In a genre where it can be challenging to receive a positive critique, horror films find themselves under a unique scrutiny, particularly from the esteemed critic Roger Ebert. An admirer of the genre, Ebert believed that good horror movies had the power to “exorcise our demons.” Nonetheless, Ebert was a fervent critic of horror films that showcased violence and gore without justification, frequently reflecting on audience reactions and their implications regarding the psychological effects of such displays on viewers. Within his extensive list titled “Ebert’s Most Hated,” many of the entries include horror films that surprisingly received ratings higher than a single star.
Several of Ebert’s least favored horror selections, including Hellraiser, Resident Evil, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and Lake Placid, have developed a cult following and are cherished by fans of the genre. Even seasonal favorites like Hocus Pocus, which only received a one-star rating from him, are now holiday classics. The worst horror films according to Roger Ebert feature a blend of remakes, sequels, and original productions that generally lack innovation, execution, and any compelling reason for their existence beyond the ratings he assigned, with some films even earning a complete absence of stars or a dismal thumbs down.
18
‘Halloween III: Season of the Witch’ (1982)
Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace
Despite receiving a 1.5-star review from Ebert, <em>Halloween III: Season of the Witch</em> has earned a place on his list of most disliked films. The “low-rent thriller from the first frame” continues the storyline from its predecessor as Dr. Dan Challis (Tom Atkins) and a young girl who is the daughter of a murder victim, Ellie (Stacey Nelkin), uncover a chilling plot by a mask maker intent on invoking an ancient Celtic ritual to slaughter millions of children by persuading them to purchase and wear a specific Halloween mask.
“There are a lot of problems with ‘Halloween III,’ but the most basic one is that I could never figure out what the villain wanted to accomplish if he got his way.”
Halloween III marks a decline from the brilliance of the original John Carpenter film, venturing even further away from the iconic movie monster that made it famous. Ebert critiques the film as “assembled out of familiar parts from other, better movies,” filled with clichéd scenes and sequences expected from subpar horror films. The only glimmer of hope in the third installment for Ebert was Nelkin’s performance: “She possesses a rich voice that makes you wish she had more to say and in a better role.”
- Release Date
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October 22, 1982
- Director
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Tommy Lee Wallace
- Cast
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Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, Dan O’Herlihy, Michael Currie, Ralph Strait, Jadeen Barbor
- Runtime
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98 minutes
17
‘Constantine’ (2005)
Directed by Francis Lawrence
Ebert was never one to shy away from expressing his disdain for movies that garnered a positive reception from audiences. Constantine received a one-and-a-half-star rating from Ebert and was also included on his most loathed list. This film features Keanu Reeves as the lead character, John Constantine, a demon hunter striving to improve his chances of entering heaven by assisting a policewoman in investigating her sister’s supposed suicide. Their journey pulls them into a supernatural conflict between heaven and hell, with Constantine featuring a strong supporting cast that includes Rachel Weisz, Tilda Swinton, Peter Stormare, Djimon Hounsou, Shia LaBeouf, and Max Baker.
“You wonder what kind of an L.A. cop would allow herself to be experimentally drowned in a bathtub by a guy who lives over a bowling alley.”
Ebert was unwilling to overlook the film’s technical shortcomings, criticizing its portrayal of hell, which he described as a “post-nuclear Los Angeles created by animators with a hangover.” His skeptical view of the rough premise, based on the widely popular DC Comics character, made it clear that this R-rated horror film only resonated with genre enthusiasts who could accept the illogical blend of fantastical elements presented on screen.
- Release Date
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February 18, 2005
- Runtime
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121 Minutes
16
‘Jeepers Creepers 2’ (2003)
Directed by Victor Salva
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