Valentine’s Day is around the corner, but you do not need me to remind you of that. I am sure you have seen the pinks and reds all over stores with the hearts and the chocolate boxes. On its own, Valentine’s Day is a beautiful celebration of love and everything wonderful. However, one feels almost forced to participate when stifled by the over commercialisation of what is supposed to be an optional celebration. Not to mention, it is likely that many of us may be spending it alone, you know, with the global pandemic.
For all these reasons, and also because it is fun to entertain being the contrarian when all your streaming services (and cable TV) are recommending romantic comedies, I want to propose watching the following list of movies that I believe are part of an anti-Valentine’s Day celebration.
Some spoilers to follow, of course.
1. My Bloody Valentine 3D (2009)
Available on Prime Video
I would like to open with this extremely gore-filled slasher film, which strangely was not released around Halloween. No classic romantic comedy plot, but what it is replaced by is a secret killer (who may be a ghost), with a pickaxe, out for vengeance on Valentine’s Day. A fun take on a day that is otherwise filled with hearts and chocolate.
2. Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Available on Prime Video
If you ever wanted to see Megan Fox as a teenager possessed by a demon, you have to watch this cult classic horror-comedy film. Does it have a good critic score on Rotten Tomatoes? No. But it does explore the relationship between two best friends in high school, and it makes you question how far you would go if someone you love was a virgin sacrifice in a ritual and started to become a danger to others in your life. Hopefully that is not something you have had to consider.
3. Get Out (2017)
Available to buy or rent on YouTube
Meeting the parents is an important step in any relationship. However, what happens when the situation is as complicated as it is for Chris, who goes to his girlfriend’s parents’ isolated mansion where everything feels just a little bit strange. The movie addresses racial issues and social critiques, and may be quite a dark take on the longevity of relationships when you stop to consider the important issues. But that is exactly what makes it a perfect watch for the weekend.
4. She’s Gotta Have It (1986)
Available on Netflix
Spike Lee’s directorial debut is one that portrayed a new age of black sexuality on the big screen and makes us all think about our cultural perspectives toward sex and relationships. Nola Darling, an artist in Brooklyn, dates three different men at the same time freely and shamelessly, in a depiction of polyamory that is really more about finding yourself rather than finding the right person(s) for you.
5. Gone Girl (2014)
Available on Prime Video
Finally, perhaps one of the most intense additions to this list, this film is the story of Amy Dunne, who goes missing on the day of her fifth wedding anniversary, and all the public attention falls on her husband, Nick Dunne. Secrets come up and make you question everything you believe to be the truth about how happy they really were. An incredibly compelling revenge fantasy that keeps your gripped to the very last second.
What would you add to this list? DM us and let us know!
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