We love horror movies.
And we’re also fantastically fascinated by the arcane mysteries of the occult and
the mystical, magical professions that surround its dark arts.
You could say that, historically, the very DNA of horror cinema was founded within the
motif of the occult.
Since 1922’s Nosferatu - to the works of the legendary Kenneth Anger and later Stanley
Kubrick - it’s safe to say that horror cinema has been fascinated by the origin of the occult.
So what better way then, than to combine these two bizarre passions into a neat, handy little
list.
Hello horror fans - and welcome back to the scariest channel on YouTube - Top 5 Scary
Videos.
As per usual, I’ll be your horror host Jack Finch - as today, we curiously take a look
at the Top 5 Scary Occult Horror Movies.
Roll the clip.
For the curious amongst you, that clip was from
1992’s Hellraiser 3: Hell on Earth - which eh, is kind of trashy - but that’s besides
the point.
Pinhead in a Church - yeah, of course we’re going to use that to set the scene for this
particular video list.
Like I said previously - it’s all about framing.
Kicking off at Number 5 - The Devil’s Candy, 2017
And if you’re in the mood for a tongue in cheek subversion of modern horror concepts,
while also delivering consistently nerve-wracking cinematic set pieces - then The Devil’s
Candy is for you.
The fact that this film doesn’t really take itself that seriously - also adds to the slow,
creeping horror that the films opening third deliberately sets up.
It’s like - no one’s in control of anything, even the level of humour delivered - and that’s
a pretty uneasy feeling.
Written and directed by Sean Byrne - the Australian director responsible for the fantastic 2009
film, The Loved Ones - which if you haven’t seen it - please do, it’s brilliant - his
sophomore film, The Devil’s Candy, tells the tale of an unwitting family and their
brush with the devil - all beneath a heavy metal homage.
It’s got all the hallmarks of a classic haunted house horror, detailing the plight
of the struggling Hellman family, who just kind of want to get on with their lives - but
obviously, find themselves at the beck and call of the Devil himself and his loyal servants.
Also, as seems to be standard with Byrne’s filmmaking - this film is just beautiful to
watch, juxtaposed by some pretty vividly violent imagery.
You wanna dip your toe into some occult horror?
The Devil’s Candy is for you.
Next up at Number 4 - Rosemary’s Baby, 1968
While it may not be apparent to some, and while this film is also ridden with controversy,
from it’s filmmaker, to the pitfalls and tragedies following its release - Rosemary’s
Baby has proven to be - time and time again - the benchmark for occult horror cinema.
Adapted from Ira Levin’s horror bestselling novel of the same name, Rosemary’s Baby
was Roman Polanski’s first American feature film - which paved the way for some of horror
cinema’s most iconic films following it’s 1968 release.
The thing is, what Rosemary’s Baby proved - is that horror can be delivered without
the trappings and overstyled monsters of nightmarish creation.
This film is terrifying, because of its humanity.
And of course, a perverse - upper class cult that wants to usher in the antichrist.
This film is a long, sprawling display of psychological horror tinted with the supernatural
- delivered in its entirety by some of the most incredibly vivid performances in horror
cinema.
Mia Farrow as the titular Rosemary Woodhouse is so damn good that it’s criminal she doesn’t
get more recognition for her harrowing on-screen depiction.
Combine that with the late, great Ruth Gordon Jones as the terrifying Minnie Castevet - and
what we have is some of the most nerve-wracking, disturbing emotional trauma ever captured
on screen.
It would also later inspire one of my favourite films of all time, The Hand That Rocks The
Cradle.
Two for one guys.
Value.
Swinging in at Number 3 - The VVitch, 2015
If you’re familiar with this channel - you’ll understand the adoration that I have for this
film.
Which is quickly becoming an unhealthy adoration because I’m pretty sure there are only a
certain number of times that you can watch 2015’s The VVitch before succumbing to madness.
Also - shameless namedrop, but I had the pleasure of having a beer with the voice of Black Phillip
- and he was awesome.
So there you go.
Written and directed by the unstoppably original Robert Eggers, who is swiftly cementing himself
as one of my favourite horror directors - after just one film, may I add - and I’m incredibly
excited for his new release, The Lighthouse - and you should be too.
The VVitch tells the story of a Separatist family during the mid 1630s in New England,
who are cast out from the Puritan Plymouth Colony - and set out to build their new life
in the deep woods of a bleak New England.
This film is a demonstration of isolation, and achieves that aim to literal perfection.
The amount of times I’ve watched this film, and realised that in all honesty, it could
be set anywhere, during any time and any place - and it would still have the same impact.
But thankfully for us, it’s not - and this film’s lifeblood is dripping in religious
undertones, the arcane - and the mysteries of the human spirit.
And none of it is a commentary, which more often than not filmmakers find themselves
doing.
All of it is personal.
This film soars because of its characters.
And I love it.
Coming in at Number 2 - A Dark Song, 2016
Alright.
Some people may disagree with this film’s placement on the list - but I’ll tell you
why 2016’s A Dark Song makes it to my number 2.
Because, in fact - it is perhaps one of the most truest and personal depictions of the
occult in the whole of cinema.
It is incredibly difficult to argue against that fact - when 98% of this film is about
two people in an isolated, abandoned house in the Welsh countryside, trying to perform
an occult ritual.
But also - it is just an incredibly awesome display of Irish and British Horror - and
we know how much I like to advocate that fact.
So go me.
It also co-stars one of the United Kingdom’s most criminally underrated actors of all time
- Steve Oram, and if you haven’t seen 2012’s Sightseers, please do.
Trust me.
Its great.
Written and directed by the fledgling indie director Liam Gavin, this film also happens
to be his directorial debut - and that fact definitely makes him one to watch.
A Dark Song tells the story of Sophia, a grieving mother whose seven year old son had been murdered
and kidnapped, and Joseph Solomon - an occultist who promises to perform a grueling ritual
that will lead to her ultimate salvation.
No spoilers, because if you haven’t seen this film - then you'll definitely want to
go in blind, because what plays out is a visual onslaught, grounded in an unnerving reality
- that confronts some incredibly tough questions.
Great film, great premise, great execution.
And finally, coming in at our Number 1 spot - The Wicker Man, 1973
Ah yes - of course - because we cannot talk about Occult Horror - without addressing its
pièce de résistance - 1973’s The Wicker Man.
Not only is The Wicker Man the best occult horror movie ever made - it’s also the best
British horror movie made - and double also, stands tall amongst the halls of horror legend.
Loosely based on the 1967 David Pinner novel, Ritual - Anthony Shaffer’s adapted screenplay
for The Wicker Man is still heralded as one of the most perfectly complete screenplays
in horror history.
What it also achieved though - was to prove to the genre that not everything needed a
complete, and happy ending - a hallmark often attributed to modern British cinema.
If you haven’t seen 1973’s The Wicker Man, directed by Robin Hardy and starring
the collosal Christopher Lee, alongside Edward Woodward - then please, stop what you’re
doing right now and watch it.
Also, please don’t accidently watch the painstaking 2006 remake - unless you’re
in the mood for watching a comedy, because it’s so bad that it's hilarious.
Throughout the events of the film, Woodward plays Police
Sergeant Neil Howe - who journeys to the remote Hebridean island of Summerisle to investigate
the disappearance of a young girl.
And that’s all I’m going to tell you - because what plays out is perhaps one of the most
completely chilling demonstrations of the occult in horror cinema - and it is is terrifying.
Well - there we have it folks, that’s my list - how about yours?
Why don’t you let us know your thoughts in the comment section down below.
Before we depart though, let’s read out some of your most interesting comments from
over the past few days.
First up - Mr. F says -- Jack!
What’s your favourite doughnut?
Ps love the channel.
-- Cheers Mr. F!
Glad to have you on board.
As for the doughnut, to be honest I’d rather pick a cream cheese bagel or something - but
that isn’t pertinent to your question, so I’d have to choose a Krispy Kreme Reese's
Pieces Peanut Butter.
Damn straight.
Doughnuts in an occult video - hm.
That’s a crossover I didn’t expect.
Well, on that note horror fans - cheers for sticking around all the way until the end
- if you were a fan of this video, make sure to hit that thumbs up button - as well as
that subscribe bell - and we’ll be seeing you in the next one.
As per usual, I’ve been your horror host Jack Finch - you’ve been watching Top 5
Scary Videos - and until next time - you take it easy.