Yes, Bristol is colouful, but it can also be creepy and unnerving. Named the most haunted city in the UK recently, there are numerous ghost and horror tales told about these streets. You’ll find a number of horror movies and TV series that have tapped into this scary vein that permeates the South West, from blood-sucking vampires to insane murderers. So this Halloween, crawl beneath your blanket on the sofa and watch these terrifying horror movies and TV shows between your fingers, all set in Bristol. Just be warned, you might be too scared to pop out to the shops after dark ever again!
1. Deadly Strangers (1975)
After a dangerous patient escapes from a mental hospital, a young woman hitches a ride with a man in the West Country. Set around Somerset and in Bristol, Deadly Strangers is more of a psychological thriller than a bloody horror. But there are plenty of unnerving performances and creepy undertones to leave you shaking in your boots.
You can rent Deadly Strangers on Amazon Prime for £3.49
2. Being Human (2008 – 2013)
A bit of comedy, a bit of drama, tonnes of supernatural, and a splattering of horror, Being Human had it all. Set in Bristol, the BBC series followed a ghost, a werewolf and a vampire in a houseshare trying to live ‘normal’ lives. But try as they might to fit in, their supernatural tendencies always crept in.
The series dropped off in quality after the first two seasons when it just so happened to move locations to Barry in South Wales – is it a coincidence? We couldn’t possibly say. But the first two are still solid, as they blend flatshare comedy with horror drama. Because we all know the scariest thing in Bristol is the rental market!
You can watch Being Human on ITVX
3. In the Dark Half (2012)
After a boy dies in the care of his neighbour and babysitter, his father is stricken by overwhelming grief. Meanwhile, Marie becomes aware of a supernatural presence that has followed her from her secret den into the city. In the Dark Half is a twisted exploration of grief made as part of the iFeatures initiative – which ended up funding three Bristol filmmaking projects. Set in Hartcliffe, you won’t see any pretty Clifton Suspension Bridge shots here, but a more terrifying edge of Bristol.
You can rent In The Dark Half on Amazon Prime for £2.49
4. Crazyhead (2016)
Some have called it Bristol’s answer to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but Crazyhead was never afforded such a long run time. It was cancelled after one season despite getting rave reviews. Nevertheless, this comedy horror is still worth checking out. Following a pair of early twenty-somethings, Crazyhead is all about confronting your demons – literally – and kicking monster butt.
You can watch Crazyhead on Channel 4
5. Matriarch (2022)
Mostly set in the Somerset village of Sutton Mallet, you can spot village church scenes shot inside The Mount Without, as well as urban sections like Berkeley Square and near SS Great Britain in Bristol. Matriarch follows a woman lured back to the village she grew up in by her estranged mother. Laura soon starts to secrete a strange black ooze, however, and the village’s shocking secrets bubble to the surface.
You can watch Matriarch on Disney+