As a gastro horror connoisseur and somebody who writes about such subjects, I’d be remiss if I didn’t deal with you all to a little bit of horror that includes sweet simply in time for Halloween! In any case, who doesn’t miss the times of strolling miles simply to fill a pillowcase with treats? To not point out, Halloween sweet has its personal set of city legends, which makes it an ideal gastro horror subject!
A Transient Historical past of Trick ‘r Treating
Trick ‘r treating started in america across the Thirties/40s with primarily selfmade treats and goodies. By the Fifties when sweet producers began to get in on the motion, studies of tampering with sweet started to pop up. Professor Joel Finest, a professor of sociology and legal justice on the College of Delaware, has written extensively concerning the subject and recognized about 200 confirmed circumstances of sweet tampering within the U.S. and Canada since 1958. “The makes an attempt to systematically observe up on all studies concluded that the overwhelming majority had been hoaxes,” Finest stated. (Miller, 2019) All of this, particularly some circumstances from the late 50s, led to a societal consensus across the Seventies that each one treats handed out needs to be manufactured and never selfmade. (Nix, 2014)
Even the academic movies of the time warn youngsters to not eat their treats earlier than having them checked. Word: the video beneath was directed by Carnival of Souls director, Herk Harvey.
From J-Horror to people horror, there’s a stunning quantity of sweet inside the style. What could come as much more of a shock is {that a} honest variety of these movies don’t contain Halloween. A couple of on this record are Halloween-based, however most are usually not. It’s additionally price noting that this isn’t a complete record. As an alternative, this can be a choice of a few of my favorites the place the sweet itself stands out or enhances the story in an fascinating approach.
- Trick ‘r Deal with (2007)– Trick ‘r Deal with is probably going the obvious decide on this record. The horror anthology options a number of candy-filled segments together with poisoned sweet, trick ‘r treating, and extra. Sam, the spirit of Halloween, even makes use of sweet as weapons. Considered one of these, the Hollie-Ho bar, particularly performs up the aforementioned sweet tampering fears by hiding a blade inside it.
- V/H/S/Halloween– One other Halloween-based anthology movie, V/H/S/Halloween, additionally performs up the fears surrounding trick ‘r treating. What units it other than different anthologies that make the most of these fears is that one of many segments additionally performs with the thought of the trick ‘r treaters turning into the prized confection.
- One Missed Name (2003)– Technically, a case might be made for your complete One Missed Name sequence, together with its remake, to be listed. The entire entries function sweet at various ranges, with One Missed Name 2 utilizing it the least. The sequence follows people who find themselves cursed by a telephone name. Once they die, a chunk of sweet comes out of their mouth. The primary movie, which I’ve listed right here, explains this (which I received’t spoil regardless of the movie’s age). You actually received’t have a look at laborious pink candies the identical.
- Candyman (2021)– The remake/stealth requel of 1992’s Candyman is likely one of the most correct makes use of of the hysteria surrounding sweet tampering. The viewers is launched to Sherman Fields, a homeless Black man who was wrongfully accused of hiding razor blades in sweet after one exhibits up in a white woman’s sweet. He was killed by the police and razor blades confirmed up in additional sweet just a few weeks later. His addition (in addition to the others) to “the hive” will not be solely tragic, however enhances the lore of the franchise in a singular approach.
- The Sweet Retailer– The Sweet Retailer is one other Chicago-set movie. The titular store is run by a lady on her porch for many years. After the disappearance of a number of youngsters, folks begin to surprise if there’s a connection. I used to be actually blissful to stumble throughout this one in my seek for movies for this record. Folks would possibly criticize it based mostly on its budgetary constraints, however I disagree. Given its funds, it does job of taking part in with the concepts of “stranger hazard” and the way we don’t all the time know folks, even when we see them day by day.
- Scare Bundle– Courtney and Hillary Andujar’s Scare Bundle phase, “Ladies Night time Out of Physique” makes use of sweet in another way than the opposite anthologies listed beforehand. As an alternative of Halloween theming or trick ‘r treating, it encompasses a stolen cranium formed lollipop that seems to be cursed. The phase has some particular Tales from the Crypt vibes to it as properly. If you happen to take a look at the movie and benefit from the phase, you’ll be able to even get a cursed lollipop of your personal!
- HeBGB TV– I used to be just a little late to the get together on this one, however I’m glad I lastly took the time to verify this movie out. HeBGB TV feels prefer it was made particularly for folk who grew up within the 80s and 90s and watched a variety of Nickelodeon. There are Double Dare and You Can’t Do That on Tv vibes permeating the entire film. At instances I even felt like I used to be watching exhibits like Weinerville or All That however with a grown-up flare. Nonetheless, we’re right here to speak about sweet and there’s a sweet corn phase that had me in stitches. The Sweet Corntet performs a tragic little quantity on the backside of a trick ‘r treater’s bag that ends in a darkly humorous, albeit form of gory, approach. It additionally options flying Pumpkin Mallowcremes (a private favourite) within the background. One other phase additionally has a VHS tape of a movie known as Sweet Stealer.
Enjoyable Measurement Bonus: The Exortwist– I assumed it will be enjoyable to deal with you all to a enjoyable little brief earlier than wrapping this text up! I first noticed The Exortwist at Popcorn Frights throughout their 2022 digital pageant and fell in love with it. A parody of The Exorcist utilizing sweet doesn’t sound prefer it ought to work, however it actually does! The gags inside the 3-minute run time are actually humorous and properly executed.
As I discussed beforehand, there are clearly horror movies that function sweet that I didn’t cowl on this article. I did, nevertheless, make a Letterboxd record that comprises the above listed movies and extra! Hopefully, this dive into sinfully candy horror movies is as pleasing because the treats you’ll be having fun with on Halloween evening! Glad Halloween!
References:
Miller, A. (2019, October 31). Trick or fact? The true story behind Halloween sweet tampering. Retrieved October 15, 2025, from CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/information/well being/halloween-candy-tampering-urban-legend-truth-1.5341734
Nix, E. (2014, October 31). The Haunted Historical past of Halloween Sweet. Retrieved October 18, 2025, from Historical past Channel: https://www.historical past.com/articles/the-haunted-history-of-halloween-candy
