It’s a quiet, summer day. The cicadas are droning, sprinklers are sprinkling with all of their might, kids running joyfully through them. Suddenly, the idyllic quiet is shattered by a scream. Or people go quietly missing. Or are not acting…quite like themselves.
This is small-town horror. It can be anything from a cosmic, Lovecraftian horror wreaking havoc on a once peaceful little town, an insidious invasion like The Invasion of the Body Snatchers or something dark that’s been hiding in the shadows, lurking patiently for its time or feasting on the townsfolk as the years go by ala IT.
Below are the Kali Krew’s favourite small towns to visit when we’re in the mood to visit those tiny little towns that you can only find…in the Twilight Zone (sorry, Gracie had to).
The Crazies
Chosen by Lilyn
The Ghost Tree by Christina Henry
Chosen by Lilyn
The Good House by Tananarive Due
Chosen by Tracy
In the Mouth of Madness
Chosen by Sam
Lip Hook by David Hine and Mark Stafford
Chosen by Olly
The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham
Chosen by Olly
Needful Things by Stephen King
Chosen by Gracie
Phantoms
Chosen by Shawn
Pretty Mary’s All in a Row by Gwendolyn Kiste
Chosen by Eliza
Slither
Chosen by Shawn
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
Chosen by Gracie
The Stepford Wives
Chosen by Olly
The Stress of Her Regard by Tim Connors
Chosen by Bill
The Summer Job by Adam Cesare
Chosen by Tracy
The Twilight Zone
Chosen by Gracie
Violet by Scott Thomas
Chosen by Tracy
The Wicker Man
Chosen by Olly
The Witches of Eastwick
Chosen by Olly
Let us know your favourite creepy little towns!
GracieKat was the first co-host of Sci-Fi & Scary, Lilyn’s partner-in-crime, and sub-head of the Kali Krew. She reviews horror books, movies, and games for the site. She also does a weekly Focus on the Frightful feature, and is the site list-maker. She is also in control of the Sci-Fi & Scary podcast which will relaunch soon.
Bram Stoker’s “Lair of the White Worm” is set in a castle and nearby village with nightmarish entities haunting it. While Peter Gabriel’s song “Red Rain” was supposed to be about an accursed village.
I don’t think Tremors would count as a town, but had to mention it. I was thinking of Slithers as well. 😉