The best of Tobe Hooper: Five films every horror movie fan should watch this Halloween

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Tobe Hooper, one of the most influential directors in the horror genre, left an indelible mark on cinema with his unique approach to crafting suspense and terror. Born in Texas in 1943, Hooper became known for creating films that delved deep into the darker recesses of the human psyche, with an often unflinching exploration of fear and the grotesque. Unlike many horror directors of his time, Hooper didn't rely solely on jump scares or conventional horror tropes; instead, he built his reputation by creating eerie atmospheres, lingering dread, and characters trapped in nightmare scenarios that pushed the boundaries of psychological horror.

Today, we would like to talk about five of Hooper's best films, ranked from fifth to first, showcasing the director's skill and versatility in delivering spine-chilling cinematic experiences. So let's not waste any more time. Here's what we consider to be the best of Tobe Hooper.

5. The Funhouse (1981)

The Funhouse follows a group of teenagers who decide to spend the night inside a carnival funhouse for some harmless fun. However, things take a deadly turn when they witness a murder and find themselves stalked by a deformed, monstrous killer.

The Funhouse taps into a primal fear: the unsettling underbelly of carnival life. Hooper takes a seemingly innocuous setting—a traveling carnival—and transforms it into a claustrophobic, nightmarish maze. The film is a slow burn, using its vivid and grotesque carnival imagery to build tension. Beneath its slasher exterior, The Funhouse plays with the idea of voyeurism and the dangerous thrill of peering into worlds we don't fully understand. The film's atmosphere of dread and its nightmarish setting stand as a testament to Hooper's ability to transform even the most mundane environments into terrifying death traps.

4. Lifeforce (1985)

Lifeforce tells the story of a space mission that discovers a mysterious alien vessel containing humanoid figures in suspended animation. When brought back to Earth, one of the creatures—an alluring female vampire—begins draining the life energy from humans, threatening to wipe out the planet.

Lifeforce is a science fiction horror film that mixes vampiric mythology with extra-terrestrial invasion themes, creating a uniquely apocalyptic narrative. While it didn't receive widespread acclaim upon its release, the film has since gained a cult following for its bold visual style and unconventional take on the horror genre. Hooper deftly balances science fiction with body horror, presenting a world where humanity's deepest fears—of death, sexuality, and the unknown—are magnified through the lens of an alien invasion. Lifeforce showcases Hooper's ambition to push the limits of genre filmmaking and his fascination with the convergence of beauty and horror.

3. Salem's Lot (1979)

Based on Stephen King's bestselling novel, Salem's Lot is a two-part TV miniseries that centers on a writer, Ben Mears (David Soul), who returns to his childhood town of Salem's Lot, only to discover that a terrifying vampire has taken up residence in a sinister mansion, slowly turning the town's residents into undead creatures.

As a self-proclaimed fan of Stephen King, I consider Salem's Lot one of Hooper's most compelling works. Hooper masterfully brings King's chilling tale to life, turning a sleepy small town into a nightmarish battleground between the living and the undead. The film's strength lies in its atmosphere: Hooper creates a palpable sense of dread as the evil in Salem's Lot slowly consumes the town. The eerie tension builds steadily, culminating in moments of pure horror, such as the haunting image of the vampire child floating outside a window, one of the most iconic scenes in horror television history. Salem's Lot underscores Hooper's ability to adapt complex narratives into visually and emotionally haunting experiences, cementing his place as a master of psychological horror.

2. Poltergeist (1982)

In Poltergeist, the seemingly ordinary Freeling family's peaceful suburban life is shattered when their home becomes the site of terrifying supernatural occurrences. As the disturbances grow more violent, they discover their house was built on an old burial ground, unleashing malevolent spirits, most notably when their youngest daughter, Carol Anne, is kidnapped by these entities.

While there has been debate over how much of Poltergeist was directed by Hooper versus producer Steven Spielberg, there's no denying the film's lasting impact on the horror genre. Poltergeist mixes classic ghost story elements with a suburban setting, making the horror feel deeply personal and relatable. The film's ability to juxtapose the safety of home life with supernatural chaos elevated the haunted house subgenre to new heights. At its core, Poltergeist explores the vulnerability of family and the fear of losing those we love to forces beyond our control. Hooper brings his signature atmosphere of creeping terror, while Spielberg's influence on special effects and emotional storytelling provides a perfect balance between heart-stopping scares and familial drama. Poltergeist remains one of the most iconic horror films of the 1980s, combining Hooper's gift for tension with Spielberg's blockbuster sensibility.

1. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

For me, this will always be the best horror film of all time. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre tells the story of five friends who, while on a road trip through rural Texas, stumble upon a family of cannibals, led by the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface. What begins as a journey of exploration quickly devolves into a terrifying fight for survival as the group is systematically hunted down by the deranged family.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is not only Tobe Hooper's magnum opus, but also one of the most influential horror films ever made. The film's raw, unrelenting depiction of terror revolutionised the horror genre, moving away from gothic or supernatural tropes to something far more visceral and unsettling. Shot on a shoestring budget, Hooper relied on minimalistic yet brutally effective techniques to create an atmosphere of suffocating fear. The film taps into primal fears of isolation, helplessness, and the unknown, with Leatherface and his family embodying the monstrous 'other' lurking in the shadows of the rural American landscape.

Hooper's genius lies in how much he leaves to the imagination—much of the violence is implied rather than shown, yet the film feels more terrifying because of it. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre also plays on themes of societal breakdown, contrasting the urban youth with the decaying and lawless world of backwoods Texas. The film's depiction of a family gone mad serves as a distorted mirror to traditional American family values, suggesting that beneath the veneer of normalcy lies potential for unspeakable horror. The legacy of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre continues to influence modern horror, from slasher films to explorations of psychological terror.

And that's all for today! Tobe Hooper's contributions to the horror genre remain monumental. From the relentless terror of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre to the supernatural spectacle of Poltergeist, Hooper's films are more than just horror—they are studies in fear, atmosphere, and the fragility of the human condition. His ability to tap into deep-seated anxieties, whether through the lens of slasher, supernatural, or psychological horror, sets him apart as one of the genre's true pioneers.

Now we would love to hear about your experiences with Tobe Hooper's work! Which of his films do you consider the best? Would you rearrange the list or add any others? We can't wait to read your thoughts in the comments!