Scary Movies for the Zodiac
October 18, 2018
Not all of these movies are horrific, bloody, or even terrifying. I wanted to present a wide variety of films that everyone could enjoy, and also reflected the nuanced variety of the Zodiac itself.
* = available on Netflix
Aries / As Above, So Below*
This action-orientated, anxiety-provoking film has Aries adrenaline written all over it. Protagonist Scarlett is a student of alchemy in search of the "philosopher's stone," a magical object known for transforming metals into gold and guaranteeing eternal life. All her clues lead her to the Catacombs in Paris, an underground tomb housing the remnants of six million people. Alongside her friend, a documentary film maker, and three punk Parisian cave explorers, their journey to the underworld quickly becomes literal.
Taurus / Mary and The Witch’s Flower*
What’s more Taurean than pretty flowers that give you witchy powers? But seriously, this film is a visual gem. Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Mary is a young English girl living with her grandmother in the countryside. Bored and missing her friends, she explores the surrounding forests with a black cat named Tib. He leads her to a broomstick and magical flowers called "fly-by-nights," discoveries that initiate her quest in stopping a disastrous magic experiment.
Gemini / Coraline*
A beautiful but spooky "children's movie," Coraline is about a young girl who moves to Ashland, Oregon with her work-obsessed parents. Bored and dissatisfied with her new home, she discovers a secret door that leads to a parallel universe. Initially dazzled by the magical qualities of her mirrored life, Coraline later realizes she must find a way lock the door forever. This film is perfect for Gemini, as it explores the appeal but ultimate deception of duality.
Cancer / The Conjuring*
Based on real hauntings investigated by Lorraine and Ed Warren, The Conjuring begins with an unsuspecting family moving into an old haunted house. Creepy occurrences begin on the first night and get increasingly more evident the longer they stay. Terrified by the supernatural events taking place, Carolyn seeks out Lorraine and Ed to help them identify who's haunting their home. When they discover more about the house's past, Carolyn becomes vulnerable to a dangerous possession. Without revealing too much, the horrifying happenings of this movie would make any Cancer shudder.
Leo / Tragedy Girls (available on Hulu)
High school seniors Sadie and McKayla are crime reporters looking to boost their social media popularity. After capturing a serial killer responsible for multiple deaths in their small town, the girls plan to kill their own victims in order to get the insider scope. While clearly sociopathic, Sadie and McKayla's thirst for blood and notoriety is so absurd it's almost hilarious. With it's campy elements and millennial slang, this film seeks to expose the ridiculous lengths some people will go for internet fame. No shade Leo, Tragedy Girls is just an extreme representation of how ego can be a dangerous motivator.
Virgo / Hocus Pocus
When Max moves to Salem, Massachusetts, he's skeptical of the town's superstitious perspective of the past. With his new friend Alison and sister Dani, he visits the historical museum believed to be the old house of a coven of witches. Brazenly lighting the forbidden candle, he accidentally awakens the evil witches who seek to become immortal. While my choice for Virgo may not be so obvious, it depends on the fact that a virgin needed to light the candle in order for it to work. Don't be so critical Virgo, I chose this silly but spooky family film so you could relax on Halloween.
Libra / The Invitation*
This movie's awkward social interactions would make any naturally harmonious Libra cringe. When Will is invited to a dinner party hosted by his ex-wife Eden and her new husband David, the memories associated with the house and his deceased son began to resurface. Once Eden and David reveal they joined a cult in Mexico, Will begins to suspect this dinner party won't turn out the way he initially thought. I found this movie suitable for Libra as it explores how individuals and couples navigate loss and grief, and the extreme possibilities some may take to relieve themselves.
Scorpio / Lavender*
When Jane gets into a car accident that unlocks painful memories of her childhood, her psychiatrist encourages her to spend some time at the family farm. Throughout the film, she's given clues to what really happened to her parents and sister; tiny boxes with little trinkets, flashback memories, and an apparition of her sister all lead her to the truth. I found this film to be fitting for Scorpio, as the premise centers around the act of Jane delving deep into her repressed trauma in order to heal.
Sagittarius / I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House*
This choice might not seem so obvious as some of my other selections, but hear me out. When a young nurse named Lily moves into the home of a famous horror novelist, weird feelings distract her from her work. Self-proclaimed as a "scaredy-cat," this agoraphobic protagonist is a Sagittarius' worst nightmare. She never leaves the home, trapping herself in a home haunted by a woman named Polly. This atmospheric film has enough suspense and poetic appeal to carry it to its climatic end.
This choice might not seem so obvious as some of my other selections, but hear me out. When a young nurse named Lily moves into the home of a famous horror novelist, weird feelings distract her from her work. Self-proclaimed as a "scaredy-cat," this agoraphobic protagonist is a Sagittarius' worst nightmare. She never leaves the home, trapping herself in a home haunted by a woman named Polly. This atmospheric film has enough suspense and poetic appeal to carry it to its climatic end.
Capricorn / Little Evil*
When Gary moves in with his new wife Samantha, he begins to speculate that his new step-son Lucas might be the human incarnate of the Devil. This coincides with the town's religious cult claiming the End of the World is upon humanity, something Gary comes to discover is connected with Lucas. This comedic and exaggerated film is ideal for Capricorn; simply because a lot of people speculate we're the Devil (jokes, but also the Devil is Capricorn's tarot card). Not only this, but it's a nice change of pace from the serious demeanor of the responsible Earth sign.
When Gary moves in with his new wife Samantha, he begins to speculate that his new step-son Lucas might be the human incarnate of the Devil. This coincides with the town's religious cult claiming the End of the World is upon humanity, something Gary comes to discover is connected with Lucas. This comedic and exaggerated film is ideal for Capricorn; simply because a lot of people speculate we're the Devil (jokes, but also the Devil is Capricorn's tarot card). Not only this, but it's a nice change of pace from the serious demeanor of the responsible Earth sign.
Aquarius / The Arrival
Unlike the visceral Alien movies, this sci-fi film is more subtle and suspenseful. Twelve enormous spaceships land in different parts of the world, and their mysterious presence terrifies the public and governments alike. Linguistic professor Louise Banks is recruited for the purpose of communicating with the extraterrestrial visitors in the hopes of discovering their purpose on Earth. While the alien theme is clearly Aquarian, I also found the film's incidence on humanity working together reflective of the 11th house ruler.
Pisces / Before I Wake*
After the death of their young son, Mark and Jessie adopt eight-year-old Cody who has the gift of materializing his dreams. While lovely and magical to his new foster parents, he struggles to convey his fear of falling asleep. Stashing away soda cans and coffee grounds under his bed, Cody wards off imminent sleep by reading books about butterflies. After a terrifying incident at school, his gift reveals its nightmarish qualities. Obvious in it's Piscean qualities, this movie explores the fine line between what constitutes reality and illusion.
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