10 Horror Movies Roger Ebert Hated

From the late 1960s until his death in 2013, Roger Ebert was a highly influential and well-regarded film critic in America, famously enjoying movies like *Psycho* and *Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back*. Unlike some critics who tended to be overly negative, Ebert was known for enthusiastically supporting films he loved. However, he wasn’t afraid to be blunt about movies he disliked, often using strong language like “depraved” or “cruel” to express his disapproval.

Roger Ebert, known for favoring atmospheric horror over graphic violence, wasn’t a fan of overly extreme horror movies. Despite their popularity with fans of slasher films, monster movies, and similar genres, he didn’t hesitate to criticize them in his reviews for the Chicago Sun-Times. Even twelve years after his passing, Ebert’s insightful commentary on horror remains relevant and will likely connect with many viewers.

Roger Ebert Found Hellraiser to Be ‘Dreary’

Larry moves in with his brother’s family – his wife, Julia, and daughter, Kirsty – not knowing his brother died there months earlier in mysterious circumstances. While they’re unpacking, Larry accidentally cuts himself, and his blood revives his brother’s decaying body. Frank, still in love with Julia and having had an affair with her, hides until he can convince her to help him. He needs her to bring him victims so he can regain his strength by draining their life force. But when Kirsty discovers a strange puzzle box connected to terrifying demons, she finds herself in grave danger, pursued by both Frank and the demons themselves.

Roger Ebert consistently disliked excessive gore and violence, which are central to the *Hellraiser* series. It’s not surprising he didn’t enjoy Clive Barker’s story, but it’s a shame he couldn’t appreciate the original film’s skillful creation of a dark and unsettling atmosphere. While he likely would have disliked the sequels, the first *Hellraiser* movie is uniquely well-made. Despite this, Ebert gave it a very poor review – just half a star – and called it depressing.

Ebert Wasn’t Impressed with Constantine

I’m a huge fan of *Constantine*, and it’s loosely based on the *Hellblazer* comics. The show centers around John Constantine, a really complex character. He’s got a dark past – he tried to take his own life – and believes he’s destined for Hell. But instead of giving up, he dedicates himself to helping others, fighting demons and all sorts of supernatural threats to save their souls. Things really kick off when a detective comes to him, desperate for help after her sister’s death. That’s when he uncovers a truly terrifying plot – someone is trying to bring the Antichrist into the world!

Roger Ebert frequently praised unconventional films, but he wasn’t a fan of *Constantine*, even though it combined dark fantasy and horror in an enjoyable way. He gave it a slightly better-than-average rating of 1.5 out of 4 stars, but criticized Keanu Reeves’ portrayal of the exorcist, describing it as gloomy. It’s unfortunate he didn’t enjoy it, as the movie has gained a following with audiences in recent years.

Ebert Found Halloween 3 to Be ‘Half-Baked

Following the success of John Carpenter’s *Halloween* and *Halloween II*, the third film in the series took a surprising turn. This installment introduced a completely new storyline, centering on Dr. Daniel Challis, who becomes increasingly convinced that a Halloween mask company is connected to a murder at his hospital. Accompanied by the victim’s daughter, he journeys to the company’s isolated location and quickly finds himself caught up in a dangerous conspiracy.

Even though John Carpenter originally intended this direction for the series, fans of the first Halloween movie were upset when Michael Myers wasn’t the focus. Roger Ebert, a big fan of the original, was among those who criticized the third film, finding the villain’s plan illogical and calling the plot poorly thought out in his review, where he gave it a 1.5 out of 4-star rating. While some people enjoy the movie, most fans don’t.

Phantoms Is Predictable Lovecraftian Horror

The story of *Phantoms* starts with sisters Lisa and Jenny Pailey arriving in the nearly empty mountain town of Snowfield, Colorado. They quickly become terrified when they discover several dead bodies while looking around. Joining forces with a small group of police officers, they begin to investigate the mystery, and soon learn the town is haunted by an ancient and evil force.

The film received a low rating of only 1/4 star. The reviewer criticized its focus on action rather than building suspense, comparing it to a typical, predictable monster movie from the 1990s, like *Tremors*. The author’s main disappointment was seeing a talented actor like Peter O’Toole relegated to a role in such a formulaic horror film.

Ebert Found Thirteen Ghosts to Be ‘Painful’

I recently watched *Thirteen Ghosts*, and it’s a really gripping story! It centers around Ben Moss, a man who loses his wife and then unexpectedly inherits a massive estate from his eccentric uncle, Cyrus. He’s having money troubles, so he brings his kids, Kathy and Bobby, along with their nanny, Maggie, to live in this incredible mansion. But things quickly take a turn when they discover, with the help of a paranormal expert, that the house isn’t just a home—it’s actually a high-tech prison holding twelve incredibly dangerous ghosts!

Despite gaining a dedicated following, the supernatural horror film *Thirteen Ghosts* wasn’t a hit with all critics – notably, Roger Ebert strongly disliked it. He compared it unfavorably to *Armageddon*, calling it the loudest movie he’d seen, and bluntly stated that watching it was a genuinely painful experience, leading to a one-star review.

The Grudge Deserved a Better Remake

The movie *The Grudge* starts by explaining the concept of a vengeful spirit that kills anyone who crosses its path. The story takes place in Japan and centers on an American family affected by a haunting, particularly focusing on a woman with dementia. The film then follows Karen Davis, a caregiver assigned to look after this woman, as she discovers something sinister is present in the apartment.

The horror film *The Grudge*, inspired by a Japanese movie of the same name, was popular with many horror fans due to its unsettling scenes. However, critic Roger Ebert wasn’t a fan, giving it only one star and calling it predictable and formulaic. While he admitted the opening scene was genuinely frightening, he felt the movie lacked cohesion and followed typical horror tropes. He even suggested that the film’s star, Sarah Michelle Gellar, could have done a better job writing and directing the remake herself.

The Hills Have Eyes Remake Didn’t Impress Ebert

Alexandre Aja directed a 2006 remake of Wes Craven’s classic horror film, updating the story for contemporary audiences. The movie centers on a family’s vacation that takes a terrifying turn when they stop in the desert and are hunted by a family of deformed, cannibalistic mutants. These killers, the result of past nuclear testing, brutally attack, leaving the family traumatized and a scene of carnage behind.

Among horror films from the 2000s, *The Hills Have Eyes* stands out for its extreme violence and graphic content. However, surprisingly, film critic Roger Ebert wasn’t bothered by the gore itself. He actually found the movie predictable and criticized its contrived emotional scenes. He gave it a low rating of 1.5 out of 4 stars, pointing out the weak plot choices and how the film relied too heavily on familiar horror tropes.

The Hitcher Received a 0-Star Rating

In the thriller *The Hitcher*, Jim Halsey is driving from Chicago to San Diego when he picks up a strange hitchhiker named John Ryder. What starts as a simple act of kindness quickly turns terrifying when Ryder pulls a knife, forcing Jim to defend himself. Though Jim manages to get Ryder out of the car, he soon realizes Ryder is a dangerous killer who is now stalking him and targeting other drivers on the highway.

Even though the film became a beloved classic of the 1980s, Roger Ebert didn’t give it a positive review. He awarded it zero out of four stars, and strongly criticized a particularly graphic death scene involving Jennifer Jason Leigh, calling it excessively shocking and indicative of fundamental problems with the script. Surprisingly, Ebert also felt the writers were too timid, specifically in how they portrayed the relationship between the main character and the antagonist.

Ebert’s Disdain for Wolf Creek Is Hardly Surprising

Greg McLean’s 2005 film, *Wolf Creek*, plunges viewers into the terrifying ordeal of a group of tourists stranded in the Australian Outback. When their car breaks down, they accept help from a local man named Mick Taylor, only to awaken as his prisoners. Subjected to horrific torture, two friends manage to escape and desperately try to outrun their relentless, murderous pursuer, delivering shocking and intense violence that redefined the horror genre.

Though Wolf Creek resonated with some independent horror audiences, Roger Ebert was not a fan. His zero-star review, and describing the film as “a slough of despair,” clearly showed his negative opinion. Given that Greg McLean’s horror style isn’t typically mainstream, Ebert’s dislike isn’t shocking. The film, loosely based on the crimes of Ivan Milat, has faced criticism since its release, and for good reason.

Ebert Despised The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Reboot

Michael Bay reimagined the classic horror film *Texas Chainsaw Massacre* in 2003, making it even more intense and frightening. The story centers around a group of friends – including Erin Hardesty and her boyfriend Kemper – who pick up a distressed woman while traveling through Texas. After she tragically dies by suicide, they find themselves facing a terrifying threat: Leatherface and his chainsaw, with little help from the local authorities.

Roger Ebert didn’t love the original *Texas Chain Saw Massacre*, but he did acknowledge some positive aspects of the 1974 film. However, he strongly disliked the remake, criticizing its harshness and unpleasantness. In fact, he called it contemptible in what many consider one of his most scathing reviews. While the remake attracted viewers who enjoyed graphic violence, it even disappointed fans of the first movie, making it the most disturbing installment in the *Texas Chain Saw Massacre* series.

2025-10-07 21:39