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5 Winter horror films for holiday Grinches

By Adrienne Clark

SANKT JOHANN IM PONGAU, AUSTRIA - DECEMBER 06: Men wearing horned, wooden masks and dressed as the Krampus creature prepare to participate in the annual Krampus parade on Saint Nicholas Day on December 6, 2017 in Sankt Johann im Pongau, Austria. Several hundred Krampus creatures from the region took part in this year's Sankt Johann parade. Krampus traditionally accompanies Saint Nicholas and angels in a house to house procession to reward children who have been good and warn those who have not, though in recent decades Krampus parades have become an intrinsic part of local folklore and take place throughout the end of November and into the first half of December in the alpine regions of Germany, Austria and Italy. Krampus usually wears large cowbells on his back that he rings by shaking his hips to ward off the evil spirits of winter. He also carries a switch made of branches or animal hair that he uses to whip bystanders. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
SANKT JOHANN IM PONGAU, AUSTRIA - DECEMBER 06: Men wearing horned, wooden masks and dressed as the Krampus creature prepare to participate in the annual Krampus parade on Saint Nicholas Day on December 6, 2017 in Sankt Johann im Pongau, Austria. Several hundred Krampus creatures from the region took part in this year's Sankt Johann parade. Krampus traditionally accompanies Saint Nicholas and angels in a house to house procession to reward children who have been good and warn those who have not, though in recent decades Krampus parades have become an intrinsic part of local folklore and take place throughout the end of November and into the first half of December in the alpine regions of Germany, Austria and Italy. Krampus usually wears large cowbells on his back that he rings by shaking his hips to ward off the evil spirits of winter. He also carries a switch made of branches or animal hair that he uses to whip bystanders. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 04: Illuminations presents Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch debuts as a giant balloon during Macy’s Balloonfest ahead of the 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 4, 2017 in East Rutherford City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 04: Illuminations presents Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch debuts as a giant balloon during Macy’s Balloonfest ahead of the 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 4, 2017 in East Rutherford City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s) /

For some, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. For others, the holiday season, with its colorful lights, indoor trees, and ear-wormy music, is a horror all its own.

But even if the idea of holiday cheer (and evil Santas) makes you want to shove candy canes in your ears, there’s still plenty of winter horror for you to enjoy.

Here are my five favorite frosty films perfect for a long winter’s night.

5. Misery

At the beginning of Misery, author Paul Sheldon (James Caan) is at a crossroads. While he owes his success to his series of popular romance novels (featuring the brilliantly named character Misery Chastain), he’s ready to move on. After completing a new manuscript in the snowy Colorado hills, he packs up his car and starts the journey back to NYC.

As he makes his way through the snowy landscape, the icy roads turn treacherous. His car swerves off the road, careening wildly, before landing in a ditch. Ouch.

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Just when it looks like all is lost, a stranger appears and saves Sheldon from certain death.

That stranger is innocent, wide-eyed Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates). Luckily, she’s a registered nurse. Even more luckily, she was able to take him to her home and set his broken legs. But all that luck runs out when it’s revealed Wilkes is Misery Chastain’s biggest fan, and she’s none too excited to learn her favorite series is coming to an end.

Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, Misery is the perfect wintertime watch as the setting plays an integral part in the unfolding drama. The inclement weather and poor road conditions serve as the perfect excuse for Wilkes to keep her favorite author close even as Sheldon (and the audience) grows uneasy with the good nurse’s caretaking methods.

Director Rob Reiner weaves a tight, claustrophobic thriller that never lets the audience rest.

(Quick shout out to all you fans of the Canadian TV version of Anne of Green Gables. Watch for actor Richard Farnsworth who played the kindly Matthew as the sheriff)

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