13 Films That Slash At Your Heart
Roses, chocolates, dinner, and champagne – there are many ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day (with or without a loved one). This holiday season, try celebrating by popping on a few of these horror movies and embrace this season of love!
My Bloody Valentine (1981 & 2009)
Plot: A decades-old folk tale surrounding a deranged murderer killing those who celebrate Valentine’s Day turns out to be true to legend when a group defies the killer’s order and people start turning up dead.
So, I chose this movie because… duh. All-time classic horror Valentine watch.
Where to stream
Bride of Chucky (1998)
After being cut apart by the police, killer doll Chucky (Brad Dourif) is resurrected by Tiffany (Jennifer Tilly), an ex-girlfriend of the serial murderer whose soul is inside the toy. Following an argument, Chucky kills Tiffany and transfers her soul into a bride doll. To find the magical amulet that can restore them both to human form, Chucky and Tiffany arrange to be driven to New Jersey by Jesse (Nick Stabile) and Jade (Katherine Heigl), who are unaware that their cargo is alive.
Ugh, I can only hope somebody loves me as much as Tiffany loves Charles Lee Ray. I mean, she legitimately turns herself into a doll so that she can be with him… awww!
Where to stream
Pontypool (2009)
When disc jockey Grant Mazzy (Stephen McHattie) reports to his basement radio station in the Canadian town of Pontypool, he thinks it’s just another day at work. But when he hears reports of a virus that turns people into zombies, Mazzy barricades himself in the radio booth and tries to figure out a way to warn his listeners about the virus and its unlikely mode of transmission: the English language.
A seemingly unlikely pick for your Valentine’s Day viewing, Pontypool follows a zombie outbreak in a small-town on Valentine’s Day. The reasoning behind the outbreak? Not something you may expect.
Where to stream
The Love Witch (2016)
Elaine (Samantha Robinson), a beautiful young witch, is determined to find a man to love her. In her gothic Victorian apartment she makes spells and potions, then picks up men and seduces them. However, her spells work too well, and she ends up with a string of hapless victims. When she at last meets the man of her dreams, her desperation to be loved drives her to the brink of insanity and murder.
A beautiful witch who yearns for love and uses spells and magic to make men fall in love with her?
Perfect Valentine’s Day pick! Fun, stylized, bloody, and reminiscent of a Lana del Rey music video.
Where to stream
Bones and all (2022)
Love blossoms between a young woman on the margins of society and a disenfranchised drifter as they embark on a 3,000-mile odyssey through the backroads of America. However, despite their best efforts, all roads lead back to their terrifying pasts and a final stand that will determine whether their love can survive their differences.
A newer pick but a perfect February 14th watch nonetheless. Cannibalism, love, and tasteful gore. A beautiful framing device for finding your chosen family and the person who understands every part of you.
Where to stream
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
When a demon takes possession of her, high-school hottie Jennifer (Megan Fox) turns a hungry eye on guys who never stood a chance with her before. While evil Jennifer satisfies her appetite for human flesh with the school’s male population, her nerdy friend, Needy (Amanda Seyfried), learns what’s happening and vows to put an end to the carnage.
No brainer. Jennifer’s Body is a great Valentine’s Day horror-comedy with themes of love, sex, and friendship. Worry not, she goes both ways.
Where to stream
Crimson Peak (2015)
After marrying the charming and seductive Sir Thomas Sharpe, young Edith (Mia Wasikowska) finds herself swept away to his remote gothic mansion in the English hills. Also living there is Lady Lucille, Thomas’ alluring sister and protector of her family’s dark secrets. Able to communicate with the dead, Edith tries to decipher the mystery behind the ghostly visions that haunt her new home. As she comes closer to the truth, Edith may learn that true monsters are made of flesh and blood.
One of those movies I found out about and watched seven years after its actual release.
A gorgeous movie that happened to get past me in 2015 – stylized absolutely perfectly, with exceptional performances from Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, and Tom Hiddleston.
Let the world of Guillermo Del Toro chaperone your Valentine’s Day.
Where to stream
The Fly (1986)
When scientist Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum) completes his teleportation device, he decides to test its abilities on himself. Unbeknownst to him, a housefly slips in during the process, leading to a merger of man and insect. Initially, Brundle appears to have undergone a successful teleportation, but the fly’s cells begin to take over his body. As he becomes increasingly fly-like, Brundle’s girlfriend (Geena Davis) is horrified as the person she once loved deteriorates into a monster.
Seth Brundle + Ronnie Quaife 4ever!
Seriously, this is classic. Perfectly upsetting and body-horror masterclass from David Cronenberg – the “ultimate family” movie…
Where to stream
Holidays (2016)
Valentine's Day | dir. Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer
Nine filmmakers present horror stories that revolve around eight different holidays: Valentine’s Day, Saint Patrick’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
I personally really enjoy anthological horror movies. Holidays (2016) has a Valentine’s short that is too on-the-nose not to include.
High school bullying, a crush on your gym teacher, and a chef’s kiss wrapped up ending make this a fun, short watch.
Where to stream
ABCs of Death 2 (2014)
Zygote | dir. chris nash
Twenty-six filmmakers from around the globe helm stories that detail 26 ways to meet your maker, each one corresponding to a different letter of the alphabet.
Another anthology horror movie, The ABCs of Death 2, has some extra crazy shorts that make for a “what’s going to happen next?” watch.
I’m pointing this movie out specifically for the ‘Z’ segment: Zygote. Um, how do I even begin to explain this one? Let’s just keep it simple and say a mother’s love is undying.
Where to stream
Ready or Not (2019)
Grace couldn’t be happier after she marries the man of her dreams at his family’s luxurious estate. There’s just one catch — she must now hide from midnight until dawn while her new in-laws hunt her down with guns, crossbows and other weapons. As Grace desperately tries to survive the night, she soon finds a way to turn the tables on her not-so-lovable relatives.
Don’t you just love a movie about a newly married couple? I don’t. But don’t worry, this one isn’t that. Ready or Not takes a turn and sends its viewers into a game of cat-and-mouse. The ending? Mind-blowing.
Where to stream
Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
A young wife comes to believe that her offspring is not of this world. Waifish Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow) and her struggling actor husband Guy (John Cassavetes) move to a New York City apartment building with an ominous reputation and odd neighbors Roman and Minnie Castavet (Sidney Blackmer, Ruth Gordon). When Rosemary becomes pregnant she becomes increasingly isolated, and the diabolical truth is revealed only after Rosemary gives birth.
Obvious classic and perfect Valentine’s watch. We find ourselves in the world of Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse. In love, finding success, and trying for a baby. How cute!
Where to stream
The Brood (1979)
Starring Oliver Reed, Samantha Eggar, and Art Hindle. Its plot follows a man and his mentally ill ex-wife, who has been sequestered by a psychiatrist known for his controversial therapy techniques. A series of brutal unsolved murders serves as the backdrop for the central narrative.
Another David Cronenberg movie enters the list here as we see Nola and Frank Carveth’s relationship unravel resulting in Nola dipping her toes into psychoplasmics. Yep! Psychoplasmics! Watch The Brood to find out what the hell that is and see what is one of the most iconic endings to a horror movie, ever.
Where to stream
Tatum Sharp
Tatum Sharp is a St. Louis local who has loved horror movies since her parents took her to see Saw III in the theaters at the ripe age of 9. Shocked to her core and morbidly curious, her passion for horror took off from there. With favorites ranging from Hereditary, Saw II, Martyrs, The Ring, and Rosemary’s Baby - she’s open to any sub-genre, any era, and anything that’s spooky! She runs But I’m in a Horror Film Group on Facebook.
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