Close, but no cigar: The Interesting Failures and Modest Successes of 2015 Horror Films

 This could easily be an "Honorable Mention" list, but that isn't entirely what we're here for.  I actually find this to be a more interesting list than the "Best Of" I did, because while those were superior films, this is the stuff that really kind of captivated me.  Movies that were good but didn't quite get there or movies that weren't exceptional but had something extra to it that made it memorable.  In some cases, this might even be a nice indicator of "talent to watch" since there's some spirited directorial efforts here.  But here is the list of "Interesting Failures" and "Good but not great" films that came out in 2015.

 12. Harbinger Down

While not really even close to being a good movie- sub-standard performances, mostly uninteresting characters and a derivative plot all fight hard to keep it from getting good- it does have something that should interest a lot of older horror diehards: practical effects.  Supposedly made with the specific goal of being a modern day version of John Carpenter's The Thing, Harbinger Down brings a metamorph Alien beast onto a small ship and terrorizing the folks on board, made entirely(again, supposedly) of practical visual effects instead of CGI.  It's interesting for that reason but literally for no other.  The trouble is that it isn't terribly imaginative, or original.

11. The Curse Of Downers Grove

While primarily a moody teen drama filled with youthful nihilism(probably due to the script being co-written by premiere modern nihilist Bret Easton Ellis), there is also an excellent examination of feminist agency and response to sexual violence.  It's not a great film, hell it isn't even really a good one, but those aforementioned elements made it a rather engaging flick until its awful unearned downer ending basically destroys it all.  But up until then, watching the lead character deal with a horrific scenario with incredible dignity and maturity is very effective.

10. The Editor

This horror comedy is mostly ruined by the "comedy" side of the equation.  In essence, it's a fantastic affectionate parody of Giallo films, and really understands the visual and story components of those films.  At its worst...well, most of its jokes seem to be derived from slapping Women and homophobia.  The comedy feels like something an eight year old would find interesting.  But when it's doing the Giallo stuff, it's really excellent, and the direct references to the work of Argento and Fulci is interesting.

09. Tag

This incredibly strange Japanese import is...well, very weird.  Visually it's very interesting and arresting, being perhaps the most "in-your-face" horror film released this year.  While it's main story is very muddled and confusing, it does offer up another feminist perspective this year.  This year has had a lot of horror films eager to discuss gender roles in a fair manner, ranging from the great Ex Machina to the less-great Knock Knock with a few things in between.  Tag keeps that discussion secondary to its insane psychotic imagery, but in no way undercuts its importance.  It IS too muddled and weird to be a great film, but it's fun and dizzying.

08. The Nightmare

This movie more or less makes the list due to it's willingness to combined fiction with reality in a way that, despite their limitations, becomes a fascinating examination of a very real condition: sleep paralysis and night terrors.  Essentially it's a documentary on that subject, but the re-enactments are suitably creepy and inventive.  It drags in places, but it's such a neat subject (even if the filmmakers sometimes get a little carried away in trying to suggest that maybe there's something mystical behind this condition) with some fun visuals.

07. Poltergeist(2015)

I imagine anyone who cares enough about horror films to read this list has some pretty strong feelings on remakes, and was particularly concerned about the admittedly egregious remake of Poltergeist.  This entry is here to tell you that you worried needlessly.  The remake was actually surprisingly good, using some modern ideas to innovate and energize itself to a position that, while still inferior to Tobe Hooper's near-perfect horror fiction slice of Americana, becomes very enjoyable and fun.  The first quarter is a little concerning-seemingly taking itself way too seriously-but backs down and decides to start having a blast with a sense of reckless abandon.  It's way better than it has any right to be.

06. Insidious 3

Stepping out from under James Wan's shadow, writer Leigh Whannel stepped into the directors chair for this most mediocre entry to the lightweight but entertaining Insidious franchise.  For the most part, I've included this film here for one reason and one reason only: franchise star Lin Shaye rises to the occasion and gives one of my favorite horror hero performances in years.  As psychic Elise, Shaye brings a fantastic combination of grief, strength, fear and bravery to the table and just knocks it out of the park.  The movie may not be quite up to snuff, but Shaye goes from character actor to genre heavyweight in one fell swoop.  

05. Crimson Peak

While Peak is on a lot of critics top ten lists this year, I wasn't as taken with this murky gothic spook story as many others apparently were.  As such, it was left off of my own top horror list, but I'm going to include it here because, while a lot of elements really did not work in the film(among them crappy CGI and a derivative and plodding story) some of it definitely did.  Specifically, I'm not sure anyone rivals director Del Toro in set design, or establishing mood.  While it may be a little "on-the-nose" at times, it makes for a gorgeous parade of set pieces and usage of color.  It was a failure, if you ask me, but it was a pretty one.

04. Hellions

Watching this movie was a bit of a frustrating experience: visually, this film is really fascinating and the general premise and lead actress are appealing.  Unfortunately, the directors own desire to be as artsy and oblique as possible really undermines the narrative and, as such, the ability to enjoy the film.  But the use of color, fascinating visuals and a strong lead performance really do place this, and director Bruce McDonald, in the "talent to watch" category.

03. Bloodsucking Bastards

While suitably funny and gory, unfortunately the central premise-a desire to mock office drone mentality and big business overhauls-mostly falls flat.  The characters have a sense of charm, but things don't seem to coalesce as well as they should.  But, hey, it's funny.  So there's that.  It's really close to being a great horror-comedy.  Also, and this is kind of important: there weren't a lot of Vampire movies this year.  Like, at all.  And that makes me very happy.

02. Final Girl

2015 was an okay year for Wes Bentley: starring role on American Horror Story, the lousy Amnesiac, and this fairly fun slasher film subversion.  Abigail Breslin may be one of the best scream queens working today and has a couple of decent films this year to prove it.  This is probably the best of her work in 2015, starring as an orphaned girl trained by Wes to become an assassin trained to take down a group of smarmy, murderous frat boys who hunt Women for sport.  Breslin poses as a potential victim and turns the tables on her assailants, turning the traditional gender roles of slasher films on its head.  It isn't perfect by any means-the underscoring of certain emotional moments both works for and against the film as a whole at times-but it's another nice pseudo-feminist outing from a year very willing to take shots at those conventions.

01. #horror

What an unusual film this is!  Director Tara Subkoff proves to be a talent to watch with this visually stunning, emotionally charged little pseudo-slasher that mostly suffers from a bit too much soapboxing, a messy pace, and some irritating directorial missteps easily attributed to a lack of experience on Subkoff's part.  It takes almost twenty minutes to get going, spending that time milling about in some really uninteresting excesses, but once it does it becomes a beautifully rendered film focusing on the seemingly innocuous but deeply troubling struggle of Twelve Year Old Girls(which is much better than it sounds), bullying, and parental neglect.  Also, murders.  It's undermined by a mission statement ending, but some of the visuals before that are some of the most beautiful I've seen this year.  Worth a look, even with it's flaws.