Halloween is coming and it’s time to dust off your vampire teeth, fake blood, devil horns and, if you have none of the above, a bed sheet with big round holes in it for the eyes. Although, dressing as a ghost is always a last resort. Halloween is the perfect holiday If you’re someone who likes being spooked, getting free sweets trick or treating, or even just drinking copious amounts of alcohol. However, if you’re someone who hates all things scary then maybe lock your door, close your blinds, and watch something light and funny.
Today I’ll be giving you my top 6 post-2000 horror films to enjoy with a spooky joint this Halloween. The post 2000s were and still are a great time for horror, full to the brim with nostalgia and psychological thrillers. All of these movies are guaranteed to make your holiday a thrilling one. Disclaimer: perhaps don’t watch these alone, unless you’re a certified badass.
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Horror and Cannabis
Cannabis and fear can go as easily hand in and hand as they can be detrimental. Many people enjoy the heightened senses that weed brings, along with intensified colors, sounds, smells and thoughts. The cannabis plant can make almost every experience better. However, if you’re someone who is inclined to feelings of paranoia or panic, it can also make every experience worse. I’m going to assume that anyone reading this is at least partially intrigued by the idea of watching horror films stoned and, on the whole, has a decent relationship with the substance. Ultimately, watching scary movies whilst being high makes complete sense. A film director, Timothy Schultz, says:
“I think a lot of cannabis users would agree that it can heighten senses. This can definitely change the way you experience a movie, especially from the horror genre. There are a lot of over-the-top moments in horror films. Whether it’s scary, funny or psychologically mind-blowing, those feelings can be intensified.”
Unless you’ve been forced into watching a scary movie by your mate, then chances are that you’re doing it in order to feel the thrill of fear. In that case, getting stoned beforehand is an excellent idea. Every moment, every jump, every anti-climax, every grip of blood and gore – will be made that extra bit exciting. In fact, you may even find connections and have more deep thoughts than you would have done without weed. So why not give it a go this Halloween? Without further ado, here are my top 6 films of the post-2000s to watch stoned this holiday. Disclaimer: this is in no particular order.
1. The Ring (2002)
It’s probably best to avoid focusing on rotten tomatoes and IMDB reviews when it comes to certain horror films. On the whole, they’re often reviewed pretty harshly. Nonetheless, the Ring finds itself on this list and deservedly so. This movie is one of the best horror films I ever watched and I couldn’t sleep for weeks. The image of the girl, with her black hair covering her face, walking on all fours, whispering “7 days” into the phone, was one I have never been able to shake off.
The film is about a videotape that, when watched, will give you only 7 days to live. The Ring girl, also known as Samara, will find anyone who has watched the tape, come through their television, and kill them. The film follows Naomi Watts’ character as she tries desperately to discover more about the tape’s origins before her 7 days are up. This movie is excellently scary, with incredible visuals and, if that isn’t enough, a pretty decent cast.
2. Hereditary (2018)
Hereditary is part of a new wave of horror films that began recently with decent budgets and an amazing cast. Essentially, it’s actually an incredible movie – 90% on rotten tomato and is graced by a wonderfully spooky performance by Toni Colette. The film is an absolute mind boggle and is horrifying from start to finish. After the death of her mother, Collete’s character soon begins discovering strange things about her mum’s past. This film, to some, is considered the scariest of all time. It’s the kind of film you’ll never forget watching, especially the moment with the severed head – I’ll say no more than that. Just watch it.
3. It Follows (2014)
It Follows is one for those who respect indie films with smaller budgets. But don’t be swayed by its lesser known cast and smaller finances, this film has 95% on rotten tomatoes and an array of awards. What makes It Follows so incredible is in its simplicity. In essence, there is a sort-of STI going round that can be passed from person to person. The only way to get rid of it, is to have sex with someone else and pass it on to them.
However, this isn’t a usual sexually transmitted disease. Instead, it’s a monster that follows you, forever, at walking pace, until it kills you. Wherever you are in the world, it will be walking towards you. Eventually, it will get you. The only way to avoid it is to give it over to someone else. Oh, but if they die, it passes back to the last person who had it. The concept of this film feels like something from a film studies class but, honestly, it’s incredible. But even better if you’re high.
4. Get Out (2017)
This film, written and directed by the incredible newcomer Jordan Peele, won the Oscar for best original screenplay. If that isn’t enough of a reason to watch this psychological thriller then I don’t know what is. The film is funny, scary, horrifying and has so many levels to it, it’s hard to unpick it in one sitting. In fact, if you have the entire day free, it might be worth watching Get Out a few times this Halloween.
On the surface, the movie follows a young black American as he anxiously visits his white girlfriend’s parents. Other than some mild racist views, the visit seems to be going well. However, the plot then unravels, everything turns on its head and, before you know it, you’re watching perhaps the craziest film you’ve ever watched. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, then I might have to suggest you put it above the rest on your priority list this Halloween. It’s unreal.
5. Midsommar (2019)
Florence Pugh’s powerhouse performance in this twisted, confusing and horrifically psychological film is enough of a reason to watch this. Similar to others on this list, this is simply a very well acclaimed modern horror. It isn’t easy to understand, and may leave many scratching their heads, but it leaves you with a feeling of both beauty and disgust – like watching a colorful butterfly slowly take apart and devour an ant. If you’ve seen the Wicker Man, then the aesthetic is similar.
If not, then here’s some information. The movie is set in a cult in Sweden and follows a young woman as she slowly emancipates herself from a toxic relationship – at least, that’s what some believe. You may not even see an ounce of this from the film; that’s why it’s so wonderfully confusing. Cannabis may be the perfect substance to unlock the true meaning of this movie.
6. The Conjuring (2013)
The Conjuring, although written in 2013, is a far more traditional horror film. If you like the paranormal, demons and possession – then there aren’t many better than this. Ed and Lorraine Warren, both acclaimed demonologists, are hired to help the Perron family who have recently moved into a haunted farmhouse. What’s amazing about this film is you are left wondering: did this actually happen? The movie has all the classic tropes, yet still feels original. In fact, this could be one of the most genuinely scary films on the list so I wouldn’t recommend watching it alone. Watching it with cannabis will make this rollercoaster even more thrilling.
Final Thoughts
Halloween is a time for a spook and these films will certainly help you to get there. Not only does this list have variety, but they all have a genuine quality about them. None of these films, in my opinion, are ‘cheap’. They are all, rightfully and deservedly, on the list. So, if you have the time and the cannabis, find a way to watch as many of these as you can this Halloween. You will not be disappointed, but you will be – without a doubt – horrified.
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