the conjuring – The Western Howl

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

Charlie Brown — no scares, just heartfelt Halloween

“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” streaming on Apple TV+

Based on Charles M. Schulz’s “Peanuts” comic strip, the Halloween classic follows Charlie Brown and the gang as they celebrate Halloween and Linus waits for the Great Pumpkin. “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” is perfect if one is looking for a cozy fall movie.

“The Addams Family” streaming on Paramount+

The Addams family is the first family of all things dark and creepy, so what better movie to watch for Halloween? With a live severed hand, a butler of unknown origins and two deranged children, anyone who watches this film will feel the Halloween vibes.

Not So Scary — a few scares, but mostly funny

“Scary Movie” franchise streaming on Paramount+

This movie franchise was the introduction of horror movies into the parody genre that was started by British comedy group Monty Python in the 1970s. The films incorporate elements and tropes from different horror movies, blending them to create a parody that is raunchy, ridiculous and funny all at the same time.

Jumpscares and Chills — The scare factor is higher, but mostly jumpscares

“Cabin in the Woods” streaming on Peacock

“Cabin in the Woods” is right up there on this list with the “Scary Movie” franchise of parody movies; however, this movie takes on more of the traditional horror genre aspects.

“The Ritual” streaming on Netflix

A true monster movie, this movie makes the audience feel as if they are being watched and hunted by the creature alongside the main characters. Set in the Swedish wilderness, this movie pits distorted pagan beliefs against modern protagonists.

Heartstopping Horror — the scares are what makes the plot

“The Conjuring Universe” streaming on Max

This nine-movie franchise follows cases that were worked on and researched by Ed and Lorraine Warren, with most of the movies being interconnected in the universe. The movies have a plethora of antagonists, from possessed dolls to demon nuns, sure to terrify viewers.

Leave the Lights on to Sleep — can’t escape the horror, leave the lights on

“Terrifier” franchise streaming on Peacock

Viewer discretion is advised with any of the four movies within the “Terrifier” franchise. “Terrifier 3” was released in theaters Oct. 11 and is currently #1 at the box office. The movies are unrated, and contain heavy amounts of violence and gore, alongside the traditional horror elements of the movie.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Written by: Lili Minato | Freelancer

Content warning: this article contains spoilers and discusses dark themes involving pregnancy and religion.

The infamous nunsploitation genre is back with two new blockbuster films that have left audiences rattled and disturbed.

Nunsploitation is a film subgenre that involves the exploitation of nuns in a horror or thriller setting. Some of the most popular films of this genre come from “The Conjuring” universe, specifically the movies “The Nun” and “The Nun II.”

“Immaculate,” which hit theaters on March 22, gave audiences a more artistic approach to the often repetitive and predictable horror subgenre. “Immaculate” follows an American nun, played by Sydney Sweeney, who joins a hospice convent in Italy. Besides the slightly off-putting comments and actions by the elderly nuns who are cared for in the convent, Sweeney’s character, Sister Cecilia, considers the Italian countryside her new home.

As the days and weeks pass, Sister Cecilia notices more odd and unusual occurrences around the convent, corresponding with her worsening health. Cecilia becomes increasingly more ill and requests to see a doctor. In return, she gets a checkup by the convent’s appointed physician,

where the devout nun finds out about her pregnancy. There is nothing that has caused the said pregnancy so it is ruled to be an immaculate conception. Sister Cecilia was going to give birth to the next baby Jesus.

The first half of “Immaculate” is predictable and filled with plot holes; there is nothing too unique about it. As the film progresses, though, the artistic values start to show.

The final scene provides a beautiful “Rosemary’s Baby” finale for the film.

Sister Cecilia has just escaped her captors and is free from the convent. She stands outside, surrounded by the beautiful countryside, but the beauty starts to deteriorate as she goes and squats by a tree. The camera moves up close to Cecilia’s bloody face as she begins to scream.

The screaming lasts for multiple minutes without any camera cuts. After a while, a crying baby can be heard. The camera then pans out and follows Sister Cecilia as she goes and grabs a heavy rock, she brings it toward the crying infant who is out of the frame. She holds a rock above the baby and drops it. With that, the film ends.

Sweeney gives an excellent performance that proves she has the pipes to be the next big scream queen.

Along with “Immaculate,” another blockbuster nunsploitation film was released two weeks after the former. “The First Omen” is the sixth installment in the “Omen” franchise and shares a very similar synopsis with “Immaculate.”

“The First Omen” also revolves around an American woman sent to Italy who becomes suspiciously pregnant on arrival. The only difference is that the main character faces an arguably more sinister birth than Sister Cecilia did.

Both films are currently in theaters with “The First Omen” getting slightly better ratings than “Immaculate.” For nunsploitation fans, both seem to be worth the watch.

7/10.

Contact the author at lminato22@mail.wou.edu

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Nunsploitation horrors: An immaculate review

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