Happy Valentine’s Day, single! Today can be rough if you’re not in a relationship, but don’t let that get you down. Being single has its perks, and there’s no better way to remind yourself of that than by indulging in some gruesome and spine-tingling movies. And let’s face it, most horror movies make a strong argument for choosing a single lifestyle over a shitty relationship that could (quite literally!) be the death of you.
So go ahead and make a night of it. Invite your single friends over for a horror movie marathon or treat yourself to a solo movie night. There’s something cathartic about immersing yourself in a good horror movie, and it’s the perfect opportunity to embrace your inner badass. Plus, you don’t have to worry about sharing the popcorn or hide the fact that you’re covering your eyes at the scary parts. You’re in complete control of your movie-watching experience.
And if you’re feeling really adventurous, try watching some of the more obscure and offbeat horror films that you might not normally choose. You never know, you might discover your new favorite movie. Just remember to keep the lights on and the doors locked… you never know what kind of horrors might be lurking in the shadows.
Ready or Not
Did you recently decline a proposal? Ghost someone at the altar? I’ve got the perfect movie to remind you that marriage isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. Ready or Not follows a young bride named Grace (Samara Weaving) who is forced to play a deadly game of hide and seek on her wedding night with her new husband’s wealthy and eccentric family. As the game becomes more and more intense, Grace realizes that she may not make it out alive. This film gives a whole new meaning to the term “runaway bride.”
The Menu
First dates can be hell. Take The Menu, for example. This film tells the story of a couple who join a group of guests on a remote island for a very high-profile dinner party, only to find that the menu is a little…unorthodox. As they try to escape the island, they realize that they may be the main course. This film is a great choice for the solo diner to enjoy as you start to see the relationships in the film unravel as the stakes get higher. *Pre-order that delivery before pressing play, this film will make you hungry.
The Babadook
If you’re in the mood for something a little more psychological, check out The Babadook. This film follows a single mother named Amelia who is struggling to cope with the death of her husband and the behavioral problems of her son. As they are terrorized by a mysterious creature from a children’s pop-up book, Amelia becomes more and more obsessed with defeating the monster and protecting her son. This movie is full of tension as this family of two becomes more and more unhinged. By the end, you’ll be glad to be child-free.
Rosemary’s Baby
Paramount Pictures
Rosemary’s Baby is a horror film that follows the story of a young couple, Rosemary (Mia Farrow) and Guy Woodhouse (John Cassavetes), who move into a new apartment in New York City. They are excited to start their new life together, especially when they learn that they are expecting a baby. However, as the pregnancy progresses, strange things begin to happen. Rosemary becomes increasingly isolated and paranoid, convinced that something is not right. When she finally gives birth, she is faced with a shocking realization that threatens to turn her world upside down.
*Fun fact, when the film’s schedule demanded reshoots, Mia Farrow had to choose between finishing Rosemary’s Baby and making her then-husband, Frank Sinatra’s, movie that was set to start filming. Farrow chose Rosemary and Sinatra filed for divorce. Let this film remind you that it’s ok to put yourself and your career first. Just, maybe don’t gaslight anyone to do it.
Possession
GaumontIf you’re looking for a horror film with a more supernatural twist, check out Possession. This film tells the story of a couple whose relationship is turned upside down when the wife becomes possessed by a demon. As the husband tries to save his wife and their marriage, he must confront the dark secrets of his own past. Not to sound like an SNL character, but this film has everything. It has supernatural horror, it has comeuppance for cheating, it has a neglectful husband who gets his nose rubbed in his mistakes, and it has lots of family drama. Need to connect with that primal version of yourself that takes over when in the early stages of a separation? Possession is here for you.
Midnight Kiss
Are you in the mood for a horror film with a romantic twist? Midnight Kiss might be just what you’re looking for. This movie follows a group of friends as they travel to Palm Springs for New Year’s Eve and decide to participate in a game where they must find a match by the stroke of midnight. But as the night wears on and the matches start to reveal themselves, the friends begin to realize that they might not be as compatible as they thought. As tensions rise and secrets are exposed, they are forced to confront their own fears and desires in order to survive the night. This film is a special shout-out to my queer baddies with the toxic friend group.
Beast
HOT AT THE SHOP:
This film is a special pick for those mourning their first-love loss. Beast is a psychological thriller that was released in 2017. It is about a young woman named Moll (Jessie Buckley) who lives on the Isle of Jersey and is struggling to find her place in the world. After a series of troubling events, she becomes involved with a mysterious and potentially dangerous man named Pascal (Johnny Flynn). As Moll becomes more and more entrenched in Pascal’s world, she starts to question her own identity and becomes caught in a web of secrets and lies. The film explores themes of family, love, and the destructive power of secrets. Beast will reinforce the message that you can still be made better by a bad relationship.
Fresh
If you’re in the mood for a horror film with a futuristic twist, give Fresh a watch. This movie tells the story of a young woman who is struggling to maintain a relationship with her boyfriend, who has some disturbing and potentially dangerous tastes – namely, a craving for human flesh. As the woman navigates the horrors of modern dating and the fear and uncertainty that comes with it, we see the story unfold through her eyes. As the relationship becomes more and more toxic, the woman is faced with a series of disturbing and unsettling choices that threaten to consume her. Can she break free from her cannibalistic boyfriend and escape the horrors of this toxic relationship, or will she be trapped forever? Fresh stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Sebastian Stan, and will make you thankful to not have a date on Valentine’s day.
Bug
If you’re in the mood for a horror film that will have you feeling trapped and paranoid, give Bug a watch. This film follows the story of a divorced woman and her new boyfriend as they try to navigate an infestation of bugs that seem to be controlling her mind. As the woman becomes more isolated and paranoid, her boyfriend becomes increasingly concerned for her well-being. But as they try to figure out the true nature of the infestation, they are drawn into a web of disturbing and unsettling secrets that threaten to tear them apart. With its intense, claustrophobic atmosphere and mind-bending plot twists, Bug is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. This film is an especially good choice for divorcees trying to “put themselves out there” and finding the dating pool…less than desirable.
Bodies, Bodies, Bodies
As the hurricane rages outside, a group of unsuspecting 20-somethings finds themselves stranded in a remote mansion with no way to escape. What starts out as a fun party game quickly turns into a nightmare when a body is discovered on the ground. Suddenly, it’s every man (or woman) for themselves as the survivors try to figure out who among them is the killer. But with fake friends at every turn, it’s hard to know who to trust. Will they be able to solve the mystery before it’s too late, or will the killer claim another victim? Bodies, Bodies, Bodies is the perfect choice for those nursing their wounds from not getting a “Galentine’s” day invite. With friends like these, who needs enemies?
What are you watching this Valentine’s Day? Share your anti-romantic Horror Picks with us over on Twitter or in the Nightmare on Film Street Discord! Not a social media fan? Get more horror delivered straight to your inbox by joining the Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter.
