Good horror movies very conveniently have the means to haunt our dreams for days, and sometimes even the most trivial details have the capacity to make the experience increasingly exciting and haunting. Here are 20 teeny-tiny details in some horror movies that haunt us even more than the film itself, usually because the precision is astonishing.
1. This absolute violation in IT that was haunting enough on its own, even so without the context.
It (2017) – As Pennywise invades Bill’s family photos in the slide projector, there is exactly one frame of Bill’s Mom spliced in. from MovieDetails
2. This eerie radio announcement forecasting what’s to come
In Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), right before Glen’s death, the radio announcer says that station “KRGR is leaving the air.” KRGR is short for Krueger. from MovieDetails
3. The fact that this design is from an actual hotel. Is ignorance bliss for the guests of this establishment?
The design of the bloody elevator in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining [1980] was based on the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite. My pic left – Film pic right. from MovieDetails
4. The realization that it’s the original Mike Myers who dropped the temperature far below zero.
In Halloween (2018), original Michael Myers actor Nick Castle returns in his iconic role for a brief cameo in this shot: from MovieDetails
5. This spooky breakfast could make any horror movie lover gag.
In Coraline (2009) while the Other Mother is cracking an egg, the yolk is the head of Jack Skellington from the Nightmare Before Christmas. from MovieDetails
6. This style of storytelling is absolutely deviant.
Scream (1996) follows the principle of Chekov’s gun. The only gun featured in the film belongs to Deputy "Dewey" Riley, which we see him brandish when he arrives at Sidney’s house in Act I, and which Gale and Sidney use to shoot the killer at the end of Act III. from MovieDetails
7. This double entendre and its actual effect.
In ‘Scream’ (1996), Randy says "Jamie, look behind you. Turn around, Jamie" while watching ‘Halloween’ with the killer behind him. Randy is played by Jamie Kennedy. from MovieDetails
8. This little homage to the original, thus showing it its due respect.
In New Nightmare (1994) when Heather decides to play Nancy to face Freddy, the house a has blue door again as a nod to the original Nightmare On Elm St. The sequels always showed her house having a red door. from MovieDetails
9. This reference in The Ring, one of the most influential horror movies of all time could be missed during the first watch. None of us would’ve guessed this detail.
In The Ring (2002) the tree with fiery red leaves is a Japanese maple. The fruit that this tree produces is called a samara. The name of the movie’s antagonist is Samara Morgan. from MovieDetails
10. This ghastly foreshadowing in Final Destination that could’ve spoiled the fun if we had noticed.
In Final Destination (2000),the opening scenes contain several shots that foreshadow many of the character’s deaths. from MovieDetails
11. Mike Flanagan may be the greatest director of the horror genre currently working in the industry, and this is the proof.
In Hush (2016) and Gerald’s Game (2017), both directed by Mike Flanagan, a book titled ‘Midnight Mass’ can be seen. The book also shares the title of Flanagan’s new Netflix series. from MovieDetails
12. This literal “INCEPTION” of the story
In Candyman (2021), Burke is seen reading Weaveworld by Clive Barker, who also wrote the short story “The Forbidden” which the original Candyman is based off from MovieDetails
13. A haunting depiction of art masterfully curated for the movie which did its job of binding the ending extremely well
Carrie (1976)- Brian De Palma based Carrie’s posture and walk at the end of the film after Gustave Moreau’s 1851 painting The Study of Lady Macbeth. from MovieDetails
14. This haunting detail by the script supervisor that told us what’s about to come
In The Conjuring 2 (2016) the letters on the shelf spell Valak, the demon Nun that Lorraine believes is stalking her family. from MovieDetails
15. Another masterful attempt by the script supervisor. Recreating an iconic workplace induced so much nostalgia into our minds, that was a great trick.
In Doctor Sleep (2019) Dalton’s office in the hospital is exactly the same as Ullman’s office in the Grand Overlook Hotel that appeared in The Shining (1980). from MovieDetails
16. This detailed foreshadowing in American Psycho that was brilliantly done.
In ‘American Pyscho’, Patrick Bateman is seen working out while The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is playing in the background, this foreshadows to the later scene where he chases Christie down the hall with a chainsaw. from MovieDetails
17. The necessary explanation of something that could’ve been misinterpreted as a plot hole.
In A Quiet Place(2018), Day 473 of the invasion, is October 3rd. This means that the invasion started on June 17, about two weeks before July 4th. This explains why the Abbott family has fireworks in their fields. from MovieDetails
18. This tenacious employee wasn’t just another zombie. He wanted what was his.
In Shaun of the Dead (2004) as Shaun goes to purchase a Diet Coke from Nelson ( the convenient store owner who is now a Zombie) he is short 15p and is later seen in the movie begging Shaun for the money from MovieDetails
19. This hidden homage to one of the greatest movies ever made:
In Death Becomes Her, Helen claims she took the potion on October 26, 1985. This is the same date Marty McFly traveled back in time in Back to the Future. Both films were directed by Robert Zemeckis. from MovieDetails
20. Lastly, this art-imitating-life-horror moment from Midsommar.
In "Midsommar" (2019), during the early scenes, a painting can be seen behind Christian by the artist František Kupka and it’s called "Femme cueillant des fleurs" which translates into English as "Girls picking flowers". Later, a shot at the commune shows resemblance. from MovieDetails
To think about the time and the evil intention it would take to make a horror movie even more haunting is very baffling to the innocent viewers trying to enjoy the movie. These are the moments that make us go back again and again until we realize the story behind them. And, that realization hits so beautifully, don’t you think? Guess that’s what’s called “masterful storytelling.”
