5º – Blood Simple (Joel and Ethan Coen, 1984)
The plot develops through a game of deception between a rich man, his unfaithful wife and the naive lover: ‘Blood Simple’ is the first feature film of the Coen brothers’ career, showing here elements that they would later use in their filmography, in films such as ‘Miller’s Crossing’ (1990), ‘Fargo’ (1996) and ‘No Country for Old Men’ (2007).
4º – Dead of Winter (Arthur Penn, 1987)
An actress, living through difficult days in her career, agrees to travel to an isolated mansion for a cast test, all happening under a cruel winter. The film gains all its dynamism by exploring the actress’ stay in the mansion, after she discovered that that test was nothing more than a trap. ‘Dead of Winter’ is a little-known work from the 1980s. Its cadenced plot with plenty of room for the characters to develop may move some spectators away, but all the layers used to provoke fear and create a claustrophobic atmosphere make this film essential for the horror fan. Another small element, but one that makes the film even better, is the fact that the plot takes shape in an icy winter, increasing the sense of isolation and fear in both the central character – which is worth highlighting, played brilliantly by actress Mary Steenburgen – and the viewer.
Continued on Next Page