If you’re looking to feel something other than academic exhaustion during the Halloween season, and if midterms didn’t do the trick with stressing you out, you’re in luck, because I’ve got some movie recommendations for you! 

“Halloween” (1978), “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives” (1986) and “Scream” (1996)

If you just want a simple slasher, these are nice go-to classics. I mean, if you asked me to recommend a slasher movie, I’d just tell you to sift through the bargain bin at Best Buy and pick whatever you vibe with, but these are my favorites. “Jason Lives” and “Scream” know exactly what they are and just have fun with it. They’re not as focused on scaring you as they are at just giving you a good time. Halloween just needs to be mentioned at least once because I’ll be crucified by the horror community if I don’t.

“Hereditary” (2018)

If you like not sleeping at night, but have a functional circadian rhythm, try watching Hereditary, I think it might fix your problem. It’s 126 minutes of pure dread and it finds a way to live in your head once you let it in.

“Suspiria” (2018)

The best description I can give for Suspiria is: hmmm… gross.
Suspiria is a twisted adaptation of the 1977 Giallo film of the same name. You feel like you’re looking at something you shouldn’t be seeing as the sickening imagery pulls you deeper into the occult. 

“Evil Dead 2” (1987)

If you’re less interested in being scared and more interested in just having fun, Evil Dead 2 might be your best choice. It’s like a fever dream that doesn’t stop. Well, it does stop, but after 85 minutes. 

“Tucker and Dale vs Evil” (2010) and “Cabin in the Woods” (2011)

These are probably my favorite anti-horror movies. They make fun of the genre without going too far into parody. 

“Rosemary’s Baby” (1968)

The only thing scarier than this movie is the director who made it. 

“Halloweentown” (1998)

I don’t really remember this movie, but you guys might like it, I don’t know.

“Climax” (2018)

This movie is an absolute nightmare. It’s all anxiety all the time and you’ll be lucky if it doesn’t suffocate you. 

“Cure” (1998)

I don’t want to give too much away about this one, just know that it’s the most attention-demanding movie on this list and that it’s a masterpiece.

“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” (1974)

Horrific, visceral, and disturbing. The original Texas Chainsaw movie earned its place at the top of a lot of “Best Horror Movie” lists because of its macabre imagery and snuff-like tone. This is the gold standard for in-your-face horror.