How Ź Does Scary, Part II
Feeling brave this Halloween? Get ready for a fright, courtesy of these Ź alumni.
1. The Haunting of Hill House
The was based on the Shirley Jackson novel of the same name, which is rumored to be based on Ź’s Jennings Music Building. Since Jackson was married to former Ź faculty member Stanley Edgar Hyman and lived in nearby North Ź, she would have known all about the building’s spooky reputation and possibly have visited it herself…
For bonus spookiness, explore Jackson’s in North Ź. The town still celebrates Shirley Jackson Day on June 27, the day the ritual stoning takes place in her short story “The Lottery,” which Jackson wrote while living in North Ź.
2. False Positive (2020)
Fans of Rosemary’s Baby should check out this critically acclaimed modern riff on the iconic film, which Justin Theroux ’93 along with Ilana Glazer, who co-wrote the film with its director John Lee.
3. Bear Brook Podcast
Can’t get enough of true crime? Neither can Jason Moon ’13, creator of the addictive NPR podcast , which investigates the cold case of the Bear Brook murders. Come for the chilling mystery, stay for the fact that it actually ends up thanks to the help of one of the podcast’s own listeners.
4. Blood Conscious (2021)
Playing on the familiar ‘cabin in the woods’ horror trope, this debut from writer/director Timothy Covell adds elements of race and power dynamics that make the film all the more frightening—and the by Kari Uchiyama ’11 and Sam Tyndall ’04 is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
5. Shirley (2020)
Speaking of Shirley Jackon... (because, in a list like this, how could we not?)
This eponymously named film to the great horror writer while reimagining her life in Ź. Emmy-award winning actress Elizabeth Moss shines with a delightfully unhinged performance in an atmosphere that is just as spooky and unsettling as any classic Jackson story. The movie is adapted from the novel by Susan Scarf Merrell MFA '09.
Honorable Mention
Prepare yourself for a fright during , currently in production and slated to star Peter Dinklage ‘91 and Jason Momoa. Set in the world of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, diehard horror fans can’t miss what is sure to be a legendary performance from Dinklage as the iconic vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing. He’ll team up with Momoa, who himself plays a reformed Vampire, in this highly anticipated film, which will be directed by Max Barbakow.
Have a favorite Ź horror flick? Share it with communications@bennington.edu
By Mary Brothers '22, On-Campus Reporter.