Music, Movies, and Books to Feed Your Fall Aesthetic Cravings
Nana Brompoli sits listening to music in front of fall foliage. || Photo by Bentley Barrington
Autumn is by far the best season all year. If you disagree, argue with a wall. From the foliage, to the seasonal activities, to the holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving…it simply can’t be beat. Even the weather during the fall is better than any other season, it’s not too hot and not too cold, and the rain is undeniably beautiful in aiding the trees in shedding their leaves.
With all of these factors making fall the best season, the media that accompanies it is also better than any other time of the year. The music — even if it isn’t Halloween related — mirrors the change of the seasons. There’s something so poetic and romantic about the relationship between good entertainment and the fall.
If you are looking for a cozy fall movie to watch, or a book to open up, or a fresh playlist of fall songs then you’ve found the perfect guide to fall media. So on a chilly night, with a candle at your bedside burning scents of earthy woodsmoke and amber and cinnamon…open up that book, turn on that movie, and blast this playlist because you’re surely in for a treat.
MUSIC
Every year around this time the same boring Halloween playlists are on repeat seemingly everywhere. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson, the Addams Family and Ghostbusters theme songs, and so many more are engraved into our memories…and not because we chose them to be. So instead of continuing to settle for the same old thing, here’s a list of the best overlooked songs to get in the mood for a spooky season. The list is perfect for throwing on while studying, but fair warning, it will surely make you do a little dance. (And don’t worry, if you like some of the classics, I made sure to keep a few in there.)
MOVIES
Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
The now cult classic has forever shaped the idea of seasonal movie releases. Though its initial premiere is considered to be (and was) a box office failure, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” has stood the test of time and solidified itself as a pillar in both the queer and punk communities. The original soundtrack includes the song “Time Warp,” which has been a staple in Halloween playlists for decades.
Dark Shadows (2012)
This satirical horror-comedy is nothing short of fun. Starring Johnny Depp and a slew of other big shot actors, this movie follows a vampire waking up in 1970s Maine after an involuntary two-century nap. The soundtrack is phenomenal with tracks from Iggy Pop, The Carpenters, and even Alice Cooper. The vibe is dramatic and dark, with fun comedic bits throughout its screen time.
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Quick! Ask any gay person near you how good “Jennifer’s Body” really is… The answer will likely be BMS, or “broke my scale” for you uncultured freaks. It serves as both a sexual awakening and a slightly scary thriller, with great music and writing, all while passing the Bechdel test.
Monster House (2006)
IT’S ALIVEEEEEEE! That’s right… The house is alive and snacking on kids like a college student shovels McDonald’s fries into their mouth at 3 a.m. It’s entertaining, fun, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Like “Shrek,” it’s for everyone, even with the adult-targeted jokes hidden in the script. Definitely a fall movie, considering it takes place around Halloween.
Dead Poet’s Society (1989)
Oh Captain! My Captain! If you enjoy poetry even just a little bit, you will love this movie. A groundbreaking movie that displays the struggle of finding your place in the world. It’s raw, and emotionally charged, and truly exemplifies the art of good scriptwriting. This movie is one of the sturdiest pillars of the “dark academia” aesthetic, making the rounds through Pinterest and TikTok larping spaces.
BOOKS
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
The tale of a creator who hates their own creation, written as a challenge between a group of friends, Mary Shelley indirectly helped shape the literary genre of gothic horror. Victor Frankenstein creates a monster, using an assortment of body parts… Don’t think about that, you dirty dog. The writing style Shelley has and the ability to articulate such mind-boggling scenarios is fascinating and entertaining and just oh-so good.
The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe
Oh Edgar, you poor lost soul. The true American tortured artist who put his fears and the horrors of his mind on paper. If you want something to give you a little bit of a spook and make you question your surroundings, Poe is the hoe for you.
Sheridan Le Fanu’s Carmilla
This 1872 Gothic novella, that’s right — not too long of a read for you posers — is rumored to have inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Published 25 years before the household vampire was born, Carmilla is a lesbian vampire story. YEAH! GET EXCITED! This story created the myth of vampires’ abilities of seduction to feed on their prey. Carmilla, you wouldn’t even have to try with me.
Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
Suppressing your darkest impulses only prolongs the inevitable and once that bottle opens, it doesn’t spill out… It explodes, like Mentos in Diet Coke. The 1886 Gothic Horror explores the duality of human nature and the hypocrisy of the Victorian era. Through time it has become a punchline in casual conversations, so if you want to actually understand what it means when someone says, “Am I talking to Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde?” just read the damn book.
Donna Tartt’s The Secret History
The 1992 novel has solidified itself as a favorite in the mystery genre with its themes of moodiness and new beginnings. It also serves as a pillar in the “dark academia” side of the internet, with social media users obsessing over the idea of living life as a misunderstood creative at some New England boarding school. It’s tense, and beautiful, and a great fall read.
