How Bennington Does Scary, Part II
Feeling brave this Halloween? Get ready for a fright, courtesy of these Bennington alumni.
1. The Haunting of Hill House
The was based on the Shirley Jackson novel of the same name, which is rumored to be based on Bennington鈥檚 Jennings Music Building. Since Jackson was married to former Bennington faculty member Stanley Edgar Hyman and lived in nearby North Bennington, she would have known all about the building鈥檚 spooky reputation and possibly have visited it herself鈥
For bonus spookiness, explore Jackson鈥檚 in North Bennington. The town still celebrates Shirley Jackson Day on June 27, the day the ritual stoning takes place in her short story 鈥淭he Lottery,鈥 which Jackson wrote while living in North Bennington.
2. False Positive (2020)
Fans of Rosemary鈥檚 Baby should check out this critically acclaimed modern riff on the iconic film, which Justin Theroux 鈥93 along with Ilana Glazer, who co-wrote the film with its director John Lee.
3. Bear Brook Podcast
Can鈥檛 get enough of true crime? Neither can Jason Moon 鈥13, creator of the addictive NPR podcast , which investigates the cold case of the Bear Brook murders. Come for the chilling mystery, stay for the fact that it actually ends up thanks to the help of one of the podcast鈥檚 own listeners.
4. Blood Conscious (2021)
Playing on the familiar 鈥榗abin in the woods鈥 horror trope, this debut from writer/director Timothy Covell adds elements of race and power dynamics that make the film all the more frightening鈥攁nd the by Kari Uchiyama 鈥11 and Sam Tyndall 鈥04 is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
5. Shirley (2020)
Speaking of Shirley Jackon... (because, in a list like this, how could we not?)
This eponymously named film to the great horror writer while reimagining her life in Bennington. Emmy-award winning actress Elizabeth Moss shines with a delightfully unhinged performance in an atmosphere that is just as spooky and unsettling as any classic Jackson story. The movie is adapted from the novel by 鈥嬧婼usan Scarf Merrell MFA '09.
Honorable Mention
Prepare yourself for a fright during , currently in production and slated to star Peter Dinklage 鈥91 and Jason Momoa. Set in the world of Bram Stoker鈥檚 Dracula, diehard horror fans can鈥檛 miss what is sure to be a legendary performance from Dinklage as the iconic vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing. He鈥檒l team up with Momoa, who himself plays a reformed Vampire, in this highly anticipated film, which will be directed by Max Barbakow.
Have a favorite Bennington horror flick? Share it with communications@bennington.edu
By Mary Brothers '22, On-Campus Reporter.