Although the import of foreign holidays into international contexts is of debatable subject matter, there is little denying the commercial success, enjoyed by retail sellers, on the back of Halloween. As such, through cultural osmosis, Halloween has progressed from our wallets and into our hearts. On this occasion, as deciduous trees shake off their colorful foliage, in blushing shades of red, and their naked bodies are caressed by the chilling fingers of oncoming winter, we, the editorial staff at Lösnummer, have come together, to provide you with our own insights into Halloween and horror movies. This, so that we may, from the coziness of our living room couches, face this first part of the onslaught of winter darkness, together.
Mathias
What is your relationship to Halloween?
Halloween is definitely something that I’ve picked up from watching American TV-series (The Halloween episodes of Supernatural are superb!). But I’ve come to enjoy the atmosphere of the season (read: pumpkin spice latte) and the inevitable costume party.
What is your relationship to horror movies?
I read the occasional Goosebumps novel, when I was younger, but otherwise the horror genre never really interested me. Then I began reading Stephen King-novels, eventually graduating to movie-adaptions like The Shining, before branching out into various subgenres.
What is your favorite horror movie?
I have a few favorites but currently The Menu (2022), featuring Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy, is very high on the list. The mise-en-scène, color use, and theme of the movie all come together almost flawlessly.
What is it about?
It’s one of those movies that is really hard to explain without spoiling anything but essentially, a man and a woman go on a date, in a fancy restaurant, on a small island. It is not your usual horror movie, and it may seem a bit high-brow, even in its own critique of high-brow culture.
Evelina
What is your relationship to Halloween?
When it comes to my relationship with Halloween, I would say it’s basically non-existent. I only watch some movies. I haven’t deepened my relationship with this holiday because I don’t like what it has become. Earlier it was kind of sweet – kids dressing up to get candy and just have fun – but now it’s so demonic and is unfortunately normalizing satanism.
What is your relationship to horror movies?
I kind of like them. I think that they are thrilling, and I just love the feeling when you’re not sure what’s about to happen. Although sometimes it gets too bloody, it’s still fun because I know they’re all fake.
What is your favorite horror movie?
My favorite horror movie must be Scream (1996)! That’s because there’s so much comedy in it, as well as classical horror.
What is it about?
The movie is about a group of high-school teenagers who becomes a target for a mysterious killer, known as Ghostface. I like the movie because of that mysterious character. When I was younger, I always watched this movie during the Halloween season!
Filip
What is your relationship to Halloween?
I haven’t really celebrated Halloween, but I like the idea of dressing up like someone else and having a good time with your friends.
What is your relationship to horror movies?
I don’t really like scary movies. Either they’re too scary or not scary enough.
What is your favorite horror movie?
If I have to pick one as my favorite, it would have to be Get Out (2017).
What is it about?
It’s a movie about a black man visiting his white girlfriend’s, “not racist”, family, where a bunch of weird stuff happens (it’s been a while since I saw it).
Albin
What is your relationship to Halloween?
My relationship to Halloween isn’t very strong. I’ve never gone trick or treating and I haven’t celebrated it that much.
What is your relationship to horror movies?
I saw my first horror movie in 2018, and that’s also my only ever. I’m not that much of a fan of them but they get my adrenaline going!
What is your favorite horror movie?
The Nun (2018), the only horror movie I’ve ever seen.
What is it about?
It’s about a haunted monastery, full of nuns, with a curse upon it. The haunting is caused by a dead nun. That’s about everything I remember.
Simon
What is your relationship to Halloween?
It’s not my favorite holiday in any way shape or form, however I think it serves a purpose. The idea that we gather all the gloomy characteristics that late autumn and death entail and make a holiday out of it is quite sweet. I hardly ever went trick or treating as a child, I feel that the holiday is a tad too American for me which results in it being difficult to develop the same connection to Halloween that I have to Christmas for example. Emotional stuff aside I think the aspects of Halloween such as going to a party dressed up as something unexpected is great fun. Halloween parties are typically better than regular parties.
What is your relationship to horror movies?
I’ve never been a big fan of horror movies. I am however a big fan of movies that incorporate horror into them but are not strictly horror movies. I have watched some of big names of the genre like The Ring (2002), The Shining (1980) and so on.
I don’t like the cheap tricks that many of these movie’s use, like jump scares and gore. People who write music often talk about the concept of tension and release, the same goes for a horror movie, there needs to be a slow build up. Good horror movies are usually slow burners with a low amount of jump scares. A common denominator for bad horror movies is a lack of character development. How am I supposed to feel sorry for a character’s death when they don’t feel human to begin with? I do, however, consider horror movie soundtracks to be among the best in the business.
What is your favorite horror movie?
My favorite horror movie is Sinister (2012). After I watched it the first time I rewatched it about three times. This movie is a good example of tension and release, character development and a bone chilling soundtrack all incorporated into one hell of a scary movie. Don’t let the IMDb rating of 6.8 discourage you.
What is it about?
The movie is about a true crime writer that moves with his family into a house where a murder has taken place. In his new home he finds a box of super 8 that reveals that the murder case he is currently researching for his upcoming book could be the work of an unknown serial killer whose legacy dates to the 1960s. The movie feels a lot more relatable and unique because it takes place in a regular middle-class home, which alludes to my fear of having someone or something unknown in my own home. As a viewer you also get an insight into the main character’s past so that his fears and feelings are projected onto you as the story unfolds.
As you can see, whether you are into artsy thrillers, ‘classic’ slashers, or paranormal mysteries, there are plenty of movies to pick from. So, grab your popcorn, turn off the lights, turn on your TV, and have a happy Halloween!
Reporter: Mathias Glarman
Photographer: Simon Franssén & Hugo Nikitin