Unconventional Horror

All through October there's no shortage of horror-centric recommendations. Whether you want something possession focused, creepy doll oriented, or a straight up gore-fest, there's a list for you. What about after the general spooky season, where can one turn for the horror that comes with pre-holiday season? This also extends to those who aren't into blood and gore. It can be tough, often "non-horror horror" finds its way onto the search bar. While there's no shortage of graphic and unsettling content, sometimes the mood isn't right for striking visuals. Pieces like Come and See and Requiem for a Dream are great but they pack quite the punch. The films featured on this list are for mature audiences, highlight brutal human fears and circumstances but contain minimal gore. The type of of stuff that makes you squirm not because there's exposed bone but because one or more elements hit close to home.

To varying degrees everyone has fallen victim to false accusations. While some fade away without a second glance, they can also mark the end of a simple normal life. Even proven innocence can't heal all scars or erase the past and present judgments of outsiders. The narrative hinges on these situations, the people they effect, and resulting consequences. Each segment balloons the stakes of the next in a vicious fibonacci fashion, what start out seemingly harmless can be deadly for others. The film follows Bresson's cold and analytical style, unfolding as if through the eyes of an omnipotent investigator. There's never a sense that the viewers emotions are pushed a certain way, just a presentation of the situation.

There are abrupt moments where we're reminded that life isn't fair. Situations out of ones control that didn't need to happen, only leaving chaos in their wake. This film features one of those situations and what happens in pursuit of restitution. Post WWII Italy is not a hospitable place and our protagonist has been fortunate to get a job. The one condition is a bicycle, not having one means a monetary lifeline severed. Long takes, natural lightning, and plenty of gorgeous on-location scenery set the stage for a cautionary tale about not cutting your losses. When the face looking back in the mirror starts looking more like a stranger, it's not worth it.

Love can breed an increased need for control. We may have experienced horrible things and naturally want to shield those around us from a similar fate. This can lead to suffocation and a rejection of the most well intentioned guidelines. Our protagonist finds themself in a similar situation, wanting to provide every opportunity for their child. They've seen first hand the violence and corruption within the country and can't bear to see their kin dragged into it. In terms of style the viewer feels distant. Depressed and sulking subjects in all their glory are ever present, but with the camera taken a step back. A separation that parallels our protagonist losing a sense of self as they fall prey to the same shortcuts the drive his anger.

A notification lights up a touchscreen, an invitation to go out. For some this is exciting but for introverted others it can be an anxiety filled proposition. The flood of reasons to blow it off race past, "how much will I end up spending?", "will I have to drive and is there parking?", "when am I going to get home?". The protagonist of this film thinks along similar lines but throws caution to the wind out of a desperation for personal contact. They are given a stark reminder of why those questions crop up as the night turns from bad to worse. It's important to push one's own boundaries in pursuit of personal growth. It's also important to remember that desperation rarely breeds good decisions. A piece that's packed with laughs and a kinetic progression that doesn't stop until the credits roll.

The only one featured that would get lumped into the horror category. Even with the attached genre it diverges heavily from typical fare. It's a slow burn due to the lack of a visual monster. If you have a killer on the loose, the story is likely going to pick up. The lack of monster helps put on display the human decisions. How the ones we love keep us going while also clouding judgment. In times of high stress it's important to look at the information objectively, something easier said than done even when not trying to survive the apocalypse.

Disregarding what other people think and not bending to social pressures is a tall proposition. This melodrama follows two women and the dynamic between their families. Like most it is steeped in rich color and overly dramatic monologues. The audience is shown how hegemony can lead to normalizing the worst in us and society as a whole. The default thinking that being white is superior helps our subjects justify labor exploitation and a betrayal of self. By striving for goals placed by and only by society, the characters end up destroying what actually mattered.

Another lesson in cruelty from an even more extreme melodrama. While Imitation of Life explores the expectations of society, this focuses on those of parents. Our protagonist has had to fight to be the best, taking every opportunity and becoming a star. She was able to reach such heights, her children should be able to do the same. What unfolds is toxicity levels fit for Chernobyl with a child bullied into submission. Extreme outbursts that while comical, will strike a chord with anyone who's dealt with an overbearing mother. Some people will never be pleased, any accomplishment can always be met with higher expectations.

To turn back the clock has been a goal sought after by humanity since the beginning. This film showcases what may ensue if such a procedure could be reality. For our protagonist, there's the opportunity for a fresh start, escape from a life gone stale. As the narrative progressives, they realize that the cost extends far beyond currency. The very things thought to hold them back were the only things worth living for. What one thinks they want and what they need can be starkly different. Through this expressionistic maze one sees that some wishes are better left to the domain of birthday candles and shooting stars.

The film explores the incredible weight that secrets can have. Simply being privy to certain information has an ability to completely overtake the mind. For our protagonist, their secret is compounded by their complicity. Like others on this list they must come to terms with what they're capable of. A stark portrait of isolation and the grim realities when there is no one around to help.

The piece that inspired the list. A film exploring the struggles that come with old age. It follows an elderly couple on the downslope of life. Everyday tasks and conversations are given top priority. The viewer gets so much intimacy it becomes uncomfortable. Looked at squarely in the face with the mortality of ourselves and others. Unfortunately like the subjects, there's no escape. One remarkable facet of this film is its effect upon rewatching. Each time the viewer and their respective loved ones are that much older. It might not hit close to home now, but it likely will eventually.