10 Great Modern Horror Movies to Watch This Halloween (That We Think You’ve Never Seen) – 2023 Edition

For the fourth year in a row, we want to talk about modern horrors we think you should definitely be checking out this Halloween season. Movies that you may have missed, movies that delighted us and movies we think are good enough to recommend. Now, our definition of modern is ‘released’ in the last 5 to 6 years. Some might be brand-new (released this year), others may be a couple of years old and we’ve just got round to mentioning them now.

In 2020, we recommended Dinner Party, Stairs, The Night Eats the World, We Are the Missing, Room for Rent, The Good Things Devils Do, Racoon Valley, Terrifer, The Void and Butterfly Kisses. You can read that full article here.

In 2021, we recommended Till Death, Slashorette Party, Bloody Hell, Paintball Massacre, Don’t Look Back, After Midnight, Yummy, Oxygen, Killer Rack and Savageland. You can read that full article here.

In 2022 we recommended Torn Hearts, Hellarious, Vicious Fun, Broadcast Signal Intrusion, Knocking, No One Gets Out Alive, Horror in the High Desert, Slumber Party Massacre – Remake, Becoming Death, and Anything for Jackson. You can read that full article here.

So, what are we recommending for 2023? Read on to find out!

Tailgate (2019)

Written and directed by Lodewijk Crijns, Tailgate (Bumperkleef) is a Dutch horror/thriller movie about driving and how road rage can be deadly for your health.

Hans, his wife Diana, and their two children are driving across country to see family but are running late. This has made Hans impatient, resulting in him getting into a spat with another driver named Ed. Who loathes rudeness on the road. So much so, that he follows the family to a gas station where he demands an apology from Hans.

Frustrated and prideful, Hans refuses and leaves with his family to continue their trip. However, this isn’t over, and the Hans is going to regret not letting the spate end when he had the chance.

Road trip movies with a psychotic person hunting down others because of a slight aren’t that common, but for good reason. It’s hard to make the mundane task of driving, frightening, and often the movie has no choice but to ramp up to such a degree to keep things interesting. Tailgate doesn’t quite follow that path, instead attempting to keep the story grounded and real as we travel with the family and experience their ever-increasing terror.

Once it gets going, Tailgate is a hyperactive, adrenaline rush that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It gets a little too silly at the end to be as believable as it once was, but it doesn’t stop it being a memorable entry in a niche sub-genre of horrors/thrillers.

Scare Package (2019)

An entertaining, and extremely meta experience, Scare Package is an anthology horror created by Aaron B. Koontz and Cameron Burns.

Chad Buckley owns and operates a video rental store. He is obsessed with all things horror and yearns for the ‘good-old days’ (the 80s) of the genre. If only others could share his love, then maybe his store wouldn’t be struggling. Which brings us to the story wrap-around, interweaved within the shorts that make up most of the film’s 107-minute runtime.

As a total ‘package’, Scare Package is a great anthology on the strength of the wraparound story alone. However, it also has three great shorts, two decent shorts, and only one meh short. Meaning, there’s more good here than bad. The dedication to horror, the effects, the meta jokes and silly humour, the top-tier acting, and the franchise capabilities makes Scare Package a must see for all fans of horror. It’s a great modern anthology.

Brain Freeze (2021)

Written and directed by Julien Knafo (from a screenplay by Jean Barbe), Brain Freeze takes place on the isolated upper-class Peacock Island in Montreal, Canada. Isolated because it is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and only has a singular bridge as an access point.

Those who live on the island, live in class and part of that includes a world-class golf course. Where the rich and famous travel from all over the world, all year round, to play a few rounds and stay at the resort. Or at least they would, if the poor weather meant they could play in the winter.

The owner, Marcel has a way to make this possible. He has the green sprayed with an experimental chemical that will stop snow settling on it.

It certainly works on the golf course but as it finds its way into the island’s water supply, the residents begin to transform into blood-thirsty beasts. It’s security guard Dan, his daughter Patricia, young André and his infant sister Annie who find themselves caught up in the chaos.

Will they be able to survive, escape the island and reveal the truth about the chemical?

A reason as to why the film is so watchable is the different idea that is these zombies. For starters, they are fast and share more in common with the likes of 28 Days/Weeks Later’s infected. However, while they are fast and violent, this infection is rooted in greenery and those who are sick start to become more plant-like. This allows the make-up artists to have some real fun with the look of these creatures. The way in which they strive to be in water is an interesting twist and they can be quite terrifying.

Part of that comes from the location, the snowy landscape and the isolation this community has. Something once desirable transforms into a prison, especially when the one route out is destroyed by the military. Another enjoyable aspect is the social and political commentary that makes up a lot of Brain Freeze’s story. Everything from health-nuts to medical conspiracy theorists to immigration, corporate greed and disease control is touched upon here. However, none of it feels ham-fisted and at times, is done in a humorously pointed way.

It all works so well and makes Brain Freeze a lovable and surprisingly good entry in a very tired sub-genre of horror.

Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge (2022)

The first Scare Package was a funny, bloody, and meta anthology horror that turned enough heads to guarantee a sequel. After all, it’s the horror movie way! Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge is sillier, more referential, and bloodier than the first. Like all good horror sequels, it had to up the ante and it does.

Unsurprisingly, Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge is also an anthology film. Though, just like its predecessor, it has an extensively detailed and important wraparound story.

Following the events of the first Scare Package, a funeral is taking place for Chad. One that has an array of guests that all seem to know Chad it some odd way. It’s an unusual guest list for an unusual man. Proven when a video message from before he was killed reveals that he wants to play a game, Jigsaw style.

All the funeral attendees are knocked out by gas and wake up in a unknown place, forced by Chad to get out of their predicament by watching some horror films that contain clues. This is how we get to our shorts.

Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge delivers a ton of fun, with a really game cast, plenty of hilarity, and even more blood and guts. It was always going to be a tough task for Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge to reach the high set by the first movie, but it comes close. It’s certainly bigger, it’s certainly bolder, and it’s certainly bloodier.

Virus:32 (2022)

From an idea by Juma Fodde, and a story by Gustavo Hernández, who also directed it, Virus: 32 is an outbreak/infected Argentinian horror movie that owes a lot to 28 Days/Weeks Later.

An infection that turns a person into a mindless, raging beast with one goal. To beat, maim and kill uninfected people. Something that the virus seem to be able to sense.

It sure does sound like 28 Days/Weeks Later, right?

Except that Virus: 32 has its own trick and that relates to the number in the title. For 32 seconds after an infected has attacked a victim, they will become completely placid.

It sounds unnecessarily complicated and can be picked apart fairly easily, however, the movie doesn’t overuse it. Choosing to use the 32 second angle for some high-tension moments at the end. It works, because these infected are terrifying creatures and the why and how of the virus keeps the viewer in the dark.

Virus: 32 is a fantastic movie but not necessarily for the reasons many would expect. On the one hand, it’s grim and horrific, telling its infection story with energy and not shying away from the horror that could be dished out by such a thing. On the other, the character’s plight for survival is where this movie excels.

Glorious (2022)

Directed by Rebekah McKendry, and starring Ryan Kwanten and J. K. Simmons, Glorious is a blood-splattered cosmic horror that delights and shocks in equal fashion. The former because it also has a comedic edge and the latter because it’s got some immense twists and turns.

Wes has recently split up with his girlfriend and hasn’t taken it well. His life is in his car, and he has been driving for so long, he’s ready to fall asleep at the wheel. Needing a break, he makes a stop at an isolated rest stop, where he gets blackout drunk and burns almost all his stuff, including those he shared with his ex.

The next morning, feeling extremely hungover, Wes staggers into the rest stop bathroom to throw up. It seems empty, so Wes is surprised when a voice starts to speak from the stall next to him. A genial voice that wants to engage in conversation, much to the hungover Wes’ chagrin. He does placate the voice though, up until he finds out the person’s name. Which just happens to be, Ghatanothoa. Then the conversation gets a little weird and Wes decides it’s time to go.

However, the door is locked. Locked by Ghatanothoa who needs Wes’ help. You see Ghatanothoa is a demi-god. Created by a god who, after accidentally building the universe, created him to destroy it. Ghatanothoa’s older siblings were able to seal their father away, but he has broken free and is now searching for Ghatanothoa so it can use the demi-god to destroy humanity.

Ghatanothoa doesn’t want this though. It’s been watching for a while now and has grown to like humanity. It needs to hide, permanently, but to do that, it needs something from Wes. Something that could cost the man his life.

Glorious is a phenomenal horror movie. One of the best you’ll see in modern times. It’s clever, it’s funny, it’s dark, it’s depressing, it’s gross, and it’s entertaining. It’s a roller-coaster of a ride too. Brave enough to push the limits of the imagination and ballsy enough to splash the blood and guts about as well. You may not see much of Ghatanothoa, but you will see what it is capable of.

Deadstream (2022)

From the writing and directing duo, Joseph Winter and Vanessa Winter comes Deadstream. A found-footage comedy-horror movie with a synopsis that is far less fun or interesting than the actual movie is.

Shawn is a famous YouTuber known for his videos that feature him ‘overcoming his fears’ through wild and wacky stunts. One such video sees him go too far though, resulting in a homeless man being hospitalised. This results in Shawn’s fanbase turning on him and he loses his lucrative sponsors.

That should have been it for the man. Yet, once you’ve had such a high level of popularity. It’s hard to give that up. So, looking to make a comeback and keep hold of his remaining fanbase, Shawn decides to face his final fear – spending the night in a haunted house.

Shawn’s plan is to livestream himself staying inside Death Manor, a house with a very dark past. Once inside, he has to stay and take instructions from the stream viewers. If he leaves, or refuses to do anything he is asked, he will lose it all.

It’s all good for Shawn though, right? After all, ghosts don’t exist, right?

Exceptionally entertaining, funny, and frightening. Deadstream is an extremely well-done movie. This isn’t just a ghost story. The first half focuses on that aspect, albeit from a more disbelieving angle. However, the second half of the movie sees the tone shift significantly into something more akin to the Evil Dead movie series. Specifically, Evil Dead II.

Older Gods (2023)

Written and directed by David A. Roberts, Older Gods is an exemplary example of low-budget horror relying on imagination and tone to fill the viewer with dread. A horror movie that calls to the darkness that surrounds the universe and suggests that we really are just nothing in the grand scheme of things.

We are all but a dream, and should The Origin awake, we will all disappear into the ether.

It’s a horrifying prospect, but it’s not real, is it? That is what Chris is trying to find out. A man feeling a lot of guilt about the passing of his best friend Billy. They had drifted apart as Billy became wrapped up in some unusual conspiracy theories surrounding end of the world cults. Then Billy apparently killed some people and committed suicide, supposedly.

Chris is not convinced by this story, especially as Billy had collected all his research and passed them on to Chris. It’s this research that Chris will study over the film’s runtime to find out the truth. A truth that he may wish he never actually uncovered.

Mind Leech (2023)

Low-budget and barely an hour long, written, starring, and co-directed by Chris Cheeseman and Paul Krysinski, one glance at Mind Leech and you might think you’re in for a rough ride.

So, it’s a really pleasant surprise to find that it’s a delightful and fun horror movie that showcases passion and drive. One with some laughs, some gooey gore, impressive practical effects, and good acting.

A huge mutant leech latches on to the temple of its victims and can control them. Albeit with hilariously poor coordination. As it jumps from victim to victim and causes chaos in the small town, a couple of local police officers are on the hunt. Will they be able to stop the leech and save the town?

Craving (2023)

Directed by J. Horton, who co-wrote the story with Gregory Blair, Craving is not the movie you might first think it is. Resulting in a wild and bloody romp that leaves you feeling breathless.

The story surrounds a quiet bar in a small town that has a few patrons drinking the night away. Their peace and quiet is interrupted by the arrival of a group holding guns. Is it a robbery? Seemingly not, as it’s quickly established that this group are being chased by another who might be even more deadly.

Surrounding the building and wearing garish masks, they demand that the people inside give themselves up. They want something and are willing to kill everyone to get it. Which puts the poor folk who were enjoying their drinks right in the middle of this violent dispute. Except, someone in the bar has a secret and it’s more deadly than anything else.

Part crime thriller, part creature feature; Craving is a compelling slow-burn horror that creates mystery and intrigue while building towards its exceptionally bloody ending.