Autumn, Magic, and Fear: What to Watch on Halloween
Films to create an autumn atmosphere for Halloween.
When autumn settles over the city, and the smell of cinnamon coffee drifts from cafés, it's time for the traditional viewing of films that blend mystery and the uncanny. Contemporary culture fully embraces the theme of autumn and Halloween — from music and literature to film.
As the DeTalks team wrote in a roundup of dark academia-style books, this aesthetic appeals through a desire to peer into the shadows — to explore darkness and the unknown through art. Film, meanwhile, explores the boundary between the known and unknown through images of forests, shadows, and ancient places.
Five films from different genres and years to help set an autumn mood and 'feel' Halloween's aesthetic — find them in this DeTalks selection.
Nosferatu (2024, dir. Robert Eggers)
'Nosferatu' is a remake of the classic 1922 German film created by Friedrich Murnau. The new version was directed by Robert Eggers, a director known for his precise recreation of historical eras in the films 'The Witch' and 'The Lighthouse'.
The film is billed as a gothic horror film centered on the mythological and historical image of the vampire. It's a story of obsession between a young woman haunted by ghosts of the past and a vampire who unexpectedly falls in love with her.
IMDb rating — 7.2/10. Early reviews from test screenings praise the film as a visually stunning exercise in building an unsettling atmosphere, giving high marks to Eggers's attention to the source material.
Editor Matt Zoller Seitz has described the film as a mysterious, beautiful, and unsettling experience — transportation in its purest form, he says of the film.
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016, dir. Tim Burton)
Tim Burton's film is based on the novel by Ransom Riggs. The director previously worked on films such as Corpse Bride (2005), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Alice in Wonderland (2010), and the series Wednesday (since 2022).
The film visually blends gothic and fantasy elements that echo autumn's aesthetic. The theme of the 'time loop' and 'otherness' reflects the idea of crossing between hidden worlds, which is central to Halloween.
IMDb rating — 6.7/10. Audiences generally perceive the film as a visually spectacular fantasy with an engaging take on 'peculiar children' searching for their place in the world. Critics note, though, that thanks to its blend of fantasy and adventure elements, the film can appeal to viewers who enjoy not just horror, but stories with deeper undertones too.
Critic Richard Lawson has described the film as an opportunity to tell a story about time and memory, as well as the bittersweet process of growing up.
Coraline (2009, dir. Henry Selick)
This is a stop-motion puppet animation film directed by Henry Selick, based on the novella of the same name by Neil Gaiman. The film is marketed as a children's film, though many reviews are written by adults.
The film uses the aesthetic of 'dark fantasy' and elements of psychological horror. The idea of a parallel, hidden 'perfect' world and an encounter with its sinister mistress fits the Halloween theme well.
IMDb rating — 7.8/10. The film received broad critical acclaim and was nominated for an Academy Award. It's praised for its visual beauty, surreal special effects, and fluid animation. In experts' view, the animation studio LAIKA's work creates a tone that's both eerie and touching.
Film critic Roger Ebert has said he admires the film because it's pleasant to watch, believes film critic Roger Ebert.
The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008, dir. Mark Waters)
The film is an adaptation of the popular children's book series by H. Black and T. DiTerlizzi, directed by Mark Waters. The story takes place at the Spiderwick estate in New England, where three children discover a field guide to faeries and encounter various magical creatures.
The film offers a classic autumn and Halloween theme of an old, mysterious house and the discovery of an unknown world just beyond the ordinary. It works well for family viewing, since it blends elements of magic, adventure, and exploration.
IMDb rating — 6.5/10. Audiences and critics generally rate the film as an engaging story that successfully blends fantasy and reality. The theme of magic and discovering the unknown gives it the autumn flavor needed for the mood.
Roger Ebert has described the film as wonderful entertainment for the whole family, with the exception of children of a certain age who might get quite scared, explains film critic Roger Ebert.
The Brothers Grimm (2005, dir. Terry Gilliam)
Director Terry Gilliam created an adventure fantasy starring Matt Damon, Heath Ledger, and Monica Bellucci. The film is filled with folkloric motifs, where fairy tales become part of the characters' lives. Its visual style is dark and atmospheric, leaning toward the 'dark fantasy' genre.
IMDb rating — 5.9/10. The film drew a mixed reaction. On one hand, it's praised for its eerie atmosphere and appealing visuals; on the other, critics note that the plot at times awkwardly blends comedy and horror.
Critic Peter Travers has said that even when Gilliam loses his way, his images stay with you, says film critic Peter Travers of the film.
These films show a range of approaches to depicting the autumn-Halloween theme: from gothic mysticism and fantasy to stop-motion animation. So get your pumpkins and candles ready, and settle in for some movies.