Welcome to Nightmares, the column that will guide you through the darkest and most disturbing paths of horror cinema. We will take you on a journey to discover films that have terrified audiences and left an indelible mark on the history of the genre. From classic horror legends to the most innovative and disturbing films, Nightmares will explore the themes, techniques, and monsters that populate the horror imagination. Whether it’s slashers, psychological thrillers, supernatural horrors, or supernatural thrillers, it will be a journey into the heart of fear, an opportunity to analyze not only the plot and characters but also the artistic nuances and deeper reflections hidden behind each cinematic nightmare.
Get ready to relive intense emotions, to be scared, and to reflect on how cinema can manipulate our deepest fears. In Nightmares, every film is a door to a world where terror is real, and where every night can turn into an unforgettable nightmare.
The plot of “The Arcane Sorcerer” revolves around the story of Giulia, a young and charming fortune teller living in a provincial town in 1930s Italy. Through her paranormal abilities, Giulia embarks on a relationship with the enigmatic and tormented Bruno, played by Ivan Franek, a man with a dark secret tied to his family and his past.
The film opens with the fisherman Nolan, played by Richard Harris, and his crew capturing a shark on behalf of an aquatic park. During the capture, a pregnant female orca attacks the shark to protect her calf.
“The Last House on the Left” is a very violent and dramatic thriller from 1972 directed by Wes Craven, which marks his debut as a director. The film is known to be controversial and has attracted many both positive and negative reactions for its crudeness and brutality. The plot revolves around two teenage girls, Mari and Phyllis, who are kidnapped by a group of criminals and taken to an isolated house, where they suffer sexual violence and torture.
Regan MacNeil, the young girl possessed in the first film “The Exorcist,” is now a teenager under the care of a psychiatrist, Dr. Gene Tuskin, who works with a young priest, Father Lamont. The priest is tasked by the Vatican to investigate the death of Father Merrin, the priest who performed the initial exorcism on Regan. During the investigation, Lamont discovers an ancient demonic statue linked to the origin of evil and begins to understand the complexity of the battle between good and evil, a discovery that will take him to East Africa.
Amelia (superbly portrayed by Essie Davis), a widowed mother, is grappling with Samuel, her six-year-old son. The child is particularly lively and perceived by everyone as troubled, obsessed with monsters. The mother seemingly manages the household dynamics in a controlled manner, building a loving relationship with her son.
The story revolves around an ancient puzzle box called the “Lament Configuration”, or “Lemarchand’s box,” which, when solved, opens a gateway to a demonic dimension called “Hell”. The protagonist, Frank Cotton, solves the puzzle, opening a connection with the Cenobites, sadomasochistic creatures from Hell. Frank is tortured by the Cenobites and reduced to a state of non-life. Later, his sister-in-law Julia, who is secretly in love with him, discovers the ritual to revive Frank by absorbing human blood.
ByElena
The film unfolds through a series of episodes depicting the murders committed by Jack (masterfully portrayed by Matt Dillon), a successful architect leading a double life. While continuing his profession in society, Jack also indulges in serial killing, aiming to create his masterpiece of violence and death. Through dialogues with a mysterious figure named Verge (played by Bruno Ganz), Jack reflects on his life, his art, and his philosophy, trying to make sense of his actions.
The film follows the story of a group of teenagers, including the protagonist Nancy Thompson (played by Heather Langenkamp), and her friend Glen (Johnny Depp), who begin to experience terrifying nightmares involving a man with a disfigured face and razor-bladed gardening gloves.
The story follows a group of six loggers who find themselves in the woods of Arizona when they suddenly spot an unidentified flying object. One of the group members, Travis Walton (portrayed by D.B. Sweeney), is hit by a beam of light from the object and disappears into thin air. His terrified and panicked colleagues return to town and recount their incredible story to local authorities.
Let’s talk about a film based on the short story “The Forbidden” by writer Clive Barker, which has since become a classic of the horror genre. The plot revolves around Helen Lyle (played by Virginia Madsen), a sociology student conducting research on an urban legend known as “Candyman.”
