30 Best Hidden Gem Horror Movies Perfect For Halloween
26. Bad Moon
Werewolf movies have always been surprisingly difficult to get right. It’s ironic, then, that one of the best examples of the werewolf subgenre was lost in the mix of post-modern trends during the mid-'90s.
Michael Paré is a photojournalist who returns to America after being bitten by a werewolf in Nepal. Struggling to hold onto his humanity, he reconnects with his sister Janet (Mariel Hemingway) and her son Brett (Mason Gamble), who are happy to welcome him back into their lives. But the real protagonist here is Thor, the family’s fiercely protective German Shepherd, who senses the truth: Ted is deteriorating, descending into a bloodthirsty creature who may soon prey on those he loves.
The decision to tell a horror story through the eyes of a dog is gaining fresh praise thanks to this year’s Good Boy, but Bad Moon did it first (and maybe better?). Thor delivers a more compelling and emotionally resonant performance than many human actors. Add to that a career-best turn from Paré as a decent man doomed to a monstrous fate, and solid emotional depth from Hemingway and Gamble, and you have a surprisingly heartfelt horror film.
Director Eric Red, best known for writing genre staples like Near Dark and The Hitcher, is often overlooked for his directorial work, yet Bad Moon may be his finest effort - tense, vicious, packed with heart, and let’s not forget a werewolf costume that's a striking piece of old-school practical effects that adds grit and authenticity to the film’s horror.