The Worst of 2018

2018 has been a pretty split year as far as horror movies go. We had some of the best in years as well as some real cinematic abominations. These are the absolute worst that horror had to offer this year, but first some dishonorable mentions...

The First Purge

It's exactly the same as the other three films: sloppy, loud, and obnoxious. 'The Purge' franchise has some of the most forced themes crammed into them as if they're trying to have a deeper message or speak about something meaningful. Instead, it's just watching unlikable and vile people riot for 2 hours. You've seen this one before so it's better to skip it.

The Cloverfield Paradox

This film had some great stuff going for it, from its surprise reveal on the night of the Super Bowl and claiming to be the connecting factor to the first two 'Cloverfield' films. Instead, we get yet another sci-fi film that wants to be '2001: A Space Odyssey' while throwing in a vague connection at the very end to justify its title. One of the most generic films you'll find on Netflix, and one you should ignore in favor of some much better choices on the site.

And with those out of the way, here are the biggest losers...

   

Winchester

The true story behind the mysterious Winchester Mansion is one of the most unsettling you'll likely hear, so how is it that CBS Films managed to make such a dog of a picture? Casting the excellent Helen Mirren and Jason Clarke in such dreck is just salt in the wound. This should have been a surefire hit but rather than go with the true elements and psychological terror 'Winchester' opts to rely on the same old ghost story tropes leaving the audience nothing to enjoy.

   

The Nun

A perfect example of why we don't need a cinematic universe for every single film nowadays, 'The Nun' is a bland snoozer of a film that has none of the characterization or suspense of the 'Conjuring' films. It's yet another ghost story set in a Gothic castle with a jump scare every five minutes. Throw in the most vague and desperate connection to the franchise and you have a film that struggles to justify its own existence. 

   

Blumhouse's Truth or Dare

Blumhouse for many years now have had some of the best and/or most successful horror films of the modern age, but its only natural for anyone to have a reject or two down the line and 'Truth or Dare' is the perfect example. I couldn't tell you the whole plot of this flick again if I tried, nor could I tell you any of the character's names. This picture above is the most you'll see of the creature and it's completely absurd using the very worst and laziest CGI you'll see. I was so close to walking out on this one and it will be forever a painful memory.

 

Slender Man

Earlier this year, this film came under some controversy where many felt the film was in poor taste and shouldn't have been made. I 100 percent disagreed with that and even wrote a little piece about it, but just because I feel that the film had a right to be made doesn't mean it isn't a huge dumpster fire. Whether or not the multiple edits and delays of the film made it a worse final product, I can't imagine some extra gore scenes or an alternate ending would have changed the outcome here. A slow, boring horror film based on a license that honestly was capitalized on too late. I still defend censorship of 'Slender Man', but I can't defend it's poor quality.

Hell Fest

'Hell Fest' commits some of the worst sins of slasher films. It's light on gore, little body count, and completely wastes its admittedly awesome setting and premise. It also tries to sequel bait, which is one of the most annoying things ever. If we don't care enough about this film, you'll be damn sure we don't want to see another one. This one was more disappointing than all out bad, but still if you can get schooled by direct to video slashers with lower budgets, you should be ashamed.

 

The Possession of Hannah Grace

Did anyone even know this one came out? Did anyone even know it left after about a week? I simply will never understand why a studio would shell out several million dollars for a film they clearly have no interest in. I can't even find out if the movie managed to make back its paltry budget or not. This film is the most forgettable one you'll see this year, horror or otherwise. It's so pathetic that it doesn't even clock in at 90 minutes. What the hell was Screen Gems thinking? (Though I guess the same should be said about 'Slender Man')

And that was the worst of the worst for 2018. Granted, I'm sure there was a lot more as sadly the horror genre tends to get the bulk of cinematic garbage but hey I can only go through so much torture. Hope you all have a Happy New Year and come back and see me for some more reviews.