Although specifically celebrated on Oct. 31, the spirit of Halloween is present throughout the entire month.. One way this month of fright is commonly commemorated is through viewings of iconic films synonymous with the essence of the holiday.

From “Scream” to “Friday the 13th,” there are a myriad of movies that memorialize the horror that Halloween inspires. In honor of Halloween, here are three unconventional film recommendations to shake up your typical October screenings.

Cure

Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s “Cure,” in 1997,  is a truly mesmerizing watch. The story follows distressed Japanese detective Takabe (Koji Yakusho) in his investigation of a string of murders that share only one commonality, an ‘X’ shape carved into the victims of the killings. This unconventional detective story is both thrilling and enigmatic.

“Cure” is a brutal film, but the fright does not come in the form of immersing the audience in the viciousness of the murders present in the narrative. The disconcerting nature of the story stems from the banality of the violence on display. On both a technical and thematic level, “Cure” is bound to send a shiver down your spine.

If you’re looking to be unsettled this month in the spirit of Halloween, check out this horror and crime masterpiece.

Donnie Darko

Recognized for Jake Gyllenhaal’s breakout performance, “Donnie Darko” in 2001, is a cult classic perfect for Halloween viewing. Not only does the story encompass the entire month of October, but much of the film’s imagery is unmistakably Halloween-esque.

Though not a horror film, “Donnie Darko” is an impressive blend of genres as a coming-of-age story wrapped in a science fiction narrative. There is even a thinly veiled aspect of messianic superheroism. 

While sleepwalking during the night of Oct. 2, 1988, troubled high school student Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) discovers the world is to come to an end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds. The narrative utilizes recognizable and exciting science fiction concepts, including time travel and alternate universes. At its core, though, “Donnie Darko” is a moving, psychological examination of teenage angst and the pain of puberty. If for no other reason, consider watching “Donnie Darko” this month for its iconic Halloween party sequence in the third act of the film.

Pulse

Most horror cinema fans are familiar with “The Ring,” from 2002, but many are unaware of another techno-horror film from just the year prior. “Pulse,” in 2001, is another deeply uneasy film written and directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa. The connection to “The Ring” originates from its similar subject matter, dealing with humanity’s contact with the dead through the internet. 

The most impressive aspect of “Pulse” is Kurosawa’s prescience; this film, which is twenty-four years old, symbolically depicts a dreary aspect of society’s relation to the internet. The narrative itself is rather straightforward; following the suicide of a university student in Tokyo, many of the Japanese youth begin encountering the supernatural through their computer screens. What is more complex is the film’s meditation on loneliness in the modern age, which may or may not be exacerbated by the pervasion of the internet. 

This is not a conventional ghost story. It is not death bringing about these spirits, but the loneliness of the living themselves. There exists an impressive level of apocalyptic dread within this film by the end of its runtime.