Underrated Horror Films for the Season: Part I

Well it's October again, so I thought I'd share some (what I think are) underrated, underappreciated or forgotten great little horror films which I've discovered over the past few months. A few have been on my radar for quite some time, while others have only just been introduced to me.

Granted this year we'll not be Trick-or-treating or hitting any big Halloween parties. So, all the more reason to sit back, grab some popcorn, and discover a "new" creepy ass horror film to enlighten our horror senses.

Death Line (1972, Gary Sherman)  

Though a UK release, it was retitled as 'Raw Meat' in the States where it was edited and cut to avoid an X rating. It was then shown as a grindhouse picture at the drive-in and doubled with Cannibal Girls, even if it wasn't really that kind of film. 

The story revolves around numerous disappearances in certain tube stops of central London. Light is soon shed on an urban legend that descendants of miners from a Victorian era cave-in had succumb to cannibalism to stay alive. Donald Pleasence is the inspector who's trying to put the pieces together with even a quick and odd appearance from veteran hammer horror actor Christopher Lee himself. 

It must also be said that the use of its location (the London Underground) in this film is phenomenal by first time director, who later want on to direct the awesome Dead & Buried and Vice Squad. And if you need a little more convincing... both Guillermo del Toro and Edgar Wright are huge fans of this.

Click here for the trailer

Messiah of Evil (1973, Willard Huyck, Gloria Katz)

When it comes to atmosphere, this film delivers in spades. A true forgotten gem that demands respect and recognition. It's tone is downright eerie and truly epitomizes an utter glorious sense of doom. Add in some spectacularly crafted scenes with haunting visuals and a cameo from badass director Walter Hill himself. Full credit goes to Pure Cinema Podcast for this amazing find.

Set in the small beach town of Point Dume, a young woman arrives to visit her estranged father. Yet his beach house is found to be all but abandoned, upon which his diary is left addressed to her where he specifically requests that she not search for him. In addition there is a abundance of detailed horrid nightmares (which is narrarraated to her in a very Evil Dead manor), where he states the darkness which is glooming over the now abandoned town and the infected inhabitants.  

Click here for the trailer

The Tenant (1976, Roman Polanski) 

The third and final film in Polanski's apartment trilogy (following Repulsion & Rosemary's Baby), upholding themes of paranoia and claustrophobia. This is undoubtable his most criminally under-rated film, being poorly received upon it's original release, especially after his critical juggernaut Chinatown. Yet over the years, the film has rightfully gained a cult favourite.

A shy tenant (Polanski himself) seeks logging in a Parisian apartment, yet finds the previous tenant had thrown herself from the window of this very apartment. But flats are hard to come by in Paris and accepts non the less. However he slowly begins to be embodying the habits of the previous tenant, from his local café daily orders to his fashion attire in the flat. Needless to say our tenant is going out of his mind, in a very Kafkaesque way.  

Click here for the trailer

Next of Kin (1982, Tony Williams)

A young woman inherits a retirement home called Montclare after her mother dies and initially indecisive on whether to sell the estate or salvage it.  However she soon discovers her mother death, may have been the result of suspicious circumstances.  Similar in tone to that of The Shining, this marvellous ozploitation horror film was a genuine surprise. It accentuates the astatic that Kubrick brought to the table two years prior and with some phenomenally creepy scenes. One in particular being that of the old man in the bath tub which I won't dare spoil.

Though mostly without it's deserved recognition outside Australia and hard-core horror fans. It gained it's popularity back in 2008 with the fantastic documentary Not Quite Hollywood, where Tarantino shares his love for the film and others in the genre.

Click here for the trailer

Eyes of a Stranger (1981, Ken Wiederhorn)

If you're thinking this is just another slasher film, do not be deceived. The craftmanship behind this film is a major cut above it's typical source material. If you're ever in the mood for an early Brian De Palma film with a bit more savagery, you may have found your film, with some Tom Savini make-up to boot and features the screen debut of Jennifer Jason Leigh.

The Plot is simple, a murdering rapist stalks his prey in Miami and enjoys his maniacal phone taunting, just to rub salt in the wounds. However a journalist realises this killer may be one of her neighbours in her high-rise complex, cue the Rear Window influence. Being the most obscure film on this list, it's not exactly an easy find, with no Blu-ray and a barley decent DVD release.  

Click here for a clip