Category Archives: Teenagers

31 Days of Horror: Gremlins (1984; PG; 106 mins.)

Posted on October 29, 2025 | Leave a comment

I wanted a light horror movie to watch, one with heart and humor too. So when someone suggested Gremlins, I couldn’t resist. What a throwback to my teenage years! And yes, even though this is technically set during Christmas time, I still consider it a horror movie.

When Billy’s father gives him an exotic pet as a gift, Billy accidentally breaks three of the cardinal rules regarding the adorably furry, big-eyed creature: never put it in bright light, don’t let it near water, and don’t feed it after midnight. Soon, Gizmo replicates, and the new creatures that emerge from the slimy cocoons are not so cute. In fact, they are green, mean, death-inflicting Gremlins, and they are out to create havoc in the entire town, starting with Billy’s teacher, his mother, and then at a local restaurant/bar where Billy’s friend Kate works (this last mixing scenes of mischief and destruction with humorous pop-culture nods). Knowing their town is on the line, as well as Gizmo’s survival, Billy and Kate decide to finish off the Gremlins. Will they get them all before it’s too late?

Top Scare: 80’s attire

Heartbeats: 1 out of 5

Gore Factor: 2 out of 5

Scare Factor: 1 out of 5

Recommended for: 11 or 12 and up for profanity, smoking

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31 Days of Horror: Viral (2016; R; 85 mins.)

Posted on October 14, 2025 | Leave a comment

Watching a virus-themed movie that was made pre-Covid when it’s five years post-Covid, some of the wearing-masks-as-bras, quarantine-breaking-parties, and yay-no-school jokes land a bit differently. But, this is a teen flick, so I didn’t have super high hopes anyway.

When Emma and Stacey, along with their teacher/virus expert dad Michael, move to a new town (their mom is flying in soon), Emma is slowly making new friends. Annoying older sis Stacey, with an attitude the size of the surrounding cliffs, has already found a plus-one, CJ, and is trying to set Emma up with neighbor Evan. News reports suddenly surface of a mysterious China-based outbreak. Soon, Emma’s only friend is infected, and Michael heads to the airport to retrieve their mother, leaving the girls with two very important instructions: no fighting and no boys. Hmmm. I would have thought the virus expert teacher would have said something about staying inside and washing their hands.

When the town is quarantined almost immediately, the girls are on their own. But don’t fear: within hours, supplies are airlifted to each and every household, including masks, food, flares, and other essentials! However, the girls are bored, so of course they head out to a local party. Connections are made. Friendships (and more) blossom. Mask bras are worn. That is, until an infected teen begins ravaging everyone there and the girls, along with CJ and Evan, must escape. With nearly 1/2 the movie left, of course they do, but are we sure they’re all still, um, pure? No, not in that way. As in, uninfected?

As the neighbors are taken over by the worm-like “things” and the military seizes control of the area (even forcing the girls to strip down for a check at one point), the teens continue to make questionable decisions (that pesky un-developed frontal lobe!). Will they escape the virus? Will Emma and Evan ever kiss? Is Stacey destined to always be the worst big sister ever? Will their parents ever make it back from the airport? Tune in to find out…if you dare care.

Top Scare: Infected’s Sudden Appearance

Hearbeats: 1 1/2 out of 5

Gore Factor: 2 out of 5

Scare Factor: 1 1/2 out of 5

Recommended for: 15 and up

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Posted in 31 Days of Horror, Entertainment, Halloween, horror, Horror Movie, Movies, Reviews, scary movies, Streaming, Teenagers, Thriller, Virus

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31 Days of Horror: The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020; TV-MA; 101 mins)

Posted on October 22, 2024 | Leave a comment

So, I’ve not even seen The Babysitter, but this looked like a fun, mindless, tongue-in-cheek teen horror flick I figured I could jump right into without the back story, and I was right. All in all, this movie was a bunch of nonsense wrapped in good laughs with a great twist or two, lots of silly gore-filled scenes, actual beautiful scenery, and a great cast.

Apparently, at the age of 12, Cole survived a blood cult that had something to do with his babysitter (just guessing here, based on the first minute of this movie). Thing is, it’s two years later and he’s now magically a junior in high school and still no one believes him–not his parents, guidance counselor/school nurse, teachers, fellow classmates, etc., who all think he’s gone a bit loony–all except for his best friend Melanie, who experienced it too but knows better than to talk about it. When Cole finds out his parents are about to send him to a psychiatric high school, he skips school with Melanie and three friends to head to the lake for a party, where they have an actual houseboat waiting. A new girl in school, Phoebe, is at the lake too, but heads out instead on a jet ski. Nice lives! As the night goes on, a huge surprise awaits Cole, turning his world upside down. Eventually, he and Phoebe connect and work together to stay alive despite evil forces trying to kill them. Much gore and hilarity ensue, and things wrap up in a very satisfying way for Cole, Phoebe, and the franchise.

  • Top Scare: In Houseboat
  • Heartbeats: 1 out of 5
  • Gore Factor: 4 1/2 out of 5
  • Scare Factor: 1 1/4 out of 5
  • Recommended for: 17 and up, due to gore, language, drugs, violence, and sex

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31 Days of Horror: We Have a Ghost (2023; PG-13; 126 mins.)

Posted on October 14, 2024 | 1 comment

Billed as a supernatural horror comedy, I thought this would be a fun addition to my 31 Days of Horror. And it was, though I’d say it was more drama than horror, a heartfelt story with fun thrown in and great acting from Jahi Di’Allo Winston as Kevin and David Harbour as Ernest the Ghost, along with Jennifer Coolidge and a for-once-not-annoying appearance by Tig Notaro.

When the Presley family-Frank, Melanie, and teens Fulton and Kevin-discovers a great deal on an enormous old house (does this ever bode well?), they snatch it up and move on in. But when Kevin explores the attic, he’s soon “scared by” a bowling shirt-wearing, middle-aged ghost with a comb over named Ernest (at least, that’s the name on the shirt). Except Kevin laughs instead of screams, leaving Ernest befuddled. The two soon begin to communicate (though Ernest can’t talk), and Kevin tries to help him figure out why he’s stuck in the house and who he really is. But big brother Fulton soon uncovers Kevin’s secret friend, and his video of Ernest goes viral (a montage of various social media reactions is hilarious and incredibly on point). When Frank, who has a history of bad business decisions, decides to try to cash in on the notoriety, it draws the attention of not only the world, but a government paranormal scientist (Notaro) as well.

As Kevin and his neighbor Joy work to help Ernest find his answers, and seemingly the entire world works against them, shenanigans ensue in which Ernest gets to have fun being a classic ghost, doing classic ghost antics. But will they be able to solve the mystery before the government catches Ernest to study him? Will Ernest ever find out who he really is and why he’s stuck here as a ghost? And most of all, will Ernest ever find the lasting peace he wants, or is he doomed to walk through walls for eternity?

  • Top Scare: First Contact
  • Heartbeats: 1 out of 5
  • Gore Factor: 1/2 out of 5
  • Scare Factor: 1 out of 5
  • Recommended for: 12 or 13 and up

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Posted in 31 Days of Horror, Comedy, Entertainment, Halloween, haunting, horror, Horror Movie, Humor, Movies, mystery, Paranormal, Reviews, scary movies, Streaming, Teenagers, Thriller

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31 Days of Horror: Thanksgiving (2023; R; 106 mins.)

Posted on October 13, 2024 | 2 comments

I was ready for a good ol’ slasher flick for my 31 Days of Horror, and Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving was the perfect movie. And, good gravy, am I thankful I was able to carve out some time to watch it before November rolls around, so I have a chance for my drumstick-shaped thighs to stop quivering like cranberry sauce before I’m really stuffing my pie hole next month!

When the rich owner of the Plymouth, Massachusetts RightMart chooses to open for Black Friday deals on Thanksgiving evening, an unruly mob sees his teenage daughter Jessica and her friends gaining early entry and breaks through the barriers, creating an epic bloodbath in their quest for a free waffle iron. One year later, the town has moved on, and no one has been held accountable. So, of course, a killer takes it upon him- (or her-) self to seek revenge.

One by one-in truly creative, gory, and okay, even funny, ways-and wearing a plastic mask of the city’s founding father John Carver, the killer seeks out first those who contributed to the riot, then the close-knit group of friends. This killer has set a beautiful Thanksgiving table, and each seat has been reserved for (the remains of) those who were responsible a year earlier and got away with what happened. The town’s sheriff, played by missing ‘r’-accented Patrick Dempsey, is competent, but always just a step behind, and Jessica works with him to catch the deranged killer. But will they be able to “stick a fork in” the murders in time, or will they, too, soon join the feast?

  • Top Scare: Mother Hiding Scene
  • Heartbeats: 3 out of 5
  • Gore Factor: 4 1/2 out of 5
  • Scare Factor: 3 out of 5
  • Recommended for: 17 and up

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Posted in 31 Days of Horror, Entertainment, Halloween, horror, Horror Movie, Movies, Reviews, scary movies, Streaming, Teenagers

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31 Days of Horror: The Privilege (2022; TV-MA; 107 mins.)

Posted on October 31, 2023 | 3 comments

The Privilege

This German movie dubbed in English is one of those that starts out with a bit of promise for good scares and an interesting plot, but veers off the rails about halfway through. The best thing I can say about it is that the dark spirit which appears is truly very creepy and does offer a couple of good jump scares.

In The Privilege, teenager Finn attends an elite school with his twin sister Sophie and various friends. He has been seeing a psychologist/doctor and taking medications since he was young and watched his older sister jump from a bridge after being attacked by an evil spirit. Now, he is once again noticing odd things happening, this time involving his parents, twin, and others near his family. As he, his best gal friend, and new girlfriend seek answers, they uncover a dark conspiracy, yet he is gaslighted left and right by his family and won’t stand up for himself or what he knows is true. All is not lost, though, as they do manage to fit in a ménage à trois (it is a teen flick, after all) during all the running around and investigating (add eye roll here). When his parents’ plan progresses toward helping the spirit become all-powerful, Finn et al must put the puzzle pieces together and stop it before it’s too late.

  • Top Scare: Evil Spirit
  • Heartbeats: 2 1/4 out of 5
  • Gore Factor: 2 out of 5
  • Scare Factor: 2 1/2 out of 5
  • Recommended For: 15 and up

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Posted in 31 Days of Horror, Entertainment, Ghosts, Halloween, Hell, horror, Horror Movie, Movies, mystery, Reviews, scary movies, Streaming, Teenagers, Television, Thriller

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31 Days of Horror: The Faculty (1998; R; 104 mins.)

Posted on October 28, 2023 | Leave a comment

The Faculty

Many of us thought our teachers and other staff were aliens in high school, but in this fun late 90s movie with fantastic special effects, they really are. It’s also chock full of stars and soon-to-be stars, including Elijah Wood, Josh Hartnett, Clea DuVall, Salma Hayek, Bebe Neuwirth, Usher, Robert Patrick, Famke Janssen, Jon Stewart, Piper Laurie, and Shawn Hatosy!

When a few students start noticing some teachers acting oddly, they band together to find out why. They are soon outwitted and outnumbered, though, by teachers and staff who have been possessed by aliens and are looking to take over the entire faculty and student body. Of course, parents don’t believe them and police officers are soon possessed too, so the group realizes they are on their own to stop the invasion before it spreads beyond the school. One problem: how can they be sure any of them aren’t also secretly possessed? Oh, and what can they use to kill the creatures they know so little about? As the alien lifeforms advance and become stronger and more creative to possess these final holdouts, the students must be smarter to defeat The (alien) Faculty.

  • Top Scare: Locker room
  • Heartbeats: 1 3/4 out of 5
  • Gore Factor: 2 1/2 out of 5
  • Scare Factor: 1 3/4 out of 5
  • Recommended For: 16 and up, due to violence, gore, drugs, profanity

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31 Days of Horror: The Open House (2018; TV-MA; 94 mins.)

Posted on October 23, 2023 | 3 comments

The Open House

With the price of streaming going up, up, and yes, UP, I was glad to find another movie to watch on a platform I pay (dearly) for each month. This Netflix film had a nice creepy vibe and a great cast, plus as the main character points out in the movie, Open Houses are weird situations where you give your keys to someone, they let in a bunch of strangers to roam around your home, and then when they lock up and leave, you never really know what–or who–might be left behind.

In The Open House, teenager Logan and his mom Naomi need time away after the fiscally-irresponsible patriarch of the family dies. Naomi’s sister happens to have a five-star remote “cabin” (and by cabin, I mean luxury home) for sale, which she offers for their mourning period, with the caveat that they will need to leave whenever there is an Open House scheduled. Arriving in town, Logan and Naomi meet a cast of characters/future suspects, including a handsome store clerk who flirts with Naomi, a kooky older neighbor who may or may not have Alzheimer’s and whose husband may or may not have died, the Realtor showing the house, and the Realtor’s odd assistant. Soon, things begin happening in the house which make Logan suspicious of everyone, while Naomi is clueless. As events grow darker and more sinister, it becomes obvious Logan and Naomi are not welcome anymore, and this house is NOT for sale.

  • Top Scare: Basement
  • Heartbeats: 3 out of 5
  • Gore Factor: 2 1/2 out of 5
  • Scare Factor: 3 1/4 out of 5
  • Recommended for: 15 and up, due to brief nudity, language, some violence

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31 Days of Horror: Goosebumps 2023 Series (2023; TV-PG; 10-Parts/60 mins each)

Posted on October 18, 2023 | Leave a comment

 

Though based on five of R.L. Stine’s classic books from the 1990s, this 10-part series on Hulu and Disney+ has been updated for the modern viewer (don’t worry, there are plenty of Easter eggs thrown in for diehard fans). And with episodes being released each Friday, viewers will be able to finish the new series before sitting down for a Thanksgiving meal.

The series’ first five episodes are origin stories for the main characters, high schoolers who unleash supernatural forces. In the final five episodes, their stories connect, and they “must all work together thanks to and in spite of their friendships, rivalries, and pasts with each other in order to save [their town], learning much about their own parents’ teenage secrets in the process.” 

The first episode, “Say Cheese and Die!” was released on Friday, October 13th, and provided some nice creepy vibes, a good jump scare or two, and some humor thrown in as well. With aged-up characters (the characters in the books were younger), it’s not your classic Goosebumps for middle grade kids; this series is able to go darker and appeal to an older audience, adults included. I’m looking forward to seeing how the storylines play out and where the series takes us, since the creators hope to continue this collaboration down the road.

  • Top Scare Episode 1: In Basement
  • Heartbeats: 2 1/2 out of 5
  • Gore Factor: 2 1/2 out of 5
  • Scare Factor: 2 1/4 out of 5
  • Recommended for: 12 or 13 and up, due to blood, cussing, some gore

 

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31 Days of Horror: You Might Be the Killer (MA; 2018; 92 min.)

Posted on October 31, 2020 | Leave a comment

Sometimes the best horror movie is more than just pure horror: add in some humor and you’ve got the best of two movie genres. This play on the camp counselor/slasher flick follows a fun premise with good laughs throughout and even a few scares.

The movie opens with Sam, lead counselor and camp owner, calling his friend Chuck (short for Charlotte, played by the wonderful Alyson Hannigan) while in a bloody, frightened mess. Someone is out there and killing off all the counselors at Camp Clear Vista! Chuck is at work in a brightly-lit, busy comic book store, but helps Sam try to figure out who is doing all this killing while she stocks shelves. She asks him to think back, to recall each dead counselor so they can narrow down who is left and, therefore, who might be the killer. In a non-linear fashion, the kills unfold through Sam’s flashbacks, and the two determine Sam himself just might be the killer. But why? Enter a camp legend, evil spirits, an ex-girlfriend, and many other tropes and the movie’s suspense (and humor) builds as viewers root for both Sam and his victims, until only one person is left standing. And, as we all know, even the dead return in the best horror movies, so the question remains: how long until camp re-opens and who will be head counselor when it does?

  • Top Scare: Mask-related
  • Heartbeats: 2 1/2 out of 5
  • Gore Factor: 3 1/2 out of 5
  • Suspense Factor: 3 out of 5
  • Recommended for: 16 and up

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