An author, filmmaker, and journalist working in the horror genre, Jovanka Vuckovic is Revolver‘s resident fright-flick guru, the writer of each magazine’s “Splatter Matters” column. She was recently named one of the top 10 most important women in the history of horror. For more, visit jovankavuckovic.com and follow her at @JovankaVuckovic on Twitter.
Another year in fear has come to pass and it’s time to sit back and reflect on what initially appeared to be a low point in the cyclical history of horror. Some years the genre enjoys tremendous success in the mainstream, while others years it must be sought out in the trenches of the independent scene and in foreign markets. But it never goes away, and it never will. As long as we are able to make art that helps us know the unknowable, experience the unimaginable, and venture safely to oblivion and back, there will always be horror films. The trouble is finding the ones that are worth watching. That, intrepid cinematic travellers, is my responsibility to you here at Revolver.
At first it seemed an insurmountable task to find even 10 films I felt worthy of inclusion on this list. A cursory glance back at the year’s major releases yields a grim survey of unwatchable dreck: The Devil Inside, The Possession, ATM, Dark Shadows, The Apparition, Piranha 3DD, and The Chernobyl Diaries. Then there were the movies that had promise but just couldn’t quite rescue themselves from suffocating mediocrity and/or poor storytelling: Silent House, The Woman in Black, Sinister (a rip off of 2007’s The Poughkeepsie Tapes), The Pact, Rec3 (way to take that “scary” of that franchise, boys), and Ridley Scott’s gorgeous yet frustrating Prometheus.
Expectedly, things got brighter (or darker?) as I dug through the lesser-known titles, which tend to populate my list every year. And why not? Where’s the value in giving you the same list everyone else does? Do you really need another film journalist to tell you that Cabin in the Woods was “clever” or ParaNorman was “cute?” Respectfully, no.
To that end, I hereby present this year’s selection of truly original and exemplary horror films. Well, some of them can barely even be categorized as horror films but were still far more unnerving than Paranormal Activity 4. As always, I invite your unbridled outrage and endless nitpicking. I’ll even bring the popcorn.
Happy New Year!
*All films had a formal North American release in the 2012 calendar
Excision
Directed by Richard Bates Jr.
USA
It’s tough being a teenager, especially when you’re a sociopath and you’re on your period. Pauline (AnnaLynne McCord) is a deranged high school student who dreams of becoming a surgeon, having sex with dead people, and doing both at the same time. Based on the short film of the same name, Excision is a grueling character study about female psychosis that takes its cues from the films of John Hughes, Dario Argento, and Alejandro Jodorowsky. If you liked Lucky McKee’s May (2006), you’ll love Excision’s quiet, demented genius.
Antiviral
Directed by Brandon Cronenberg
Canada
Yes, that Cronenberg. Now that we’ve addressed the elephant in the room we can move on to what’s important: With his auspicious directorial debut, Brandon Cronenberg delivers a truly unique vision of subtle science fiction and “body horror.” Antiviral takes place in a dystopian universe in which diseases are harvested from celebrities and injected into paying fans. It was a winner at Cannes and TIFF, yet hardly anyone went to see it when it was released this past year in Canada. Don’t make the same mistake the Canadians did: If you want to see more original horror films made, go see Antiviral when it is released this year in the United States. It’s the shot in the arm the genre so desperately needs.
Chained
Directed by Jennifer Chambers Lynch
USA
I love Jennifer Lynch. It takes balls to blaze your own trail outside of the shadow of your famous father. I admire her because she makes horror movies. I admire her because she tried to make a horror movie while surrounded by men in India and did it with a smile on her face most of the time (see the amazing documentary, Despite the Gods, about that experience). But mostly I admire her because she makes the movies that she wants to make. Case in point: Chained. You may have missed Lynch’s gritty serial killer drama because it initially got slapped with an NC-17, a film board rating that spells abortion for any movie awaiting theatrical release. In the film, Vincent D’Onofrio plays a serial killer who kidnaps a little boy, renames him Rabbit, and holds him captive for many years. Despite its unpleasant subject matter, Chained is Lynch’s best effort to date–a dead serious and unflinching portrayal of real-life horror that we can’t help seeing through to its unconventional end. Bravo, Jen.
Sleep Tight
Directed by Jaume Balagueró
Spain
Maybe you have to be a woman who has lived alone to fully appreciate the nastiness of Sleep Tight because this movie crept up on me like a rash that wouldn’t go away. Jaume Balagueró is most well known as one half of the filmmaking team that brought us the first two [REC] films and director of the flawed but stylish Spanish thrillers The Fragile (2005) and Darkness (2002). In this suspenseful portrait of madness, Luis Tosar stars as César, a concierge who enjoys secretly tormenting the tenants of his building. He takes a special interest in bubbly young Clara (Marta Etura) and literally stops at nothing to wipe the smile off her face forever. Sleep Tight is similar to the 2011 Hammer film The Tenant, but much more creepy and not starring Hilary Swank.
Lovely Molly
Directed by Eduardo Sanchez
USA
If you have an imagination, this film is for you. If, on the other hand, you are one of those people that needs to be spoon-fed safe explanations, go see Wreck-It Ralph and forget this ambiguous little gem. Back in 1999, Eduardo Sánchez shot to fame when he co-directed The Blair Witch Project with Daniel Myrick. Since then they’ve been making films on their own, with mixed results. Lovely Molly is Sánchez’ best film to date–a grimy character study that wisely eschews the overused (and flaccid) jump scare in favour of slow, tension-building storytelling bolstered by a strong performance from newcomer Gretchen Lodge (Molly). In short: Molly moves back into her childhood home, which triggers painful memories that cause her to unravel. While I think it could lose the “handheld” element, Lovely Molly has all the same qualities that make films like The Entity and Session 9 so damned creepy.
Compliance
Directed by Craig Zobel
USA
I hated this movie. It made me so angry I almost turned it off. Not because it wasn’t well made but because it is based on a series of outrageously unbelievable true events. A manager of a fast food restaurant receives a call from a man claiming to be a police officer. He insists that the cute blonde employee (Dreama Walker) at the front counter has stolen money from a customer and needs to be restrained, undressed, and eventually assaulted by the staff. Unfuckingbelievably, most of them buy the guy’s story and do as he says–including the victim! I know, it’s hard to believe anyone could be that contemptuously ignorant, it even feels like an episode of that show What Would You Do? But it turns out this phone prank actually happened at no less than 70–SEVENTY!–fast food chains in 30 States, according to Wikipedia. Compliance is an immensely frustrating film that illustrates just how dangerously stupid some people can be.
Beyond the Black Rainbow
Directed by Panos Cosmatos
Canada
Strictly for the more adventurous filmgoer, Beyond the Black Rainbow is an experimental art film that can be best described as sci-fi/horror “happening.” Aesthetically (and that’s the strength of this exercise, for the most part), it’s as if the ’70s dreamt what the ’80s might be like, complete with weird thumping synth music, 2001 sets, Mario Bava-style lighting, and glacial pacing. The plot, as it were: Barry Nyle has a young girl called Elena trapped in some kind of psychological torture chamber within a byzantine quasi-futuristic commune called Arboria. When she finally escapes, he hunts her down in a bizarre, quasi-slasher film dénouement that comes completely out of nowhere. The influence of Ken Russell, David Cronenberg, Stanley Kubrick, David Lynch, Alejandro Jodorowsky, and a dozen other filmmakers loom large over this film, which is assuredly a triumph of style over substance. Still, I can’t help but shake some of the disturbing images from my head. Go in with an extremely open mind and lots of patience.
Citadel
Directed by Ciaran Foy
Ireland
Tommy (Aneurin Barnard) suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder and agoraphobia following an attack on and death of his very pregnant wife. The baby survived, only to be left in the care of Tommy, who is an absolute emotional and psychological wreck of a man. Not only can he barely leave his run down Glasgow tenement, he also believes he is being stalked by the same gang of hooded demonic feral children who killed his wife–and are now after his baby. Citadel is a flawed but effective commentary about socio-economical collapse and the need for urban renewal in the United Kingdom. There is something immensely upsetting about Tommy’s display of detestable male weakness and inability to parent his tiny baby that keeps us watching in the hopes that he will eventually grow a pair. Worth watching.
Juan of the Dead
Directed by Alejandro Brugués
Cuba
50 years after the Cuban revolution a bunch of Havana slackers get creative to battle a zombie outbreak in Juan of the Dead, Cuba’s first zombie film. The media and government quickly spread disinformation: The “infected” are merely “dissidents” in revolt that must be stopped. Juan and his friends see a business opportunity in retiring the recently turned people in this absolutely hilarious and original zombie satire of Cuban life. Bonus point for wildly inventive zombie kills. It even has a totally bonkers dance scene!
Bedevilled
Directed by Chul-soo Jang
South Korea
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. And while this slow South Korean female revenge film isn’t I Spit On Your Grave or Thriller: A Cruel Picture, there is something deeply unsettling about this quiet melodrama–perhaps because the perpetrators themselves are family. The entire family to be precise: grandmothers, aunts, uncles and children alike. Kim Bok-Nam is abused and humiliated night and day on the tiny island of Moodo. When her childhood friend Hae-Won returns from Seoul for a holiday, Kim Bok-Nam begs her to take her daughter back with her, but she won’t. Although there are plenty of male abusers in the story, it is the sick relationships and special brand of ferocious cruelty that occurs between women that takes center stage in Bedevilled. And when the inevitable happens, there is no sympathy for this lady’s vengeance.
Honorable mentions: Killer Joe, John Dies at the End, Father’s Day, Absentia, The Bay, and the anthologies The Theatre Bizarre and V/H/S.
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After a month of furious voting, the results are in on our Music Video of the Year readers’ poll, and the winner is…technical thrashers Revocation (pictured above) for their “The Grip Tightens” clip.
The top five vote-getters are:
1. Revocation, “The Grip Tightens”
2. Black Veil Brides, “Coffin”
3. High on Fire, “Fertile Green”
4. Slash, “Bad Rain”
5. Motionless In White, “Devil’s Night”
Check out Revocation, “The Grip Tightens” below:
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After over two weeks of furious voting that saw over 400,000 ballots cast, the results are in on our Song of the Year readers’ poll, and the winner is…prog-metal upstarts Periphery (pictured above) for their “Make Total Destroy.”
The top five vote-getters are:
1. Periphery “Make Total Destroy”
2. Black Veil Brides “In the End”
3. Avenged Sevenfold “Carry On”
4. The Pretty Reckless “Kill Me”
5. Papa Roach “Still Swingin’”
Check out Periphery’s “Make Total Destroy” below:
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Leading up to the end of the year, Revolver has asked some of our favorite artists to pick their Top Albums of 2012 and tell us why each record rules. Here, doom-metal band Amenra select their faves.
5. Swans, The Seer
“Amazing how they succeed in making new overwhelming music after all these years, without losing their own signature or ability to create songs with renewed vigor. The songs on The Seer are spiritual, hypnotizing, and ponderous.”
4. Earth, Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II
“Earth’s songs are so well-constructed. Because of the minimalist nature of their music and the perfect timing, every note played makes a maximum impact and gives us the chills.”
3. High on Fire, De Vermis Mysteriis
“The combination of this already raw sounding trio with producer Kurt Ballou makes for one battering ram of a record.”
2. Dinosaur Jr., I Bet on Sky
“This is the band’s 10th studio album and it’s very inspiring to see how they manage to stay true to their original sound and still succeed in making a relevant album.”
1. Chelsea Wolfe, Unknown Rooms: A Collection of Acoustic Songs
“She always draws you in. Her cinematographic approach towards music intrigues. Chelsea Wolfe really lets down her guard with this last album. It humbles us that someone allows people to look into their hearts without wanting anything in return. A great artist.”
Leading up to the end of the year, Revolver has asked some of our favorite artists to pick their Top Albums of 2012 and tell us why each record rules. Here, Kalle “Cane” Savijärvi (pictured left), guitarist of the Pagan-metal band Korpiklaani, selects his faves.
5. Neil Young, Americana
“Traditional songs turning into something totally different in Neil’s hands. No compromises. Neil is doing what ever he wants. Very strong album.”
4. Lynyrd Skynyrd, Last of a Dyin’ Breed
“Kings of Southern rock bringing a very good album again. After almost 40 years still rockin’. Three guitars together, just great.”
3. Slash, Apocalyptic Love
“Slash plays Les Paul with style. Rock and roll! Myles Kennedy doing good job on vocals.”
2. ZZ Top, La Futura
“Blues enough for my taste. Very good sounds. Billy Gibbons is one of my guitar idols.”
1. Neil Young, Psychedelic Pill
“I’ve been Neil Young fan over 20 years. This is what I’ve been waiting. Crazy Horse as its best.”
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Leading up to the end of the year, Revolver has asked some of our favorite artists to pick their Top Albums of 2012 and tell us why each record rules. Here, Craig “Goonzi” Gowans (pictured left), guitarist of the melodic death-metal band Bleed From Within, selects his faves.
5. Converge, All We Love We Leave Behind
“A band who, even after 22 years, can still write a genre-defining masterpiece so brutal and relentless.”
4. Deftones, Koi No Yokan
“Having been put into various genres over the years, one thing that has been obvious is that there is no band that sounds like Deftones. Another equally beautiful heavy album that no one could hope to match.”
3. Lamb of God, Resolution
“Lamb of God have been one of our favorite bands from the beginning and they never fail to disappoint. This is yet another incredible album that proves they are still the kings of modern metal.”
2. Meshuggah, Koloss
“We thought we wrote heavy music until we heard this album. One of the grooviest metal bands on the circuit today, and they seem to be going from strength to strength. If you have never seen them live, you are seriously missing out.”
1. Periphery, Periphery II: This Time It’s Personal
“This album is filled with groove and melody. They’ve taken that ‘djent’ sound and went somewhere completely different with it. They are six of the most creative and forward thinking musicians in metal today.”
Leading up to the end of the year, Revolver has asked some of our favorite artists to pick their Top Albums of 2012 and tell us why each record rules. Here, the hardcore band Crown the Empire select their faves.
5. Sleeping with Sirens, If You Were a Movie, This Would Be Your Soundtrack
“This album stuck out as it was a very ambitious attempt at breaking what people expected from the band or any band from this genre. We definitely have mad respect for such a great release from one of our great label mates.”
4. The Weeknd, Trilogy
“This guy has been a favorite of ours for a while. This album is all about the vocals. He’s incredible.”
3. The Used, Vulnerable
“An amazing album. Some of the most clever songwriting we’ve heard in a while.”
2. Linkin Park, Living Things
“One of our favorite bands. They are more than an inspiration to us–they’re a goal.”
1. Fun, Some Nights
“This album brought theatricality back to the mainstream. Real melodies, an eccentric singer, and passion. Everything were about.”
Leading up to the end of the year, Revolver has asked some of our favorite artists to pick their Top Albums of 2012 and tell us why each record rules. Here, Craig Locicero (pictured left), guitarist of the thrash-metal band Forbidden, selects his faves.
5. Soundgarden, King Animal
“Most refreshing record of the last few years. I’m very glad they are back and sound like nothing else but Soundgarden!”
4. Jack White, Blunderbuss
“Jack White as a songwriter and a guitarist is incredible. I have a ton of respect for his entire career, even as a producer. This is one of his best records to date.”
3. Gojira, L’Enfant Sauvage
“From the first note of this record, I was entranced and hypnotized. Their use of dynamics and syncopation keep me involved all the way from front to back. Also, some of the drum patterns are the catchiest things I’ve ever heard in metal.”
2. High on Fire, De Vermis Mysteriis
“Matt Pike = ferocious, snarling metal god! Love this record and the way it captures the bands unparalleled live power.”
1. Deftones, Koi No Yokan
“With all of the tragedy that has beset the Deftones, I am in awe of the brutal beauty that this record holds. The tones are by far the best of any record they have done and Chino Moreno’s voice has never been stronger. Chi Cheng must be proud of his brothers.”
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Leading up to the end of the year, Revolver has asked some of our favorite artists to pick their Top Albums of 2012 and tell us why each record rules. Here, Sean Parkinson (pictured left), guitarist of the heavy-metal band West of Hell, selects his faves.
5. 3 Inches of Blood, Long Live Heavy Metal
“These guys are awesome. Tight sound on this record. They have a ‘good times’ vibe throughout, with classic riffing. Nods to their heroes like Dio, Thin Lizzy, and Maiden are cool. Manowar couldn’t have come up with a better title themselves.”
4. Testament, Dark Roots of Earth
“Testament are thrash-metal legends. This album is an inspiring piece of work. If you’re a Testament fan, you love this. If you’re a thrash fan, you love this. If you don’t love this, go away.”
3. West of Hell, Spiral Empire
“Well, I gotta pick this one! Not just because it’s my album, but OK, mainly because it’s my album! I’m stoked this is out and that we are working on the next one now. This album is great because it represents years of hard work and determination from a band that shifted to the other side of the planet just to be able to complete the lineup.”
2. Sinate, To the Death
“OK, again, not just picking this one because I used to be in this band. I was stoked when I got my hands on this record. The usual heavy/catchy brand of thrash/death metal from the Sheppard brothers, but with a more mature feel. Awesome.”
1, Cannibal Corpse, Torture
“Same high production levels as the last couple of records with Erik Rutan at the helm. Same relentless, bludgeoning, classic death-metal songs. Same gory artwork. There’s just something about keeping things consistent. Love Cannibal Corpse. Love this album.”
Leading up to the end of the year, Revolver has asked some of our favorite artists to pick their Top Albums of 2012 and tell us why each record rules. Here, hard-rock band Blameshift selects their faves.
5. Hit the Lights, Invicta
“This record is a lot more mature without losing their original sound completely. The songs are put together much better than their previous work.”
4. I the Mighty, Karma Never Sleeps EP
“If you haven’t heard of this band yet…now’s the time. They write incredible songs that are as much catchy as they are intricate.”
3. 12 Stones, Beneath the Scars
“We had the opportunity to tour with this amazing band all summer. This record is their best work to date. The songs are all amazing and lyrically it’s just perfect. The conviction and emotion in Paul McCoy’s voice is undeniable.”
2. The Used, Vulnerable
“The Used can do no wrong..and this record just proved that even more. We really love the energy of this record.”
1. Yellowcard, Southern Air
“This record has some of the best rock songs we’ve heard in a while on it. It’s feel-good rock and roll.”
