Although many disagree on the exact “golden age” of horror movies, many horror fans agree that it is long past, now replaced with manufactured, repetitive franchises. However, not all hope is lost for modern horror fans. Here are a few horror movies that have come out in the 2000s that are worth taking a look at for Halloween.

1) It Follows – 2014

Director David Robert Mitchell takes full advantage of a low budget in his 2014 film “It Follows,” which follows a teenage girl as she is pursued by an unknown entity after a disastrous sexual encounter. This smart, innovative horror film effectively manipulates viewers’ anxiety and fear of the inevitable while slowly building up characters that they will become afraid to lose. The modern horror masterpiece uses wide angle shots and a darkish blue tint to contribute to a feeling of paranoia and an intensity that floods the atmosphere while demonstrating a claustrophobic feel. “It Follows” makes you feel just as trapped as the characters you become so desperate to hold onto.

2) The Babadook – 2014

“The Babadook” relies on a genuine sense of dread tinged with all-too-familiar childhood fears in order to meticulously construct a terrifying narrative that blurs the boundaries between the real and unreal. However, at its core, “The Babadook” remains a touching story of a strengthening relationship between a single mother and her young son. If the relationship between the two is not strong enough to withstand feats of fear and fantasy, they will both fall prey to the Babadook-dook-dook.

3) The Descent – 2006

Feral, brutal, and unsettling, “The Descent” leaves piles of grisly carnage in its path before proceeding to attack the psyches of both its characters and viewers. In this UK thriller, when six spelunkers, played by an all-female powerhouse cast, struggle to escape a complex system of caves, a gore fest of cracking bones and sputtering blood ensues. Satiating the thirst of hard-core gore-lovers while offering thoughtful material for other viewers to chew on, this film grabs hold of you and shakes you into shocked, fully disturbed submission.

4) A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night – 2014

    A hodgepodge of contrasting and disjointed elements, “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night” concocts a rousing blend of horror, romance and mystery. This black-and-white Iranian Vampire Western – strange, I know – boasts a beautiful soundtrack and fantastical setting that sets the scene for the surreal, yet overwhelmingly familiar feel of the film. “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night” is an eclectic, avant-garde, fresh, electric, and meaningful horror flick that really shouldn’t work, yet does on every single level.