Dir. Herk Harvey | Now Streaming On: Pluto | Rating: 4/5

This classic was recommended to me and I was not disappointed. Though mostly overlooked at the time of its release, Carnival of Souls now holds a cult following and serves as a source of inspiration for many horror greats, including George Romero and David Lynch. This project was incredibly small, even for its time, with most of the film being completed using guerilla filmmaking techniques. Director Herk Harvey even acted in the film, billed as the main antagonist, “The Man.” ⁠
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It’s disheartening to know that this was Harvey’s only project. When watching in 2022, this moody and haunting film feels ahead of its time. It feels like a distant, more put together cousin of the new age arthouse horror that has come out in the last decade. Carnival of Souls sells an impeccable foreboding air that even contemporary films struggle to uphold. The strength of this movie lies in its simplicity and reliance on the basics. The acting, filmmaking, and sound are so barebones it leaves the story to hold the weight of the production, and it does. ⁠
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The campy and unique personality of this film has earned its critical acclaim as one of the best horror films ever made. It features a twist that some might see coming, but the mysterious and entrancing atmosphere of the film will keep you watching anyway, especially the final sequence in the pavilion. Typical of old school horror films, Carnival of Souls is not scary by contemporary standards but is a cornerstone of the genre nonetheless. ⁠
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Know Before You Watch: Features death. ⁠