When did a horror film last scare you?
Discussion
Thinking about this last night, can't think of a horror film that has actually scared me in many years.
The only two that spring to mind are The Exorcist and a Ken Russell film called Altered States.
A group of us went to our local cinema (The Ace in Green Street, East Ham) to see all the 'X' films when we were about 14, films like Scum, Quadrophenia, Breaking Glass, Scanners, The Exterminator etc. as they'd let us in, however young we looked.
One time we went to a double bill of Friday 13th and The Exorcist. So all four of us were sitting at the back with our popcorn lesgs dangling over the seats in front, laughing our heads off and loving Friday 13th. The The Exorcist came on, started off like a normal film, then just turned absolutely terrifying, leaving us petrified all running to get on the bus to get home. (We were street-wise little Cockneys, so it shows how scarey it was.) I remember leaving the light on for hours that night. 
Saw it on some VHS or DVD release years later, and it just didn't seem like the same film at all, nothing scarey about it.
Altered States was about the same time and one of the first videos we watched, that was pretty disturbing and unsettling, and not sure if I'd want to see it again, even 32 years later.
But now, nothing really gives me the shivers or nothing seems to have an atmosphere of terror anymore. Which is a shame, being terrified is great.
So when if ever has a film really scared you?
The only two that spring to mind are The Exorcist and a Ken Russell film called Altered States.
A group of us went to our local cinema (The Ace in Green Street, East Ham) to see all the 'X' films when we were about 14, films like Scum, Quadrophenia, Breaking Glass, Scanners, The Exterminator etc. as they'd let us in, however young we looked.
One time we went to a double bill of Friday 13th and The Exorcist. So all four of us were sitting at the back with our popcorn lesgs dangling over the seats in front, laughing our heads off and loving Friday 13th. The The Exorcist came on, started off like a normal film, then just turned absolutely terrifying, leaving us petrified all running to get on the bus to get home. (We were street-wise little Cockneys, so it shows how scarey it was.
) I remember leaving the light on for hours that night. Saw it on some VHS or DVD release years later, and it just didn't seem like the same film at all, nothing scarey about it.
Altered States was about the same time and one of the first videos we watched, that was pretty disturbing and unsettling, and not sure if I'd want to see it again, even 32 years later.
But now, nothing really gives me the shivers or nothing seems to have an atmosphere of terror anymore. Which is a shame, being terrified is great.
So when if ever has a film really scared you?
Blair Witch Project on imported DVD before the hype and cynicism. I was on my own, freezing cold and wrapped in a blanket as the heating was bust. I had to turn it off halfway through.
Also The Grudge on ipod. Had to switch off halfway again as I was making yelping noises on the train.
Also The Grudge on ipod. Had to switch off halfway again as I was making yelping noises on the train.
toasty said:
Blair Witch Project on imported DVD before the hype and cynicism. I was on my own, freezing cold and wrapped in a blanket as the heating was bust. I had to turn it off halfway through.
I just couldn't see it with BWP at all, thought I was missing out on the scariness as I didn't see it at all. 
t out of me. I didn't listen to my walkman for weeks. 
Don't usually get scared and the bits I hate in the films are the jumpy bits... Its not scary when the guy jumps out, most people jump cause of the noise/sound changes, you have just done the equivalent of sneaking up behind someone and blowing an air horn.
Need proper horror not jumpy horror.
Need proper horror not jumpy horror.
Got Altered States on DVD, it's one of those rare older films that isn't dated and its impact is as strong as ever. Excellent film, even with the coloured-water special effects.
I remember being disturbed by 'The Shout' when I first saw it. Again, it's a great film and still gripping today - a must watch for anyone who likes quality, atmospheric horror. Make sure you watch it with a good sound system set on loud.
I also remember Long Weekend was creepy (the 1978 version, NOT the remake) although I don't recall much about it.
I remember being disturbed by 'The Shout' when I first saw it. Again, it's a great film and still gripping today - a must watch for anyone who likes quality, atmospheric horror. Make sure you watch it with a good sound system set on loud.
I also remember Long Weekend was creepy (the 1978 version, NOT the remake) although I don't recall much about it.
Depends what you mean by scared.
In terms of suspended disbelief and worry/fear for the characters, probably the first paranormal activity.
In terms of jumpiness, The woman in black has a couple of points.
But actually being at home scared to walk into the dark kitchen etc? Very rare, I did check all the corners after watching The Descent though
In terms of suspended disbelief and worry/fear for the characters, probably the first paranormal activity.
In terms of jumpiness, The woman in black has a couple of points.
But actually being at home scared to walk into the dark kitchen etc? Very rare, I did check all the corners after watching The Descent though
ET when I was 2.
I know ET is not a horror movie. But for some reason it scared the living daylights out of me when I was that young. The fact that I didn't know English then and didn't understand anything probably didn't help.
Other than leaving me a bit chilled or disgusted on occasion, horror movies have pretty much done nothing in the last 15 years or so.
I know ET is not a horror movie. But for some reason it scared the living daylights out of me when I was that young. The fact that I didn't know English then and didn't understand anything probably didn't help.
Other than leaving me a bit chilled or disgusted on occasion, horror movies have pretty much done nothing in the last 15 years or so.
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