Creepy Children

Since Halloween is coming up I thought I might offer up some recommendations for those seeking a good scare. I will provide succinct synopses and ratings for a heap of horror movies for the rest of the month.

This first post will focus on horror flicks with creepy children in them. Pedophobes beware!

THE CHILDREN (09): If movies like The Omen scared the piss out of you, this is a must-see. This British import is a slow-builder, oozing with tension and suspense, about a strange affliction that causes children at a family holiday retreat to behave violently. Rated R for disturbing bloody violent content, terror, language, and brief drug use. Genre: Horror. 84minutes. Available on DVD on 10/06/09. My score: 7.2/10

JOSHUA (07): Sam Rockwell is perfect as usual, but what surprised me was that the kid who plays the titular character displayed some real acting chops in this psychological horror film. "What if your kid was an unloving sociopath?" and if so "is it your fault?" This is an intelligent cautionary tale about having children, and it almost scared me enough to swear off ever having any. Rated R for language and some disturbing behavior by a child. Genre: Horror/Drama. 106 minutes. Available on DVD on 1/08/07. My score: 7.3/10

WHISPER (07): The child protagonist (or antagonist depending on how you look at it) does a great job with his role. It's like a contemporary spin on The Omen, and this kid is so creepy I forgot Damien altogether for the duration. Strange things happen when a group of kidnappers holes up in a remote cabin in the woods, and the boy they grabbed has a dark secret that just may be the key to this supernatural mystery with some good plot twists. Cool premise, fine direction and a decent script with a hint of originality are complemented by good performances by all involved. Rated R for violence and terror. Genre: Horror/Thriller. 94 minutes. Available on 1/30/2008. My score: 6.5/10

WHO CAN KILL A CHILD (76): Also known as Island of the Damned, this obscure Spanish movie is the stuff my nightmares are made of. An English couple vacationing in Spain is bewildered when they discover an island teeming with children who respond to questioning with mere blank stares and creepy smiles. "Where have all the adults gone?" The children it seems are possessed by a mysterious illness or madness that causes them to violently attack their elders. What a tragic predicament for the traveling couple, for "who can kill a child?" This is the mother of creepy children films and I believe not just a predecessor to but rather the inspiration for The Children (09). Rated R in the USA (Banned in Iceland and Finland!). Genre: Horror/Mystery/Thriller. 111 minutes. Available on DVD on 6/26/07. My score: 7.8/10