Dark lighting. Screams. Oscuring masks. Large parties. Scary movies.
Halloween can be a challenging time for survivors. It’s a month focused on wearing costumes, scary movies, and the things that go bump in the night. For some, it’s their favorite season. For others, it can be incredibly difficult. That’s why it’s so important to normalize setting boundaries during this time of year. One boundary could be choosing which scary movie to watch.
People watch horror movies throughout the year, but their popularity surges in October. A good horror movie is meant to make you feel unsettled, but that doesn’t mean the horror needs to be rooted in reality.
Horror films often depict extreme violence, particularly against women and marginalized groups. Many include scenes of sexual violence without warning, which can be very triggering.
If you want to grab some popcorn and watch a scary movie this season without the fear of an unexpected scene of sexual violence, here’s a watch list for you. As always, we recommend looking up spoiler-free trigger warnings on websites like Does The Dog Die or Unconsenting Media to give yourself the best viewing experience. These movies may include other triggers.
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Nope (2022)
Siblings discover something sinister in the skies above their horse ranch, while the owner of a nearby park tries to profit from the otherworldly phenomenon.
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Hereditary (2018)
When the matriarch of the Graham family passes away, her family begins to unravel terrifying secrets about their ancestry.
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A Quiet Place (2018)
A family must live in silence to avoid mysterious creatures that hunt by sound.
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The Ring (2002)
A journalist must investigate a mysterious videotape which seems to cause the death of anyone one week to the day after they view it.
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Train to Busan (2016)
Passengers become trapped on a speeding train during a zombie outbreak in South Korea.
At the end of the day…
No movie is worth watching if it will trigger you or cause you distress. Many people continue watching media, like horror movies, because they “can’t take their eyes away.” When watching graphic and emotionally distressing media, it’s important to check in with yourself. If you need support, please call our 24-hour hotline at 800-841-8371 or visit our website for some Self-Care and Coping Exercises.
Also, there are many ways to participate in a form of media. If you want to engage with horror movies, but don’t want to watch them on your screen, you can always try reading a scary book, reading a review about the movie, or watching a discussion video on a film!
If you or someone you know needs support, please know that we are always here to help. You can always call our 24-hour hotline at 800-841-8371 or send us a chat at barcc.org/chat from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
