Darlings, let me tell you about something that makes my black little heart absolutely sing with joy. The Enzian Theater has once again resurrected their legendary 13 Films of Halloween series, and honestly, it’s like Christmas morning for those of us who live and breathe in the shadows. After decades of haunting movie theaters and seeking out the most deliciously dark cinema experiences, I can confidently say this October lineup is pure perfection.
I’ve been wandering through dimly lit theaters since back when you actually had to hunt through dusty video stores to find decent horror films. These days, streaming has made everything too easy, but there’s something absolutely magical about experiencing these films in a proper theater with fellow creatures of the night. The Enzian gets it, they truly do. They’re not just showing movies, they’re creating an entire atmospheric experience that would make even Bela Lugosi weep with joy.
This year they’re calling it “13+ Films” because apparently seventeen movies wasn’t enough to contain their dark ambitions. I’m particularly thrilled about their 35mm presentations because, let’s be honest, nothing beats the grain and grit of actual film stock when you’re watching something like “The Evil Dead” or “Cannibal Holocaust.” Digital is fine for your Marvel nonsense, but horror demands texture, shadows that actually breathe on the screen.
The Wednesday Night Pitcher Shows are such a brilliant concept. Free films with cheap drinks? It’s like they designed this specifically for people like me who’ve been nursing the same glass of red wine for three hours while debating whether “Practical Magic” counts as proper witchy cinema. And before you ask, yes it absolutely does, especially when you’re watching Sandra Bullock embrace her dark feminine energy. The fact that they’re also showing “Halloweentown” proves they understand that camp and genuine scares can coexist beautifully.
I’m absolutely living for their midnight movie selections. “Jennifer’s Body” at midnight is inspired programming, especially since that film has finally gotten the recognition it deserved all along. Megan Fox as a literal man-eating demon? It’s practically a documentary about dating in your twenties. “Day of the Dead” and “Martyrs” round out the midnight offerings, and frankly, if you’re not staying up until the witching hour to watch proper horror, what are you even doing with your life?
The book-to-screen selection of “Ringu” shows they have taste beyond the typical Western horror canon. Japanese horror operates on such a different psychological wavelength, and “Ringu” remains one of the most genuinely unsettling films ever made. It’s the kind of slow-burn terror that gets under your skin and stays there, which is exactly how good horror should work.
Their Music Monday showing of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” is obviously a given. I’ve probably seen that film more times than I’ve applied black eyeliner, which is saying something. There’s something beautiful about a community gathering to celebrate queerness, transformation, and the delicious transgression of social norms. Plus, the audience participation never gets old, even when you know every callback by heart.
What really impresses me about this year’s lineup is the range. They’ve got everything from the restored “Night of the Living Dead” for the purists to “Coco” for families who want to introduce their little ghouls to the beauty of death imagery done with love and respect. The inclusion of “13 Ghosts” from 1960 shows they understand horror history, not just contemporary trends.
And can we talk about that Eden Bar Halloween party? A carnival-themed event for just ten dollars? They’re practically giving away decadence. I’ve been to enough overpriced Halloween parties where people dress up as “sexy witch” and call it a day. This sounds like it might actually have some atmosphere, some genuine spooky fun that goes beyond Instagram photo opportunities.
The cocktail program is another touch that shows they understand their audience. Horror and carefully crafted drinks go together like fog machines and dry ice. There’s something ritualistic about sipping a perfectly mixed cocktail while watching beautiful people meet terrible fates on screen. It elevates the entire experience from mere entertainment to genuine celebration of the macabre.
After years of being disappointed by mainstream Halloween offerings that prioritize jump scares over genuine atmospheric dread, it’s refreshing to see a theater that curates with actual passion for the genre. These aren’t just popular horror movies thrown together for ticket sales. This is a carefully constructed journey through different eras, styles, and approaches to fear, death, and the supernatural.
It all begins on October 1st! So ink the date into your grimoire, my fellow disciples of darkness. October is going to be absolutely delicious this year, and the Enzian Theater is serving up exactly the kind of cinematic feast our tortured souls have been craving. Just don’t blame me when you find yourself completely addicted to their programming and start planning your entire social calendar around their screening schedule. Trust me, there are worse ways to spend your autumn evenings than surrounded by like-minded souls, watching beautiful nightmares unfold in glorious 35mm.
You can find all the deliciously dark details and snag your tickets at enzian.org. Now go forth and embrace the darkness, darlings.
Jenna Zombie
Rotting in Florida. I game, watch horror movies, and scream at idiots who split up in haunted houses. If your story doesn’t ruin my sleep, don’t bother.
