Turkish Urban Legends No. 4: Azem: The Haunted Village of Sakarya
Sakarya is one of the richest regions in Turkey when it comes to folk horror narratives. Today’s article focuses on a story we previously covered in an episode of the Kat 3 Daire 5 Podcast: the tale of the cursed village in Sakarya, also known as Azem Village. The legend of Azem Village is a prime example of Anatolian folklore blended with horror elements. This village’s story contains many components of folk beliefs centered on djinn haunting a settlement following a curse. We wanted to briefly touch on these elements before diving into the village’s story. Jinn: In Turkish mythology, jinn or djinn can be summarized as frightening entities that…
The Best Horror Movies of the '90s
Misery (1990) It (1990) Night of the Living Dead (1990) Tremors (1990) The Silence of the Lambs (1991) Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) Candyman (1992) Interview With the Vampire (1994) In the Mouth of Madness (1994) From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) Scream (1996) Event Horizon (1997) The Blair Witch Project (1999) The People Under the Stairs (1991) Cronos (1993) The Sixth Sense (1999) Ringu (1998) Wolf (1994) Sleepy Hollow (1999) Jacob’s Ladder (1990) BONUS: Army of Darkness (1992) While the 90s are synonymous with excellent science fiction films for me, they also produced great horror films, and some even combined these two genres. Since that’s the case, I decided to…
Essential Slasher Films: The Ultimate Guide
A list I was somewhat hesitant to create. Because honestly, I figured everyone already knows these films. But the truth is, they don’t. Of course, there are people who are just discovering an interest in the genre. And let’s face it—for Google searches and such, these lists are necessary. We’re a new site, after all. Those who know me from the podcast know that slasher films hold a very special place in my heart. For those who don’t know me, or are wondering “what podcast?”—let me just bring you up to speed. Are slashers bad? Is their beauty in their badness? Are they moralistic? Are they clichéd? Are they carbon…
Memorable Food Scenes in Horror Films
When we think of elements that frequently appear in horror films, I think mirrors are the first thing that comes to mind for many people. Along with mirrors, we also think of dolls and figurines, animals like spiders or crows. But there’s another element that appears frequently in horror films yet doesn’t get as much attention as the ones I just mentioned—food. Sometimes this element presents itself through characters eating in strange and nauseating ways, and sometimes in quite appetizing, well-attended scenes that somehow still convey an underlying sense of unease. As someone who loves both food and horror films, as you know, I felt it was my duty to…
The Essential Werewolf Movies to Watch
An American Werewolf in London (1981) The Wolf Man (1941) Ginger Snaps (2000) Dog Soldiers (2002) The Howling (1981) Wolf (1994) Late Phases (2014) The Company of Wolves (1984) Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001) Wolfen (1981) Werewolves rank among the most frequently encountered creatures in horror cinema. Werewolves exist in a structure between human and wolf, with boundaries that shift in every narrative. In some productions, the reason for transforming into a human-wolf creature is being bitten, while in other stories it’s a curse or an innate ability. Additionally, in many productions, werewolves are seen as vampires’ greatest enemies. Although they’re a folk horror element seen in many different…
