31 horror films you need to watch this October

They Look Like People

The Plot

When old friends Wyatt and Christian temporarily move back in together, things soon become clear that something isn’t quite right with the quieter, more withdrawn Wyatt. Unbeknownst to Christian, he’s receiving strange phone calls in the middle of the night from an anonymous caller who tells him he needs to be preparing for the end of days. While Christian attempts to help Wyatt get back on his feet, Wyatt is also stockpiling weapons and trying to determine which of the people around him are human, and which are something else entirely.

The Breakdown

An utterly fascinating exploration of mental illness with solid characters at its heart, They Look Like People is as arty as it is deeply unnerving. The question of what Wyatt sees—the things that look like people—isn’t firmly addressed, and doesn’t actually matter. What matters is that they are horrifying, in such numerous and subtle ways; the film treats its horror with such artful restraint that when the fear arrives, it has been wound up so slowly and imperceptibly that you’re utterly unprepared to deal with it.

The climax is almost quiet compared to many other more action-oriented horror movies, but is so utterly compelling you won’t be able to tear your eyes away. The elements of trust and love are the perfect and necessary counterpoint to the themes of paranoia and terror.

The Scare Factor

If psychological horror is your thing, you’ll love this film. It’s a slow burn, but by the end, it’s a bonfire. Buckle in for a nerve-wracking ride.