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Horror is a much more expansive genre than you'd think at first. It's not all jump scares, demons, haunted houses, or psychological thrillers. Much like taffy, it can be stretched into whatever a writer/director desires it to be and present a dozen elemental factors as well as underlying messages.

Fashion often looks back to horror and gothic eras for inspiration as seen and widely revered in the many collections by Alexander McQueen prior to his passing in 2010. Being a huge fan of his work, but a scaredy-cat nonetheless, I thought it would be a fun idea to compile a list of horror films (some more frightening than others) that had me lusting over fashion long enough to keep me from cowering away from the screen.




The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

I often wonder if steampunk was born out of Rocky Horror because is there anything more iconic than the leather-clad corsets and fishnets combo Frank-N-Furter is most known for? This cult classic has inspired all things queer across the board and to this day shadow plays are done weekly in its honor.


The Witches of Eastwick (1987)

Cher, Michelle Pfieffer, and Susan Sarandon as witches with big perms and every level of the '80s best from padded power suits to body contouring gowns and muscle tees. Although I was born nine years later, I''m almost certain this film birthed me.


The Craft (1996)

Nancy Downs is one of the last century's biggest goth girl crushes and wow have her style choices stood the test of time. What I wouldn't give to steal her collection of chokers and ornate cross necklaces. Don't even get me started on the boots. Forget Regina George's clan, this is the clique I wanna be a part of.


Jennifer's Body (2009)

From the second the trailer dropped already ten years ago, I was sold. Megan Fox, I bow to you. You won. Hot popular girl becomes home for demon possession and gets eerily hotter because she's eating boys for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Yeah, sign me up. Finding any semblance of that pink heart-patterned hoodie or fighting the urge to turn a white puffer jacket bloody for the sake of worshipping Queen Jennifer breaks my heart even in 2020.


Helter Skelter (2012)

This is my absolute favorite psychological horror film to date and it's also one of the most visually alluring to boot. Erika Sawajiri is captivating in picture-perfect lingerie and ball gowns, but all the more tantalizing masking bloody eyes with bejeweled eye patches and even stumbling in conveniently garment-like bandages post-surgery.


Death Becomes Her (1992)

Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn as rich women who drink a potion that makes them immortal and absolutely glamorous. If the collarbone and cleavage-baring dresses and hair envy weren't enough, Isabella Rossellini in couture collars and halter made entirely of beading with nothing underneath are nails in my coffin.


Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1992)

Although the television series is preferred, the original silver screen Buffy was still a major babe with her cheerleading uniforms, crop tops, and one gorgeous ode to Swan Lake for her prom dress. Whoever started the trend of vampires in leather jackets deserves a peace prize too.


Sympathy For Lady Vengeance (2005)

Geumja getting out of prison and swiping on that red eyeshadow plus trading up her previous good-girl wardrobe for looks that kill is the femme fatale trope I live for. One of Park Chan-Wook's absolute best works.


Addams Family Values (1993)

Morticia Addams is shrine-worthy in terms of fashion in horror. She is a pioneer of elegance and goth velour. The mother of all cheekbones.


The Witches (1990)

Yes, Anjelica Huston gets not one but two entries on my list. Even as a grotesque creature the drip never ceases. Look at those rings over satin gloves. That amethyst cape. Can we bring back capes?


The Lost Boys (1987)

If men today took pointers from this film and incorporated the absolute serves these vamps pulled into their daily lives, the world might be a better place. Embroidered jackets over crop tops, oversize blazers, floor-length velvet coats, and beautifully coiffed hair? Yeah, we need this to make a huge comeback.


Scream (1996)

An entire Moschino collection was modeled after this film. What a classic. I need Rose McGowan's whole knit top and plaid skirt number in my closet this instant.


The Love Witch (2016)

Whatever Anna Biller concocted to take this film back 50 years was witchcraft itself. Elaine's like a fever dream as the lovestruck turned murderous witch donning immaculate cat eyes and a wardrobe full of heartbreaking attire.


Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

All hail the 15th-century and Victorian-era opulence. It's almost hard to watch without drooling over Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves being in a single frame together but once you pay attention it's just an aesthetically-pleasing overload. Personal fave is Gary Oldman out on the town when his eyes turn blood red underneath a top hat and those currently very trendy tiny sunglasses.


The Neon Demon (2016)

The Western answer to Japan's Helter Skelter may have been lackluster in its script, but delivered tenfold in both cinematography and an outstanding wardrobe and makeup turnout. Elle Fanning is the picture of innocence and those doe eyes are capable of deadly deceit.


In Fabric (2018)

The entire film centers around one seemingly demonic red dress that terrorizes anyone who wears it or even so much as comes into contact with it. It's truly stunning to watch as much as it is anxiety-inducing as each new victim brings the anticipation of whatever peril awaits them.


Eyes of Laura Mars (1978)

Laura Mars is a photographer who notoriously captures hypersexualized and violent images but one day finds herself seeing through the eyes of a serial killer. Most of the fashion stems from her shoots but it's so worth it, especially to see the way her perspective changes as the plot progresses.


Blood and Black Lace (1964)

The Italian neo-noir touch inspires a captivating visual experience and it's stylistically one of my favorites of the '60s. Set in a fashion salon in Rome, models are stalked and killed by a masked mystery man who looks an awful lot like Watchmen's Rorschach. 


Suspiria (2018)

Yes, the 1977 original is superior, but a great amount of the remake is extremely editorial and as absurdly creepy as Tilda Swinton in head-to-toe prosthetics is, I suffer through for the sake of art.


Jawbreaker (1999)

Although this is marked down as dark comedy, there's a murder and killer clothes so I don't really care to stick to rules. Rose McGowan in this and many of her other '90s films could definitely be categorized as a fashion icon with a myriad of pastel skirt sets, risque mini dresses, and the ability to turn any ordinary object into a runway accessory.

 

The story of how a punk rock songstress and hopeless romantic with the same first name come to meet and live together in Tokyo after a chance meeting on the train amassed a cult following since it's initial publishing as a manga in the early '00s on the pages of Japan's Cookie Magazine. Creator Ai Yazawa referenced Vivienne Westwood as the idol of main character Osaki Nana, and included a myriad of illustrations featuring both apparel and accessory designs existing in real life. This fell hand-in-hand with Osaki and her guitarist boyfriend Ren's obsession with British punk icons The Sex Pistols, devising a prettier version of the relationship between frontman Sid Vicious and his lover Nancy Spungen. During its run as a manga and anime before Yazawa's indefinite hiatus, the rocker Victorian-chic style took off. Vintage Westwood pieces like the Saturn logo lighter necklace and layered pearl chokers have become rare and highly coveted items by fans around the globe even today. 

Their spy catsuits alone are commendable, but can we talk about their unwavering ability to kill the game off-duty? Jerry must've kept them on the allowance of a lifetime because they kept the other high school kids on their toes! Crop tops, springtime shaded stockings year-round plus an unlimited supply of the cutest hair accessories = sign me up for spy privileges.

The age-old battle of Barbie versus Bratz can be settled right now. Without a doubt, the Bratz girls were ahead of the times when it came to long-standing trends and this screencap alone proves it. These girls would break off their own feet for fashion. And don't even get me started on the precision of their eyeshadow and lip liner. 

In its final hours, Hotel Del Luna seamlessly wraps up its enchanting story with an ending that aligns perfectly with the rules of the afterlife game it created. 

Closure finally arrived for Manwol and Chungmyung when tapping into the past memories of present-day Yeonwoo and Songhwa. Chungmyung was waiting for Manwol (just as I suspected) with a monogrammed hairpin only to be caught by Songhwa when she heard rumors that he was friends with the infamous band of thieves. He's forced to capture Yeonwoo and the remaining pack, immediately revealing the fact that Yeonwoo will be executed. When he lets him know he'll soon after pay for this betrayal with his life, Yeonwoo instead asks him to go on living as a traitor so that Manwol can survive. 

Chungmyung went into Songhwa's bridal chamber knowing Manwol was waiting there to fulfill her promise to stay alive and make him pay for the pain he caused her. His falsified hostility from the previous episodes vanishes as his parting words are relayed, "I'll keep you in my heart and become the moon that never falls to watch you from afar." [내 너를 가득 담아 지지 않는 달이 되어 지켜보마.] Of course at this point in time, Manwol is blinded by pure rage and can only chalk this up to more manipulation and sweet talk, but his vow led him to become a firefly that would continue to watch over her for the next millennium.

This same blind rage comes into play when Mago gives Manwol the hairpin she never received before she gets to know the truth. She begins to crumble into a manic, paranoid state in which she believes for a moment Chansung is Chungmyung's reincarnation after all as a long-game cruel punishment from Mago. In a bone-chilling conversation with a phantom version of her past self, she addresses her disgust for allowing love to impair her not once but twice now and channels that into a powerful curse, nearly getting Chansung killed indirectly. His intervention leads her to hash things out with Chungmyung and send him off one last time and our tale of tragic, unfulfilled love comes to a close.

The chapters of the beloved Del Luna staff reach their conclusions as well. Seo Hee's daughter was left to die in favor of a son and her resentment was absolved after seeing the family name die off and seeing the strength of a single mother. Scholar Kim is revealed to be the author of a strew of beloved novels that were listed as anonymous for hundreds of years and his reputation was restored. Hyun Joong's younger sister passes away and before going with her to heaven, he forgives the old classmate who accidentally killed him. 

The hotel was always meant to be a stop along the way to nirvana (or the next life) for the guests and staff alike. Manwol as the one placed in charge of the hotel for all this time was responsible for seeing them all off first but was never meant to be permanently immortal. As reluctant and unwilling as they may have been, both Manwol and Chansung knew she had to go since she was no longer the person who was living in torment, but finally found the peace she was in search of all along. Manwol left Chansung in tears but was joyous and free as she pranced across the bridge overlooking the Samdo River (similar to the Sanzu or Styx). Chansung's allusion to his own Baekdu Mountain painting being him and Manwol meeting and being in love in the next life was a sorrowfully beautiful final scene for them. It committed to the rules put in place throughout the plot while kindly not leaving the audience so distraught and drowning in tissues with an optimistic look into the future.

Every week this drama managed to keep me glued to the screen with its intriguing characters, gorgeous costuming and cinematography, and dedication to teaching viewers lessons in empathy, forgiveness, strength in vulnerability, and varying degrees of love. It's been a pleasure meeting CEO Jang Manwol, Manager Gu Chansung, and the other charming members of Hotel Del Luna's hospitable staff. 

Maybe we'll meet again at the Hotel Blue Moon! xo

Chansung eventually locates the runaway hotel after stumbling upon a real estate agent in contact with Manwol and fights tooth and nail for his place at her side, even tossing aside a magic pill given to him by Mago to make his ghost vision dissipate. Manwol reluctantly allows him to return to his position as the hotel's manager and does the same for the hotel's geographical coordinates as well.

The hotel's intern and bellhop accidentally uncover a serial killer's victims wandering aimlessly in a forest after spying a trapped ghost in his car. The murderer happens to be one of Chansung's former Harvard classmates who brutally harassed his best friend and housemate in an attempt to drive him to suicide. He uses a hate forum called Hell0 to target people who are wished dead by multiple users on the site. When the bodies are found, the reincarnation of Yeonwoo is miraculously the lead detective for the case.

Chansung finds out and immediately recognizes Yeonwoo from his dreams. He decides to bring Manwol to see that he's doing well and upon seeing her dear friend, she's overcome with emotion, but able to walk away with one less weight on her shoulder.



Now that Manwol's tree is in full bloom, her time on Earth is coming to an end, but after a lifetime of wanting to escape from her own prison of regrets, the idea of leaving Chansung alone and mourning may become her greatest punishment.

Mago appears to remind Manwol of her impending departure and pours salt in the wound by adding that Chansung will have to face insufferable sadness very soon. In the succeeding days, Manwol witnesses those who have become vulnerable and desperate as a result of loving and losing loved ones. Chungmyung isn't who Manwol sees as her life's enemy, but views her own vulnerability as her existential downfall. Seeing this weakness in others reminds her of her cursed past and it boils her blood to think Chansung could end up enduring the same penance.

The tree isn't the only one who's blossomed, but so has Chansung. He has become someone strong enough to confidently ask for Manwol's protection while protecting her from her own demons. I believe it was said at one point that his name in Hanja means "brilliant star" which would make perfect sense as he is someone who has been the guiding light for Manwol to open her heart again and forgive herself.



Forgiveness in mind, lest I forget to mention Chungmyung's story additions. As I had previously theorized, Chungmyung had been waiting to greet Manwol one last time with a hairpin toting her monogram to remember him by. We haven't quite gotten to the bottom of what exactly went down but from the bloody fist pictured during Yeonwoo's death scene, I'd say he was completely set up and forced to "live as a traitor" as the brief narration said in order for Manwol to live. As atonement for his betrayal, Chungmyung has remained by Manwol's side throughout her thousand-year existence as a lonely firefly.


Four episodes could definitely tie up the remaining loose ends regarding the final details of Manwol's past, Mago's intentions, and whether our "ManChan" couple will get their happy ending. What am I hoping for next? One of Mago's kinder facades to grant Chungmyung much-needed closure with Manwol and that episode 12 IU soundtrack to be officially released!

Until next time, if you have catching up to do, all episodes are 100% subbed in English on Viki. xoxo

Two weeks have flown by and we're halfway through the series! Now that introductions have been hashed out in my last post, the prime focus here will be on new developments in the latest episodes. 

Cracks begin to show in Manwol's glacial exterior as Chansung dissects her past and sets in motion her impending passage to the afterlife. Anything beautiful or kind brings her sorrow as she recalls the tragedies she faced when indulging herself in moments of happiness. Chansung's place in all of this is becoming clearer as he becomes more attached to Manwol and the hotel.