In observance of that autumn spell when we celebrate the primal, compulsive instinct of fear, Rainestorm once more highlights 31 days of spooky scares to season the eerie atmosphere of Halloween.

For those who tuned in last year, I subjected you to a daily dose of diabolical dread and devilish distress. Just as every good horror movie deserves an inferior sequel, I offer this follow-up of also-rans, not bads, and perhaps a couple of you’ve-gotta-be-kidding-mes.

Unleashed: 2007

What evil lurks: Far too many horror movies ask the audience to root for the killer by treating their victims as irritating morons (I’m looking at you, Paranormal Activity). This overlooked little gem has the temerity to (gasp!) treat its audience with a modicum of respect. The oddly-paired Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson get creative as a divorcing couple marooned at an isolated motel cum snuff-film backlot. Using their wits (imagine!) and working together rather than at odds with one another (that one’s for you, Open Water), they manage to keep a step or two ahead of their stalkers, and the audience, rather than the other way around. The decidedly un-Hollywood ending is perhaps the biggest surprise of all. The two leads do serviceable justice to their characters, and Frank Whaley is nicely creepy as the ill-intentioned innkeeper.

Diabolical dialogue: “I’m sleeping in my shoes.”

Son of: Mute Witness (1994). A cat-and-mouse thriller in the Hitchcockian vein, with the titular mute physically unable to call out for help after witnessing a snuff film live. Particularly noteworthy is the respectable English knight who portrays the snuff film syndicate’s ringleader.

Shoddy sequel syndrome: Clearly from the post-Saw/Hostel era, Vacancy eschews many of the classic suspenseful bits in favor of torturous horrors and dirty villains.