Steven Lafferty: What was the best horror film of 2018? The worst?
Nick Antosca: There were lot. REVENGE and HEREDITARY were rock solid. EIGHTH GRADE was my favorite movie of the year and definitely a horror movie. The worst movie, I’m not sure. I probably didn’t see it.
SL: What direction (based on this year’s genre-contributions) do you think horror will be trending in the future.
NA: Depends on the next election. And on a collective sense of chaos in the atmosphere.
SL: What is 1 song (either the score or a song selected/chosen for the film) that you found yourself listening to rather frequently.
NA: I love the score from It Follows. And the score for Legion s1. I also like scores to movies that don’t exist, like Psychic Shield.
SL: In terms of new actors, who do you feel made a lasting impression with their performance? If possible include 1 scene example.
NA: Elsie Fischer in Eighth Grade was incredible. Every scene. Especially the pool party and the backseat of the car.
MH: Do you feel there was a cliche or, intentional or unintentional, a theme that permeated genre films in 2018?
NA: I don’t think it’s a cliche, but grief was a through line in a number of genre movies this year – A Quiet Place, Hereditary, Mandy…
MH: Do you believe that horror films are proving themselves extremely effective in regards to remakes/re-boots/etc. ?
NA: Yes. I liked the new Halloween. We’re remixing things now and making fresh meals. I learned how well that can work on Hannibal.
MH: Favorite kill of 2018?
NA: I loved the “oner” kill scene in the new Halloween. It’s one of the best kill scenes in any slasher movie that I can remember.
MH: Is there a remake/reboot you are keenly looking forward to in 2019?
NA: It’s not 2019, but I can’t wait to see the remake of Candyman. For next year…I don’t know, there’s probably 1000 reboots I don’t even know about, but for nostalgia’s sake I’ll say Pet Sematary. I loved that book as a kid.
MH: What character would you say has become a bit of a “horror mascot” in 2018?
NA: I wish it was Benicio after he was shot in Sicario 2. That was one of my favorite movies of the year.