare yourself silly with a good thriller or horror flick.
Every year, I compile a list of the best spooky and suspenseful films I’ve watched. This time, I’ve spiced things up by grouping them into 10 cleverly creepy categories.
As a Halloween enthusiast, you might assume that I really like horror movies … I don’t.
Plot twist: I’m not.
Blood, guts, and excessive gore? Hard pass. Movies like “Saw” and its many splattery sequels aren’t for me. I’ve also never been particularly scared of monsters, witches or zombies. Why? Because they’re fictional — and often so over-the-top that they feel more like fantasy than fear.
Every now and then, I offer a list of some of the best horror/thriller movies, television shows and documentaries I’ve recently seen. Here they are:
Black Mirror: I originally began watching “Black Mirror” a couple of years ago when the first season came to Netflix. At the time, I was a little embarrassed to share with others some of the content of this British science fiction series set in the near future with a technology/social media theme.
Whether you’re in the mood for a clever mind-bender, an eerie ghost story, or a slow-burning mystery with emotional depth, there’s no shortage of spine-tingling films to explore.
Every year, I curate a personal list of thrillers — foreign, indie, cult classics, and hidden gems — that left a lasting impression. Here’s a roundup of more than 40 compelling movies and series I’ve discovered over the past few years that are perfect for a night of tension, reflection, or sheer entertainment. Some will haunt you. Others will make you think. All are worth the watch.
When Tom Rice was in the fourth grade, he stood in front of his class and boldly announced what he wanted to be when he grew up: a film director.
Growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, Rice always leaned toward the creative. But in a school culture focused heavily on sports, that wasn’t always easy.
There were two reasons I couldn’t wait to see “The Bling Ring” this weekend. First, it stars Mississippi native Israel Broussard, who plays one of the infamous teen burglars who broke into celebrity homes and stole high-end designer clothes, jewelry and accessories.
I had the chance to interview Israel by phone last week, and he struck me as a polite, thoughtful young man with a bright future. After all, landing your first major role in a Sofia Coppola film? That’s no small feat.
If you’re headed to the movies this weekend, check out “The Bling Ring” — not just for the buzz, but for Mississippi’s own Israel Broussard, who stars as Marc in his first major film role.
Directed by Sofia Coppola and inspired by a “Vanity Fair” article, “The Bling Ring” tells the true story of a group of L.A. teens who stole millions in designer goods from celebrities like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. Broussard plays a shy, insecure teen lured into the group’s glamorized crimes.
Before she was a crime-solving DNA expert on “CSI: NY” or winning Emmys for “Sisters,” Sela Ward was just a barefoot kid growing up in a quiet Meridian, Mississippi neighborhood — riding bikes, swimming in lakes, and sneaking into caves with friends for pretend séances.
These days, she still returns home — not just for family, but for a cause close to her heart: Hope Village for Children, the residential care facility she founded in 2002 for Mississippi kids in the foster system who need a safe place to land.
If you’re scrolling through Netflix and stumble across a gritty horror movie called “Rites of Spring,” don’t skip it just yet — especially if you’re from Mississippi. Behind the eerie farmhouse, creepy kidnap plot, and the tagline “Fear Has a Season,” is a film with deep Magnolia State roots.
That’s right — “Rites of Spring” was filmed entirely in the Jackson metro area back in 2010. You’ll catch glimpses of Canton and Jackson locations (some hauntingly beautiful Mississippi farmland), and even a few familiar names if you stick around for the credits.
I’ve long believed that science fiction writers are prophets — tapping into some strange current of the universe and channeling visions of what’s to come. But maybe it’s not just sci-fi authors. Maybe any writer of fiction, when fully immersed in the act of creation, opens a door to something deeper — something unknowable. Something eerily accurate.
Take “The China Syndrome,” for example.
It takes 25 years before a car can generally be deemed a classic. Perhaps the same rule applies to “classic” films.
As a lifelong horror/thriller fan, there aren’t many from the genre I haven’t seen.
If you turned on the local news last weekend and thought you were watching a trailer for the next “Walking Dead” spin-off, don’t adjust your screen. That horde of groaning, grimy, fake-blood-soaked humans shambling down the street was very real — and they were everywhere.
Tired of the predictable plots and CGI overload of modern movies, I recently decided to hit rewind and rediscover some cinematic gems from the past — films that hinge on powerful performances, sharp writing, and character-driven storytelling.
What started as a casual dive into the early work of Jack Nicholson quickly turned into a deep, fascinating journey through the psychological, the emotional, and sometimes the downright disturbing.
If you’re like me, you’re always on the lookout for a good heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat thriller that keeps you guessing until the final frame. Whether it’s the slow burn of psychological suspense or a full-blown panic-room-style adrenaline rush, there’s something incredibly satisfying about a movie that toys with your nerves in all the right ways.
So once again, I’ve rounded up a few recent thrillers that delivered the chills, the tension, and yes — even the occasional existential crisis. Here’s a quick rundown of the ones that left a lasting impression (and might make you think twice about the weather, your sanity, or a late-night stroll through Paris).
As a lifelong fan of thrillers and horror films, I’m constantly searching for fresh, unexpected stories that push boundaries and defy clichés.
Over the past year or so, I’ve come across several hidden gems — lesser-known thrillers, psychological mind-benders, and indie horror flicks — that stayed with me long after the credits rolled. If you’re craving something off the beaten path that still delivers chills, suspense, or even a touch of dark humor, this list is for you.
Brittany Murphy was one of those rare talents in Hollywood — versatile, magnetic, and utterly unforgettable. From her quirky comedic timing in “Clueless” to her raw emotional range in darker dramas, she had a screen presence that drew you in, no matter the genre.
And beyond acting, she had another gift: a beautiful singing voice that audiences only got a small taste of, most notably through her voiceover work and musical performances in “Happy Feet.” I always believed Murphy had a long, diverse career ahead of her — possibly even a future on Broadway where she could blend her acting and vocal talents.
If you’re hunkered down at home watching sleet fall and waiting for the roads to ice over, there’s no better time to stream a movie that matches the wintery mood. For those craving suspense and survival horror, “Frozen” (2010) is a chilling and underrated gem that’s worth your time.
Written and directed by Adam Green — not to be confused with the Disney animated hit — “Frozen” is a tension-packed thriller that taps into primal fears of isolation, exposure, and helplessness. It’s currently streaming on Netflix and holds a solid three-star rating, which is impressive for a film in the thriller/horror genre. That rating alone piqued my interest, so I gave it a watch — and I wasn’t disappointed.
If you’re a horror and thriller enthusiast like me — always hunting for a heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat scare — “Eden Lake” is a must-watch.
When I recently searched “best horror films of 2008 and 2009,” this gritty British thriller kept popping up, hailed by many critics as “one of the best of the decade.” Thanks to a YouTube find, I dove right in — and I wasn’t disappointed.
It’s hard to imagine childhood without the Muppets, and since “Sesame Street” debuted in 1969, generations have grown up with Jim Henson’s unforgettable creations. Now, Jim Henson’s Fantastic World — a traveling Smithsonian exhibit — brings his incredible legacy to the Mississippi Museum of Art.
Hailing from the Mississippi Delta, Henson transformed his early love for puppetry into iconic shows like “The Muppet Show” and “Sesame Street,” captivating audiences worldwide. This exhibit offers a rare glimpse into his creative process with 100 original pieces, including puppets, sketches, storyboards, and videos.
I recently had the unique opportunity to interview the legendary Kermit the Frog for “The Clarion-Ledger.” Known worldwide and deeply connected to Mississippi through his creator Jim Henson — born in Greenville — Kermit shared insights into his roots, career, and views on fame.
Kermit was delighted to learn his swamp home was identified as Deer Creek in Leland, Mississippi, describing his upbringing fondly despite his small size. He humbly compared himself to other Mississippi icons like Elvis and Oprah, crediting their “regular folks” charm to growing up in the state. When asked about current projects, Kermit highlighted holiday specials, a viral Queen cover, and a potential movie.
I recently rented the 1965 thriller “Bunny Lake Is Missing” after reading that Reese Witherspoon had stepped away from talks to star in a remake. The plot sounded compelling, so I gave it a shot — and for the most part, it delivered.
In “Idiocracy,” an offbeat sci-fi satire from “Beavis and Butt-Head” creator Mike Judge, two ordinary people (played by Maya Rudolph and Luke Wilson) are chosen for a government time travel experiment. But things go hilariously wrong, and they wake up in the year 2505 — where intelligence is practically extinct.
In this dystopian future, society has been overrun by people who made their way to the gene pool without much thought — think Jerry Springer guests en masse. Smart individuals, who often delayed or debated having children, have been far outnumbered. As a result, the “average” time travelers are now the smartest humans alive.
Sofia Coppola’s “Marie Antoinette” dazzles visually but falls flat emotionally, revealing the limitations of a film that leans too heavily on aesthetics without delivering the depth of its subject. The cinematography is breathtaking, the costumes extravagant, and the French landscapes mesmerizing — but the film feels more like a designer photo shoot than a compelling historical drama.
Starring Kirsten Dunst as the ill-fated young queen, the film attempts to modernize Marie’s teenage angst by layering a rebellious rock soundtrack over 18th-century decadence. The concept — bold and trendy on paper — ultimately feels gimmicky. Rather than enhancing the storytelling, it distances the audience and feels more like a marketing strategy aimed at Gen Z than an artistic choice.
If you’re a fan of horror anthologies, you may have come across Stephen King’s “Nightmares and Dreamscapes,” the 2006 TNT miniseries based on King’s short stories. While the show delivers a few compelling moments, it doesn’t quite reach the chilling heights of Showtime’s edgier “Masters of Horror” series.
One of the standout episodes from “Nightmares and Dreamscapes” is “The End of the Whole Mess,” a haunting tale about a genius who creates a serum to end human aggression — only to trigger a global catastrophe. Another worth-watching installment is “Autopsy Room Four,” featuring Richard Thomas (John-Boy from “The Waltons”) in a role that’s a far cry from his wholesome TV past.
If I had watched this “psychic thriller” in 1973, (which would have been difficult since I was born in 1974) I probably would have found it eerie and disturbing, but 30 years later, it just doesn’t have much impact.
It’s about a couple, John and Laura Baxter, whose young daughter drowns in a pond at their home. They later go to Venice, where Laura (Julie Christie) meets a psychic who tells her she has seen her daughter and that she is happy. John (Donald Sutherland) also begins to see someone resembling the daughter running around the city, so he follows her, which proves to be a very bad decision.
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