Happy Valentine’s Day Horror Fans-Best Twisted Love On Shudder
Love is in the air. Flowers and candies are flying off the shelves, jewelry is being purchased, and reservations being made. For those of you who aren’t into the whole romantic entanglement thing or you are lucky enough to have a fellow horror fan to curl up with, Shudder is your go-to place for a night of takeout and binging. It’s too hard to get all dressed up and fight the crowds. Order your favorite meal to go and put on something comfortable. Maybe watching some really messed up relationships will help you cope with either your lack of one or make you appreciate the one you’ve got. This list won’t include the obvious choices like My Bloody Valentine, but rather those movies you probably haven’t thought of but should. Happy Valentine’s Day Horror Fans! Here are all the best-twisted love stories on Shudder.
Bride Of Re-Animator
In this sequel to Stuart Gordon’s cult comedy horror, RE-ANIMATOR, Hebert West returns once again, ready to have another go at bringing the dead back to life. Aided by his assistant, Dr. Cain, the pair set about making their own Frankenstein’s monster from various female parts they find in the hospital morgue, attempting to make the perfect woman. However, things don’t go to plan when a local sheriff and hospital doctor attempt to thwart the duo’s plans in this screamingly funny parody of THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN Contains violence and gore.
Cast: Jeffrey Combs, Bruce Abbott, Fabiana Udenio
It’s silly and gross and perfect for horror purists that like lots of gore and black humor. The sequel to the classic Re-Animator is almost as good as the original and well-suited for the holiday. Italian would pair nicely with this movie.
Beast
Moll is 27, stifled by the small island community around her and too beholden to her family to break away. When she meets Pascal, she begins to feel alive for the first time, falling madly in love. But is Pascal responsible for the brutal murders surrounding her town? And what can he unleash in Moll? Michael Pearce’s haunting, primal BEAST is a must-see love sick psychothriller. A SHUDDER EXCLUSIVE.
Cast: Jessie Buckley, Johnny Flynn, Geraldine James, Trystan Gravelle
This is easily the most stylish and artistic film on the list but don’t let that turn you off. The performances are without fault and the modern fairy tale will keep you guessing to the end. For fans of more psychological horror Beast is perfect. Pair this with a huge T-Bone steak or Prime Rib.
Audition
A man begins a relationship with a very deadly female killer in Takashi Miike’s ultra-gory masterpiece. Widower Aoyama falls for the radiant and mysterious Asami. But as he delves into her past, he learns her former acquaintances have either gone missing – or have missing limbs. Will he be next? Thanks to its heart-stopping final act, Miike’s chilling tale put him in the pantheon of great horror directors, and led to the J-Horror genre becoming a worldwide phenomenon. If you haven’t seen it, be warned: when the needles come out, there’s no turning back…. (In Japanese with English Subtitles)
Cast: Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina
If you think your partner can be difficult I assure you they have nothing on Asami. This film is a tough watch. It is only for fans of torture porn. Do not watch this with a date unless you aren’t planning on getting lucky. Pair it with nothing because everything will just come right back up.
Double Lover
Chloé, who works as a guard at a museum in Paris, seeks to shore up her resiliency and enters psychoanalysis. In Paul Meyer, the sensitive patient finds a caring psychiatrist who helps her overcome bouts with depression. Following the end of the treatment, both realize that they have fallen in love. A new chapter begins for Chloé when she and Paul move in together. Yet Chloé soon comes to believe that Paul is keeping a secret. She impulsively visits another psychiatrist, Louis Delord. Spiraling emotional and sexual stakes will push all three of them to extremes, forcing Chloé to take action in order to solve a mystery and save herself.
Cast: Jacqueline Bisset, Jeremie Renier, Marine Vacth
This French film is sexy and twisted. It is a psychological thriller that is light on gore but still very tense. Well-paced, Double Lover will keep your attention. This is a not so Happy Valentine’s Day horror movie. Make Coq Au Vin or Ratatouille and a fancy chocolate souffle for dinner. That is sure to impress.
Night Of The Living Deb
After a girls’ night out, endearingly awkward Deb wakes up in the apartment of the most attractive guy in Portland, Maine. She’s thrilled, but can’t remember much of what got her there. Pretty boy Ryan only knows it was a mistake and ushers her out the door…into a full-scale zombie apocalypse. Now, a walk of shame becomes a fight for survival as the mismatched pair discovers that the only thing scarier than trusting someone with your life is trusting them with your heart.
Cast: Maria Thayer, Michael Cassidy, Ray Wise, Syd Wilder, Julie Brister
Talk about a bad night… It’s never good when a one night stand that you wanted to stay one night is now your only ally in a zombie apocalypse. It is funny, full of flesh-eaters, and even a little romantic. This is a perfect date movie, just not a first date movie. Grab yourself some fried chicken because you never know when you have to take your dinner on the run.
We Are Not Cats
After losing his job, girlfriend, and home in a single day, a desperate thirty-something accepts a delivery job upstate. There he stumbles upon Anya, a beguiling and mysterious young artist who shares his proclivity for eating human hair. While their shared obsession bonds these two loners together, it also takes them on a perverse and disturbing journey in one of the most exciting and singular American indies this year.
Cast: Michael Nicholson, Chelsea Lopez, Michael Godere
Who says there isn’t someone out there for everyone. This film is as repulsive as it is fascinating. It is like watching someone fall down and break a bone in slow motion. You are powerless to look away or do anything about it. Whatever you choose to eat do it early in the film unless you are sucking on a hairball treatment.
Little Deaths
A homeless woman is brought home by a married couple with ulterior motives. A sex worker is bound to a twisted experiment. A dysfunctional relationship goes down a dark path. Sex and death converge in three terrifying, sensual segments from directors Sean Hogan, Andrew Parkinson and Simon Rumley.
Cast: Luke de Lacey, Holly Lucas, Siubhan Harrison
If you think there is nothing sexier than watching a creepy dark anthology about sex, corrupted love, and obsession, Little Deaths is ideal. Each story is good and none are duds. This is only a good idea for a long term relationship as it could get real awkward real fast, if you know what I mean. Grab some tapas or three or four of your favorite apps to eat while watching.
Do not forget to tune into the Horror Pod Class and their podcast on all things horror and science fiction, you might just learn something. Just for Signal Horizon readers, we have a free trial that lasts twice as long as their normal offer. Signal Horizon readers can sign up for a 30-day free trial using the link below. Tell us what you think and let us know if you find something in the streaming service that warrants further discussion. Let me know if I’ve left something off the Happy Valentine’s Day Horror Fans Shudder list.
I hope we have given you some new movies to consider. Happy Valentine’s Day Horror Fans! Let us know what you enjoyed this weekend. Don’t forget to use the promo code SIGNAL for a whole month free! Catch us back each week with a new Shudder list.
As the Managing Editor for Signal Horizon, I love watching and writing about genre entertainment. I grew up with old-school slashers, but my real passion is television and all things weird and ambiguous. My work can be found here and Travel Weird, where I am the Editor in Chief.