The autumn months on campus have always been twofold for me. On the one hand, cooler weather, striking colors, and the sound of crunching leaves underfoot all elevate campus aesthetics, providing a gorgeous backdrop to my studies. On the other hand, intensity of work increases proportionally to the changing scenery. As the season advances, I find it gradually more difficult to appreciate, especially as more time is spent indoors behind a book or computer screen or frantically running about in an attempt to meet deadlines. Often, I find it important to take a step back and appreciate the ambience, all the more so with the knowledge that it will soon be replaced by the desolate homogeneity of winter. Beyond simply admiring the beauty of the outdoors, grounding myself in the broader aesthetics of the season can provide an even greater appreciation. 

In my earnest opinion, nothing beats hunkering down and putting on a scary movie in October, or a cozy flick in November. So, in order that you all may experience the season in its fullest charm, I have curated a short list of movies gothic and graceful alike. For this collection of seven titles, I have reached across time, country of origin, and director. It is also important to note that most of these films are graphic and deal with heavy themes such as abuse, trauma, death, and more, so keep a general content warning in mind.

First up is “Tenebre” (1982), a Giallo film by acclaimed horror director Dario Argento.  Most famous for his enduring work “Suspiria” (1977), Argento creates a bleak, bloody, atmospheric thriller. For fans of “Scream” (1996), this film is a great piece of horror to keep you nervous during the spooky season.

Next is “Re-animator” (1985) directed by Stuart Gordon. Adapted from an H.P. Lovecraft story, Gordon utilizes disgustingly genius practical effects to deliver a supremely unsettling body horror a la “Dawn of the Dead” (1978). Raving mad scientists, walking corpses, and grizzly imagery powerfully coalesce into a Halloween classic.  

Moving now across the pond to Britain, the next film is “The Wicker Man” (1973). Predating “Midsommar” (2019) by decades, director Robin Hardy executes a neo-pagan folk-horror which would go on to inspire a whole subgenre. Taking place on the Hebridean Island of Summerisle,  it makes for perfect viewing during the harvest season.

Once again we move across the globe, now to Japan, for Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s latest project, “Cloud” (2024). Known for classic horror films such as “Cure” (1997) and “Pulse” (2001), Kurosawa once again delivers a slow burn thriller, meditating on the abstraction of modern life and the violence which it permits. As a sludgy, late autumn tale, it is perfect timing to get under a blanket with a hot drink for this viewing.

Staying in Japan, we move back in time to 1968 for Kaneto Shindo’s “Kuroneko” or “Yabu no Naka no Kuroneko; A Black Cat in a Bamboo Grove.” Another folkloric horror, the film concerns the vengeful spirits of a mother and her daughter who prey on samurai. “Kuroneko” is a dark, ghostly tale with surprises hiding in every corner.

Switching up genres now, up next is a film from the singular genius of Ingmar Bergman, “Autumn Sonata” (1978). A tragic family drama aptly set in the height of the fall, the film details a mother’s reunion with her daughter after a years-long estrangement. Punctuated by the brilliant colors of the changing season and painted in a sepia glaze, “Autumn Sonata” is essential fall viewing.

Finally, “Vagabond” (1985), directed by French auteur Agnes Varda, is a great movie to watch as it gets colder. The film follows a woman as she wanders across the French countryside, winter visibly setting in. A cold tale about a cold world, it provides a perfect mirror, especially during the autumn months.

As midterm exams are around the corner for many, and the papers on your desk pile up endlessly, it is important to remember to take a break and indulge in the season. Personally, movies are an important facet of what underlies my enjoyment of the season, and I hope my brief remarks on some autumnal classics can enhance your enjoyment as well.

Featured image: Screen Grab