Some great horror movies turned 20 in 2022, and with yet a new year approaching steadfastly, it’s a great time to reminisce on those movies, and see what 2002 horror movies are worth a look through the lens of a new audience member, or old.
6 Blade 2
Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe, comic book movies were made to simply exist as a piece of media, separated from a wider universe, and for a specific audience. Blade 2 had the freedom to be both horror and action, and it excelled at it. Blade 2 is once again led by Wesley Snipes, a katana-wielding day walker who brings a lot of cool and guts. It’s not just a good Marvel movie, but a great horror, thanks to the distinct style of Guillermo Del Toro.
The story follows a new and rare mutation amongst the vampire community, giving way to a new group called The Reapers. These vampires are so consumed by their bloodlust that they hunt humans and vampires. Blade is tasked with wiping them out, with plenty of thrills and chills ahead. The film may not feature Easter Eggs and phases from current Marvel, which more than makes it a decent horror flick.
5 The Ring
Although The Ring may seem slow-paced to some, it simply enhances the chilling burn off the inevitable demise. The Ring is a great horror film that will prey on the paranoia and terror of the audience. As an adaption of the Japanese movie Ringu, it’s well-respected and improvisational, whilst remaining distinct unto itself.
A lot is going for The Ring, as it follows a simple premise that is easy to wind into. It follows an investigator, Rachel Keller, who is researching a videotape that killed four teenagers, including her niece. Soon, Rachel finds herself in the same curse as the teenagers. The viewer will die seven days after watching the tape, and Rachel finds herself in a run against time to avoid the creepiness of the tape and the death of herself and her son.
4 Dog Soldiers
It’s rare to find a movie so campy and appealing that it breaks boundaries for being straight-up terrifying. The film follows a group of soldiers, hitched up in a cabin as they try and survive the full Moon, and the terrors of a werewolf curse that slowly begin to hunt them. Dog Soldiers is a lot of fun, and horrifically intense.
The plot of Dog Soldiers follows a British Squad that has been sent to the Highlands of Scotland on a training mission. This mission involves a Special Operations squad, a squad that they soon fight butchered and bloodied. What was to be training, becomes a mission of survival against werewolves and time. Fans of bloody horror will enjoy Dog Soldiers for the charm between the characters, and the grotesque body horror workshop of the werewolves themselves. The transformations are terrifying, and the abundance of guts will leave audiences feeling chilled.
3 Signs
When one anticipates an M. Night Shyamalan movie, a twist is always guaranteed. Although the twist in Signs isn’t as great as previous films, or ones after it, none can deny that the build-up and anticipation as to what lurks in this movie is a great watch. Thanks to a stellar cast of Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix, Signs excels as a paranoia-induced horror drama.
The film follows Graham Hess, a preacher who has lost faith in God after his wife was killed in a car accident. Living with his children and brother in his farmhouse, he finds himself amid strange turnings, as crop circles begin to appear. Haunted by strange noises in the night, and growing news coverage of aliens, Graham, and his family become wary of alien activity to survive.
2 Red Dragon
The many stories of Doctor Hannibal Lecter are as thrilling as they are horrific. Although Red Dragon does not feature the horror elements present in Silence of the Lambs, psychological scares are still present in some regard throughout Red Dragon. The film is bolstered by the performance of Sir Anthony Hopkins, who reprises his role from the prequel, Silence of the Lambs.
The plot of Red Dragon follows the retired and emotionally scarred FBI agent, Will Graham, who had often worked with Hannibal in the past. Now imprisoned, Hannibal helps Graham in the search for the new serial killer known as “The Tooth Fairy”. Graham must determine whether Hannibal can be trusted with more lives on the line, considering Hannibal is a master manipulator and a cunning fiend for human flesh.
1 28 Days Later
Perhaps the best horror of 2002, 28 Days Later still has fans clamoring for yet another sequel. The film is a great piece of work by director Danny Boyle and a remaining captivating performance from Cillian Murphy as Jim. As a zombie film, 28 Days Later doesn’t give in to the same mundane tropes and presents something truly tense and horrifying.
After Jim wakes up from a coma, he finds himself alone in an abandoned hospital. When he walks through an empty and scattered London, he begins to seek out anything with a pulse. However, his wish comes true as he discovers rageful zombie-like humans on the streets. 28 Days Later follows the aftermath of a virus, a tale of carnage and horror with mankind’s savage nature at the center.
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