The Man Who Made Holidays Dangerous Again
There are plenty of filmmakers who have contributed great movies to the horror genre.
Michael Dougherty did something a little different.
He created movies that horror fans can actually build traditions around.
Every October, Trick 'r Treat belongs on the Halloween watchlist.
Every December, Krampus belongs on the Christmas horror watchlist.
That's quite a legacy for two movies.
And while declaring anything "the best" is always going to be subjective, we're perfectly comfortable planting our flag here:
Michael Dougherty made the best Halloween movie and the best Christmas horror movie.
Trick 'r Treat is Halloween distilled into 98 minutes of pumpkins, candy, monsters, murder and tradition.
Krampus is Christmas turned inside out and filled with snow, nightmares, dark folklore and a very unpleasant horned visitor.
Together, they prove that Michael Dougherty understands something that every great horror filmmaker should understand:
The best horror doesn't always need to destroy what we love. Sometimes it simply needs to show us the terrifying things hiding underneath it.
And if Dougherty ever decides to tackle Easter, Thanksgiving or Valentine's Day, we may want to start preparing now.
Because after Halloween and Christmas, we're not entirely sure any holiday is safe anymore.
What Do You Think?
Is Trick 'r Treat the greatest Halloween movie ever made? Is Krampus the greatest Christmas horror movie? Or are there other movies that deserve those crowns?
Let us know—and whatever holiday you're celebrating, keep an eye on the decorations.
You never know what might be hiding behind them.
