7 Underrated and Underseen Slashers To Spice Up Your Halloween Season

The classics are classics for a reason. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), Halloween (1978), Friday the 13^th (1980), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), and Scream (1996) are all eternal staples of the horror genre. When Halloween comes rolling around, they, and their respected sequels, will never fail to live up to the occasion.

That being said, a little variety never hurts. Slashers have always been one of the best ways to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, but there are so many that have gone under the radar, buried underneath the excess of independent entries of questionable merit some legitimately great ones have gotten lost in the mix.

So, since it’s that time of the year again, let’s highlight 7 underrated and underseen slashers to help sprinkle some spice into your holiday season. No tricks here, only treats.

Dementia 13 (1963)

We’ll kick off this list with a proto-slasher from The Godfather (1972) and Apocalypse Now (1979) director himself, Francis Ford Coppola. After her husband dies, a woman hides his death until she can convince his mother to put her in the family will. Unfortunately for her, she finds that the family may be harboring a deadly secret.

Dementia 13 is devilishly twisted. There’s a gothic horror vibe hanging over every frame, elevating the suspense at each step. You’re never really sure what is going on, other than that there’s an axe murderer on the loose and anyone could be the next victim. At barely over an hour, you’ll be hard pressed to not want little more when it’s over. You can buy a special collectors edition here. It has a ton of bonus content that really makes Dementia 13 look fantastic.

Just Before Dawn (1981)

Just Before Dawn works as a deconstruction of now familiar slasher tropes before they were really even all that well established. A group of friends go hiking in the mountains of Oregon to find a property one of them has just inherited. Of course, as these things go, this does not bode well for them when they soon learn that there are much scarier things lurking in the woods.

When we talk about great final girls, there are a handful of names that always pop up. Never mentioned however is final girl here, Constance. While the movie excels in its technical aspects, pacing, and atmosphere, where it truly shines is in her characterization. Rather than purity and innocence being presented as virtuous keys to survival, they are instead displayed as imposed restrictions preventing her from embracing who she is. When the end fight with the killer comes, it’s like a starved animal has been let out of its cage, resulting in a confrontation worthy of the horror hall of fame. Just before dawn is currently 10% off. Snag a copy today.

Alone in the Dark (1982)

No, not that dreadful Uwe Boll movie. We don’t talk about that. We will however talk about a fantastic forgotten flick very much deserving of a cult classic status. After a blackout hits, a doctor and his family come under attack from several of his unstable patients after they escape from their mental hospital. If they want to make it out alive, they’ll have to fight tooth and nail to see the light again.

Alone in the Dark is downright chilling. Each killer has their own distinct personality and motive, with some being more sympathetic, while others more detestable, making for some genuinely unsettling moments. The film’s secret weapon though rests in the genre icon himself, Donald Pleasence. Playing the complete opposite of his Halloween character Dr. Loomis, he enthusiastically eats up the screen acting against type. The whole thing is solid, but Pleasence adds the cherry on top. The blu has a ton of bonus features with Pleasence. Its worth a look.

Urban Legend (1998)

Don’t let its reputation or unfortunate label as a Scream rip-off fool you, Urban Legend is absolutely awesome. The story follows the students at a university as they investigate and try to survive an urban legend themed murderer. In their race to find the killer, they must rule out one red herring after another before it’s too late.

This is probably the most well-known on the list, but that doesn’t mean it gets the respect it deserves. The aesthetic is deliciously spooky, with the campus looking like a more gothic version of Hogwarts. Then there are the kills, which are all-around excellent. Even better though is its sheer audacity, as every single aspect of the movie is ridiculous. The key is not to think about it, which might seem like a cop out, but if you’re willing to, you’ll have a total blast. Urban Legend is cheap right now on Amazon.

Cherry Falls (2000)

This is one of those movies that is so unfairly overlooked it’s almost a crime. Cherry Falls is killer. Pun intended. When slayings strike a sleepy suburban town targeting virgins, a teenage girl tries to unmask the one responsible. As she digs deeper into the mystery, she begins to realize that her entire life may be built upon a dark, buried lie.

 We could talk about the way the movie ingeniously subverts genre tropes and all that good stuff, but the thing about Cherry Falls, above all else, is that it’s just plain scary. The editing is what really seals the deal. Every kill sequence is given a frantic energy to it, cranking the anxiety up until the scale breaks. Even on repeat viewings, when you know what’s going to happen, you’ll find yourself holding your breath. This and Urban Legend would make for the perfect double feature. Snag a copy today.

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)

Serving up smarts and scares in equal measure, Behind the Mask still remains unmatched in its wit and originality. Hoping to make a groundbreaking documentary, a film crew follows aspiring slasher Leslie Vernon as he plans his first massacre. Can they trust a man who aims to be a monster? Or will their latest project be their last?

Most of the movies on this list have deconstructed the horror genre in their own unique way. Behind the Mask however is the most direct in its attempt. It’s reminiscent of Scream in the way it both balances the humor and horror while simultaneously functioning as a celebration of one of its most beloved sub-genres. Never once feeling too cheeky for its own good or overstaying its welcome, this film is essential for any slasher fan. Grab this and other essentials now.

BONUS INCLUSION: Random Acts of Violence (2019)

Lastly, if you’re looking for something a little more abstract and a lot more visceral, Jay Baruchel’s adaption of the 2010 comic of the same name will hit the spot. In Random Acts of Violence, a comic creator suffering from writer’s block while trying to come up with the ending to his hit slasher series. He goes on a road trip to find inspiration. Wherever him and his friends go though, bodies drop, forcing him to confront the possibility that he may be playing a far more sinister role than he ever could have imagined.

In the day and age where true crime is bigger than ever, this movie could almost be described as an anti-slasher. The kills, while exceptionally brutal and creative, never feel gratifying. They’re intimate, personal, and all the more horrifying for it. There is no glorification, just the unrelenting terror that comes with seemingly senseless bloodshed. In this way, it’s reminiscent of both the original 1974 Texas Chain Saw Massacre and its 2004 remake. Like both of those, you’ll want to take a shower or two after this one. You can check it out streaming on Shudder or buy a copy here.