THE SPOOKY REEL

Halloween has been around for more than a thousand years. Originally a religious observance, it became increasingly secular over the centuries until its religious elements all but disappeared. Today, Halloween is considered a holiday for dress-up and fun, especially for children. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain. It was believed that on the night of October 31, the souls of the dead returned to their homes, so people dressed in costumes and lit bonfires to ward off spirits. In this way, popular  Halloween tropes such as witches, ghosts, and goblins became associated with the holiday.

Despite Halloween not being a traditional concept in Bangladesh, there has been a growing number of people who have embraced it in recent years. In most cases, private parties are organised where invitees  dress up in their spookiest costumes. 

But if you’re not one to hop from party to party, don’t worry. You can still experience the essence of this holiday by gathering around dadi’s feet as she tells haunting stories and recounts equally scary incidents from the olden days or by watching these films, all released in 2024, for whimsical tales and spine-tingling scares.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice 

Since its release in 1988, Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice has achieved cult status, spawning an animated television series, video games, and a stage musical. At CinemaCon 2023, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was confirmed to be in active development. Thirty-six years after the events of Beetlejuice, the Deetzes return home to Winter River following a family tragedy. Lydia (Winona Ryder) is still haunted by the mischievous ghost, Betelgeuse  (Michael Keaton). Her life takes a dramatic turn when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), discovers a mysterious model of the town in the attic, accidentally opening a portal to the ‘Afterlife’. 

Trap

Twenty-five years after his breakthrough film, The Sixth Sense, M Night Shyamalan continues to captivate audiences with his creative and bold ideas. His latest film, Trap, offers a faster pace and a more heightened tone compared to his previous works. The story revolves around a father and his teenage daughter who attend a pop concert, only to discover they are at the centre of a dark and sinister event. This decidedly high-concept film stars Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, Hayley Mills, and Allison Pill. 

Longlegs 

A darker version of The Silence of the Lambs, the horror hit Longlegs follows Lee Harker (Maika Monroe), a talented and young FBI agent who is recruited to track down a Satanic serial killer known as Longlegs (Nicolas Cage). For years, this mysterious murderer has eluded capture, but Harker may possess the skills necessary to apprehend him. Monroe delivers an outstanding performance, while Cage is both terrifying and unrecognisable.

Mona: Jinn 2 

Drawing inspiration from a real-life incident in Jamalpur, the sequel to the smash hit Jinn offers a chilling experience that delves into the story of a possessed young girl. It will surely keep audiences on the edge of their seats. While the first film received criticism for its visual effects, Mona: Jinn 2 delivers genuine scares with a more grounded approach. It relies less on flashy effects and more on raw terror. Furthermore, the decision to cast a 12-year-old actress in the lead role adds an authentic touch to this supernatural thriller.

Late Night with the Devil

Late Night with the Devil follows Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian), a late-night show host who is desperately attempting to revive his show Night Owls by creating a chilling Halloween special. He invites a famed psychic and an aggressively skeptical magician, but the main event is an interview with a girl who happens to be possessed by a demon. A found-footage horror film with delightful 1970s aesthetics and unpredictable twists, Late Night with the Devil is as unique as it is scary.

Exhuma 

For anyone craving an eerie, slow-burn horror movie, check out Exhuma. This hit South Korean film follows a renowned shaman and her protégé, who are hired by a wealthy family to investigate a supernatural illness affecting the first-born children of each generation. They trace the affliction to the family’s ancestral grave, where they uncover a dark secret involving a cursed burial site. Exhuma successfully incorporates rich cultural elements by exploring shamanic ceremonies and the deep respect for beliefs surrounding the afterlife. The film has received unanimous praise for blending supernatural mystery with classic horror.