It’s no such thing as a secret that the famous Hollywood actress, Winona Ryder, is considered the queen of Halloween. She is best known for her appearance in famous films such as Edward Scissorhands (1990), Heathers (1988) and her most recent work, Stranger Things (Since 2016).
Shortly after her debut, Winona Ryder became the face of “gothic thriller” films in Hollywood, by holding a terrific performance in Tim Burton’s extraordinary work, Beetlejuice (1988). The actress is considered one of the biggest it girl from the nineties, by not only being a super talent but also by her big reputation.
Just like her films, Ryder has the talent to drag the public’s eye to her and until today- we still see people dressing up as one of her iconic characters for Halloween.
Since in a week from now it will be October 31st, we think that it might be a good idea to warm up to the “horror mood” and begin this season by watching classics. And that’s why we’ve selected 5 of Winona Ryder’s famous films that you need to watch on this Halloween’s eve!
1: Beetlejuice (1988)
Beetlejuice is a classic Halloween film, the typical terror cliché that makes you have fun and not get enough of it. Directed by Tim Burton, the film tells the story that revolves around a couple of ghosts that’s trying to haunt their former house.
The couple that died tragically in a car accident, see themselves suddenly trapped into their own house. When a new family moves in with their teenage daughter, Lydia (Winona Ryder), the ghosts have no choice other than try to scare them out so they could leave.
With a lot of failed attempts to scare away the home’s new inhabitants, the two ghosts contact Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), a vicious “bio-exorcist” that ends up causing a lot of trouble instead of helping.
Winona’s only seventeen in this film. Her character, Lydia, is a teenage girl that has trouble getting along with her parents and that’s why she becomes really close to the ghosts.
2. Heathers (1988)
The protagonist, Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder), is a good girl that sees people’s best side. Veronica has three best friends that are called Heather (Kim Walker, Lisanne Falk and Shannen Doherty), all of them have always been used to the idea of being the “centre of attention” and that’s why they have a toxic behaviour. When the girl starts dating Jason Dean (Christian Slater), she realises that all of her friends are messed up, and that’s when the couple starts planning how to kill them.
Having Winona Ryder as the protagonist with her outstanding performance, Heathers is unforgetabble. It was written by Daniel Waters and directed by Michael Lehmann, highlighting the bullying in school years and mental health.
3. Edward’s Scissorhands (1990)
Edward (Johnny Depp) is an unfinished humanoid that has blades replacing his hands. Suddenly, Ed is taken by a suburban family, which has a beautiful teenage daughter called Kim (Winona Ryder) that he has a secret crush on.
Kim has a “perfect” and popular boyfriend, but when she gets to know Ed better she starts to develop feelings towards him, and they end up falling in love.
Another Tim Burton classic, Edward Scissorhands is a gothic film that remarks on Burton’s signature.
This film was where Winona met Johnny. Right after, they got into a long term relationship for nearly four years, which brought people’s attention because of their chemistry and combined aesthetic.
Even though they did not end up together in real life, you’ll have fun watching these two in this classic gothic romance!
4. Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
When we think about horror stories, we certainly think about vampires.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a film inspired by the book with the same title, directed by the well known Francis Ford Coppola. It tells the story about the curious young English lawyer, Edward Murrey (Keanu Rivers), who takes a job in a small village in Transilvania.
All of a sudden, when Edward is discovered by the famous vampire, Dracula (Gary Oldman), a season of terror and fear starts disturbing the lawyer’s wife, Mina Murrey (Winona Ryder).
With the presence of a strong cast, Bram Stoker’s Dracula is an exceptional horror movie with a unique beauty, and it has also won three Oscars for the categories: Best Costume Design, Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing and Best Makeup.
5. Girl, Interrupted (1999)
Angelina Jolie, Winona Ryder and Brittany Murphy play three patients with mental disease. The three girls are admitted at a psychiatric hospital, when the manipulative sociopath, Susanna (Winona Ryder), plans to escape with the others, creating a reason for these three to cause problems around the mental hospital.
The story is set in the year of 1967, which brings a cool look to the clothing and the genre.
With James Mangold in the direction and the three actresses as the protagonists, you’re going to have a tense experience watching the thriller, Girl, Interrupted.
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The article above was edited by Isadora Restiffe.
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