13 bone-chilling selections for your Halloween watch list
It’s spooky season: Time to curl up on the couch, turn down the lights, turn up the volume and settle in for a scare. Before you push play, check out our list of frightening film and television selections that feature the work of UNCSA alumni.
"The Exorcist: Believer"
Released in 2023, “The Exorcist: Believer” is the sixth and most recent installment of the beloved horror franchise which started with the iconic film “The Exorcist” in 1971. Directed by Filmmaking alumnus David Gordon Green, this film stars Leslie Odom Jr. as he works to save his daughter and her friend after they become possessed. Other Filmmaking alumni involved include co-writers Danny McBride and Peter Sattler.
"The Unholy"
UNCSA Drama alumna Cricket Brown takes the lead as Alice in “The Unholy,” a supernatural horror film about a hearing-impaired girl who, after a supposed visitation from the Virgin Mary, is inexplicably able to hear, speak and heal the sick. “The Unholy” is available to rent or purchase on Amazon Prime.
"American Horror Story"
This long-running anthology series is currently airing its twelfth season, “Delicate.” You can catch many alumni throughout the seasons including Drama alumnus Isaac Powell as Troy Lord, a college student who takes a fateful desert camping trip with friends, in season 10. Design & Production alumni include Tanase Popa who has served as producer on several seasons and alumnus and faculty member Johan Teng who was on the hair, makeup and prosthetics team for several seasons. Season eight, “Apocalypse,” featured the work of Film alumna Lorr Volatier, who worked as an art department assistant. You can stream seasons 1-12 on Hulu.
Bonus: Watch spin-off “American Horror Stories,” executive produced by Tanase Popa, on Hulu.
"The Hunt"
Film alumnus Craig Zobel directed this controversial 2020 film, adapted from famed short story “The Most Dangerous Game,” and has described it as a satire on the political divide in America. Drama alumnus Steve Coulter stars as the doctor in the film. “The Hunt” is available with an HBO Max subscription, or for purchase.
"True Blood"
Drama alumni Dane DeHaan and Anna Camp both made guest appearances on this fantasy horror television series, which ran for seven seasons: from 2008-14. Watch the 80 original episodes on Max.
"Halloween Ends"
The latest installment in the “Halloween” slasher franchise is directed by Film alumnus David Gordon Green. The script was co-written by Green and fellow alumnus Danny McBride, and the film is produced by Rough House Pictures — the company Green and McBride own with alumnus Jody Hill. Drama alumnus Will Patton can be seen in the film as Officer Frank Hawkins. Additonal Film alumni who were a part of this production include Richard A. Wright (production designer) and Christof Gebert (production sound mixer). “Halloween Ends” is available to stream for free with an Amazon Prime subscription.
Bonus: “Halloween” (2018) and "Halloween Kills" (2021) are also available on Amazon Prime and feature the work of Drama alumnus Dylan Arnold as Cameron Elam as well as Film alumni Elliott Glick who served as art director and Scott Clackum who served as associate proucer
"She Follows Close Behind"
2019 fourth-year film “She Follows Close Behind” follows the story of a woman seeking closure, who questions an old neighbor about an unsolved mystery from her past. Written and directed by Aidan Weaver, the full UNCSA cast & crew credits are available on IMDb. Watch the short film for free, below:
"The Walking Dead"
The post-apocalyptic horror series “The Walking Dead” has featured the work of many UNCSA alumni and faculty during its successful run. Watch from the beginning to see the work of Film alumni Brittni Moore (camera PA), Julia Festa Hobgood (producer), Emilee Milhouse (PA), Parker Womble (PA) and Spencer Jarvis (AD) throughout the seasons. Drama alumnus Steve Coulter stars as Reg during the fifth season and Film faculty Keith Harris played Dr. Carson in three seaons. All seasons of “The Walking Dead” are available on Netflix.
Bonus: See Drama alumna and member of the UNCSA Board of Trustees Rhoda Griffis as Viv in the spin-off show “Fear the Walking Dead,” available on AMC+ and Amazong Prime.
"The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina"
A dark, supernatural horror series based on the Archie comic of the same name, “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” ran for two seasons (split into four installments) as a Netflix original. Film alumnus Jason Dickason served as a post VFX coordinator.
"Come Be Creepy With Us"
A “millennial nightmare,” this short film made by UNCSA alumni follows a young woman experiencing a quarter-life crisis while dealing with a sinister past. Written by Drama alumnus Michael Calciano and directed by Film alumna Beth Fletcher, the full cast and crew — featuring many Fighting Pickles — is available on IMDb. Watch the short film for free, below:
"The Keepers"
If documentaries are more your style, add “The Keepers” to your list to learn more about the 1969 unsolved murder of Sister Catherine Cesnik. Two Film alumni worked on the Netflix docuseries: Matthew Goldberg as co-executive producer and Zach Seivers as re-recording mixer, sound designer and supervising sound editor. “The Keepers” is available with a Netflix subscription.
"You"
Psychological thriller series “You” premiered in 2018 on Lifetime, before moving to Netflix, and follows serial killer Joe Goldberg through his life in New York, California and London. Season one stars Drama alumna Elizabeth Lail in a lead role as Guinevere Beck, the third season three stars alumnus Dylan Arnold as Theo Engler, and the fourth season features alumna Anna Camp as Raegan Lockwood. Design & Production alumna Lisa Merik has worked on the show as an assistant art director.
"Stranger Things"
Though you’ll have to wait until 2025 for the fifth and final season of this beloved supernatural horror series, you’ll spot the work of several Fighting Pickles in the first four seasons. Drama alumnus Brett Gelman stars as Murray Bauman, and three Film alumni have worked on the series: Will Files as sound supervisor and re-recording mixer, Meredith Hannah as production assistant and Joseph Blankinship as libra head technician.
by Hannah Callaway, updated by Melissa Upton-Julio
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Originally Published: October 15, 2021
Updated: October 5, 2023