We’re nearing the end of October, which can only mean one thing: the season of gutted pumpkins, plastic skeletons, and cheap scream masks is upon us. No candies, though—our commitment to never talking to strangers and HDB culture forbids it. But we still have the next best thing to get into the spooky spirit: horror films. We asked around the Esquire Singapore team to find out which horror films are the best to watch during this spooky season.
PS: Honourable mention goes to Hereditary (2018). Three members of the team initially picked it, but for some reason, none of us actually wrote about it. So, consider this us throwing Hereditary’s name into the hat.
Synopsis: In a remote Korean village, a strange malady drives residents to madness and murder. As a local cop investigates, he’s drawn into a web of superstition, shamanism, and evil, where nothing—and no one—is what it seems.
"What started out as an investigation into a senseless killing turned into an examination of faith. Written and directed by Na Hong-jin, The Wailing possesses all the traditional horror tropes but utilises them in such a way that your expectations are upended.
"Highly-rated and winner of numerous awards, The Wailing shows its American horror counterparts how it's done. And best of all, that dread you’ve felt throughout the film? That lingers even after the credits roll. Now that’s a mark of an effective horror movie."
- Editor-in-Chief, Wayne Cheong
Synopsis: A couple grieving a miscarriage adopts a nine-year-old girl named Esther, but strange, violent events soon reveal her mysterious past, and several traits of her shocking, disturbing personality.
"THIS WAS INSANE LMFAO OMFGGG
"Word for word, that was the review I left on Letterboxd after watching Orphan on the couch of my cousin’s place with my sister. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a movie packed with so many 'no way she just did that' and 'my skin is literally crawling' moments. A few scenes even got me up off the couch—and Buddha knows that’s no small feat.
"Is it the most well-executed, carefully thought-out horror/psychological thriller out there? Probably not. But for a Friday night watch on the couch, surrounded by people in lazy Halloween fits? It doesn’t get much better than this."
- Writer, Elliot Tan
Synopsis: After capsizing their yacht, a group of friends take refuge in an abandoned cruise liner. However, they soon realise that they are trapped in a time loop, while being stalked by a stranger who wants to hunt them down.
“I don’t believe in horror films, but Triangle wasn't bad.”
- Features Editor, Joy Ling
Synopsis: A young couple move into a suburban residence and feels the presence of evil forces. They set up cameras in their home to capture evidence of a possible haunting, but the recordings reveal a terrifying demonic presence that grows more violent each night.
"Not really a fan of found footage films. They're unsteady, chaotic and feel very gimmicky as a cinematic concept. But this was incredibly well done, the buildup is satisfying. It isn't too slow, and the horror scenes are chilling. There’s something incredibly creepy about your possessed significant other spending hours standing by the bed and staring at you while you sleep. The theatrical ending is ok, but I much prefer the original ending that's a bit more suspenseful."
- Style Director, Asri Jasman
Synopsis: After returning home from a mental asylum, a young woman tries to rebuild her life, but disturbing visions and her suspicious stepmother make her question what’s real—and what really happened the night her mother died.
"Not a horror movie person, but this film left quite a lasting impression because the entirety of it, you’re made to feel like there’s this haunted being who lingers throughout the film. But sike. Turns out she’s just crazy."
- Art Director, Joan Tai
Synopsis: A writer takes a job as winter caretaker of a remote hotel with his wife and son, but isolation and supernatural forces drive him into violent madness.
"If we’re talking about horror films, it would be impossible not to mention The Shining; partly because it’s a cult classic, but also because it’s one of my personal favourites. I know there are plenty of reasons people find it hard to like: the dialogue often feels detached, the Torrances never really seem like a family, yadda yadda… but that’s exactly why I love it.
"From the very first frame, something just feels off, and that uncanny stillness seeps into you. It’s unsettling, cold, and strangely hypnotic. Each time I rewatch it, I notice new details, and my understanding of it shifts. The Shining isn’t just about ghosts or madness; it’s about the horror of isolation and the things we try not to see in ourselves. And that, to me, feels far more real than most horror ever dares to be."
- Editorial Assistant, Naysa Subba
Synopsis: Four people chase their dreams of love, success, and happiness, but their ambitions twist into a horrifying descent fuelled by addiction and obsession. The slow unravelling of their lives, turning everyday desires into a chilling psychological nightmare.
"You ever hear people say a movie was so good they couldn’t move from their seat? That was me and everyone else in the theatre watching Requiem for a Dream. My butt was glued to the seat because of how gripping this film was; I didn’t want to look away for even a second. But at the same time, my stomach felt like it was about to turn inside out.
"I’ve always loved intense and gory films, but this one hit differently. It’s not horror in a monstrous kind of way—it’s horror in watching people completely lose themselves. The visuals, the sound, and the acting make you feel trapped inside their madness. It’s a gut-wrenching, emotional rollercoaster that leaves you shaken, but also amazed by how real it feels.
"If you ever need a reason to stay away from drugs, this movie will do the job. It’s horrifying, brilliant, and impossible to forget. Also gave it five stars on Letterboxd."
- Contributing Writer, Kyla Chow
