Which Halloween movies spoke to the NMBLC staff in this turbulent time of 2020?
The mood around Halloween 2020 could be unsettling like no Halloween before. COVID continues to spread and endanger people’s lives. Many beloved Halloween traditions will be altered or eliminated this year. CDC guidelines strongly advise against trick-or-treating, large Halloween parties, and inviting all your friends over for in-house Halloween movie night. New Mexico public health order restrictions apply to all these Halloween activities.
In addition to the pandemic anxiety, police brutality and killings of unarmed African Americans brought the reality of racial tension in America to the forefront of the nation’s consciousness. Wide-spread protests, violent armed reactions, and painful conversations with friends and family have shaken people’s sense of safety and surety about their place in the world.
Then, of course, there’s the upcoming election stress.
All this real life fear and dread will most likely affect our entertainment choices this Halloween. So instead of the usual favorite Halloween movies list, we put together a different list of staff picks for Halloween movies in 2020. We asked the NMBLC gang the following question:
Given the surreal and devastating events of this year, which Halloween movies speak to you in 2020?
See below for the answers!
Cathryn McGill, Founder/CEO
Movie still from The Birds. Not pictured: Cathy.
Cathy’s Pick
The Birds, 1963
Synopsis: In Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller based on the short story by Daphne du Maurier, a family is terrorized by violent bird attacks in Bodega Bay, California.
In Cathy’s words: The Birds are beautiful, right?
When I was a child I saw The Birds. This Alfred Hitchcock film has fueled my lifelong, unhealthy fear of birds. To be clear, Hitchcock’s movie is why I could never choose ornithology as a profession. The surrealness of the feeling in the air with those birds sitting on the wire reminds me of all of my chilling feels recently with dual global pandemics – COVID-19 and racism. My apocalyptic anticipation of impending doom and physical harm is so reminiscent of my childhood angst waiting for those birds to swoop in and peck me to pieces. It was just a movie, right? And this is just one really bad year in a long history of good ones, right? The best is yet to come, right? And BIRDS are beautiful, right? R-I-G-H-T! That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Happy Halloween, y’all.
Where you can watch it:
Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Birds-Tippi-Hedren/dp/B000I8H7RI
Kindra Hill, Senior Project Coordinator
Kindra at the NMBLC office, taking a break for the requested headshot.
Kindra’s Pick
Night of the Living Dead, 1968
Synopsis: In this indie horror cult classic, seven people trapped in a rural farmhouse try to survive an attack by cannibalistic corpses.
In Kindra’s Words: Night of the Living Dead is a classic zombie movie
This zombie movie is a classic, yet not everybody knows about it. I didn’t really hear about it until I was in college, and I’ve watched it multiple times since. Coming out during a time of civil unrest in America, it featured a Black actor and that was a big deal. This group of people are trying to survive an apocalypse, and are stuck together in a house. It’s very similar to what we’re going through now, quarantining during these ever-changing times, not sure what dangers lie within our supposedly safe spaces, or just outside the door.
Where you can watch it:
Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Night-Living-Dead-Duane-Jones/dp/B018TGKYIO
Megan Bott, Marketing and Communications Manager
Megan did not want to be a princess for Halloween!
Megan’s Pick
The Twilight Zone (original series), 1959 to 1964
Synopsis: This anthology television series, created by Rod Serling, blended science fiction, horror, and fantasy. Every episode was introduced by Serling, and featured a new main character who found themselves in a bizarre or frightening situation that was described as “the Twilight Zone.”
In Megan’s Words: The Twilight Zone is a nice place to watch, but . . .
I am a huge fan of the Twilight Zone (old school episodes from the ’60s) but not a fan of living in it! I often feel like we’ve slipped into the Twilight Zone.
Check out this article on the 13 scariest episodes of The Twilight Zone https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/13-scariest-twilight-zone-episodes-ranked/2900-2600/
Where you can watch it:
Hulu – https://www.hulu.com/series/the-twilight-zone-7103ca33-722b-4915-b4e7-b469fd4e0ccb
CBS All Access – https://www.cbs.com/shows/the-twilight-zone-classic/
Netflix – https://www.netflix.com/title/70172488
Shawna Brown, Deputy Director
Jack Skellington is Shawna’s fave.
Shawna’s Pick
Lovecraft Country, 2020
Synopsis: A Korean war veteran enlists his uncle and childhood friend on a road trip to find his missing father in the 1950s. The journey leads them across Jim Crow America, a minefield fraught with the horrors of racism and the monstrous creatures that could have been ripped out of a Lovecraft novel.
In Shawna’s Words: Lovecraft County is the time-piece for 2020
Though it is not a Halloween movie, Lovecraft Country is it for me. Between the sci-fi, action, horror, AND timeliness of THIS time-piece, it is my favorite thing in October 2020.
Where you can watch it:
HBO – https://www.hbo.com/lovecraft-country
Stephanie McIver, Founder/Director, New Mexico Black Mental Health Coalition
Stephanie is the Queen B.
Stephanie’s Pick
The Witch, 2016
Synopsis: In 1600s New England, a farmer is banished from the church, forcing him to move his family to a remote plot of land on the outskirts of civilization. Strange and unsettling things begin to happen, testing each family member’s faith in terrible ways.
In Stephanie’s Words: The Witch touches on women’s rights and freedoms
Though I tend to avoid scary movies at all costs, I was encouraged to watch this by my film critic daughter and my cinephile close friend. Loved it. It tapped into my childhood obsession with Salem witches and clearly touched on the contemporary issue of women’s oppression and rights and freedoms. Just the right amount of scare with a powerful dash of women’s empowerment.
Where you can watch it:
Showtime: https://www.sho.com/titles/3481988/the-witch
Showtime via Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Witch-Anya-Taylor-Joy/dp/B01BT3SCUG
Shannon Moreau, Operations
Shannon in 60s Go-Go style.
Shannon’s Pick
Room on the Broom, 2012
Synopsis: A gentle witch offers a ride on her broom to a motley assortment of woodland creatures, much to the chagrin of her grumpy cat.
In Shannon’s Words: Room on the Broom is a sweet antidote to 2020
When I happened upon this animated gem of a movie last year, I was instantly smitten. It’s got everything! A witch. A dragon. Whimsy. Magical shenanigans. A cat being very, very catlike—that is, just not having it. It’s funny and fun and cute as can be. All these lost, outcast creatures are looking for a family and the witch is all too happy to adopt them, even though her cat does not want anything to do with these interlopers. It’ll make you laugh, it’ll make you cry, it’ll pull your heartstrings. Exactly the antidote needed for 2020.
Where you can watch it:
Netflix – https://www.netflix.com/title/80005738
Amazon Prime – https://www.amazon.com/Room-Broom-Simon-Pegg/dp/B00ISH4WCO#ace-g9766277718
Your Turn
What Halloween movie or TV show resonates with you in 2020? Let us know at info@nmblc.org and we’ll share your answer on social media!
COVID Safe Halloween Activities
Click here for the CDC-approved list of safe Halloween activities: https://cv.nmhealth.org/2020/10/06/state-launches-covid-safe-family-friendly-halloween-events/
Click here for New Mexico sponsored safe Halloween events, including a virtual statewide costume contest: https://www.togethernm.org/halloween/
Click here to see how the Albuquerque Target on Coors is hosting a drive-thru trick-or-treating on Halloween: https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2020/10/23/target-hosting-drive-thru-trick-or-treating.html?fbclid=IwAR2IGcvW4hQwKMte_xK-QqOOwTz0WqoD01oq65WR25AS7RojzfrTsdw7KIk