Horror movies are the whole package: they accelerate your pulse like a trip to the gym, stimulate your mind like a study session in the library and keep you awake at night like a Caribou coffee. So, why not fire up the TV and get started? 10 questions, three scary movies and one final recommendation will determine the perfect horror movie for you to check out—or revisit—this Halloween season.
1. What’s your favorite thing about fall?
a) Halloween parties
b) Pumpkin spice lattes
c) Colorful leaves
2. Who do you like to watch scary movies with?
a) With my friends
b) Alone
c) With a significant other
3. How’s your homework going?
a) I don’t even want to know
b) All finished!
c) Gradually working through it
4. What’s your biggest fear?
a) That you are fundamentally a bad person
b) That nothing you do makes an impact in the world
c) Feeling out of control
5. What was your favorite Halloween movie as a kid?
a) Scooby-Doo
b) Coraline
c) Hocus Pocus
6. What’s your pet peeve?
a) Talking while chewing
b) Loud music
c) People who wear shorts in the winter
7. Barbie or Oppenheimer?
a) Barbie
b) Oppenheimer
c) I loved them both!
8. Where are you shopping for your Halloween costume?
a) Party City
b) Goodwill
c) Spirit Halloween
9. What’s your automatic fear response?
a) Fight
b) Freeze
c) Flight
10. What’s your favorite candy?
a) Reese’s
b) Sour Patch Kids
c) York Peppermint Patties
If you got mostly A’s, your scary movie soulmate is “Scream.” It’s the perfect blend of thrills and jokes for a fun-filled spooky season. “Scream” is junior Dalanie Chipps’s favorite horror movie.
“I really like the movie ‘Scream’ because of the Easter eggs of other popular horror franchises,” Chipps said. “I also think the awareness of [the protagonists] being in a horror movie-like situation balances the slasher aspect with comedy without making it a spoof.”
If you got mostly B’s, “Sinister” is your go-to flick this fall. With its disturbing imagery, dark humor, and experimental soundtrack, “Sinister” isn’t for the faint of heart, but you’ve shown you’re up for the challenge. Freshman Levi Miller is a huge fan of the movie.
“Many horror movies try to push too many subplots and side characters into ninety minutes, but ‘Sinister’ tells one story neatly, proving the ‘less is more’ idea,” Miller said.
If you got mostly C’s, give “The Nun” a whirl before winter. A good horror movie is all about the creep factor, and, with terrifying costumes, demonic possession and intriguing twists, “The Nun” more than does the trick. Sophomore Allie Prueitt says that it’s perfect for someone in need of some good old fashioned heebie-jeebies.
“One of my top-tier horror movies would be ‘The Nun’—mainly because it actually scared me and made me pop up out of my seat,” Prueitt said.
Maggie Hoppel is an English and Journalism major. Her stories are brought to you by dining hall coffee and sad cowboy songs.
Alternate history: What would’ve happened to Indiana's economy if the Pacers won the NBA finals
By Salsabil F. Qaddoura | July 14In the recent 2025 National Basketball Association (NBA) tournament, the Indiana Pacers played against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder won the series 4-3, resulting in a devastating loss for Hoosiers across the state and Pacers fans across the country alike.
OPINION: Passing of HR-1 and cuts to state degree programs make higher education less attainable than ever
By Abby Godsen | July 11Over the last few months, higher education has had major hits both on the state and national levels. With cuts to state funding, financial aid and programs offered, higher education has become less attainable than ever for Hoosiers.
IU expands research and STEM labs on IU Indianapolis campus
By Abby Godsen | June 11IU Indianapolis and Purdue in Indianapolis have both started many new construction projects in the last year. Most notably, the new Purdue in Indianapolis Academic Success building is being built across from the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering building, as well as the James T. Morris Arena behind Herron. Now, a new IU STEM Laboratory building is also being constructed on the main campus.
