EJ Moreno and Flickering Myth honor the year in horror…
Welcome to the first-ever Flickering Myth Horror Awards! We’re looking at the best of the horror genre offerings this year, giving our picks for the top 2023 horror movies.
Our Flickering Myth Horror Awards include the standard fare like Best Picture, Actress, and Actor. But we’ll also have special awards like The Unexpected Horror Hit and Camp Classic of the Year.
Firstly, let’s kick things off with the first inductee into the Flickering Myth Horror Hall of Fame…
Horror Hall of Fame
Tobin Bell
For decades, Saw has become a massive part of the horror conversation. Praise or critiques, it’s been such a powerhouse force in the industry, and at the center of the films is the infamous John Kramer. Brought to life by Tobin Bell, it’s rare to have a modern horror villain become such a part of pop culture as Jigsaw has.
And I genuinely believe no one could’ve brought the character to life like Bell. That’s proven in Saw X as the actor gives his best turn in the franchise to date. Seeing Tobin Bell chew up the scenery this time was a delight and felt long overdue.
However, his legacy runs far deeper than just this year. Since his turn as a horror powerhouse in the original Saw, he’s starred in countless indie horror films, instantly giving them a bit of credibility with his presence. Tobin Bell is easily one of the best actors in horror, and it’s wild to think that at 81, he’s still doing such vital work.
Best International Horror Film
When Evil Lurks (Argentina)
Every year, you can rely on the international horror scene to provide you with the most thrilling, chilling, and sometimes sickest genre entries. This year was no different, with one of the wildest movies of 2023 coming from Argentina and coming in the form of the twisted When Evil Lurks.
Nothing can prepare you for what you’ll see in the film, featuring a handful of the most shocking moments of the year. The film can feel strange within its own logic, but you’re so enamored by the madness to notice.
As one of the highest-rated horror films on Rotten Tomatoes this year, When Evil Lurks is a critical and audience hit, a rarity in horror, especially within extreme horror. It’s a unique spin on possession and demonic films while keeping so much of what makes it work at the forefront. It’s truly a must-see experience.
Runner-up: Godzilla Minus One
Camp Classic of the Year
M3GAN
You can’t keep a good doll down, which was proven again in 2023. Not only is Chucky still dominating on television, but M3GAN entered pop culture with a brute force not often seen. The adorable blonde killer doll was everywhere, making this camp-loving fan very happy.
Thankfully, the movie backed up the campy marketing and gave us many good moments. It’s messy and chaotic but still has a polished charm that allows it to avoid the “so bad, it’s good label.”
M3GAN actually works as a good watch, not just a cheap, fun gimmick used to sell tickets. The premise didn’t break any ground, and it surely could’ve been scarier, but it’s refreshing to see a studio still able to capture the sheer WTF quality that so many of us crave from our horror.
Runner-up: Slotherhouse
Unexpected Horror Hit
Thanksgiving
As a longtime Eli Roth fan, betting against the filmmaker is never wise. Even at his worst, Roth is still one to give us some great gore and characters you enjoy following to their death. Thanksgiving boasts both; it’s a bloody mess with some serious “they need to die” roles.
Leading up to the film, many were expecting a mindless post-Halloween season slasher, and I can include myself among those slight naysayers. But what Roth cooked and served with Thanksgiving is far more intelligent and twisted than expected.
The film also gains positive traction in the mainstream with solid audience scores and a decent box office return. Roth will offer us another plate of his horror goodness as a sequel is already confirmed, which helps back up just how much of a hit this was for all involved.
Runner-up: Totally Killer
Best Horror Director
Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou (Talk To Me)
In a year with many standout horror films, debuting feature filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou did some impressive work with their low-budget Australian horror film. Their work in Talk To Me must be recognized, especially given their experience and budget level.
Starting as YouTubers, the filmmaking duo took years of crafting micro-budgeted projects and put that knowledge to A24’s strongest directed debut in years. Talk To Me gives you “wise beyond their years” vibes with the craftsmanship on display.
With many heavy hitters in horror taking a break this year (Ari Aster, Jordan Peele, James Wan), it was a perfect chance for some young new filmmakers to break through; Danny Philippou & Michael Philippou did just that, giving us new directors to keep on our ‘must watch’ lists.
Runner-up: Brandon Cronenberg (Infinity Pool)
Best Horror Actor
Ryunosuke Kamiki (Godzilla Minus One)
You want to feel something from your horror, and the best works in the genre are the ones that give us all the feels. Scared, sad, hopeful, and at peace: that’s the experience an actor dreams of showing us, and we got that from Ryunosuke Kamiki in Godzilla Minus One.
Kamiki does the near impossible here: he got us to care for the human story in a Godzilla movie. You care about the journey of Kamiki’s Kōichi Shikishima, which makes the terror even more gripping.
Ryunosuke Kamiki has a bright future ahead of him with the work we saw here. The actor has been working since childhood, perfecting his craft in the grueling world of Japanese filmmaking. That hard work paid off, giving us the best leading man in horror this year.
Runner-up: Dave Bautista (Knock at the Cabin)
Best Horror Actress
Sophie Wilde (Talk To Me)
You don’t know how to feel about Sophie Wilde’s Mia when Talk To Me begins. She’s a bit cheeky, but you understand that trauma runs deep. All of that is showcased quickly in the film, far before even her best work begins to kick in. By the time Wilde gets rolling, she’s unstoppable.
The young actress is relatively new to feature films, but that did not hinder her ability to carry this supernatural film easily. From possession to obsession, Wilde delivers every emotion perfectly.
Mia is a complex character, and you can see where even more established actors would struggle to perfect the role, but what we see from Sophie Wilde will be remembered for some time. Horror fans will want more from this actress and possibly even this character as soon as possible.
Runner-up: Alyssa Sutherland (Evil Dead Rise)
Best Horror Sequel/Remake/Legacy Film
Saw X
What a comeback for the Saw franchise. During the mid-to-late 00s, Saw was the undeniable horror titan, but the recent attempts to recapture the magic didn’t hit as hard as the original set of films. Saw X somehow brought us back to the heyday, delivering the best entry since 2005.
We saw a return to the brutality and gore that made these famous (something missing from mainstream horror) while giving us the best storyline out of all the entries. A tricky balancing act, but they nailed it.
With a follow-up to Saw X just announced, we can see the filmmakers feel confident in the franchise again, which they should be after crafting such a welcomed return to form. Can they do it again? Who knows, but we Saw fans will rejoice in at least one near-perfect entry.
Runner-up: Scream VI
Best Horror Film
Talk To Me
We’ve sung the praise of both the lead actress and directors of Talk To Me, but that barely touches the surface of credit deserved for this film. Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou managed to take possession and paranormal horror and give it a needed makeover.
Talk To Me strikes you the first time you view it, but you don’t expect it to fester in your soul, repeatedly calling you back to see the horror. Even at its scariest, it’s such a fantastic watch and deserved its praise and accolades this year.
Whether it’s scares per minute, directing, acting, or creature design, you see the massive amount of hard work that made this such a dynamic viewing. Every department deserves praise, and the film will live on with horror fans for years. With a sequel and possibly a prequel, we can’t wait to see what they cook up next.
Runner-up: Godzilla Minus One
SEE ALSO: The Most Anticipated Horror Movies of 2024
What do you think of the first-ever Flickering Myth Horror Awards? Do you agree with the picks chosen? What categories would you like to see for next year’s awards? And what was your favorite horror film of the year? Let us know on our socials @FlickeringMyth…
EJ Moreno
