What films to watch this Friday the 13th

These seven spooky movie recommendations will suit any fall night you’re having.

By TAI LYN SANDHU
(Bris Gonzalez / Daily Trojan)

This Friday the 13th marks the unofficial start of “spooky movie season.” Despite the heat wave that rages outside, it is time to get cozy and settle in for a night of unadulterated nostalgia. Undoubtedly, though, this precious free time will certainly be spent scrolling through every single platform on your device in search of the perfect media that will fit the vibe “with ease.”

Not to worry — this list has recommendations for whatever random night you’re having, as well as how to pair it for the best possible experience. Watch any one of these for a guaranteed good time based on your preferred niche, and save the rest for when you’re inevitably in these situations, too.

If you dislike your resident assistant, watch “House” (1977)

Things quickly go awry when a group of schoolgirls, led by Gorgeous (Kimiko Ikegami), venture out to the house of her aunt (Yoko Minamida) in the countryside; the owner of the large estate seems to have rules that the girls cannot follow. The Japanese film has garnered a cult following after years of being panned by domestic critics.

Filled with outdated-yet-delightful practical effects, bright colors and a blissful soundtrack, viewers will have a great time regardless of whether or not they actually think “House” is good. This film pairs well with sour candy, pink lemonade and debriefing with your best friends. Find it streaming on Max and the Criterion Channel.

If the USC Village Sephora location has victimized you, watch “Eyes Without a Face” (1960)

When a surgeon’s daughter (Alida Valli) becomes disfigured after a car accident, he endeavors to make her “beautiful” again. Director Georges Franju took a notably gory approach for the period due to its filming in France, which tended to be more lenient on censorship in the 20th century. This film pairs well with tea sandwiches, cucumber water and a sheet mask. Find it streaming on Max and the Criterion Channel.

If you obsessively listen to “Short n’ Sweet” by Sabrina Carpenter, watch “Death Becomes Her” (1992)

Directed by USC alum Robert Zemeckis, two women (Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn) go to great lengths to attract the attention of the man they both desire (Bruce Willis). Recently, the “Taste” music video by Sabrina Carpenter drew heavily from the themes and style of the film, revitalizing the movie’s relevance to modern audiences. This film pairs well with filet mignon, red wine and a frenemy to glare at intermittently. Find the film streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

If you want to watch a feminist Iranian vampire western (or are curious what that means), watch “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night” (2014)

In Bad City, a fictional Iranian town, a mysterious vampire (Sheila Vand) lurks in the shadows, waiting for chauvinist men to appear. Filmed in California, written in Farsi and directed by Ana Lily Amirpour, this artful film screened at the Sundance Film Festival to great acclaim. This film pairs well with dark chocolate, Diet Coke and a weighted blanket to hide under. Find it streaming on Kanopy.

If you loved “BRAT” summer, watch “The Babadook” (2014)

In this film, a mother-and-son duo (Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman) are forced to face off against a monster in their home. The Australian movie, which was a feature directing debut Jennifer Kent, has been memeable since its inception, as the titular antagonist has been inexplicably dubbed a “gay icon.” Interestingly, this film was partially inspired by the previously mentioned “Eyes Without a Face.” This film pairs well with a cold glass of milk, potato chips and a RuPaul’s Drag Race double feature. Find it streaming on services such as Netflix, AMC+ and Kanopy.

If applying for internships has you stressing, watch “Creep” (2014)

In “Creep,” a Craigslist user turns out to have a much different task in mind for the respondee. Written during production by the director and star Mark Duplass, this is a classic “what-do-I-watch” flick due to its short runtime, fast pacing and heart-pounding jump scares, which were often improvised. This film pairs well with black coffee, popcorn and a resume. Find it streaming on Netflix and Apple TV+.

If you are suspicious of the dining hall food, watch “Fresh” (2022)

In this film, a retreat at a new boyfriend’s house reveals a secret cannibalistic side gig, disrupting the relationship between the couple (Sebastian Stan and Daisy Edgar-Jones). Directed by Mimi Cave, “Fresh” satirizes the fine-dining industry and could leave viewers queasy for weeks. Honestly, this film pairs well with nothing. Trust, you’re not going to want to eat while watching this. Find it streaming on Hulu.

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