Today I wanted to dig into something that’s been on my mind for a while: Latin horror movies. I’ve always been a fan of horror, but lately, I’ve been really curious about the unique flavor that Latin American filmmakers bring to the genre. So, I decided to dive deep and see what I could find. I started off by checking out some early access titles on Vudu, just to get a feel for what’s out there. Nothing really caught my eye, to be honest, so I moved on to the next step.
Then, I hit up some of my go-to horror websites like Dread Central and Bloody Disgusting. I figured these guys would have their fingers on the pulse of what’s new and exciting in the Latin horror scene. I browsed through their articles and reviews, making a list of any titles that sounded interesting. I also kept an eye out for IFC Midnight releases. They’re kind of a mixed bag, but I’ve found some real gems from them in the past, so it’s always worth checking out what they’ve got.
- Macario (1960): Now, this one is a classic. It’s considered one of the greatest Mexican films ever made.
- When Evil Lurks: I recently saw this one, and it really stuck with me. It’s a fresh take on the possession subgenre, and it’s seriously creepy.
- V/H/S/85:This is part of the V/H/S anthology series, and it’s got a segment directed by a Latin American filmmaker.
I started noticing a pattern as I was going through these movies. A lot of them feature Catholic imagery and themes. This makes a lot of sense when you think about it. I mean, 43% of Hispanic adults identify as Catholic, so it’s a big part of the culture. It’s like how in American horror movies, you often see themes related to puritanism or the occult. It’s just a reflection of the cultural context.
Anyway, as I watched more and more of these films, I started to appreciate the unique perspective that Latin American filmmakers bring to the table. They’re not afraid to tackle social and political issues in their movies, and they often do it in a way that’s both terrifying and thought-provoking.
A Unique Perspective
One of the things I found most interesting about this whole experience was discovering some really underrated gems. Latin American cinema has produced some of the most underrated international horror movies. There’s a whole world of horror out there beyond the Hollywood blockbusters, and it’s definitely worth exploring. There’s a depth and a rawness to these films that you just don’t see in mainstream horror. It’s like they’re tapping into something primal and ancient, and it’s really effective.
So, yeah, that’s been my journey into the world of Latin horror movies lately. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m definitely going to keep exploring. If you’re a horror fan looking for something a little different, I highly recommend checking out some of these films. You might just discover your new favorite subgenre! And hey, if you’ve got any recommendations for me, let me know! I’m always on the lookout for a good scare.
