Canadian Horror: Oh, Thank You Canada
To date, I’ve enjoyed 201 Canadian horror films. Here is the best of the best…
The Changeling 1980 5 stars
One of the best haunted house films of all time. Thanks to a powerful performance by George C. Scott, stellar storytelling from William Gray and Diana Maddox, phenomenal cinematography from John Quillon, and quality directing from Peter Medak, some scenes will forever haunt you…
Videodrome 1983 5 stars
David Cronenberg’s mind-bending body-horror will toy with your brain and make you want to jump right into your television. James Woods brings his own version of “Mad” Max to life in a whirlwind story where fantasy and reality blend in the best possible ways to give you an explosive headache.
Naked Lunch 1991 (Canada/USA/Japan) 5 stars
William S. Burroughs novel Naked Lunch is a gut punch of “anti-novel” writing. Almost too much to imagine as a film, David Cronenberg worked with Burroughs to make a visual calling card like one wild, drug-crazed dream of star power. Peter Suschitzky’s brilliant cinematography makes this one of horror’s best looking films.
Cube 1997 4.5 stars
Wake up in a cube full of death traps with no food and off-beat characters, and you’re in one well-done, low-budget Canadian horror film. Think of it as society tearing itself apart in microcosm. A great ride for those who love mystery with their terror.
eXistenZ 1999 (Canada/UK) 4.5 stars
Want to play a game? Not this one. David Cronenberg’s existential and abject political ride has Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jude Law ripping up the screen as they try to win the unwinable. Cronenberg took body horror to a mindful level in a thinking person’s Canadian horror.
Ginger Snaps 2000 5 stars
One of the greatest and smartest werewolf movies is a goth-esque a coming of rage tale. Emily Perkins and Katharine Isabelle will rock your world with sharp dialogue and a narrative for the alternate set. And Kris Lemche once again delivers as the cool guy you’d love to hang out with.
Pontypool 2008 5 stars
Tony Burgess took one little snippet from his amazing Pontypool Changes Everything novel, and penned a tight horror thriller. Beyond that, the story’s premise is one of the most unique in all of horror. Stephen McHattie rocks his role and he definitely needs to make more films with co-star Lisa Houle.
Suck 2009 4.5 stars
Rob Stefaniuk wrote and directed this comedy-centric Canadian horror that comes with a wide array of rock star cameos. Fun and crazy, and musically imbued, Jessica Paré annihilates the screen as a bass player trying to help her band “make it” in the worst of ways.
Antiviral 2012 4.5 stars
Following in his father’s body horror steps, Brandon Cronenberg wrote and directed this take on what might happen next for fanboys and fangirls gone crazy. Caleb Landry Jones’ performance is steller, and EC Woodley’s music delivers one of horror’s best soundtracks.
Note: This list would not be complete if I did not mention two amazing co-productions. The only reason they are not on the main list is because one is considered to be a French film by many and the other strictly American.
Martyrs 2008 (France/Canada) 5 stars
Regardless of other disturbing horror movies, due to its intense storytelling and ingenuity, this is perhaps the most disturbing film ever made. Torture porn with a philosophy, the graphic violence is far from gratuitous and brings you one of the best end lines ever.
The Lords of Salem 2012 (USA/UK/Canada)
Rob Zombie’s best film – yes, it is – takes the whole “End Times” apocalyptic nonsense to a very different level. The performances, music (thank you John 5), and crazed spirit will help you answer one vital question: Why the goat? One can only imagine what happens next.
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Billy Crash
Also known as William D. Prystauk, he loves great, in-depth characters and storytelling in horror, and likes to see heads roll, but if you kill a dog on screen he’ll cry like a baby. Crash, an award-winning screenwriter and novelist, co-hosts THE LAST KNOCK horror podcast on iTunes, and can also be found on Twitter, LinkedIn, IMDb, Amazon, Behance, YouTube, and Instagram. He’s currently in pre-production on a dramatic thriller feature while working on the third novel in his #KinkNoir crime thriller series.
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(Videodrome lobby card from Universal Pictures.)