Let’s be honest: the 1990s were a transitional period in the horror genre with it coming
off the high of the 80’s with films such as Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street and
Friday the 13th, all the franchises that are iconic in the horror genre.
However, the 1990s, instead of running out of steam, looked to broaden the genre, taking
it into absurd realms we had yet to explore.
So, today on Top 5 Scary Videos, I’m going to be counting down our list of the Top 5
Scariest Horror Movies From The 90s - Part 2.
Ps.
Sorry to anyone who came for Jack, I know he did part 1, but sometimes sharing is caring.
Before we begin, be sure to stick around until the end of the video where I’ll be responding
to some of your comments.
Let’s jump in.
5 Candyman (1992) Directed by Bernard Rose and based on the
short story The Forbidden by the legendary Clive Barker, this 1992 Horror tells the tale
of one of the most terrifying urban legends in history.
Candyman.
Now, on the surface Candyman should be just like every other urban legend, campfire story,
except it’s not, and perhaps that’s down to Clive Barker, the man that brought us Hellraiser.
However, even if that’s not the case, something clicks with Candyman -- it’s intelligent,
creepy, and a downright visceral gore fest.
For those unfamiliar with both the film and the legend, The Candyman is a murderous soul
with a hook for a hand, and is subsequently summoned to reality by a skeptic researching
the Candyman myth.
Now, this particular incarnation of Candyman was once a slave who was tortured, mangled
and murdered by a gang of white men for fathering a child of a white woman, and this film, in
a sense, could be summed up as a revenge tale, with white society finally feeling retribution
for their history of slaughtering African-Americans.
Now, what makes this film truly chilling is its rough urban setting of Cabrini-Green,
which in turn gives a unique revamp on the slasher aesthetic.
We feel discomfort from the get-go, long before The Candyman makes his first appearance.
Typically, horrors such as this lose narrative momentum by the final act, however, not Candyman,
it only gets better as it goes along, resulting in an intense showdown in the Cabrini-Green
housing projects.
Watch it, you will not be disappointed.
4 From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) This 1996 horror directed by Robert Rodriguez
follows two criminals and their hostages who unknowingly seek temporary refuge in a truck
stop populated by vampires.
Now only does it have a stellar plot but it also has a stellar cast, including; George
Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, Salma Hayek, Danny Trejo,
Tom Savini, and John Hawks.
Yeah, it’s impressive.
Now, this film is already off to a great start with the screenplay written by Quentin Tarantino
himself, which make this another film that pairs up the two iconic directors.
The film is blended with action and horror and reminds us how much fun vampire movies
could be.
The film takes place over one night in Mexico, wherein the two criminal brothers played by
George Clooney and Tarantino end up at the den of a bunch of savages who are also demonic
vampires.
From Dusk Till Dawn is a heavy dose of comedy and wild horror, which focuses, not only on
Vampires, but on human behavior in the midst of a supernatural apocalypse.
The film is a thrill ride from the get go and remains one of the greatest vampire movies
of all time.
Also, seeing a human body reconfigure into the shape of a guitar is something all of
us should witness once in our lifetime.
3 Misery (1990) Perhaps my favorite Stephen King book and
film adaptation of all time, definitely up there with Carrie, Misery was released back
in 1990 and follows a famous author who is rescued by a fan after he crashes his car.
However, he quickly comes to realize that the care she’s giving him is just the beginning
of days of captivity and abuse.
Starring the legendary James Caan and Kathy Bates, this macabre tale of fame is both terrifying
yet funny, thanks to the adaptation being helmed by Rob Reiner, a director known more
so for comedy than horror, however, the result is the perfect blend of horror and black-comedy
and it flows seamlessly.
In essence the film is an exaggerated version of an overly invested fanboy, imagine George
RR Martin.
However, what makes this film truly terrifying is the apparent normalcy, or domesticity of
Annie Wilkes, which is successfully concealing her psychosis, which is slowly revealed to
us throughout the movie, where we see Wilkes threaten Caan if he doesn’t rewrite his
story to suit her needs, or when she breaks both of his ankles with a mallet.
A scene which has gone down in movie history, and is perhaps one of the most legendary scenes
of all time.
2 Funny Games (1997) Not to be confused with the 2007 American
remake starring Tim Roth and Naomi Watts.
This Austrian horror thriller follows two violent young men who take a mother, father
and son hostage in their vacation home and force them to play a sadistic game for their
own amusement.
Now, there is a far more disturbing beast than the 2007 remake, and makes us very aware
of our own roles in this sadistic game of cat and mouse.
When two polite young men wearing white gloves knock on the door of this family’s vacation
home, things descend into madness when they enter and refuse to leave.
Tying up the family and forcing them to partake in a horrific game which we, as an audience,
become involved in when one of the men, Paul, breaks the fourth wall, forcing us to be accomplices
in the torture.
Now, this slasher differs from most as most of the slashing occurring off-screen, however,
that doesn’t lessen the horror and the sadism of the film.
With the audience painfully aware of what is occurring even though we can’t see it.
It’s perhaps one of the most provocative films of all time, as well as the most unconventional
with the film blurring time by using excruciatingly long takes and rewind sequences which in turn
makes the film more fantastical yet just as horrifying to watch.
Please watch it, you won’t be disappointed.
Also, make sure you watch the American remake as well directed by the same director and
is almost a shot for shot remake.
1 Ravenous (1999) This 1999 horror comedy was released back
in 1999 and directed by Antonia Bird, and follows a remote military outpost in the 19th
century.
And a rescue mission led by Captain John Boyd which takes an incredibly dark turn when they’re
ambushed by a sadistic cannibal.
Now, first and foremost, this isn’t just your typical cannibal movie, it’s a cannibal
western and it honestly couldn’t be more perfect.
After an act of cowardice lands Guy Pearce’s character, Lieutenant Boyd at the Fort Spencer,
the few men left at the outpost begin eating one another, with the story working almost
as a folklore tale, specifically that of the Wendigo.
However, as I previously stated, this is also a dark comedy, with the film kicking off with
an anonymous quote that winks at the films comedic undertones.
But, the deeper we delve into the story, the more its comedy because just another added
ingredient in this mad cocktail.
Now, although the story has elements of folklore, the real meat is the cost of bloodshed, with
the act of eating flesh serving as a healing factor for the cowardly -- who live longer
because they don’t pretend to have a moral compass, especially when it comes to honor.
The film is excellent, with a just as excellent score by Michael Nyman and Blur frontman Damon
Albarn.
If you haven’t already, check it out.
Well, there we have it!
Do you guys agree with our list?
Were there any movies that we missed?
Leave us all your thoughts and feelings in the comments down below and perhaps we can
do a part 3!
Before I go though, I just want to respond to a few comments from some of our previous
videos.
Sierra W said “I clicked on the so fast.
My boyfriend lives in Sweden so I have been wanting to know all the legends and haunted
locations.”
-- Well I’m glad you enjoyed!
I haven’t been to Sweden but it’s definitely on my bucket list and once I go, I plan on
checking out all of these haunted places.
Kelvin Koh said “Great video, as usual, Ms McPhee.
A video on Chinese Urban Legends might be nice.
Maybe one on the South-East Asian countries too?
Keep up the great work, you, Mr Finch and your team.”
-- Well shucks, thanks so much!
I can definitely try and make Chinese Urban Legends happen!
I love it!
Ancestor Empire said “2 Lucy videos in one day.
How are we worth of such an angelic gift?”
-- It’s actually a curse.
And on that note, if you haven’t already, be sure to give this video a big thumbs up,
subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss another scary vid.
And until next time, see ya later.