Emily’s Choose Your Own Halloween Adventure: Part II

Whether you’re a film lover or a filmmaker, sequels can be a risky proposition. But sometimes, when the timing is just right, lightning can strike twice. At least that’s what I’m trying to tell myself after asking to come back for another round of Shocktober Staff Picks.

Yes, this scary movie lover/Marketing & Content Manager was lucky enough to get to program last year’s Halloween night lineup and I’m back again this year with another highly curated bag of primetime tricks and treats. Like I did in 2023, I selected my 2024 Staff Picks with those classic Choose Your Own Adventure books in mind. In other words, you don’t have to stick to one channel to get the full experience. But if you do, you’ll have a blast, too!

ROUND 1: TAKE A STAB

I’ll just cut to the chase: My 9pm ET picks are all slasher flicks, some more beloved than others.

On the 70s channel, I went for a stone cold classic with Peeping Tom (1960), the first horror movie to feature murders from the killer’s POV. Meanwhile, over on the 80s, 90s and 2000s channels, I chose to highlight some unsung slasher sequels with A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987), Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1995) and Halloween: Resurrection (2002). No matter which route you decide to go, there will be blood!

ROUND 2: CAMP OUT

In the wake of my carnage-filled first selects, I wanted to give you a little levity with a choice between four fearlessly fun features.

On the 70s channel, I opted for the original House on Haunted Hill (1959), which sees masters of horror William Castle and Vincent Price team up to create a creepy, yet campy black-and-white thrill ride. In the mood for a more colourful creepshow? Head to the 80s channel for Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988), which is as ridiculous (in a good way) as it sounds.

Over on the 90s and 2000s channels, you’ve got two girl-powered tales from the cinematic crypt. Opt for the ever-relevant body horror comedy of Death Becomes Her (1992), or the bisexual masterwork that is Jennifer’s Body (2009).

ROUND 3: GO GOTH

Considering how sombre the end of Halloween season can be for the horror-obsessed, I thought it made sense to end my programming block with some real goth girl bangers to warm even the blackest of hearts.

On the 70s channel, get possessed by The Innocents (1961), a truly haunting adaptation of Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw and the inspiration for the Kate Bush song “The Infant Kiss.” If that’s not freaky enough for you, you’ll want to switch to the 80s channel for Ken Russell’s sexually explicit Bram Stoker-inspired horror comedy The Lair of the White Worm (1988). Alternatively, you can sink your teeth into the homoerotic hysterics of Interview with the Vampire (1994) on the 90s channel.

Your final option for Halloween night is perhaps the most underrated of the bunch: Guillermo del Toro’s sweeping gothic romance Crimson Peak (2015). To quote Jessica Chastain’s character from the film, the horror was for love!

EMILY’S PICKS

Click on titles below for more info and additional playtimes

Hollywood Suite 70s Movies

Peeping Tom
Oct 31 at 9pm ET
Available on demand in October

House On Haunted Hill
Oct 31 at 10:45pm ET
Available on demand in October

The Innocents
Nov 1 at 12:05am ET
Available on demand in October

Hollywood Suite 80s Movies

A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
Oct 31 at 9pm ET
Available on demand in October

Killer Klowns From Outer Space
Oct 31 at 10:40pm ET
Available on demand in October

The Lair of the White Worm
Nov 1 at 12:10am ET
Available on demand in October

Hollywood Suite 90s Movies

Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation
Oct 31 at 9pm ET
Available on demand in October

Death Becomes Her
Oct 31 at 10:30pm ET
Available on demand in October

Interview With The Vampire
Nov 1 at 12:20am ET
Available on demand in October

Hollywood Suite 00s Movies

Halloween: Resurrection
Oct 31 at 9pm ET
Available on demand in October

Jennifer’s Body
Oct 31 at 10:35pm ET
Available on demand in October

Crimson Peak
Nov 1 at 12:20am ET
Available on demand in October