When you think of George A. Romero, chances are you immediately picture slow-moving zombies, eerie post-apocalyptic landscapes, and the groundbreaking film Night of the Living Dead. While Romero’s name became synonymous with the undead, his career was far more expansive. Many of his works, often overshadowed by his iconic zombie franchise, remain hidden gems that are well worth revisiting.
From chilling psychological horrors to critiques of societal structures, Romero was a pioneer in using horror to explore the darkest facets of human nature and society. In this article, we’ll dive into three of his most underrated works that deserve to be rediscovered, and highlight two others that might be best left in the past.
Monkey Shines (1988)
- Cast: Jason Beghe, John Pankow, Kate McNeil, Joyce Van Patten
- Verdict: Watch
- Where to watch: Pluto TV for free, MGM+
Seeking a deeply unsettling experience? Check out Monkey Shines. You have what should be an innocent monkey, trained to assist a quadriplegic man. But as the film progresses, that innocent relationship turns into a chilling and dangerous bond. After being struck by a vehicle, athlete Allan Mann is left paralyzed and dependent on others for his care. Enter Ella, an intelligent and seemingly harmless service animal, tasked with helping Allan regain independence and improve his mood. However, as their bond intensifies, Ella’s behavior becomes disturbingly erratic and increasingly violent, turning what was meant to be a supportive connection into a terrifying ordeal.
Martin (1977)
- Cast: John Amplas, Lincoln Maazel, Christine Forrest, Elyane Nadeau, Sara Venable, Tom Savini, Fran Middleton, Roger Caine
- Verdict: Watch
- Where to watch: Tubi for free
What is so interesting to me about Martin is its unique premise. It’s far from your typical vampire movie, as the protagonist isn’t a classic blood-sucking creature. Instead, Martin believes he is a vampire, but unlike traditional lore, he has no supernatural abilities, immortality, or fear of sunlight. What he has is a deeply disturbed mind and an obsession with blood.
As the movie continues to delve deeper into his psyche, it becomes clear that an unsettling mix of delusion and trauma drives Martin’s actions. The film never validates his claim to vampirism through supernatural means, instead leaving you questioning whether he’s genuinely insane or simply misunderstood. This is a must-watch for horror fans looking for something different from the usual bloodthirsty creatures of the night.
Bruiser (2000)
- Cast: Jason Flemyng, Peter Stormare, Leslie Hope, Tom Atkins
- Verdict: Skip
- Why should you skip: Disjointed plot, underwhelming performances, uneven tone, anticlimactic ending
- Where to watch: Tubi for free
Henry Creedlow has a good job, but lives an unhappy life. His growing frustrations reach a boiling point when, one day, he wakes up to discover his face has been replaced by a white, featureless mask. With his identity erased, Henry sets out to confront those who have wronged him, using his new faceless guise to channel his unrestrained anger.
The Crazies (1973)
- Cast: Lane Carroll, W.G. McMillan, Harold Wayne Jones, Lloyd Hollar, Lynn Lowry, Richard Liberty
- Verdict: Watch
- Where to watch: Tubi or Pluto TV for free
If you’re a fan of intense, socially conscious horror, The Crazies is a film you shouldn’t miss. Picture a world where your once-friendly neighbors turn into violent, erratic killers, and the government’s reaction is just as perilous as the threat they’re trying to control. That’s what happens in this sci-fi horror flick, where a small American town becomes ground zero for a terrifying, deadly virus. As the infected spiral into madness, the government quarantines the area, but their aggressive tactics only escalate the chaos.
Season of the Witch (1972)
- Cast: Jan White, Raymond Laine, Joedda McClain, Bill Thunhurst, Ann Muffly
- Verdict: Skip
- Why you should skip: Weak story, slow pacing, mediocre performances, not enough horror
- Where to watch: Tubi for free
If you’re seeking more thrilling or impactful horror from Romero, Season of the Witch is likely to let you down. Joan Mitchell, a middle-aged housewife bored with the monotony of her life and disconnected from her marriage, seeks excitement and meaning through witchcraft and the occult. But as she becomes more immersed in these practices, she starts to spiral in disturbing ways. What initially seems like a chance for personal empowerment turns dark as she begins to lose touch with reality.
