October. Without question, my favorite month of the year. Even in weather-less and season-less Southern California, I still get that familiar, fall feeling. Whether it’s dusk hitting a bit earlier, the leaves falling from the trees, or the prevalence of black and orange in every store and front yard decoration, there is a very comforting, but all too fleeting feeling that comes with October. I try to bottle it and capture the mood as best as I can, as these 31 days seem to be shorter and shorter with each subsequent year.
Aside from the stoked feeling of getting a giant bag of trick or treat candy for a chubby 5 year old like myself, the one other constant and oldest tradition for me in October is watching horror films. I got to vicariously live through the seasonal feelings that movies like Halloween conjured - though ironically, most of these films were made in So Cal. There was danger in these films and they helped me cope with some sort of internal darkness and perhaps watching these films was a catharsis, a way to deal with things I had seen or lived through as a kid. I could physically feel horror movies more than others and that physicality of watching them was unique and meant something to me. Or, maybe not… It could be I just thought that Freddy Krueger was funny… Either way, Im a horror lifer.
When I started dating my now wife, Kelly, I had learned she hadn’t seen nearly any of my favorites, so I suppose as a way to impress me or stand in solidarity, she obliged and watched a ton of them that October.
Five years later, here we are married and I wanted to see how she’s reflected on the experience, if at all. Did she like any of them? Why did she do it? Will she do it again? I think already know the answers without asking…
(NOTE: She interviewed me as well for her Substack, which is out on Friday 10/6)
(our first Halloween costume. Ellie and Alan from Jurassic Park. I am not a good Laura Dern…)
Why did you do this?
I was on my best behavior early on in our relationship and wanted to impress you.
Do you even like horror movies?
No.
What were your favorites? Why?
Night of the Living Dead, Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream and Shaun of the Dead. The first two are classics and incredibly intelligent and well done. The other two are tongue in cheek and I love comedy.
What were your least favorites? Why?
Raw. Hellraiser. Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The Fly. I hate gross out humor and unnecessary torture porn just for the sake of getting attention. I love it when a director like George Romero and Wes Craven (directors of my top two above) treat the audience with respect and intelligence. These movies just didn’t do it for me. And yes, I know I sound like a grump and these are horror movies obviously but these are just not my cup of tea.
What was the most surprising?
How horror movies are literally the equivalent of Hallmark movie predictability and tropes by the page, just on the other end of the emotion spectrum. There’s a comfort in that though, I guess?
Are there any you didn't see that would you like to?
You mentioned that Influencer horror movie the other night that I should see. I guess that one?
Will you do this again?
No.
(We’re gonna need a bigger dog…Actually, no. We’re good...)
What do you love about October?
That you love it so much and go all out. Also, Shaqtoberfest. Also, who doesn’t like to get drunk, dress up as someone else and devolve into mayhem? Also, getting to dress up our very grumpy son (dog) Bandit in a Chucky costume alone makes October the best. Also, basic bitchness is embraced full force in October and I am here for it. Speaking of, we should go get our one and only PSL for the season tomorrow?
All of the also’s aside, Kelly is right in that dressing up as someone else and freeing your Id for one night (or sometimes a month) is liberating and what makes October and Halloween specifically so special for weirdos, creatives and perhaps more shy people like myself. Movies tie into this concept don’t they? The weird, creative, shy creators who think outside the box are allowed this freedom when they’re making a horror movie. It’s no wonder so many great auteurs started in horror.
Do you have a favorite or hated horror film? What’s you experience with them?
Thanks for reading. Happy October!
I don't know Kelly but I love her. Totally agree about guts and gore. Freak me out with otherworldliness, psychosis, or liminal spaces between the living and the dead and I'm in. Ughhh I miss Halloween!
I love this. And I love how honest Kelly is about her take on the horror genre in general.