Incantation (2022) 

Blending ancient beliefs with modern horror in a chilling tale of guilt, survival and redemption, Incantation is a Taiwanese movie released on March 18th, 2022. This movie follows the sympathetic tale of the protagonist Li Ronan, who is cursed after breaking a religious taboo. As the curse threatens her family, she must strive to protect her daughter from the consequences of her actions. Despite its one-million-dollar budget, the film has drawn mixed reactions due to its unique vlog-style documentary filming approach, which some viewers feel gives it a cheap aesthetic. 

However, Webb student Jayden Kuo (‘26) offers a different perspective.  

“I liked it because it was different…It was more real because they used like her camera,” Jayden said. “The way they filmed, it is different from others. It made it feel more immersive.”  

What sets Incantation apart from other horror films is its raw, authentic feel. The film employs a “found footage” approach, where much of the story unfolds through the perspective of the main character Ronan’s own camera. This adds a layer of realism and immersiveness that pulls you deeper into the eerie world of the curse.  

Overall, Jayden rated Incantation a nine out of ten, citing the film’s ability to scare him as one of its most successful elements.  

“A bad thing was, it was scary. A good thing was it was scary,” Jayden said.  

Jayden also feels a deep connection to the film’s cultural context. He notes about how the film’s roots resonate with him personally.  

“It was Taiwanese. I’m Taiwanese,” he said. 

The key takeaway from the film for Jayden was a lesson in respect to cultural and religious boundaries.  

“I learned to not dabble in bad areas,” Jayden said.  

If you’re a fan of supernatural horror films that dive deep into cultural folklore, curses, and phycological terror or just in the mood for a scare, Incantation is a must-watch. It is not just a film; it is an experience.  

Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)  

The classic slasher film, Nightmare on Elm Street, directed by Wes Craven and released on November 16th 1984, will leave you wary of falling asleep, scared of what happens in the world of dreams.  

The film is set on Elm Street in the fictional town of Springwood, Ohio, and follows the story of teenager Nancy Thompson as she tries to escape and stop a disfigured midnight mangler who preys on teenagers in their dreams, which in turn, kills them in reality. There is a total of nine Elm Street movies, each with different plots and new characters.  

Nightmare on Elm Street was inspired by a true story that happened during the 1970s. Hmong refugees, after fleeing to the USA because of war and genocide in their countries, suffered disturbing nightmares and refused to sleep, with some passing away in their sleep soon after. After extensive research, medical authorities determined that this phenomenon was a condition where men between the ages of 19 to 57 suffered a sudden and unexplained death syndrome or Brugada syndrome. They called this the Asian Death Syndrome.  

Billie Guerrero, member of Webb’s Science Faculty, said, “I love this movie because it was terrifying as a child to watch, and I love Freddy’s sense of humor. He is funny in a very dark way. The murders that he commits are very unique and creative.”  

“[It’s] fun to watch; you will get scared; you will laugh; it is creative,” Ms. Billie said.  

Ms Billie also emphasizes the phycological aspect of this movie that dawns on the viewer: because you must go to sleep for him to get you, it creates this fear factor within oneself.  

“You can’t escape him; everybody has to sleep at some point,” she said. 

Overall, Nightmare on Elm Street is an essential classic in the Slasher genre, blending terrifying imagery with psychological depth to create a lasting impact on viewers. According to Ms. Billie, this movie earns a ten out of ten recommendation, and she highly recommends viewers to watch it. 

Hereditary (2018) 

Released in 2018 and directed by Ari Aster, Hereditary is a modern horror masterpiece that explores the chilling impact of family secrets, grief, and inherited trauma. The story begins with the death of the Graham family matriarch, and quickly spirals into a nightmare as her daughter, Annie, and her other children start to unravel terrifying and supernatural secrets tied to their ancestry. As they struggle to escape their family’s dark fate, the horror intensifies, driven by an ancient demon, Paimon, that threatens to possess them all. 

The film is not just a supernatural horror but a profound psychological exploration of how grief, guilt, and trauma are passed down through generations. Hereditary masterfully blends family drama with visceral scares, keeping the audience on edge with every scene. With an average viewer heart rate of 82 bpm—peaking at 104 bpm during intense moments—this film delivers nail-biting suspense with emotional depth. 

The film’s terror doesn’t rely on typical jump scares; instead, it actively creates a sense of dread that builds slowly and relentlessly. 

“It was not scary in a jump-scare way; it was just different.” Jayden said.  

An overall recommendation would be an eight out of ten. It can be slightly confusing to viewers at first, but through an in-depth analysis of the overall plot, it will all come together. Hereditary is a film that does not just frighten, but lingers long after the credits roll, making it an unforgettable experience for horror fans. 

IT (1986) 

IT brings Stephen King’s iconic 1986 novel to life in a terrifying and emotional tale of childhood fear and friendship. This 2017 Warner Bros movie is the third highest-grossing R-rated film of the time. It is currently ranked as the seventh most grossing R-rated film. Directed by Andrés Muschietti, IT takes place in Derry, Maine, and follows the story of seven teenagers who must face an ancient, shape-shifting evil that surfaces from the sewers every 27 years to prey on the town’s children. The seven teenagers must band and word together to save their town from the bloodthirsty clown known as Pennywise.  

IT excels not just as a horror film, but as a coming-of-age story. The bond between the teenagers is the heart of the film, with the group finding strength in each other while facing a monstrous force beyond comprehension. Each encounter with Pennywise pulls the audience deeper into the kids’ world of terror and heartbreak. 

Rebecca Pan (27’), a fan of the film, said, “The good part is that it creates this type of bond within the friendship of the main characters. That’s really nice and it’s really sweet, but a downside is that the plots are kind of cliche.” 

At first, IT is undeniably terrifying for Rebecca.  

“When I first watched it, it was very scary for me. I could not look at any vent for a whole year because I thought Pennywise was going to be in there,” Rebecca said. 

The film’s horror is intense, tapping into people’s childhood fears of the dark, the unknown, and the monsters lurking just out of sight. Yet, over time, the movie evolved into something more nostalgic for Rebecca, bringing back childhood paranoia and fond memories. 

“But right now, it is more like nostalgia,” she said. 

For many, IT blends fear with fondness, reminding them of the bonds forged during their own childhoods when friendship was a lifeline against the world’s terrors. 

Rebecca rated the film an eight out of ten and would recommend it to others.IT is more than just a horror film—it is a nostalgic journey that resonates with anyone who had faced their fears and learned the power of friendship.  

If you are in the mood for a horror film that is equal parts heart and fright, IT delivers. It is more than just a clown; it is a terrifying exploration of fear and friendship that will stick with you long after the final scene.