Wes Craven's 10 Most Iconic Movies

In 2015, the world of horror films suffered a significant loss with the demise of Wes Craven, a true legend in the genre. Over nearly four decades, he produced an array of terrifying masterpieces, numerous cult classics, hidden gems, and even successful sequels. Remarkably, he also harbored aspirations beyond horror, most notably directing Meryl Streep in “Music of the Heart“. Not only was Streep a highly skilled actress, but many other exceptionally talented performers were eager to be directed by Craven, including Bill Pullman, Ving Rhames, Eddie Murphy, Timothy Olyphant, Rachel McAdams, Cillian Murphy, Christina Ricci, Sharon Stone, and Ernest Borgnine.

Craven’s classic collection fell just short of including titles such as the unconventional “Shocker”, the originally intended-for-both-kids-and-adults “Deadly Friend” (which was ultimately not under Craven’s control), the somewhat overlooked “Scream 3”, “Scream 4”, and “Cursed” (another production taken from the director). From “The Hills Have Eyes” to “Red Eye”, these are some of the standout and most influential movies in Wes Craven’s career.

The Last House on the Left

Wes Craven’s first directorial effort, titled “The Last House on the Left“, narrates the story of teen companions Mari and Phyllis who venture from their tranquil hometown to attend a city concert. Along the way, they make an ill-fated decision to purchase some recreational substances for later use. However, their journey takes a dark turn when they encounter four dangerous fugitives instead.

1972’s “The Last House on the Left” hasn’t necessarily improved with age, but it remains a striking directorial debut. The graphic depiction of sexual assault is hard to stomach, yet there’s also an element of bravery in portraying the victim’s parents seeking brutal retribution against their tormentors. At times, “The Last House” may seem like a typical exploitation film, but it occasionally showcases moments of brilliance that set it apart as a truly remarkable horror movie.

Stream The Last House on the Left on MGM+.

The Hills Have Eyes

The movie titled “The Hills Have Eyes” centers around the Carter family: father Bob, mother Ethel, children Bobby, Brenda, and Lynne, along with her husband Doug and their infant daughter Catherine. They are on a road trip intending to reach San Diego for vacation, but due to a horde of ruthless cannibals, they instead end up in Nevada.

In his second movie, Craven’s work shows a greater balance and intricate structure compared to “Last House,” yet it preserves the dark, disturbing tone that characterized his early productions. The film doesn’t feel like a typical studio production; instead, it seems like a terrifying dream that ensnares the audience, much like “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.” There’s another intense scene in this movie that might be hard to watch, but overall, the viewing experience for “The Hills Have Eyes” is more bearable than “Last House.” It remains authentic, which adds to its impact, and it also subtly comments on moral issues in America, similar to a dark joke.

Stream The Hills Have Eyes on MGM+.

Deadly Blessing

Deadly Blessing is sometimes underappreciated among Craven’s early works, possibly due to its placement between The Hills Have Eyes and A Nightmare on Elm Street. However, it deserves recognition as a significant and bold piece within his body of work. The story unfolds on the boundary of two contrasting societies – one modern and the other a strict Hittite enclave. Conflict escalates when a string of killings takes place, predominantly affecting the latter community.

Rarely does a film explore the Hittite community, but that’s precisely what “Deadly Blessing” accomplishes. Instead of mocking their traditional practices, it cleverly weaves these cultural aspects into eerie scenes, particularly through Ernest Borgnine’s chilling and authoritative portrayal. Additionally, the movie features a young Sharon Stone, an unexpected plot twist, and a powerful ending that leaves a lasting impact. It’s no wonder then that as years pass, “Deadly Blessing” has gained a growing recognition for its unique approach.

Rent or Buy Deadly Blessing on Prime Video.

A Nightmare on Elm Street

Amongst Wes Craven enthusiasts, it’s often his film “A Nightmare on Elm Street” that springs to mind first. This is well deserved, given its innovative and genuinely terrifying nature. The movie follows four teenagers who gradually understand they’ve been dreaming about the same man with a razor-edged glove. Unfortunately for most of them, the character Freddy Krueger seeks revenge on the teens of Springwood, Ohio in these dreams, and many do not survive to share their ordeal.

Craven and his team managed to create awe-inspiring results on a tight budget, which continues to impress today. The room spinning effect used for the death scenes of Tina Gray and Glen Lantz became iconic in ’80s slasher films or beyond. However, what truly sets A Nightmare on Elm Street apart is its versatility as it transcends the boundaries of a typical slasher film. It also serves as a supernatural thriller with depth, boasting an engrossing plot and a memorable performance from Robert Englund. This movie ranks among Craven’s top two masterpieces.

Rent or Buy A Nightmare on Elm Street on Amazon Prime Video.

The Serpent and the Rainbow

Despite the triumph of “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” Craven faced difficulties for several years. Admittedly, he directed “The Hills Have Eyes Part II” merely to cover his expenses. To add insult to injury, his initial family-friendly film, “Deadly Friend,” was forced by the studio to undergo extensive re-shoots to incorporate more violent scenes due to dissatisfied test viewers’ expectations of the director. However, those reshoots contributed one memorable scene to cinema history: Anne Ramsey (from “The Goonies”) tragically losing her life when her head was exploded by a thrown basketball.

In his subsequent movie, he reverted to his signature style, with the film being marketed as a horror production and receiving positive reviews from critics and viewers alike. The film, titled “The Serpent and the Rainbow,” features Bill Pullman portraying a Harvard anthropologist investigating a rumored zombie concoction in Haiti. While it doesn’t adhere to typical Craven themes and isn’t a constant stream of jump-scares, these differences make it unique and exceptional.

Rent or Buy The Serpent and the Rainbow on Amazon Prime Video.

The People Under the Stairs

In a subtle yet powerful way, the underrated masterpiece “The People Under the Stairs ” demonstrated that Wes Craven remained sharp amongst his horror contemporaries as the 1980s gave way to the 1990s. This film also serves as an influential model for Black representation in major motion pictures. The narrative revolves around a young lad, affectionately known as “Fool,” and a pair of adult burglars who find themselves at the wrong doorstep – the Robeson residence, where hidden within the walls are numerous children who have been abducted.

In contrast to his earlier movie, “Shocker,” which overly attempted to mimic the plot elements and the fame of “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “The People Under the Stairs” is a unique addition to Wes Craven’s filmography and doesn’t follow in the footsteps of its predecessor. It tackles various aspects that could have backfired for Craven, such as featuring a young boy as the main character and portraying eccentric, incestuous landlords as antagonists. However, these risky elements are executed flawlessly. The film’s power comes largely from the powerful performances of Brandon Adams and the duo of Everett McGill and Wendy Robie. Additionally, it showcases Craven’s skill in managing pace and creating suspense.

Rent or Buy The People Under the Stairs on Amazon Prime Video.

Wes Craven’s New Nightmare

In a different yet equally imaginative manner, “Wes Craven’s New Nightmare” might not be as terrifying as the original “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” but it certainly holds its own. This film blurs the line between reality and nightmare by making Freddy Krueger a part of our world, where he once again clashes with a familiar character. Although it doesn’t reach the heights of Craven’s mastery in meta storytelling that came later, it demonstrates his early understanding and skill in this innovative style of narrative, long before it gained widespread popularity.

In the favor of “New Nightmare”, it surpasses the quality of the fifth and sixth films significantly. However, its overly ambitious nature may have worked against it somewhat. Despite moments where it falls short on delivering frightening scenes, “New Nightmare” undeniably demonstrated that Wes Craven’s filmmaking abilities had not only endured but evolved as well.

Rent or Buy Wes Craven’s New Nightmare on Prime Video.

Scream

It’s quite remarkable that Wes Craven, the director, managed to create not just one but two of the most terrifying horror classics ever made. This achievement places him on par with John Carpenter, the mastermind behind ‘Halloween’ and ‘The Thing’. It’s a tough call deciding which is superior between ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ and ‘Scream’, both of which are brilliantly crafted and resonate strongly even today. ‘Scream’, set over a span of three days, is captivating from start to finish. The plot unfolds as a group of teenagers receive cryptic phone calls filled with horror movie trivia, leading to their grisly demises.

In the movie “Scream,” everything operates smoothly as planned, and Wes Craven skillfully orchestrated this project with his exceptional skills. However, it’s essential to acknowledge the significant contributions of Kevin Williamson’s script and the casting team. The talented cast, including Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, Drew Barrymore, Rose McGowan, Jamie Kennedy, Skeet Ulrich, and Matthew Lillard, all delivered outstanding performances that make “Scream” a success.

Stream Scream on Max.

Scream 2

Scream 2 can be described as an extraordinary achievement. Remarkably consistent in its positive reception from both critics and audiences, it’s a triumphant sequel across the board. Given that a script leak created complications, it’s nothing short of a cinematic wonder. The storyline revolves around Sidney Prescott, now attending college, who finds herself entangled in another series of murders, this time involving individuals wearing Ghostface costumes.

When comparing the first two “Scream” movies in terms of iconicity, it’s either slightly favoring the original or being equally iconic. This is quite an achievement for a slasher sequel, considering the first film featured Drew Barrymore’s character’s introduction and demise at its onset. However, with a powerful opening scene set in a movie theater, and other memorable moments such as Dewey’s stabbing while Gail desperately pounds on soundproof glass, the murder of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Cici Cooper, and Jamie Kennedy’s Randy Meeks’ daytime death, this sequel matches the original’s impressive level.

Stream Scream 2 on Max

Red Eye

As the 2000s approached, concerns arose about director Wes Craven potentially losing his touch. However, the tone of “Scream 3” was softened due to the Columbine tragedy, and the film “Cursed” was even taken away from Craven by the Weinsteins. Yet, the strongest evidence suggesting that Craven never lost his directorial prowess is the release that year which coincided with “Cursed”: the thriller “Red Eye”. This movie revolves around a limited number of characters, mainly hotel manager Lisa Reisert, who finds herself seated next to Jackson Rippner on a plane. At first glance, Rippner appears as an amiable individual, but he is, in fact, an assassin planning to utilize Reisert for his mission – eliminating the head of Homeland Security.

Featuring Rachel McAdams, Cillian Murphy, and Brian Cox, it’s one of the most gripping thrillers from the 2000s. Although it contains horror elements, it strays somewhat from Wes Craven’s usual genre. Notably, this film marked his last significant box office success; unfortunately, both “My Soul to Take” and “Scream 4” failed to meet expectations at the box office.

Watch Red Eye on Paramount+.

2025-02-01 06:14

Wes Craven’s 10 Most Iconic Movies