Halloween is fast approaching, and SCAD Radio is here to give you some haunting recommendations for the holiday. Enjoy some candy at home while watching and listening to these terrifying offerings brought to you by your favorite campus radio station.
The types of media are divided into three groups: Spooky, or the goofy, silly kind of Halloween themed fodder; Scary, classic stuff–it might give you a good jump, but nothing too haunting; and Genuinely Terrifying, which taps into feelings like existential dread and abject, skin-crawling horror. Tag us on Instagram if you try out any of our suggestions!
Music
Spooky: “Scare Me” by Ludo has an upbeat, 80s feel to it. The lyrics are full of playfully creepy imagery. It’s a guaranteed hit for an impromptu at home Halloween dance party.
Other Suggestions – “Addams Family Theme”, “Werewolf Bar Mitzvah” from 30 Rock, “When He Died” by Lemon Demon
Scary: “The Hearse Song” is a perfect fit for this category. The Marshmallow Ghosts are a Halloween themed project native to Savannah, and this song is a perfect example of their October niche. It’s a perfect inbetween, with enough doom and gloom to be actually scary, but not quite panic inducing. The upbeat nature of the song helps, too.
Other Suggestions – “You’re Dead” by Norma Tanega, “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads, “Special Death” by Mirah
Actually Terrifying: “Zombie” by the Cranberries is a rare song that effectively conveys a chilling message in a poetic manner. Though most likely know the song for Dolores O’Riordan’s distinctive vocal delivery, there’s actually a deeply tragic narrative behind the lyrics stemming from conflict in Ireland.
Other Suggestions – “Western World” The Casket Girls
Check out the rest of SCAD Radio’s Halloween Playlist here.
Movies
Spooky: Rocky Horror Picture Show – If you’re wanting to watch an occult classic with a “Sweet Transvestite” (played by Tim Curry, the man himself), a hit musical track, aliens, incest and sex, then Rocky Horror Picture show is the spooky movie for you. -Anne Connor
Other Suggestions – Halloweentown, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus
Scary: Psycho is an absolute staple of the horror genre. Audiences back in the day were surely given some nightmares after viewing this flick, but our modern sensibilities allow for a tamer reaction.
Other Suggestions – The Silence of the Lambs, Carrie, The Witch
Actually Terrifying: Green Room tells the story of a punk band trapped in a Neo-Nazi club. I know, that’s already some pretty scary stuff, and that’s only the barest of bones of the story. Patrick Stewart plays a chilling villain that reveals the true inhumanity that one can reach.
Other Suggestions – Hereditary, Get Out, Midsommar, Coraline
TV Shows
Spooky: Over the Garden Wall is a Cartoon Network animated miniseries that aired over the course of a week in 2014. This highly critically acclaimed show tells the story of two boys trying to find their way home in a beautifully animated manner filled with fall imagery. The cutesy creepy style makes it perfect to breeze through while enjoying some apple cider with friends.
Other Suggestions – Goosebumps, The Twilight Zone
Scary: The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy is yet another Halloween-related cartoon that existed during the youth of millenial/gen-z kids. It revolves around the Grim Reaper and two kids who have him bend to their will. It makes it into the scary category by virtue of the psychedelic imagery and gross-out humor that the show indulges in.
Other Suggestions – Haunting of Hill House, The Simpsons Treehouse of Horrors
Actually Terrifying: Courage the Cowardly Dog is notorious for causing nightmares. Despite the main character’s appearance, Courage explores disturbing topics and incorporates genuinely terrifying villains on the regular. I definitely recommend this one if you want to reignite some childhood terror.
Other Suggestions – American Horror Story (depending on the season)
Visual Artists
Jon Macnair – Macnair puts a contemporary spin on the medieval likes of Hireonymous Bosch in his macabre tableaus. His work is full of human faces on animals as well, which is scary enough on its own.
Peo Michie – Annually, Michie illustrates Halloween-themed WLW pinup girls that are absolutely charming. They’re a really fun and unique way to celebrate the season.
Ramen Shaman – Ramen Shaman’s work generally consists of some fairly unsettling portraiture that is sure to get you thinking about the macabre. Who knows, maybe a distended face will show up in your subconscious sometime.
Youtubers
Defunctland – Kevin Perjurer hosts this amusement park themed youtube channel. On the surface there isn’t too much scary stuff going on, but a deeper dive results in some pretty chilling real life tales, specifically his Son of Beast, The History of Action Park, and the History of America Sings videos.
Bailey Sarian – Sarian’s videos bring together the worlds of horror and makeup in her true crime youtube series.
Ask a Mortician – Caitlin Doughty, author and actual mortician, has a youtube series that investigates death related subjects and answers common questions about morticianhood. She has a refreshing “death positive” position that is refreshing and helpful to those with existential fears. She also has a video covering Savannah’s own Bonaventure Cemetery!
Special thanks to all of the staff and volunteers that contributed to this article, including Anne Connor, Billie Redner, Savannah Mendoza, Mel Pezoldt, Maya Looney, Cher Shaffer, Jessica Clary, Hailey Feller, and Sarah Luongo.
