Sometimes, reality is much scarier than any horror movie. Around the world and throughout history, paranormal and supernatural occurrences have gone on without explanation. There is no doubt that people all over the world crave these stories, searching for some proof of something other than our material world.
Look at the success of The Conjuring franchise, which prides itself on telling stories based on the true lives of Ed and Lorraine Warren. Audiences everywhere want to see films that bring these horrifying true tales to life on the big screen.
The Black Monk Of Pontefract
One of the most famous instances of poltergeist activity ever reported was the case of the Black Monk of Pontefract. The home of 30 East Drive in Pontefract, East Yorkshire, UK first reported activity in 1966. The Pritchard family all reported multiple instances of activity, from water pools, objects moving on their own, pictures being torn, and electrical problems.
Outside these strange incidents also came strange demonic sounds of farmyard beasts, awful odors, and the apparition of a figure donned in a black cloak. This familial haunting already got a movie treatment, but it was not the most well-received. Perhaps with someone like The Babadook director Jennifer Kent, who is familiar with familial hauntings from tall dark phantoms, this story could get the proper cinematic treatment.
Robert The Doll
Before Annabel and Chucky began terrorizing our dreams, Robert the Doll owned the title as the most terrifying haunted toy. Given as a gift to a young boy, Robert was said to have been cursed by the hands of the family servant. Incidents with the doll include poltergeist activity, unexplained movement, sitting at the end of bedsides. As an adult, his childhood Owner gave the doll its own room, believing it would appease the spirit.
Everything about this doll is terrifying. Not only does it look horrifying, but it’s also alive? No thank you. One could imagine the movie version of this doll’s story turning into a fear fueled funhouse, similar to the new IT movies. Perhaps director Andy Muschietti could take a stab at it?
The Mackenzie Poltergeist
Another incredibly violent poltergeist resides in the Greyfriars Kirkyard of Edinburgh, Scotland. The occurrences here are some of the scariest of any poltergeist case. According to legend, after a homeless man broke into a mausoleum in the graveyard, he awoke the vengeful spirit of George Mackenzie, who was a lord advocate who persecuted the Covenanters of Edinburgh in the 17th century. Visitors have suffered constant attacks since, including scratches, fainting spells, slaps, and worse at the hands of the spirit. Many have tried exorcising the spirit, but to no avail.
James Wan’s vision for the real-life hauntings of The Conjuring feels tailor-made for an adaption. His ability to present the poltergeist hauntings of both the first and second films could translate easily here.
The Exorcism of Anneliese Michel
This is one of the most tragic and horrific true stories of demonic Possession. Anneliese Michel, a young girl living in Germany during the 1950s through the late 70s. After a series of mental afflictions and seizures, she began showing signs of demonic possession. Whether the cause was truly by the hands of evil spirits or just a symptom of her mental illness is still unknown. What is known is that she died of malnutrition through the ill-advised exorcisms which were performed by her family and religious leaders.
The subject matter of this story toes the line with some truly traumatic material. A director such as Hereditary director Ari Aster feels apt to take on a story like this, delving into the thoughts and reasoning behind the family’s choices. The uncertainty of the paranormal in the story could also be suited to Aster.
The Bandage Man
The Bandage Man is one of the scariest urban legends of the Pacific Northwest. Haunting the stretch of Highway 101 outside Cannon Beach, Oregon, the Bandage Man is said to be the ghost of a logger who died in a horrible accident at a local sawmill. Drivers down this stretch of land have been attacked by this ghost, suffering ax marks on the top of their cars and almost driving off the road. Locals have reportedly lost pets to the violent entity.
This haunting and violent spirit feels like it could hold the same presence as the slashers of old such as Jason or Michael Myers. David Gordon Green, who rejuvenated the Halloween franchise with his sequel could do a bang-up job adapting this story.
Ghosts Of The Queen Mary
One of the most haunted ships in the world is the Queen Mary. This ship made hundreds of voyages between Europe and the US, carrying thousands of lives in its hull. During its years on the sea, it hosted many deaths. Because of this, ghosts have run rampant in cabins, the boiler room, and more.
This would make a perfect haunted house flick in the same vein as Gary Duaberman’s recent release of Annabelle Comes Home. Imagine a paranormal investigation in this ship that ends in it being a full-on mad-house. It sounds too fun to be true.
The Hellfire Caves
One of the most terrifying haunted locations in Britain is the Hellfire Caves. Reputedly home to the Hellfire Club during the days of Benjamin Franklin, this secret society hosted their occult meetings in these caves. While some feel the club was nothing more than a bunch of horny aristocrats goofing around in the dark, others reported satanic rights occurred in these caverns.
Nowadays the caves are open to the public, many which are now said to be haunted. Cloaked figures wander the dark caves, and strange voices can be heard throughout. Imagine a film around these caves, similar to Fede Alvarez’s claustrophobic Don’t Breathe. Underground caves, night vision, and ghosts are the perfect recipe for horror.
The Bell Witch
A weird period ghost story from the south concerns the Bell Witch of Tennesse. A family during the early 1800s were terrorized by a spirit that referred to itself as the Bell Witch. This being could shapeshift into strange forms, move objects, appear as an apparition, and other bizarre supernatural abilities.
This odd tale could be a perfect middle ground between Robert Eggers’ The Witch and The Lighthouse. The weirder aspects of the story seem to appear in his upcoming psychological drama, while the more supernatural ghost elements would fit right in line with The Witch.
The Portland Shanghai Tunnels
The Shanghai Tunnels of Portland are equally claustrophobic as the Hellfire Caves in Britain. These tunnels are located below the streets of the town and were used by smugglers to Shanghai workers off onto ships during the 1800s. Now, they are a hotbed of supernatural activity, hosting nightly tours through the jail cells and hidden passageways below bridge city.
Mike Flannagan, who has brought us The Haunting of Hill House, Hush, and Gerald’s Game could do a perfect job with this spooky setting. The added tragedy to being abducted and the trauma instilled in the walls of the tunnels harkens to the same energy as The Haunting of Hill House.
Alcatraz
Jordan Peele of Get Out and Us fame could bring the ghosts of Alcatraz prison to the big screen. The lonely rock is famous for being an epicenter of spirit activity due to its long history of traumatic imprisonment. From Al Capone to the Birdman, Alactraz’s long and strange history is begging to be explored.
As Jordan Peele is so interested in telling horror fiction surrounding socially conscious topics, one concerning the prison industrial complex would be ripe for his take.
