Well folks it’s that time again. The most comprehensive Top 10 horror list of 2012. Between the hosts of Horrorphilia we have seen over 200+ horror films and we have narrowed it down to the cream of the crop. Each host counts down their personal top 10 favorite horror films of 2012. We also have lists submitted to us by Chuck Conry from ZDP, Jeff from Much of Madness, Philip from Dark Discussions Podcast and Dead Derrick from Deadfilm.net. All this plus we give out special horror awards and wrap up with a nonhorror discussion and even more top ten lists.

Show Notes

Background music during the top 10 is from Celldweller’s  - Soundtrack For The Voices In My Head Vol 2.

Brandon’s song choice is Black Breath – Sentenced To Life 

Jason’s song choice is Celldweller – Space and Time (Unshakeable Vip) 

Gonzo’s song choice is Kavinsky – Pacific Coast Highway

Jeremy’s song choice is Purity Ring – Shuck

Bonus hidden song at end of credits…just for Brandon, Jeff and Jeremy

Check out Brandon’s Top 20 list here.

Check out Jeremy’s Top 20 list here.

Check out Gonzo’s Top 20 list here.

Check out Horrorphilia Jason’s list here.

Check out Chuck Conry’s Top 20 list here.

Check out Jeff’s top 10 list here.

Dead Derrick’s Best and Worst list is here.

Philip Perron from Dark Discussions Podcast
As with last year, I am considering flicks that were released to
general audiences in the US in 2012, so flicks that may have been
available in prior years at festivals or foreign markets but released
wide on disc or theaters in the states have been considered. Also a
lot of flicks cross many genres and though they may be more thriller or
mystery, if they are partly horror or fairly scary, I considered them.
This list has a chance to change since a handful of flicks I will not
get to see until the first few weeks of January. But here goes:

10 – The Loved Ones (Australia) – If you are looking for blood and
boobs, this film has it. The movie itself would definitely be placed in
the torture porn subgenre which may not be your cup of tea, however if
you push aside the graphic suffering of some of the characters you get
a very rewarding tale. What carries this film is the acting and story.
The “victims” are all honorable and the main villain is a force. In
addition we have an endearing subplot of a goth girl and her coping
with the loss of her brother.

9 – Rec 3: Genesis (Spain) – After setting up the wedding day of our
heroes with hand held footage, director Paco Plaza switches to a
cinematic view during a demon possession outbreak. The movie follows
our bride and groom as they try to find each other on the site of the
function hall grounds. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, the film
goes in and out between the two as we meet a bunch of brilliantly
rendered survivors. Either way, how can’t one not enjoy a story based
upon true love.

8 – We Need to Talk About Kevin (UK)– Based on one of the best novels
in the past ten years, this film is a shocking portrayal of the
aftermath of a school shooting and the character study of a mother and
the boy who committed the crime. The story questions the selfishness
and dreams of our protagonist while dealing with the sociopathology of
her son without her understanding it. Tilda Swinton rules the part of
a woman who has to deal with life going forward when her entire world
is lost because of the actions of her son.

7 – The Skin I Live In (Spain) – Possibly Pedro Almodovar’s best film,
Skin is a horrific story of a young man being in the wrong place at the
wrong time. Imprisoned by a “mad doctor”, a horrible fate turns our
protagonist into a surprisingly psychologically strong individual who
survives random and intentional acts of cruelty both physically and
mentally. Though ultimately changed forever, a potentially “happy”
ending breaks through leaving our protagonist set up to make the best
of what has transpired.

6 – Megan is Missing (USA) – Another found footage film, MiM is a film
that will make many filmgoers very depressed and upset. The tale is of
two teenage girls. One who is the typical outcast who has befriended
Megan, a brilliant and beautiful girl who has a fairly depressing home
life. The film shows first hand a parent’s worst nightmare of
abduction by Internet predators. Shocking and definitely not for the
weak, the film’s no holds barred approach shows how media in many
formats in ways are as guilty as the perpetrator.

5 – Lovely Molly (USA) – A dark and gloomy film tackling insanity,
abuse, and drug addiction. Yet the story has its roots more in a
supernatural horror enfolded within the essence of evil. The intrusion
of an entity that may be a ghost or a demon could very well be the
cause of our protagonist’s problems leading back to her childhood days.
With a 1970’s style and one of the best reveals in some time,
director Ed Sanchez pulls off one of the best atmospheric tales in some time.

4 – El Monstro Del Mar (Australia) – Relishing in the pulp of Hershall
Gordon Lewis, Russ Meyer, and B-movie madness, Monstro sits atop the
faux-grindhouse throwback films with its Pulp Fictionish dialogue,
monster movie bloodshed, and Faster Pussycat Kill Kill bad girl
violence. Fantastic soundtrack, stunning cinematography, and a story
and acting that avoids the realm of satire, Monstro is B-film glory in
the best way possible.

3 – Sleeping Beauty (Australia) – Starring Sucker Punch’s Emily
Browning, this Australian film is a thriller that enters the dark and
horrific parts of a person’s psyche. When a college girl becomes
employed within the wealthy’s disturbing hedonistic world, she
knowingly and willingly gives up her dignity while realistically being
comfortable with it. As a result, there is no negative consequences to
her or her self worth. But eventually her world crumbles away as the
loss of other people’s humanity begins to weigh down upon her until a
shocking ending breaks her spirit.

2 – Sinister (USA) – the surprise of the year, Sinister became the best
widely released horror film of the year and one of the best of the
genre period. Another film like Lovely Molly that delights in the feel
of a 1970’s thriller/drama, Sinister is filled with atmosphere and
scares that may make it a Halloween favorite. The film is a character
study where Ethan Hawke carries the film on his shoulders. Dark,
psychologically shocking, and brilliantly scored.

1 – Take Shelter (USA) – Just as a drama alone, this film is top notch.
Starring Michael Shannon as a Midwest married man with insanity in
his family history, the story revolves around how dreams and visions that
he sees about an apocalyptic storm may be much more than his own
psychosis. With a number of shocking set pieces both supernatural and
psychological, Shannon does a stellar job as a man who may or may not
be losing his sanity. As his wife, Jessica Chastain shows why she is
now one of this year’s hottest commodities.

Honorable mentions: The Snowtown Murders, The Cabin in the Woods,
Absentia, The Divide, Martha Marcy May Marlene, The Chaser, The Disco
Exorcist, Human Centipede 2, Gantz 2, The Woman, Melancholia