From empty hotel lobbies to dreamscapes comprised of infinitely expanding pools, the rise of liminal horror continues to be one of the most fascinating genre trends in recent memory. However, there’s a specific kind of transitional space that I rarely see get the same attention as some other meme-heavy settings, and that would be the […]
From empty hotel lobbies to dreamscapes comprised of infinitely expanding pools, the rise of liminal horror continues to be one of the most fascinating genre trends in recent memory. However, there’s a specific kind of transitional space that I rarely see get the same attention as some other meme-heavy settings, and that would be the secluded roadside locations that you often see when travelling between one city and another.
Lonely roadside diners, gas stations and long stretches of empty road – it’s easy to understand why these frequently ominous sights can get the mind racing, and that’s precisely why I think they make ideal settings for a certain kind of scary story. And in honor of these chilling liminal tales, we’ve decided to come up with a list highlighting six of the best roadside horror flicks for your viewing pleasure!
For the purposes of this list, we’ll be defining “roadside horror” as any scary movie that takes place within a collection of secluded roadside locations that go mostly ignored as folks drive on by. And while we don’t be including it below due to a perceived conflict of interest, I’d also like recommend Bloody-Disgusting’s own underrated roadside anthology, Southbound!
With that out of the way, don’t forget to comment below with your own liminal favorites if you think we missed a particularly spooky recommendation.
What’s more liminal than a roadside motel? A transitional space haunted by countless past inhabitants, there’s a reason why so many classic horror movies feature seedy motels in their stories. Of course, Nimród Antal’s Vacancy stands out amongst its peers by presenting viewers with a disturbing worst-case scenario as a couple discovers that their brief rest stop might be more definitive than they hoped for.
Combining urban legends about snuff films with a general feeling of roadside helplessness, Vacancy is one of the better examples of studio-backed horror from the mid-2000s. That being said, I’d argue that the real story about criminal motel voyeurism that inspired Mark L. Smith’s script is much scarier than fiction.
5. Maximum Overdrive (1984)
Plenty of readers are likely scoffing at the inclusion of Maximum Overdrive in a list of best “anything,” but the fact is that I honestly believe Stephen King’s one and only foray into genre filmmaking is a legitimately great horror-comedy. While I’d still like to see the short story Trucks adapted into a serious apocalyptic thriller, I can’t help but appreciate the odd humor that permeates this batshit crazy experience.
And unlike most of the other films on this list, this absurd parable about vehicles coming to life actually incorporates its roadside setting into the story’s themes instead of simply using it as an excuse to isolate our protagonists. After all, what better place to tell a story about homicidal vehicles than the gas station rest stop that the machines depend on for sustenance?
4. Reeker (2005)
I’m a sucker for obscure 2000s slashers that attempt to one-up the competition by providing their villains with unique gimmicks. And among these high-concept scary stories, Dave Payne’s supernatural thriller Reeker happens to be one of the most entertaining if you can stomach a few narrative inconsistencies (as well as a familiar plot twist) in order to reach the good bits.
Following a group of strangers who become stranded in the area surrounding a roadside diner while being hunted by a foul-smelling killer, Reeker is nothing short of a schlocky hidden gem. Payne absolutely nails the uncomfortable feeling of finding yourself trapped in the middle of nowhere, and I appreciate how the flick injects some surreal desert imagery into the horror. And if you like this one, I’d also recommend checking out its straight-to-video prequel!
3. The Battery (2012)
It’s hard enough for studio-backed blockbusters to innovate on the zombie apocalypse formula, but it’s even worse for indie productions with little resources with which to expand on the films that came before. And yet, Jeremy Gardner’s miraculous little thriller The Battery accomplishes more with its shoestring budget than most zombie media does with state-of-the-art makeup and equipment.
A paradoxically somber buddy comedy about two baseball players travelling across the backroads of America after a zombie outbreak, this indie feature may not appeal to everyone, but even its harshest critics have to admit that the sheer amount of cinematic passion here more than outweighs any concerns about pacing and production value.
2. Splinter (2008)
Following a loving couple as their romantic getaway is interrupted by a carjacking, Splinter traps its main characters at an isolated gas station besieged by one of the most horrific infections ever depicted on film. And while the titular fungus is the real star of the show here (with the film boasting some gnarly body horror effects), this chilling creature feature simply wouldn’t work without the lonely atmosphere provided by its roadside setting.
Not only do these characters have nowhere to run to, but you also get the feeling that this relatively small story is only the first act of a larger tale about a worldwide infection just waiting to happen. Come to think of it, it’s about time for Toby Wilkins to make a comeback with a long-awaited sequel, isn’t it?
1. Laid to Rest (2009)
I don’t think Robert Green Hall’s Chromeskull films get the recognition they deserve, with their effects-master-turned-director actually laying the groundwork for the modern trend of ultra violent slashers like Terrifier and even the Poohniverse movies. Of course, the late filmmaker’s first slasher is much more than just a simple gore-fest, with Laid to Rest also taking advantage of an eerie roadside setting in order to set up its scares.
Telling the story of an amnesiac who wakes up inside of a secluded funeral home only to discover that she’s being hunted by a masked killer, Laid to Rest perfectly captures the spirit of roadside helplessness as our protagonist runs from one isolated location to the next in search of help.
While it’s still a shame that the planned trilogy of Chromeskull films will never be completed, at least we can still revisit this low-budget banger!
