There’s very few movies these days capable of making people actually scream in a movie theater, drop their popcorn and low-key tremble before the end credits - Antlers went for the trifecta and I was there to witness it all.

With Halloween officially just 48 hours away from going down and the world feeling a completely 180 degrees safer than a year ago this time, it’s only right ATC works up five reasons your horror flick goals should be met with help from a must-see Scott Cooper-directed and Guillermo del Toro-produced movie.

1 Most horror movies have not lived up to the hype lately

Excluding Jamie Lee Curtis’ Halloween Kills which went over and beyond personal expectations for the Michael Myers franchise, most horror movies of the past year and change have not hit the spot. Whether you’re trying to justify the head-scratching Titane filled with too much confusion and over-the-top nudity (this coming from someone who happily subscribes to MrSkin newsletters, too) or even being let down with Candyman, Don’t Breathe 2, Old and Malignant - there just hasn’t been much replay value in the world of horror movies. Antlers locks you in from the start - quite literally - and the well-acted out scenes from a very believable Portland, Oregon make this a wild thrill ride you can’t help but watch scene for scene.

2 The cast is surprisingly excellent

At this point you have to tip your hat to what Jesse Plemons is doing these days. It’s way deeper than playing bad guy roles in flicks like Jungle Cruise - he’s really solidified himself as a seriously talented actor and he comes through clutch in Antlers. Even more impressive is just how well Jeremy T Thomas comes off as ‘Lucas Weaver’ and the iconic “Felicity” star Keri Russell really makes her character believable. Add a splash of Graham Greene and Sawyer Jones, this cast really pulled off a remarkable acting feat for Antlers.

3 It’s actually scary

One thing you’re coming to realize more often than not these days is the lack of actual scurry moments in movies. While you can give a pass for films like Chris Rock’s Spiral and even The Conjuring 3 because of obviously comical moments and because a third edition of the Blumhouse classic series is bound to have some ‘funny’ scary moments any way you slice it - the majority of other horror movies really haven’t felt frightening by any means. Antlers goes all out to give you some very much respectable horror moments to believable gory scenes all while even making Portland seem extra spooky with the fog and forest settings. Dark. Gritty. Horror goals.

4 The run time is very respectable

Unless it’s a Marvel Studios production - or even the swan song James Bond No Time To Die - there should be no movie clocking in a minute beyond the 2-hour point. Sorry It and It: Chapter Two. It’s almost as if the movie studios made a low-key agreement with AMC and other theaters to make longer movies to sell more concession goodies because it’s hard to defend movies going past the two-hour mark. Fortunately, Antlers has a very respectable hour and 40-something minutes and there’s not a single wasted scene. Every moment feels like there’s a purpose and reason behind it.

5 Simple still wins in 2021

Have you ever wondered why toast and cereal are still offered at practically any fancy restaurant in 2021? Or even better yet - how about water or even sparkling water? Simplicity and well-appreciated. The same is true about Antlers. The movie has a limited cast, fun horror-themed story and cinematography you can appreciate from the start through the finish. There’s a thin line between being ‘too’ simple and also overly complicated. Antlers has moments where things could have gone over the top but knew just how to bring ‘those’ fears back down to reality. With movie theaters fully functional and the choice for going to see a ‘great’ movie is becoming a little too easy based off cringe reviews, rest assured Antlers is the perfect - if not only - way to end your Halloween month with popcorn - hopefully not all over you.

Antlers arrives at theaters nationwide Friday, October 29th. If you haven’t seen the trailer yet, kick back and check it out below.