As if horror movies don’t offer moviegoers enough to get creeped out over, devoted horror fans can get an added kick out of visiting the real-life location of iconic horror flick scenes filmed in the Big Apple. Experience the heebiejeebies all over again after you watch these classic nail-biters before venture out to see the sites they depict for yourself. Check out these classic scary movies that were set in NYC, listed in chronological order, where you can visit the same spots these unforgettable characters walked.
Sisters (1973)
Filmed in Staten Island and directed by Brian De Palma, this terrifying silver screen scarefest stars Jennifer Salt and Margot Kidder, Salt’s character witnesses the brutal slaying of her celebrity neighbour, played by Kidder. When the police are unable to find anything untoward, Salt’s character uses her journalism skills to investigate the case of her own accord.
The Sentinel (1977)
Set in Brooklyn and directed by Michael Winner, this terrifying film features Cristina Raines, Chris Sarandon, and John Carradine. Raines plays a model from NYC who is trying to escape from her tumultuous past. Sarandon plays the boyfriend she dumps, before moving into an isolated NYC apartment, alongside a blind old priest, played by Carradine. A fresh start is going to come at a higher price however, as she soon discovers.
C.H.U.D. (1984)
Set in Manhattan and directed by Douglas Cheek, this creepy horror film follows the life of a photographer and documentarian, played by John Heard. Covering the story of a mysteriously dwindling underground homeless people population, Heard’s character chases a lead about terrifying cannibalistic predators lurking beneath the city.
Jacob’s Ladder (1990)
Set in Brooklyn and directed by Adrian Lyne, this Vietnam War film starring Tim Robbins is disturbing to say the least. Robbins plays a war veteran whose PTSD flashbacks are a thing to behold. The film follows his character as he tries to acclimatize to life after the war, while he remains immersed in insidious and terrifying hallucinations and distortions of his reality.
The Devil’s Advocate (1997)
Set in Manhattan and directed by Taylor Hackford, this intense psychological thriller stars the incredible Al Pacino, Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron experiencing a mind-bending shift in power dynamics that transcends dimensions. Reeve’s character is an ambitious New York lawyer who represents some questionable people, under an irreverent boss, played by Pacino. Theron’s character is his stressed out wife, whose disturbing portrayal of a woman coming undone will give you the creeps.
American Psycho (2000)
Set in NYC and directed by Mary Harron, this horror flick was based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, and was also set in 1987. This terrifying film features a star-studded cast that includes Christian Bale, Reese Witherspoon, Samantha Mathis, Jared Leto, Willem Dafoe and Chloe Sevigny. Bale’s character is an up-and-coming corporate bigwig engaged to Witherspoon’s beautiful character by day, bloodthirsty serial killer by night; Dafoe plays the detective hot on his trail.
About the Contributor
This article is a contribution made by Outpost Club, a company that offers shared living spaces in New York City. All inclusive co-living has a lot of benefits: great community, maintenance and cleaning, security, utilities and a lot more. Visit Outpost Club’s website to learn more.
Categorised in: Horror Movies
This post was written by Nadia Vella