Travel Horror Movies
While fall is my favorite time to travel, one of my trips was recently, unexpectedly cancelled – more on that in a future article. I’ve been taking advantage of that extra time with even more of something I do this time of year, anyway – scary films. And plenty of travel horror movies exist. I’ve taken these in over the years but haven’t exactly appreciated the travel angle to them – until today. These are some of my favorites.
Midsommar
An ill-prepared trip to Sweden, hallucinogenics, and an a-hole boyfriend – what could possibly go wrong? Plenty. And it all steadily unfolds under Director Ari Aster’s thoughtful care. There’s a great balance of character development, plot, and just plain weird within this film. What makes the movie even more clever is the vast majority of it takes place in broad daylight. That somehow accentuates the terror even more, climaxing in an all-consuming end. While I ultimately prefer Aster’s impeccable Hereditary, the travel theme within Midsommar perfectly blends into the story.
Wolf Creek
This low-budget film involves two British tourists and a local friend who are backpacking across Australia. They decide to buy a car to drive across Western Australia on the Great Northern Highway. Their vehicle breaks down, of course, and a jolly stranger offers to help repare it at his camp. Things go predictably here, but it’s an entertaining, intense ride throughout. The story is loosely based on true events, particularly certain backpacker murders. Some may find the ending of Wolf Creek a bit abrupt, but I find that plays into the terror of it all.
The Descent
This film coincidentally centers on more Brits, this time half a dozen young women. They’re adventurous types who cross the pond to spelunk in the Appalachian Mountain region of North Carolina. The monsters take a while to appear, but that’s no matter. In my opinion, the true horror of this film is the great claustrophobia, danger, and uncertainty that comes with their chosen vacation.
As with many in the genre, a sequel exists. Even more cliche, it’s not as good as the first. But I enjoyed it plenty. (While we’re on sequels, Wolf Creek has one, too. But I haven’t had the pleasure of viewing that one.)
The Menu
Just as much comedy as horror, The Menu cleverly mocks the fine dining scene. A foodie and his date travel to an exclusive island to dine at a celebrity chef’s restaurant. The film incorporates plenty of scares, and their juxtaposition with the funny moments are ingredients to a distinctive dish. Ralph Fiennes’ work is solid here, in that he comes off more scary than familiar. While watching this movie, I caught myself thinking I wasn’t smart enough for it. The fact I understood maybe just over half the references here and still enjoyed it means something.
Honorable Mentions
Plenty of travel horror movies don’t quite reach my favorite status, or travel plays a smaller part. Nonetheless, I’ve enjoyed the storytelling and scares of the following:
- It – 1990 TV Miniseries
- Salem’s Lot – 1979 TV Miniseries
- Hostel, Parts I and II
- Event Horizon
- The Visit
Travel Horror Movies – Conclusion
I’m always on the hunt for good horror, whether involving travel or not. The other way way around, I don’t need any of these feels during my actual travel. Trips alone can be terrifying enough, depending on the situations we face. Indeed, I feel like I’m in an episode of The Twilight Zone every time I try to clarify the Hilton elite daily food and beverage credit at the front desk. What have been your recent horror movie favorites, travel-related and otherwise?
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Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Didn’t know you were a horror fan. Wolf Creek is great! There’s also a sequel and a TV series as well. 3rd movie in the works, too.
Thanks for the recommendations, Edward!
Some good movies but how about adding Red Eye, Final Destination, Flight Plan, The Langoliers, Airborne, Vacancy, Panic Button and even Sharknado 2 to the watch list 🙂
Sounds good, Dan! I’d still be writing if I had to include everything. 😉