The Most Stylish Horror Movies and TV Shows of 2023
It’s that time again! Time to pit a year’s worth of horror movies and shows against each in a fight to the death (aka a spot on a “Best of” list).
In these moments, I think it’s important to give credit to the specific artists responsible for bringing our favorite movies, horror or not, of the year to the screen. Costume designers, for example, are magicians who can turn characters briefly described on a page into fully realized people with distinct styles (or lacks thereof).
In celebration of these imaginative, yet often underappreciated creators, let’s look back on some of the best costume design seen in horror films and series released this year.
Dead Ringers
What’s more impressive than dressing Rachel Weisz? Dressing her twice over!
The costume designers (Keri Langerman and Mickey Carleton) behind the TV adaptation of Dead Ringers styled Weisz’s versions of twin doctors Beverly and Elliot Mantle in a way that instantly spells out who they are, together and apart. At the same time, they also managed to pay tribute to the unforgettable work Denise Cronenberg did on the original film (cue the red scrubs!). All and all, a bloody good example of modern horror costuming.
Scream VI
While Scream (2o22) gave us subtle homages to Sidney’s past, Scream VI was all about the real fashion icon of the series: Gale Weathers. Thanks to the thoughtful work by costume designer Avery Plewes (also of Ready or Not), we finally got to see Courteney Cox rock a blue suit, as well as some practical chase scene wear. And don’t get me started on Plewes’ recreations of outfits from throughout Scream history for the finale! Truly gutting stuff.
The Fall Of The House Of Usher
As Mike Flanagan shows have such a specific style, the characters within them have to as well. And Terry Anderson knows this better than anyone, having collaborated with Flanagan on Doctor Sleep, Midnight Mass, and The Midnight Club, as well as his latest series The Fall of the House of Usher.
As production designer Laurin Kelsey explained earlier this year, Flanagan gave all The Fall of the House of Usher characters a different color, which she and Anderson used to inform the show’s set dressing and costuming. Together they created a perfect blend of classic Gothic and modern aesthetics, with Anderson doing his best work on Carla Gugino’s Verna, who effortlessly moves from well-dressed wolf to modest mouse from scene to scene.
Totally Killer
Period costuming can pose a unique challenge, especially when there are YouTube accounts dedicated to fact-checking every aspect of a movie. But as a child (and a fan) of the 1980s, I can safely say Totally Killer costume designer Patricia J. Henderson (Cult of Chucky) did her given time period justice.
Essentially a slasher Back to the Future, Totally Killer flips between the present day and 1987 and Henderson connects it all via a fringe jacket, which we see on both Jamie (Kiernan Shipka) and her mom Pam (Julie Bowen in the present, Olivia Holt in the past). The white leather topper works on multiple levels, as it looks great on all three actresses while also feeling at home in either decade.
M3GAN
I couldn’t make this list without mentioning the character who inspired a thousand Halloween costumes.
Daniel Cruden killed it with his styling of M3GAN, a horror character whose signature outfit (a babydoll dress with a “pussy bow”) was seared in our brains before we even saw a frame of the actual film. I expect this look to be as remembered and recreated Chucky’s Good Guy overalls.
The Wrath Of Becky
Jumpsuits are back in a big way, with women, men, and non-binary babes of all shapes and sizes clamoring to climb into a pair of functional, yet fashionable coveralls. That’s why I think Elena Lark was so smart to put the leading lady of The Wrath of Becky in a patch-covered and crimson-colored boiler suit.
Lark’s styling immediately tells us the now-teenage character, previously known for that cute and cozy fox hat, has grown up. But also, it is a realistic pick for someone whose main goal is revenge. As they say, “It has pockets!”
Insidious: The Red Door
Speaking of boiler suits, how cute did Dalton’s roommate Chris (Sinclair Daniel) look in Insidious: The Red Door? I’ve been obsessed with the hand-painted NorBlack NorWhite suit she wore in the finale since I interviewed costume designer Dajia Milan (who also worked on Dead Ringers) last summer.
That said, I’d also like to take a moment to celebrate Dalton (Ty Simpkins) and his skater-kid style. Collaborating with Simpkins, Milan made him look like a real kid in college today, as opposed to someone’s idea of what he should look like.
A Haunting In Venice
Whether you loved or were lukewarm on the latest installment in Kenneth Branagh‘s Hercule Poirot saga, I think there’s one thing we can all agree on: the plaid three-piece suit Tina Fey‘s character (Ariadne Oliver) wears. According to costume designer Sammy Sheldon (Annihilation), the skirt has alternating box and knife pleats, which couldn’t be more appropriate thematically. Truly to die for.
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