Goregirl’s TOP 10 Favourite Horror Films From 1997
Like every year of the 90s, 1997 had a handful of horror gems. I was optimistic when the first few titles I watched ended up being pretty entertaining, but my enthusiasm quickly waned. Oh boy did it wane! I watched 57 horror titles for 1997 and failed more than half of them. To be honest I am ready for this feature to be done. I am having serious 70s withdrawal! I slipped and watched A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin the other night and now I don’t want to watch any more fecking 90s crap. There is just one week left of this feature so now I find myself having to double up on the top ten lists. This list, as will be the case with the next two will be considerably more…um…efficient! I rated film number one 5/5, films two, three and four I rated 4.5/5, films five and six I rated 4/5, films seven and eight I rated 3.5/5 and films nine and ten earned a shaky 3/5. I gave one other film from 1997 a 3/5 which was Scream 2.
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#10 JACK FROST
Directed By: Michael Cooney
I did not think for a second that I would be including Jack Frost on a top ten list. Of the 57 films I saw from 1997 however it was a hell of a lot more fun than most. Jack Frost has swearing, nudity, graphic violence, rape and terribly bad one-liners. Sure, Jack Frost is a film about a serial killer-shape-shifting-icicle shooting-snowman with potty mouth, a tasteless sense of humour and a seriously bad attitude and what can I say? It made me laugh. To read the full review click here. “He’s chillin…and killin.”
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#9 MIMIC
Directed By: Guillermo del Toro
I would rank Mimic fairly low among my favourite films of Guillermo del Toro. That said, the effects are neat, and I do love me some killer predatory insects. It starts out interesting enough but the second half gets a little hokey despite being the more action-packed section of the film. It’s okay. This is definitely a light recommend. If you want to check out some really brilliant Guillermo del Toro flicks check out Cronos, The Devil’s Backbone or Pan’s Labyrinth. “Evolution has a way of keeping things alive.”
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#8 NIGHTWATCH
Directed By: Ole Bornedal
When I saw this on the list for 97 I assumed this was the Russian horror film Night Watch but it turns out there are at least three titles under this name. Ole Bornedal remade his own Danish language 1994 film with English speaking actors. Chances are had I seen the original (which I have not) I would have been much harder on this remake. Being that I hadn’t I enjoyed Nightwatch despite the insanely blaring red herring and a couple overly coincidental plot twists. “He’s a full-time college student who just took the wrong part-time job. Now he’s the final piece in a brilliant serial killer’s puzzle.”
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#7 THE UGLY
Directed By: Scott Reynolds
A lot of mixed feelings out there about this New Zealand entry. I wouldn’t call The Ugly screamingly original but I dug it anyway. It is psychological, supernatural, sort of dreamy-nightmary and fairly brutal with the violence. We get a glimpse of the killer’s life through flashbacks and it isn’t pretty. In fact…it’s Ugly! “A subversive incursion into human mind perversions!”
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#6 CUBE
Directed By: Vincenzo Natali
A Canadian entry and this one is a doozy! Cube, the film about seven people plunked into a endless maze of deadly traps is an original, intense and suspenseful thrill ride with some decent performances. “Fear… Paranoia… Suspicion… Desperation.”
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#5 EVENT HORIZON
Directed By: Paul W.S. Anderson
I wrote a long rambling review for this film with lots of pretty pictures so I am just going to say Event Horizon is a visually appealing, well cast and acted, action-packed, creepy and intense sci-fi horror flick. I love you Sam Neill you crazy bastard! To read the full review for Event Horizon click here. “Where we’re going, we won’t need eyes to see.”
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#4 PERFECT BLUE
Directed By: Satoshi Kon
I am just beginning to delve into the world of Japanese animated films and Perfect Blue has been one of my favourites so far. Perfect Blue is an excellent thriller-horror full of twists, turns and surprises complimented by an array of beautiful and violent images. To read the full review click here. “The color of illusion is Perfect Blue.”
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#3 PERDITA DURANGO
Directed By: Álex de la Iglesia
This is director Álex de la Iglesia’s second entry on a top ten. Before starting this feature I had no idea who Mr. Iglesia was, now I look forward to checking out all his stuff! Perdita Durango is funny, violent, action-packed, sexy, salty and a crapload of energetic fun! To read the full review click here. “A scientist? No, you’re definitely a dentist. I could tell from the stupid smile on your face.”
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#2 STARSHIP TROOPERS
Directed By: Paul Verhoeven
Starship Troopers is not a horror film; but hell it has more violence in it than a lot of titles I have included on these top ten lists. I have a huge soft spot for this film! I actually went to see it at the theatre three times when it came out. It is deliciously campy, action-packed, over-the-top, and has some really top notch and fun effects. Sure it is fluff, but it is freaking awesomely fun fluff! “Join the Mobile Infantry and save the Galaxy. Service guarantees citizenship. Would you like to know more?”
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#1 CURE
Directed By: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Cure is quite simply one of the best films I have ever seen with a serial killer theme. I really need to see more of Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s films!! It is beautifully filmed, intense, suspenseful, brilliantly acted, well-paced, nasty and well, just freaking perfect. I can’t recommend more highly seeking this one out. “With just one word, you will do anything.”
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GOREGIRL'S DUNGEON 
February 20, 2013 at 8:21 pm
Watched Starship Troopers recently, it’s so amazingly dumb but there’s just something fun about the whole thing.
February 21, 2013 at 5:11 pm
It is pure campy mucky-muck but sometimes that is okey-dokey!
February 20, 2013 at 9:33 pm
1997 was also the year that gave us one of my least favorite Best Picture winners…Titanic! Wow,I’ve seen only a meager three of this year’s top ten,but always enjoy your lists/reviews regardless if I’ve seen the films or not. I like Minic,too,and it was fun to see it in the theater back then. Believe it or not,I’ve never seen Starship Troopers yet! I don’t blame you for watching A Lizard In a Woman’s Skin! In watching all that crap to find thev gems,you have gone above and beyond in this 1990’s feature,which you have made far more enjoyable than the decade itself!
February 21, 2013 at 5:15 pm
Titanic came out this year huh?? Well…yeah…a big boat sinks…Kate Winslet is horribly wasted…blah…blah…some people liked it quite a bit I understand. Thanks Conrad…look forward to MARCH! Going to do a feature with a fellow blogger I think you will enjoy and contributing a couple posts to other sites…I’ll have lots and lots of Morricone and some 70s reviews. Phew!
February 26, 2013 at 12:04 am
It was sad when that great ship went down.
February 26, 2013 at 6:19 pm
It was sad when the real ship went down but as for this sappy movie ship it was the film’s best moment.
February 20, 2013 at 10:10 pm
57 films from 1997?! Were they all horror?
If you’re doing the animé/horror thing, can you recommend anything? I’ve struggled trying to get into anime but I’ve never thought of actually trying out anime horror.
February 21, 2013 at 5:33 pm
57 horror!
You are asking the wrong person about anime I am afraid. I enjoyed Perfect Blue (sorta similiar to Black Swan?!) but when I say I am just delving I am really JUST delving. I thought Blood: The first Vampire and Vampire Hunter D were pretty good…but I could not in good conscience give them a high recommendation. I was told by two people whose opinions I trust that Wicked City and Ninja Schroll were must sees. I also understand that Ghost in the Shell is a helluva flick! I am planning on watching and reviewing Wicked City some time in March…so I’ll let ya know!
February 21, 2013 at 1:15 am
I really liked EVENT HORIZON and Starship troopers. One small note – take it easy with these lists I can’t keep up with them anymore. I just don’t have the time enough to watch all thesse movies 😉
February 21, 2013 at 5:38 pm
Hahaha! Well fortunately this damn feature is almost over!! There are going to be lists for 98 and 99 next week and that is it for top ten list around here for a good long while!
February 21, 2013 at 11:10 am
Didn’t know Guillermo del Toro directed Mimic
Jack Frost, the rape scene is hysterical
Cube, Event Horizon and STARSHIP MOTHERFUCKING TROOPERS good year 😀
February 21, 2013 at 5:38 pm
Carrot nose…how rude!
February 22, 2013 at 10:25 am
Haha it was the most ridiculous horror film I have seen, saw it recently might be making it seem worse 😀
February 21, 2013 at 11:58 am
I remember watching Nightwatch when it came out and really enjoying it, to the point of recommending to customers in the video store where I worked. Then I didn’t see it for many years, but bought the DVD last year and made my husband watch it…and it was pretty lame. I don’t know how I had a false memory/my tastes changed so much since 1997! Cube and Event Horizon are great, and I enjoyed Mimic when it came out (bu now I’m afraid to watch it again…)
February 21, 2013 at 5:56 pm
I liked Nightwatch okay…ain’t going to change anyone’s life or anything. I am guessing had I seen the original I would have been far more harsh towards it though.
The decade has its MAGNIFICENT gems no doubt about it, but I totally understand now why I look at this decade the way I do. The number of shitty mainstream flicks, ridiculous nonsense sequels, terrible remakes and straight to video garbage far exceeded the amount of goodness. Every decade has stinkers…of course!! But in my opinion the 60s, 70s and 80s did not have even remotely as many as the 90s…not even close.
I did discover a couple of directors I loved and a few films I never seen back in the day that made this event tolerable, but I really look forward to not having to watch another fucking 90s horror film for a good long time!
February 21, 2013 at 12:53 pm
I saw Starship Troopers at a cinema as well. It’s okay…
Perfect Blue at 4???? It’s too awesome to be anywhere other than 1. What the heck is at 1 anyway? CURE</i!!!! YEAH! Awesome film! Okay, all is forgiven!
Cure is a brilliant serial killer film – very original and with a great twisting and complicated story with a great killer who exploits the dark well of feelings people keep in their souls! I love its atmosphere and acting – Koji Yakusho is a brilliant actor. Kiyoshi Kurosawa is a brilliant director. And the ending is just brilliant! I’m excited just thinking about it which explains this incoherent reply.
I’ve reviewed most of Kurosawa’s films (check out my Director Review Archives!) which are available in the west and I love them all. I have yet to review Guard From Underground although I have watched it and while it wasn’t scary and it lacked excitement I liked seeing his nascent style. I haven’t got my hands on the pink film he made either but it is available in Japan.
February 21, 2013 at 6:01 pm
Perfect Blue is fine at four…it is borderline as horror…but a helluva flick just the same! Wow your comment on Cure is better than my blurb!! I am burnt out man! I already have Kurosawa films in my queue that you have recommended sir…I visit your site regularly :O
February 26, 2013 at 12:07 am
“Jack Frost” may very well be the best mutant snowman serial killer movie ever made, but I haven’t seen the sequel yet so I have to reserve judgment.
February 26, 2013 at 6:21 pm
Hahaha! Well Jack has babies in the sequel and it takes place in the tropics!!? I’ll have to let you be the judge on this one.
March 7, 2013 at 5:54 am
Yay, finally a list I can compete with – I’ve seen all of these 🙂
I think you’re using IMDB, while I’ve been using wikipedia, so maybe some dates aren’t matching- according to Wiki there was also Wishmaster, Devil’s Advocate, and Scream 2, which I would put over a few of these, though maybe you have some of those in 98, haven’t read it yet.
Jack Frost – terrible of course, but laughed my ass off watching it. The best bit was the DVD cover.
Mimic: I saw this on TV around the same time as The Relic, so I’d need to watch both again to remind myself.
Nightwatch: Yeah, it was ok, haven’t seen original yet.
The Ugly: I enjoyed it, pretty good
Cube: A great little movie aside from some dodgy acting and timely character appearances
Event Horizon: Love it, much better than Alien Resurrection which got the spacey headlines this year.
Perfect Blue: Yes! When I did my top 150 films on IMDB way back in 2001 or something, this was one of only 3 animated films on the list I believe (Akira and Beauty And The Beast the others). Satoshi Kon was awesome, and is a huge loss. Saw Paprika recently, very good.
Perdita Durango: Yay, this almost made my top 150 list at the time, great film, great cast.
Starship Troopers: Love it, gets better every time I watch, wish Verhoeven would make another sci-fi epic.
Cure: Excellent film, must watch again as I came to it quite long after my Asian horror obsession which started around 2000. Kiyoshi’s Pulse is very good too, Retribution was ok, and of course everyone loves Tokyo Sonata but I didn’t feel it as much as others.
July 25, 2015 at 3:48 pm
Some good choices in here although some i wouldnt call true horror but thats just being technical. Definitely feel “The Ugly” is a bit underrated but is generally not known about either. Cube and Event Horizon are definitely solid picks as well.