Column by Amy Rahne

My best of 2020 list

1. La Llorona

La Llorona is a beautiful, slow, haunting story of political corruption, vs spirits of vengeance. 

Director: Jayro Bustamante
Writers: Jayro Bustamante, Lisandro Sanchez (co writer)
Stars: María Mercedes Coroy, Sabrina De La Hoz, Margarita Kenéfic

2. The Color out of Space 

Color Out of Space is to me the best Lovecraft adaption I have seen. The movie is benefited by the casting of Nic Cage. Cage’s scenery chewing actually is somewhat subdued and yet is perfect for the general theme of insanity in Lovecraft’s writing. 

Director: Richard Stanley
Writers: H.P. Lovecraft (based on the short story “The Colour out of Space” by), Richard Stanley, Scarlett Amaris
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Joely Richardson, Madeleine Arthur

3. Underwater   

Underwater is pretty much nonstop anxiety and also has a somewhat Lovecraftian villain, monster, big bad?  Some beautiful camerawork too. 

Director: William Eubank
Writers: Brian Duffield (screenplay by), Adam Cozad (screenplay by), Brian Duffield (Story by)
Stars: Kristen Stewart, Vincent Cassel, Mamoudou Athie

4. The Beach House

The Beach House continues the theme of Lovecraftian madness and hallucinogenic imagery. It’s a low budget but good film. 

Director: Jeffrey A. Brown
Writer: Jeffrey A. Brown
Stars: Liana Liberato, Noah Le Gros, Jake Weber

5. The Lodge

The Lodge is a bit hard to watch because of its themes of gaslighting and genuine abuse and Madness. Also who the eventual villains are. It’s a claustrophobic film of mind games and revenge. 

Directors: Severin Fiala, Veronika Franz
Writers: Sergio Casci, Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala
Stars: Riley Keough, Jaeden Martell, Lia McHugh

6. You Should have Left

Kevin Bacon seems to like clever horror tales that set up a puzzle and then takes the viewer through it. 

Director: David Koepp
Writers: David Koepp (written for the screen by), Daniel Kehlmann (based on the novel by)
Stars: Kevin Bacon, Amanda Seyfried, Avery Tiiu Essex

7. The Wretched

Family Drama meets Doppelgängers and tree witches take on an annoying teen. 

Directors: Brett Pierce, Drew T. Pierce
Writers: Brett Pierce, Drew T. Pierce
Stars: John-Paul Howard, Piper Curda, Jamison Jones

8. Vampires vs the Bronx

In a way this is my favorite movie in this list. Maybe because it was 2020 and I’m a twichfest of paranoia and dread. This rather light offering about even Whiter than usual gentrification in the Bronx made me happy. 

Director: Osmany Rodriguez
Writers: Osmany Rodriguez (story by), Osmany Rodriguez (screenplay by), Blaise Hemingway
Stars: Jaden Michael, Gerald Jones III, Gregory Diaz IV

9. Invisible Man

Elizabeth Moss excels at being menaced and nearly defeated but finding a way to ultimately triumph. We think. 

Director: Leigh Whannell
Writers: Leigh Whannell (screenplay)
Based on a Story by H. G. Wells
Stars: Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Harriet Dyer

10. His House

A Sudanese couple win a refugee lottery to settle in the slums of England, however their new domestic life is not only challenged by Racism and poverty but with an unsettling third roommate. 

Director: Remi Weekes
Writers: Remi Weekes (screenplay), Felicity Evans (story), Toby Venalbes (story)
Stars: Sope Dirisu, Wunmi Mosaku, Malaika Wakoli-Abigaba

Follow Amy Rahne on her podcast Fishnets and Phantoms