My God, the news is so bad—I mean, really exceptionally bad–that the only relief is the TCM or the Halloween channel. Sometimes both. The Halloween channel is unofficially Freeform. Sometimes SyFy. Josh is content to watch something creepy with me, but if it’s really scary, (lots of ghosts, but no blood) I  go it alone. Because it’s not scary. At all. Scary is climate change, oil spills, paralyzed government, Covid, violent death, Facebook, blah, blah. Anyway, in honor of my favorite holiday, I’d like to make a few recommendations for your viewing pleasure. And yes, this is subjective. And yes, I left out the animated stuff and probably some of your favorites. I generally prefer Gothic—especially if it was made in the 1960’s. Anyway:

The Haunting   (1963 version with Julie Harris) TCM around the end of the month.

The Innocents (Deborah Kerr, based on Henry James short story) Might have to buy.

The Exorcist (Yes, it’s still terrifying) Should be streaming somewhere.

The Changeling (The one with George C. Scott) Prime Video?

Crimson Peak, (Mia Wasikowska and Jessica Chastain. A little bloody) Netflix, Prime Video

If you want a pure Halloween experience—Hocus Pocus, for a good laugh . . . and some good creeps. On Freeform all month. (Record it because there are tons of commercials.)

If you want something that will genuinely scare the shit out of you, (I couldn’t finish it) then watch Anya Taylor-Joy in The Witch. The atmosphere is . . . well, feel it for yourself.

Happy Halloween!