Renny Harlin, the director behind The Strangers trilogy, has opened up about his favorite horror movie – and it’s one of the most haunting films ever made.
The Strangers – Chapter 2 landed in cinemas on Friday (September 26), continuing the three-movie saga as Maya (Madelaine Petsch) fights for survival against the three masked killers.
All three movies were shot back-to-back, with Chapter 3 releasing next year. Of course, the killers were first introduced in Bryan Bertino’s 2008 original film, which made our list of the best horror movies of all time.
Harlin is no stranger (pun intended) to horror, having helmed the likes of Exorcist: The Beginning and A Nightmare on Elm Street 4. So, when Dexerto caught up with the filmmaker ahead of the release of The Strangers – Chapter 2, we asked him about his top genre pick.
The Strangers – Chapter 2 director Renny Harlin reveals top horror pick
Although it was difficult to pinpoint a specific title, Harlin urged horror fans to check out Nicolas Roeg’s 1973 classic, Don’t Look Now.
“ That’s always a tough question because there are, of course, so many. You can go to the classics, you can go to Hitchcock’s Psycho and say that’s the ultimate horror movie,” the filmmaker told us.
“But somehow I go to something – maybe it was because I was a young teenager when I saw this movie and it had a really strong impact on me – and it was Nicolas Roeg’s Don’t Look Now with Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie.
“It takes place in Venice, Italy, and it’s just always stuck with me as this really amazing, atmospheric, psychological exploration of grief and relationships and [the idea that] if you don’t let go of the past, the past will come and hunt you down.”
Don’t Look Now is a haunting adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s short story of the same name.
As Harlin mentioned, the plot follows a grieving couple who travel to Venice after the death of their young daughter. There, they encounter two elderly sisters, one of whom claims to be a psychic delivering warnings from beyond the grave.
“I always recommend it to people, especially the younger generation who haven’t necessarily even heard of it,” Harlin added. “I think it’s worth checking out.”
Not only is it credited as one of the best horror movies of all time, but one of the best movies full stop thanks to its chilling atmosphere, impeccable cinematography, and truly shocking twist ending.
If you want to give it a watch or revisit, Don’t Look Now is available to rent or buy on all major on-demand platforms. Meanwhile, The Strangers – Chapter 2 is in cinemas now.
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