If someone were asked about their first reaction to one of their favorite films being remade, the interviewer would most likely be met with an overwhelmingly negative reaction. Despite the potential that remakes can have, in terms of having a great story analyzed from another angle, the litany of poorly reviewed remakes have left a sour taste in the mouths of the collective film-watching populace.
Additionally, remakes can be quite difficult to pull off. From the moment a decision to recreate the magic of an original film is proposed, the creative circle with the best intentions work tirelessly to retain the trust of fans of the original film while crafting a project that will widen the story’s scope beyond the initial viewers. In the midst of production, anything can happen; casting changes, controversial alterations to the plot, and even drastic shifts in a given character’s personality and motivation.
In a genre like horror, remakes cause a particular chill to crawl up the spine of their audiences. With the forever looming fear of studios placing profit over principle as well as the varying talents of the selected cast, it is reasonable to feel apprehensive. However, time has proven that it is possible to not only recapture the appealing qualities of a given story, but to further supplement it with refreshing risks.
In time for Halloween, what better way to celebrate other than revisiting some of the most overlooked remakes of classic horror films that left audiences amazed and terrified simultaneously?
10 The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
From the minds of Alexandre Aja and Grégory Levasseur, The Hills Have Eyes is a horror that serves as their English-language debut. A remake of the 1997 Wes Craven film of the same name, the film follows the Carter family on a seemingly typical road trip. However, when their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, they quickly learn that they are in imminent danger from grotesque mutants with a fervid hunger for humans. As the extended family attempts to see the sun rise again, they attempt to dodge the mutants and hatch a plan for their survival. Nevertheless, their ambition doesn’t prevent the dusty gold sands of the desert from turning into an unforgettably pale red.
Blood And Monsters Galore
As previously stated, the 2006 film serves as an adaptation of Craven’s original project. While the 1977 offering earned favorable reviews for its pace, twisted humor, and imaginative storytelling, the more recent iteration earned mixed reception, with reviewers like Roger Ebert claiming that the film focused on violence more than it did on character development. Moreover, some critics referred to the film as “torture porn” due to what many describe as the excessive amount of gore. Despite the mixed reception, for those who are in search of a particular viciousness in their villains, The Hills Have Eyes is perfectly fine for fans and newcomers alike to (re)visit.
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9 My Bloody Valentine 3D (2009)
My Bloody Valentine 3D sees Jensen Ackles, Jaime King, Kerr Smith, and Kevin Tighe band together to recreate the 1981 Canadian film of the same name. Much of the chaos occurs in Harmony, a small mining community where, ten years prior, a fatal accident not only claimed the lives of some of the town’s most recognizable faces but also gave way to a bloodcurdling rampage led by Harry Warden, one of the miners accused of murdering his co-workers to conserve oxygen.
In hopes of thwarting Warden’s plans for discord, Sarah Mercer-Palmer (Jaime King) and her brother Sherrif Axel-Palmer (Kerr Smith) band together with Tom Hanniger (Ackles), the son of the mine’s owner.
A Flashy, Small Town Slasher
More in line with traditional slasher films, My Bloody Valentine 3D would receive lightly positive reviews, with the consensus being that the film relies on old-school tropes and modern technology to create a rather entertaining thriller. Between the lore around Harmony and, by extension, Harry Warden, and the intricate web of relationships between the townsfolk, the film excels in following through on devastating, gory deaths. Partly due to the connection between characters, but also as a result of the up-close 3D technology, the murders are all the more gruesome, making for a well-to-do slasher to dive into in the days leading up to Halloween.
8 Willard (2003)
Directed by Glen Morgan, Willard sees the titular outcast (Crispin Glover) at the receiving end of harassment and abuse from his ill mother, Henrietta (Jackie Burroughs), as well as his boss, Frank Martin (R. Lee Ermey). Finding solace in a white rat he names Socrates, Willard soon discovers the power of a rat colony that lies in the basement of the company. Willard and his friends with whiskers soon enact their vengeance, but it quickly transpires into deadly confrontations.
Bone-Chilling on All Fronts
Inspired by the 1971 iteration, Glover’s portrayal would be the main focus of the film’s acclaim. Noted for his stellar portrayal of the odd protagonists, Crispin Glover’s unique portrayal shines a light on how Willard morphs into the villain that dominates the film with his four-legged legion. The film excellently tackles expectations of horror on multiple fronts, treating audiences to the macabre, the psychologically terrifying, and the utmost disgusting. Anyone looking for an overlooked story that leaves audiences with much to ponder upon, Willard may be the optimal story to indulge in.
7 House of Wax (2005)
House of Wax follows a group of friends, introduced through Carly Jones (Elisha Cuthbert), who are subjected to a bizarre and harrowing series of attacks after visiting a ghost town named Ambrose. As family secrets are unearthed, Carly and her friends attempt to evade ominous wax figures who have murder on their mind. Against a $40 million budget, the film earned $70.1 million at the box office and while it would receive less than stellar reception, the film has valiant defenders who recognize its many appealing qualities.
An Overlooked Horror That Gets to the Point
The 2005 film was panned by critics, who considered it inferior to its 1953 iteration of the same name, a film that was also adapted from 1933’s Mystery of The Wax Museum. However, there have been generous reviews that consider the film to be a guilty pleasure of sorts, especially considering the casting of then-it girl Paris Hilton. For instance, writers of the San Francisco Chronicle and The Washington Post gave the film four out of five stars, highlighting just how fun it is. If audiences should tune in to the film for anything, it should be for the possibility to witness one of Elisha Cuthbet’s best performances in film.
6 Let Me In (2010)
Let Me In is a 2010 romantic horror that boasts a cast including Dylan Minnette (13 Reasons Why), Chloë Grace Moretz (Kick Ass), and Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road). Centered around 12- year old Owen (McPhee), the film largely focuses on his experience at the receiving hands of bullies led by Kenny (Minnette). When a new neighbor named Abby (Moretz) moves in, Owen strikes up a friendship with her. As their connection progresses, Owen soon learns of Abby’s peculiar origins, which is seemingly connected to a string of violent attacks.
A Daunting, Eerie Coming-of-Age Classic
Inspired by the 2008 Swedish film Let the Right One In, Let Me In offers audiences sentimental scenes, wholesome acts of friendship, and an admirable coming-of-age story, alongside the blood and fangs that horror fans anticipate. The performances of the then-young stars help bolster the film’s already appealing premise and critics seem to agree. Earning critical acclaim for its aforementioned performances, specifically a strong focus on the intimacy between characters and making the audience feel the terror that the film depicts. A balance of wholesome companionship and dread, Let Me In is perfect for those who want a little heart in their horror.
5 The Town That Dreaded Sundown (2014)
The Town That Dreaded Sundown introduces a series of characters and the terrifying, traumatic situations they find themselves in. Inspired by the true story of the Phantom Killer, the film opens in Texarkana, Texas with a typical movie date. But when the nightly encounter concludes with a surprise attack, the town is left reeling, and the witness, Jami Lerner (Addison Timlin), bands together with like-minded residents in hopes of preventing more murders and unearthing the identity behind the Phantom Killer.
A Gritty, Ultimately Successful Experiment
Billed as “a metafictional sequel” to the 1976 film of the same name, The Town That Dreaded Sundown’s creativity pays off. In both its handling of the story at hand and its relationship to the source material, the film provides expected blood and screams, but also pushes past conventions with a simmering tension in the atmosphere. Despite spending the majority of the film as a straightforward continuation, the style that defines The Town That Dreaded Sundown does just enough to make it an unforgettable viewing experience.
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4 Maniac (2012)
While the majority of slashers tend to focus on the victims, Maniac joins the likes of American Psycho by offering audiences a fascinating yet unsettling look into the life and psyche of a serial killer. The film opens with an introduction to Frank Zito (Elijah Wood), a man who lives with schizophrenia, and spends his days working at his family’s mannequin restoration business. However, by night, viewers become the witness to his harrowing acts of violence and mutilation. The film does fall into worrying tropes in regard to mental health, but it still remains above the fray in terms of its status as an underrated psychological thriller with much to appreciate.
An Unnerving Yet Underappreciated Terror
Critics flocked to sing praises of Wood’s performance, and for a lot of great reasons too. His portrayal of Frank is undoubtedly eerie and dark, sending chills down the spines of the audiences. The cinematography only accentuates this fear by filming from the perspective of Zito, only catching his face anytime a mirror or camera appears. With his backstory explored, a confusing combination of sympathy and disgust emerges, resulting in a rather challenging film that offers fans of horror the necessary cruelness and gore that they may seek.
3 The Crazies (2010)
The Crazies is a sci-fi horror that takes place in the rural town of Ogden Marsh, Iowa. Focused on four friends, the film chronicles their experiences with the growing, concerning new personalities of their neighbors. During a local baseball game, a seemingly normal resident enters with a shotgun, intent on murdering the attendees. Sheriff David Dulton (Timothy Olyphant) neutralizes the threat but quickly learns that this is not an isolated incident. Throughout the film, David and his associates learn of a secret that threatens to upend the entire town, and has already resulted in a worrying transformation.
A Whirlwind of Lies and Fear
A remake of the 1973 film of the same name, the film has been lauded by critics as making the most of the tension and panic that spills through the town after each violent situation. Leaning into more conspiratorial perspectives on the government and its handling of its constituents, The Crazies also sits with inquisitive science fiction stories that analyze hierarchies, power, and the lengths at which expansive and longstanding institutions evade responsibility for their recklessness.
Widely considered to be a solid remake that challenges the original in appeal and performance, The Crazies is worth watching for anyone who wishes to have a little dread and intrigue in their lives.
2 Lyle (2014)
From the minds of Stewart Thorndike, Lyle is a horror film that, upon watching, audiences will surely pick up on the connective tissue between this story and its original source material. The film takes place in a small town where a lesbian couple, who have recently moved in, struggle to cope with the loss of their previous child. As they prepare to plan for their next child, a series of puzzling and terrifying events take hold. Leah (Gaby Hoffmann) and June (Ingrid Jungermann) attempt to make sense of the peculiarities.
A Fascinating Look at Motherhood Anxieties
One would think it takes a lot of courage to try and remake Rosemary’s Baby. Both because of the controversy behind its creation and its status as a mainstay in the Western film canon, the simple evocation of a film like Rosemary’s Baby sets certain expectations for audiences, critics, and studios alike. Between Hoffman’s emotionally captivating performance and the exploration of difficult themes like pregnancy and queerness through a nuanced gaze at motherhood, Lyle emerges as a stunning reinterpretation of a long-beloved film.
1 Fright Night (2011)
Fright Night is a supernatural horror film that follows a typical family in the suburbs of Las Vegas. Charley Brewster (Anton Yelchin) is introduced as an ordinary teenager living with his mother Jane (Toni Collette), who introduces him to their new neighbor, Jerry Dandridge (Colin Farrell). Alongside him getting acclimated to Jerry’s presence, Charley becomes aware of various missing students, including a childhood friend. Following these warnings to the source, Charley soon falls in the middle of an interspecies conflict between humans and vampires.
An Undoubtedly Enjoyable Race Against Time
Upon watching Fright Night, the supernatural horror almost reads as a comedy. However, the star-studded film brings just enough fear to frighten its audiences. Farrell offers an excellent portrayal of the classic attractive and brooding vampire. Unlike similarly villainous characters, Jerry’s threats are not to be minimized. Furthermore, Charley stands as an admirable protagonist in his own right, and viewers can not forget about David Tennant’s odd, ominous portrayal of Ed. A remake of the 1985 film starring Chris Sarandon, the 2011 iteration does it justice and, arguably, boosted its popularity as a must-see horror for Halloween.
