To really miss traditional ghost story movies?

[Dockerty]

Im a fan of horror but to me, the best films don’t rely on OTT monsters, demons, explosions and special effects - they rely on a good story and clever writing.

Why don’t they do proper ghost stories anymore? Horror films these days are shite - the conjuring etc 😴 all the same.

Give me The Sixth Sense or The Others any day.

AIBU to think the horror genre is missing clever writing? No special effects needed if you can actually tell a good spooky story

OMG I remember Ghost Watch! I'd been out to the pub with a few friends, and when I got home, it was the first thing Mum mentioned. Thankfully I had video-d it. I kept pressing pause at the dark shapes in the bedroom. There was public outcry after that!

Sorry, I go side-tracked when the earlier poster mentioned Ghost Watch! But I had originally planned to say that Halloween 2 is one of the scariest films I ever saw, as a teenager. No special effects or monsters, just Michael Myers walking around the neighbourhood gradually catching up with his victims, so matter where they tried to hide. The music really added to the suspense.

Didn’t someone end to committing suicide after watching Ghost Watch?

I remember watching it with my cousin the night it came out. We were only about 10 years old and we truly believed it was real, as did her parents and we were terrified. I’ve not seen it since, it probably hasn’t aged well 😂

The Turn of the Screw is a good ghost story, there are a few adaptations, not sure which is the definitive. The Others isn’t an adaptation of it but has a lot of the same themes

Classic ghost stories are much better than horror, although I am partial to Stephen King! @MrsFrumble, Bly Manor was good but Hill House messed with my mind and terrified me like nothing else. You have a treat to watch for Halloween.

I like The Others and The Sixth Sense and the BBC Woman in Black.

As an aside, I loved the scenes in Ghosts (BBC) when the lead character was ‘seeing’ dead people - the NHS doctor and the WW2 pilots particularly. I do think the film/TV/publishing companies are missing a trick as so many people love ghost stores and the like. Look at the success of the play, 2:22. Instead we get endless twisty thrillers, which I do enjoy, but have been done to death (sorry!).

I get all mine on the Talking Pics channel. There’s some great old stuff on there.

As a child, I was traumatised by Nigel Kneale's 'Beasts' - the 'Baby' episode in particular - but I've got a soft spot for the 70's folk horror that was popular when I was growing up...

Other childhood shockers: 'Don't Be Afraid of the Dark' - pointy-headed goblins in the basement (watching it as an adult, it's ridiculous).

Also, something called 'Trilogy of Terror'... In one of three stories, a woman buys a Zuni doll that comes to life and chases her around the house... Again, it rather spoils the memories to see it again...

Yes I love thoses old gothic style ghost films. One I recently saw, a bit different is Good Boy. All told throught the eyes of a dog, all you know is what he knows. Wont give any spoilers but its about love and devotion. A few jump scares and creepy atmosphere.

The Haunting (film, 1960) is superb. There's a couple of scenes that are absolutely bonechilling, but zero gore.
There are plenty of Tales of the Unexpected on YouTube, some are really good.

Hill House is much scarier, but Bly Manor has a beautiful story. Both very watchable, got me back into horror when I hadn’t watched it for years.

I feel horror is having a bit of a moment, it’s always been the over looked genre, rarely recognised in awards ceremonies etc, but there’s some really great stuff coming out at the moment, which means better budgets and actors involved!

I recommend Dead of Night! It’s old, black and white. But SO scary. The black and white and the lighting really adds to the atmosphere.

Not a ghost story but here’s a recommendation OR a warning, depending on your temperament:

I love spookiness but I hate violence and gore - in fact I’m very squeamish. I was discussing this with a film buff friend and she told me that (the original, not the Hollywood remake) The Vanishing was the most traumatically terrifying film she’d ever seen but no violence is shown and there’s absolutely no blood or gore.

I watched it and I wish I hadn’t. You have been warned!😢😳🤫

everyone talking about 00s horror? did none of you
see the Scary Movie franchise? ruined them all!

Also The Halfway House (another old but spooky one) and The House on Marsh Road (or Lane….can’t remember).

Yeah its spainish.

I just find a lot recently the build up is good and there is tense moments but its like they cant think of ending so its always something disappointing or rushed. Or some odd reveal like not a ghost but someone in the walls..

Hill house/Bly manor just found so moving because you cared in a way!

I liked the older older conjuring films but the last few..again decent concept and halfway just went a bit odd!

Terrifying! Do not watch if alone. And made on a tiny budget, I think. Just goes to show that extravagant special effects aren’t everything.

I hate violence and gore too . it’s too realistic , somewhere in the world some sick fuck is torturing women/ people in cabins/ honeymoon couples for real.

A good ghost story explains those things you know aren’t real but could be.
I’d add “What Lies Beneath ” to the pile. I love the way it’s a thriller and it’s not a ghost story until halfway through.

I haven’t watched the whole film….too scared to…but Insidious has a very spooky scene….the one with Tiptoe through the Tulips. Have a look on YouTube if you’ve never seen it. Subtly terrifying…but I think the film also contains less subtle special jump scares which put me off a bit because they’re usually so heavy-handed and spoil things.

@CoffeeCantata interesting, I would've thought you'd need the context of the whole film to find that really scary.

It is a superb bit of cinema.

The Power, British movie from 2021. Very tense, creeping dread

I will pluck up the courage to watch the film!

Agree that J horror and K horror are great for ghost stories.
Would particularly recommend A Tale of Two Sisters, it’s terrifying and heartbreaking - so well done.

The Others is on Film 4 at some point either this week or next. I saw it while flicking through the movies coming up from now until Halloween. Can’t recall which day though 🤔

I have found my type of person. I agree, I love a ghost story. My favorite is The Changeling (not the angelina Jolie one) and The Haunted based on the smirl family. Those two scared the shit out of me as a kid.

I also liked Marchlands and Lightfields (think I’m remembering the right ones) on TV a few years ago. Going back many, many years, Dramarama Spooky used to terrify me. They’d probably seem really corny now.

I do like horror and fantasy as well but proper ghost stories are more frightening for me. Thanks for all the recommendations.