This short article is for the Substack’s horror heads out there.
Although the scary movie and series I’m about to mention are also equally excellent dramas, as was the source material for them.
This is a no spoiler zone.
I feel like these were extremely well made projects that actually illuminated the originals. However, they were largely overlooked by the horror audience.
The first one was the 2016 Exorcist TV series, which I was highly skeptical of when I heard they were rebooting the movie as a series. I think my exact words were blasphemy. The 1973 classic film is in my top twenty favorite films of all time. As horrific as the horror scenes were, it was also a compelling drama and character study with incredible acting.
I didn’t even entertain the notion that the series would be anywhere in the realm of the original movie. But when I watched the pilot episode, it was clear that this series was channeling the tone, horror, and drama of the original movie. It was masterly written and executed.
As I watched the series, I never thought it would lead back to the original story. I was happily surprised. I was disappointed in the second season. But I’m a firm believer that some shows just don’t have a second season in them. Maybe as an anthology.
The second horror project I’m going to mention is the prequel The First Omen, which had a wonderfully disturbing movie poster. The original Omen film is a classic of horror and drama. I love period pieces, so the fact that the prequel takes place in 1971 Rome was the lure for me. I saw this in the theaters when I was in Manchester a couple of years ago.
Like I said, it’s a prequel to the original movie. I thought it set up things perfectly—loved the kick-ass ending—and was diligently waiting for the follow-up film, which never came. I figured the prequel franchise would then lead into a reboot of the original classic movie. The First Omen had some terrifying sequences and I enjoyed it thoroughly as I munched on my popcorn, sprinkled with M&Ms. They don’t put butter on popcorn in the UK. They sprinkle it with M&Ms. Weird, but strangely addicting.
These horror vehicles were overlooked. Yet in the past year people were raving over films like Weapons, which, as I watched it in the theater, strongly suspected was a comedy. And not a funny one. I’ve since been told it is not.
My definition of a good horror project is first and foremost an R-rating. The second is horror throughout—good and gory. The third is an original story, direction and acting.
The Exorcist series and The First Omen checked all those boxes.
So what happened?
If you haven’t seen either and you’re looking for real thrills, search them out.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go rewatch The First Omen.
