There’s a certain darkness around Thaddeus X that feels magnetic. A rising figure in today’s production circles, he’s quickly gaining attention for his deep, unpredictable sound and the raw emotion that runs through his sets. Labels are watching closely, drawn to his distinct edge and the cinematic tension that defines his work.
So when Halloween came around, we asked him to open up about another source of his creative pulse: horror films. The kind that build fear through silence, suggestion, and atmosphere instead of jump scares. What he shared is more than a list, it’s a window into the mind of an artist drawn to the unsettling and the unseen.
As his new release ‘Beyond the Shadows’ lands on Lucidflow this October 31st, these ten films reveal the kind of darkness that continues to shape his world—both on screen and in sound.
The Exorcist (1973) – Directed by William Friedkin
“The first time I saw this on an old TV, I couldn’t shake the chill for days. The film wrestles with faith, doubt, and the battle between science and the spiritual. What grips me most is its seriousness—it doesn’t aim to shock but to disturb the soul. For me, it’s the cornerstone of horror cinema.”
Psycho (1960) – Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
“The “mother” of all psychological thrillers. Norman Bates remains one of the best portraits of human duality. Hitchcock crafts fear through suggestion, editing, and music, proving that terror doesn’t need blood to feel real. It was the first time I understood how sound alone could make your pulse race.”
Alien (1979) – Directed by Ridley Scott
“I’ve seen this film countless times. Ridley Scott turns space into a claustrophobic nightmare. The Nostromo feels alive, breathing with tension. Alien terrifies not only with its creature but with its loneliness—the helpless sense that in space, no one can hear you scream.”
Ringu (1998) – Directed by Hideo Nakata
“Japanese horror always hits differently. The cursed videotape in Ringu works as a metaphor for emotional and technological contagion. The fear doesn’t come from the scream, but from the silence that follows—when you realize the curse is already inside you.”
The Shining (1980) – Directed by Stanley Kubrick
“Brilliant, beautiful, and deeply unsettling. You’re never sure if the evil comes from the hotel, from Jack’s madness, or from something more profound. Nicholson and Duvall give unforgettable performances. The Shining doesn’t just scare—it traps you in its psychological maze.”
The Thing (1982) – Directed by John Carpenter
“Few films explore paranoia like this one. A group of men isolated in Antarctica face a creature that could be any of them. The horror isn’t only the alien—it’s the mistrust, the collapse of human connection. Carpenter nails the fear that the real monster might already be inside.”
World War Z (2013) – Directed by Marc Forster
“For me, this is the best modern horror film. What stands out is its global view of the apocalypse. The fear spreads as fast as the infection itself. It’s not about the jump scare—it’s about watching civilization crumble in real time.”
Ju-On: The Grudge (2002) – Directed by Takashi Shimizu
“Another Japanese classic that keeps me uneasy. It turns an ordinary house into a nest of terror. The horror hides in daylight, in the hallways, in the everyday. The curse can’t be stopped or explained; it just moves on, quietly, like a sickness.”
Halloween (1978) – Directed by John Carpenter
“We can’t skip Halloween during Halloween. Michael Myers is pure evil—faceless, unstoppable. What I love is how Carpenter transforms suburban calm into dread. It’s minimal, elegant, and perfectly paced. Proof that true fear doesn’t need tricks, only silence and suspense.”
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) – Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
“This one stands apart. It’s not just horror—it’s a gothic love story. Gary Oldman’s Dracula isn’t a monster but a tragic soul crossing oceans of time for love. The terror here is beauty itself, the darkness born of longing and loss.”
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