Holy Terrors: JEW-O-Ween
Holy Terrors is a monthly column highlighting the Jewish talent behind some of our favorite horror films.
✡️✡️✡️
Written by Hear Us Scream’s Resident Jew-Goth Celia
If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “Dang, it’s Halloween…I need some precious Jew-y sh*t for my scary season watchlist,” then you’ve come to the right place! Below this paragraph lies plenty of creepy suggestions for your viewing pleasure. Whether you’re looking for family horror or something a lil’ more intense, I got you covered. Shalom and Happy Halloween!
✡️🎃 HUBIE HALLOWEEN (2020)
Since my ability to shut up about this one is waning by the second, I figured I’d begin with Hubie Halloween. You want a Jewish Halloween film? Truly, look no further, as not only are the main characters—Hubert Shubert Dubois (played by Adam Sandler) and his novelty-shirt wearing momma (played by the freaking fantastic June Squibb)—Jewish in the film AND real life, the remainder of the cast is also riddled with other brilliant Jews. You’ve got Maya Rudolph, who pretty much steals the film for me, Ben Stiller, Stranger Thing’s Noah Schnapp, Rob Schneider, and Sandler’s actual wife and baby: Jackie and Sadie Sandler. It’s turned into one of my most beloved comfort films, and it’s pure bliss to fall asleep to.
This Netflix original is currently available to stream on…well…Netflix. Though, I would legitimately sell my soul for a physical media copy of it either on VHS, Beta, LaserDisc, Blu-ray, and/or DVD. I feel this film to be largely family friendly, though it does contain thematic violence, suggestive language, and other material that could potentially offend some viewers.
✡️🎃 GOOSEBUMPS
Listen, I grew up reading and watching Goosebumps, yet I somehow only recently realized that Goosebumps-creator R.L. Stine is Jewish! I can’t express how much this warms my slime-green heart as this man’s creations are largely responsible for the woman I am today. Depending on what you’re in the mood for, Stine’s wealth of works come in a variety of forms, so if you’d like to read a book, he’s got you. If you’d like to watch the classic show from the ‘90s, he’s got you. Feel like a movie? You’re covered there as well. Fun fact: Jack Black, star of 2015’s Goosebumps film is ALSO Jewish.
Best Goosebumps Books in My Humble Opinion: Chicken Chicken and Beware of the Purple Peanut Butter (the latter, a delicious “Choose the Scare” adventure)
Best Goosebumps Episodes in My Humble Opinion: “The Haunted Mask” (which is hands-down the scariest episode of the show) and “Chillogy: Part 1: Squeal of Fortune” (part of a three part series, which are not based on any books, yet introduce a character called Karl, who is my religion alongside Judaism)
The original Goosebumps series is available to stream on Netflix, ...Moreover, keep an eye out for the new Goosebumps series (I can’t find when this is premiering or if it has a release date yet, but I know it’s slated for Disney+!). With regards to content, Goosebumps is scary for sure, yet it maintains an atmosphere I would assert is accessible to viewers young and old. Still, watch/read with caution if horror ain’t your thing.
✡️🎃 YOU
The Youniverse (or Jewniverse, if you will) is chock-full of Judaism. First of all, author of the series, Caroline Kepnes, is Jewish and so is our main character Joe Goldberg (Though we do not claim him. He is very bad.) Another main character, one of the most fascinating characters in the first book and corresponding first season, Peach Salinger, is Jewish as well. While I acknowledge this series is quite understandably not for everyone, it’s gotten me through some tough times and its audiobook format, read by the mind-blowingly fantastic Santino Fontana, remains to be one of the finest pieces of media I’ve ever experienced. I am madly in love with the show, but the book examines the multifaceted humanity of abusers in a way I found to be especially healing, genuine, and cathartic at a time when I needed it most.
The television adaptation of YOU is currently streaming on Netflix, though if you have access to the books (ESPECIALLY the audiobooks), I’d encourage you to check those out as well. Having said that, this series is absolutely NOT for everyone and contains a wide array of potentially triggering material that could be traumatic to read and/or watch. Protect your hearts before diving in.
✡️🎃 GHOSTBUSTERS (1984)
I recently revisited Ghostbusters for the first time since childhood, and I became so obsessed that I’m no longer even allowed to discuss it with my dear friend Rosie. There’s just something so comforting about those guys, about that theme song…and let me tell you, if you haven’t seen Ray Parker Jr.‘s music video, you are missing the F*CK out. Anyway, co-written by Dan Akroyd (Dad Akroyd, I sometimes call him, as he reminds me a great deal of my father) and beloved late Jewish comedian Harold Ramis (who plays the sweet but humorless Egon Spengler), this ghoulish conception of Jewish talent is a quintessential Halloween delight.
As far as content goes, I would say this film is mostly family-friendly. There are certain scenes, however, which feature scary and/or suggestive dialogue and imagery that certain audiences may not wish to view.
Streaming on: Hulu (United States) , Prime Video (Australia),
✡️🎃 WILLY WONKA (1971) + YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (1974)
I wish more people discussed what a Jewish horror icon Gene Wilder was! Known especially for his WILD presence in Willy Wonka—which myself amongst many others agree is absolutely a horror film—the fella was a massive influence on the genre as it is. If you’re interested in a funny yet monstrous double feature, I’d suggest you watch Wonka alongside Young Frankenstein for some VERY Jewish Halloween vibes. While Wonka is celebrated for its vibrant colors and candy themes, Young Frankenstein is an excellent contrast in its very festive black and white palette.
As with some of the other films on this list, I’d consider both of these films accessible for many age groups, yet I’d still enter with caution depending on your individual comfort zones.
✡️🎃 HALLOWEEN (1978)
I love every single Halloween film, but the original is mandatory Halloween viewing! Starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Jewish Scream Queen, as the beloved Laurie Strode, you’ve got a perfect slasher film for the season. From the opening credits to the theme song to the autumnal atmosphere of Haddonfield, this is one of the films on this list you absolutely can’t miss.
This one, while not terribly scary in the modern era, has many adult themes and may not feel appropriate for many audiences. Given some of its grisly (albeit fairly tame for this day and age) subject matter, enter at your own risk. I will say that my father, who HATES horror, is absolutely enamored with Michael. Do with that information what you will.
Streaming on: fuboTV, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, DIRECTV, Shudder, Shudder Amazon Channel, IndieFlix or for free with ads on Redbox (United States), Stan (Australia), Amazon Video, Netflix and Starz (United Kingdom), and Shudder Amazon Channel, Shudder, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ (Canada).
✡️🎃 BEETLEJUICE (1988) + EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (1990)
Guess who else is an iconic Jewish Scream Queen? The relentlessly versatile and talented Winona Ryder! Of course, Beetlejuice and Edward Scisscorhands are not the only genre-aligned features this star has shined in, but this Burton double feature felt very appropriate to include in this Halloween-centric viewing guide. If I were you, I’d begin with Scissorhands, however, to end your movie night on a much lighter note. Additionally, if you want still festive but more modern Halloween viewing featuring the magnificent Ryder, I’d also encourage you to watch Stranger Things if you haven’t already.
Although I’d consider Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands to be moderately accessible for various ages, the two are very, very dark and heavy and may contain some jarring imagery that certain viewers may wish to avoid.
Streaming on: HBO Max (United States), Netflix (Australia), Amazon Prime Video, Virgin TV Go (United Kingdom), Crave, Crave Starz, Starz Play Amazon Channel (Canada).
✡️🎃 IT (All ITerations)
Last but not least, I had to put IT on here. While I’ve not yet read the book, I know from the miniseries and film adaptations that these features are VERY Jewish. From IT’s Jewish character Stanley Uris, who is a prevalent part of every adaptation, to the presence of one of my favorite Jewish Scream Kings Seth Green, who played Richie Tozier in the miniseries, to Finn Wolfhard (Richie Tozier in the new films) to Jack Dylan Grazer (Eddie Kaspbrak in the new films), IT is Jewish as heck. In fact, even I didn’t realize how Jewish it was until this week, which is such a treat!
Even though the IT miniseries was one of the first horror features I ever saw, I’d advise anyone going into any of these adaptations for the first time to beware of some intense darkness.
Streaming on: Netflix or HBO Max (United States and Canada), Amazon Prime Video, Virgin TV Go (United Kingdom), Stan and Google Play and Apple TV and Foxtel and Binge and Ritz at Home and Paramount+ (Australia).