The Babysitter and the 10 best horror movies to watch on Netflix on Halloween 2019

9. 1922

Netflix Exclusive 1922 is based on the novella of the same name, included in Stephen King’s book Full Dark, No Stars. It’s the perfect title for that particular book, because every story in it is super dark, with no happy ending. 1922 is no exception.

Thomas Jane leads the cast as a farmer named Wilfred “Wilf” James, who happens to be carrying a terrible secret. The film opens with him hand writing a confession, and we find out very quickly what he is confessing to.

Wilf lives on his family’s farm in Nebraska with his wife Arlette (Molly Parker) and their 14-year-old son, Henry (Dylan Schmid). It seems Arlette has inherited some land, and she wants to move. Wilf would rather sell the land and invest in his farm, and when divorce comes up, she basically says, “Fine, but Henry is leaving with me.”

After this, the story gets brutal, as Wilf begins to skillfully manipulate his son, eventually convincing him to aid him in the murder of Arlette. I won’t give away any more of the plot, other than to suggest you prepare yourself for a grim tale of murder, revenge from beyond the grave, guilt and rats. Lots of rats; the kind with twitchy noses and long tails.

Jane gives a fantastic performance as the farmer, and he even looks beaten down by life. Dylan Schmid is vulnerable and heartbreaking in the role of young Henry, who suffers the most after his father’s actions.

I’ll end by reminding you again that rats play a part in 1922, so proceed with caution if you suffer from musophobia.