‘The 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments of All Time’ Recap: ‘The Top Ten’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series finale of ‘The 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments of All Time’. To revisit the previous episode, clickhere.
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Normally the series finale of a show is quite the somber affair. For it is the farewell journey, wherein we must say goodbye to some quality characters and a quality story, regardless of whether it is fiction or nonfiction and that is no easy task. Simply because we don’t want the show to end, despite the fact that all things must. But once in a great while, a series finale comes along that actually inspires excitement within us, and compels us to watch it with glee to see how everything come to a close. Making it a bittersweet affair when we finally do reach the ending. Since the reality that we have reached the end eventually does sink in and one particular finale that meets that particular criterion is The 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments of All Time.

Simply because… we’ve been dying to know what Shudder and its panel of experts and horror legends selected as the absolute best of the best for horror movie moments and how they came to the conclusion that they were the scariest of all time. Which has absolutely elicited excitement and wonder in all of us and staved off the sorrow. But what matters more... is that ‘The Top Ten’ definitely did not disappoint. Because wow, the right moments were selected here and made total sense through and through and what was truly impressive about this finale, is that it didn’t abandon the show’s formula to just power through the top moments on this list. It made sure to use education to really enhance why they were selected and why they went in their respective order.

All by informing us that the top ten not only exhibited all the other elements we’ve learned go into making an elite horror movie moment. But that they also found a way to enhance them further. In that, each and every one of them… elicited an emotional response while making use of those aforementioned foundational elements, and just amplified them and our emotions to eleven, if you will. For they just assault our senses and emotions and never let up in the process and that added new meaning and gravity to the moments present here. For instance, such a decision added so much more to Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, since it created an air of raw fear once The Overlook Hotel grabbed hold of Jack, amplifying the terror as the movie barreled toward its horrifying conclusion.

Which is also the case with John Carpenter’s The Thing. For that particular movie not only preys upon our fear of the unknown, but it uses its graphic imagery to tap into the darkest parts of our imagination. Bringing forth an equally as impactful assault on the senses, the kind that makes the viewer squirm in their seat to this day with the visceral nature of its special effects, and the fears it taps into and amplifies as the movie continues along. And that kind of logic played out often with every single movie moment presented here. As for what movie moment came in at #1 however, we won’t discuss here. You simply need to settle in and watch the finale and enjoy that epic reveal yourself… before coming to realize… that this is it. That we’ve reached the end of a powerhouse and meaningful eight-week journey.

One that undoubtedly served as a wonderful stroll down memory lane for some, or a challenge to others to get moving and see these movies as quickly as possible. But above all, these past eight weeks celebrated the most versatile and intelligent genre out there and brought the right kind of attention to it and did these moments justice and that is the hardest thing to leave behind, because that kind of respect is rare and well in the end, all we can do is extend our thanks to Shudder. For not only providing us with a logical and definitive ranking that was assembled with care. But for also giving it meaning and connection and well… that’s it, horror fans, that’s all there is to say about this wonderful series. One that will hopefully be shared and viewed multiple times by fans looking to educate others and those looking to get into the genre and all that is has to offer.

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