8 surprisingly stylish Halloween films

As the long nights set in and the air gets chillier, it’s time to prepare a new watch list. While we salute those who can commit to a strict diet of slasher flicks for the entire month of October, we believe in a more holistic take on the Halloween movie, encompassing psychosexual thrillers, camp fantasises and of course, a splattering of blood-drenched horror. As the 31st quickly approaches, we took the liberty of rounding up our favourite films for style inspiration this Halloween season.

Suspiria (1977)

While the 2018 remake of the dance company horror movie is a stunning showcase of stoic West Berlin architecture, the original version by Italian horror director, Dario Argento, set in the more provincial town of Freiburg, boasts a mesmerising series of patterned ‘70s interiors, including art nouveau wallpaper and ornamented glasswork, backlit by radiant neon light. Maybe not outfit inspiration per say, but definitely some moods for our next redecorating. 

Ed Wood (1994)

Most people are watching Sarah Jessica Parker in Hocus Pocus this time of year, but there is something very captivating about her turn as the angora-sweater wearing ‘50s wife of cult horror movie director, Ed Wood (played by Johnny Depp). Aside from the main characters, the 1994 Tim Burton classic showcases the black-and-white glamour of scary movies from a time when monsters wore evening gowns and tuxedos.

The Love Witch

Released in 2016, this low budget cult classic recreates a ‘60s aesthetic filled with turquoise eyeshadow and shift dresses, combined with an opulent Renaissance flair as the leading lady (Samantha Robinson) gives us major Lana Del Rey vibes. The witchcraft as well as the special effects are pretty DIY, but we are here for the overdramatic gender roles subtext.

Labyrinth (1986)

David Bowie is a holiday favourite, as evidenced by his Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth video with crooner Bing Crosby, so it’s only fitting that we have a Halloween version of the pop legend—enter Jareth, the Goblin King. Although the movie was directed by the creator of The Muppets, Labyrinth is straight out of an acid-nightmare as glam-rock mullet-wigged Bowie—all shimmering eye make-up and dramatic frills— steals little children and controls a psychedelic labyrinth.

Fatal Attraction (1987)

While not a classic horror movie, the story of cheating on your wife gone wrong has proven to be more frightening than little girls in wells that crawl out of your TV— because it’s so dangerously close to reality. Style-wise there is a lot to love about this movie: from the major perms to Alex’s (Glenn Close) white wardrobe that frequently gets stained with blood. Definitely one to curl up and watch with your partner, if you’re secure enough. 

Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

This film asks how you can make the already stressful situation of pregnancy even more high-strung and the answer is: Satanists. Mia Farrow as Rosemary dons innocent pastel baby doll dresses with an iconic pixie cut, which serves as the perfect foil for the occult rituals and demonic bassinets.

Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)

There has been a lot of “sexy vampire” content in the past few years, but the fanged couple in Jim Jarmusch’s 2013 Only Lovers Left Alive, played by Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston, is definitely the coolest (sorry Alexander Skarsgard). There is plenty of blood sucking in the movie, but it’s more about the glamorous boredom of being alive and in love forever.

 The Craft (1996)

Although made in the mid-1990s, supernatural horror The Craft pre-dates the millennial fascination with witches and covens (look no further than the recent Twitter phenomenon Big Witch Energy). While the quartet of highschool girls’ attempts to mobilise witchcraft for their own gain end up in destruction, that’s not to say that the outfits aren’t pretty cute: think teeny tiny mini skirts, floral slip dresses, beads and crucifix earrings galore, on-trend leather jackets, and Instagram-ready tiny sunglasses.