Hearts & Haunts: Hor-Rom Recommendations
Sounds | Adrian Alfonso
Graphic by Cat Doan
The crinkling of the leaves, the not-too-cold breeze, and orange and brown colour palettes everywhere the eye can see—all these signs point to only one thing: fall movies. Not just any fall movies, horror-romance movies! In this article, we have a great selection of movies for those into romance, those into the unusual, and those who like it served up Frankenstein style.
For your viewing pleasure, here is a curated list of spooktacular movies accompanied by their letterboxd ratings (1 to 5 stars and quote insights). Don’t worry, I made sure to highlight my favourite from these flicks. Enjoy the read and I hope you enjoy the watch even more!
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Vibe: It’s Jane Austen, but the only thing more complicated than love is dodging the undead.
“Lily James in a corset wielding guns and knives? That’s a big hell yeah from me!”
Synopsis: Looking for a classic love story with a killer twist? Pride and Prejudice and Zombies takes Jane Austen’s iconic romance and throws it into a zombie apocalypse, where Elizabeth Bennet (Lily James) trades ballroom dances for martial arts and blade-wielding. And just when you think love is dead, enter the dashing Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley), who might just be more than a brooding zombie-fighter—he’s got a heart worth fighting for! It's a quirky, action-packed mashup of period drama, wit, and undead mayhem that keeps you entertained from start to finish!
Letterboxd ⭐: 2.7
Warm Bodies
Vibe: He was undead, she was alive, could I make it more obvious?
“I’m no necrophiliac but dead Nicholas Hoult can like... get it.”
Synopsis: It's another Romeo and Juliet story, but not really because it includes zombies. In this hilarious and surprisingly heartwarming twist on the zombie genre post-apocalyptic meets cute, earth has not only been destroyed by a plague but is now divided by both zombies and humans. An average but unusual zombie boy with a lot of inner monologues named R (Nicholas Hoult) starts regaining his humanity after falling for a living girl, Julie (Teresa Palmer). After their first meeting, R and Julie form a relationship that changes them and the entire zombie world.
Letterboxd ⭐: 2.9
Twilight
Vibe: Romance, brooding, and enough teenage angst to power a vampire's entire century!
“This is one of the most unintentionally funny movies of all time.”
Synopsis: Ready for some supernatural teen angst? Small-town girl Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) falls for the mysterious, brooding Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), who isn't what he seems. As their romance blooms, so does the danger—and let’s just say, this love triangle (Taylor Lautner as Jacob) takes some wild turns. If you're hooked on this mix of awkward stares, sparkles, blue colour grading, and supernatural drama, you should try watching the entire saga!
Letterboxd ⭐: 2.9
Fear
Vibe: A wild ride of teen obsession that proves love can be a total nightmare—literally!
“The Dark Side of Wattpad”
Synopsis: This '90s thriller is where a seemingly perfect romance takes a dark, obsessive turn. Nicole (Reese Witherspoon) falls for the charmingly dangerous David (Mark Wahlberg), but what starts as a whirlwind romance quickly spirals into something far more twisted. If you're into tense, edge-of-your-seat stalker vibes and wild plot twists, this one’s a must-watch!
Letterboxd ⭐: 2.9
🧡 Lisa Frankenstein (Adrian Approved)
Vibe: Frankenstein meets high school drama and their love is electric and the consequences are shocking!
“Me and the guy I pulled by being weird and off-putting.”
Synopsis: Lisa Frankenstein is a quirky, dark comedy that brings a fresh twist to the classic monster tale. Placed in 1989, a misunderstood teen who is literally just a girl, Lisa (Kathryn Newton) and a reanimated corpse (Cole Sprouse) goes on to snag some body parts, and maybe even a heart or two. If you want to see a kooky goth girl protagonist or a guy who knows when to keep quiet in a movie that has a mix of teen romance, retro vibes, and undead shenanigans, this fun, offbeat movie is perfect for you.
Letterboxd ⭐: 3.4
Crimson Peak
Vibe: Haunted houses, family secrets, and a love story that's as messy as the blood-soaked wallpaper!
“Shoutout to Tom Hiddleston with long dark hair… gotta be one of my favourite genders.”
Synopsis: If you're in the mood for a gothic romance dripping with eerie vibes, Crimson Peak is your ticket. Aspiring author Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska) falls for the mysterious Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston), only to find that his crumbling mansion is as full of secrets as it is of ghosts. With stunning visuals, a dash of horror, and just the right amount of creepy charm, this Guillermo del Toro gem is a hauntingly beautiful thrill!
Letterboxd ⭐: 3.4
Bones and All
Vibe: Don’t watch while eating, or do, it depends on what you can stomach.
“How can something so brutal feel so delicate????”
Synopsis: This movie brings the term “eater” to a whole other level. Maren (Taylor Russel), a young woman with a disturbing hunger, meets drifter Lee (Timothee Chalamet) after her father abandons her. Sharing a lot in common, they navigate love, survival, and their eerie cravings across America’s backroads. This movie is both parts unsettling and beautiful, with a raw and emotional journey that sinks its teeth into the complexities of love and identity.
Letterboxd ⭐: 3.7
Corpse Bride
Vibe: A beautiful romance that shows even the dead can have a killer love story.
“She's pretty, she's dead, she was married to a Timothee Chalamet lookalike. She's everything I want to be.”
Synopsis: Corpse Bride is a stop-motion animation gothic fairy tale set in a dull 19th-century European village. This movie has Tim Burton’s signature charm, where shy groom-to-be Victor (Johnny Depp) makes a grave mistake and accidentally proposes to a mysterious corpse named Emily (Helena Bonham Carter) while rehearsing his wedding vows. Swept into the underworld, Victor must navigate a world of quirky creatures and skeletons as he balances between love and the afterlife. With its humour, enchanting visuals, and heartwarming romance, this whimsical stop-motion classic is a must-watch for fans of spooky and sweet!
Letterboxd ⭐: 3.8
Only Lovers Left Alive
Vibe: Vampire love that’s more about moody coffee dates and existential crises than bloodsucking!
“Are they vampires, or simply introverts who are really into rock music? I really can't tell.”
Synopsis: Only Lovers Left Alive is a moody, hypnotic tale of eternal love with a vampiric twist. Reclusive musician Adam (Tom Hiddleston) and his centuries-old soulmate Eve (Tilda Swinton) navigate the existential ennui of immortality with style, wit, and an impressive vinyl collection. This dreamy, artsy film oozes cool vibes and poetic romance, making it a perfect watch for those who love their vampires with a side of indie sophistication!
Letterboxd ⭐: 3.8
Edward Scissorhands
Vibe: Gothic, Romantic, Winona Ryder
“This family met a man who had scissors for hands and gave him a waterbed to sleep in.”
Synopsis: This Tim Burton cult classic was a critical and commercial success about an unfinished creation, Edward (Johnny Depp), who has scissors for hands and a heart full of kindness. Discovered by a suburban family, Edward tries to fit into their pastel-perfect world, but his sharp, unintentional chaos brings both charm and trouble. With its mix of whimsy, romance, and melancholy, this movie is a touching, offbeat exploration of what it means to be different.
Letterboxd ⭐: 3.9