Willa Fitzgerald (right) and Kyle Gallner (left) in Strange Darling. Willa Fitzgerald (right) and Kyle Gallner (left) in Strange Darling. Photo Credit: Miramax and Spooky Pictures.

It’s Halloween season, so it’s time to enjoy some scary movies. Here are five released this year that are worth checking out:

Oddity

Stream on: Shudder

Rent on: YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon

Oddity is one of those films where the less you know about it, the better your experience will be. So, we’ll keep the details to a minimum. The story of a woman trying to discover the truth behind the death of her identical twin sister blends traditional horror and folklore. Carolyn Bracken is terrific in dual roles portraying Darcy and Dani. While they look alike, they have very different lives. Oddity seems more like a play because it’s a contained story that relies more on suspense and mood than extravagant visual effects. Storytelling can often carry a movie better than CGI, and there’s an old-school quality here that should be appreciated.

Immaculate

Stream on: Hulu

Rent on: YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon

Immaculate is a feminist movie dressed up as a horror film with plenty to say about reproductive rights and bodily autonomy. Given our political climate, this feature is timely. The plot is similar to The First Omen, but this flick is far more interesting. Sydney Sweeney (Cecilia) is an American nun in an Italian convent. Her faith gets tested when she discovers something evil is going on. Even worse: she’s an unwilling participant in a terrible plot. The film highlights the talents of Sweeney, who morphs from one type of character into something else entirely. The final 30 minutes show Sweeney at her best. She also shares a producing credit.

Longlegs

Rent on: YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon

Longlegs is the movie that has spawned countless internet jokes. Even if you haven’t seen it, you have probably caught the memes. Thanks to a smart marketing campaign, Longlegs became the highest-grossing independent film of the year and Neon’s most successful film ever. Director Oz Perkins, son of Psycho’s Anthony Perkins, gets the most out of Nicolas Cage with limited screen time. Cage is at his creepiest in just 10 minutes. But the breakthrough star here is Maika Monroe, a scream queen from It Follows and Watcher. She makes for a commanding lead in a role reminiscent of Jodie Foster in Silence of The Lambs. There are a lot of similarities between this feature and the 1991 serial killer crime thriller. There are also plenty of differences to keep you guessing.

The Substance

In theatres

Growing old is challenging enough. It’s even tougher in Hollywood, especially for women. Opportunities can dry up as you age, and the pressure takes a toll on your mental health. Demi Moore, 61, used to be one of America’s biggest stars, so this role is perfect for her. She plays Elisabeth Sparkle, a famous actor, who gets fired from her aerobics show for being “too old.” After an accident, a laboratory offers her a substance that will transform her into a younger version of herself. Margaret Qualley plays Sue, the enhanced Elisabeth. But there’s a catch— there always is. Elisabeth can only be Sue for seven days at a time. The Substance is a riveting satire with good performances, including a surprising Dennis Quaid.

Strange Darling

Buy on: YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon

If Quentin Tarantino made a horror film, it would look like this. From the dialogue, the music, and the non-linear storytelling, Strange Darling is reminiscent of Tarantino’s work. An unconventional tale of a serial killer in Oregon unfolds over six chapters. What makes it thrilling is that we jump right into the action, and from there, the viewer is trying to figure out exactly what’s going on and the chronological order. Strange Darling, written and directed by JT Mollner, rejects many of the clichés of the genre. That’s why it’s so unexpected and fun. Strange Darling could have worked as a generic horror flick. Instead, it’s much more fascinating as a puzzle.

About Michael Grant

Born in Jamaica. Grew up in New York City. Lives in Louisville, Ky. Sports writer. Not related to Ulysses S. Grant.