A degree of fear: We assigned each Durham college its own horror film

Love them or hate them, every college has its own horror story – and something wicked this way comes…

As a self-proclaimed horror film connoisseur and with the blessing of the Letterboxd gods. I’ve taken it upon myself to decide which horror film your college really is. Grab your popcorn (and maybe a crucifix).

Collingwood- All Cheerleaders Die (2013)

This is one of my underrated favourites which has developed a little bit of cult following in recent years. All Cheerleaders Die is a fun, campy and fast-paced film that deserves to be at the top of the pyramid (watchlist). All Cheerleaders Die walked so Bottoms could run. So why does Collingwood scream All Cheerleaders Die? It’s simple, really. What’s the one thing we all know about Collingwood? Their love of sports.

I’ll be honest- this one was a bit of a challenge. There aren’t that many sport horror movies, which feels like a real disservice, because honestly, what’s scarier than those 9am bleep tests in high school? But Collingwood also has a fun side. From the people I know there, it’s got a great music scene – so I wanted to a film that had a little bit of fun mixed in with the fear.

Grey- Nosferatu (2024)

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We all know and love the saying, ‘Grey by name, Grey by nature,’ And honestly, I can’t think of a film that uses the colour grey more than this one. Nosferatu is so dark and desaturated. Even in a pitch-black cinema, you can’t see a thing. That might actually be a blessing in disguise though, because it does keep you from watching Lily Rose-Depp trying to act.

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Another reason Nosferatu is the perfect match for Grey? The stairs. There are so many stairs in this movie – Nicholas Hoult spends half his screen time walking up or down them. And from the hazy nights I’ve spent in Grey, I can confirm: there are just so many steps.

John Snow- Cabin Fever (2002)

For a college named after the very famous cholera-curer John Snow, it would be a disservice not to pick a horror film where the main threat is water – well illness in the water, which is close enough.

Honestly, I don’t know what’s worse: this illness in Cabin Fever, cholera itself, or the state of yours (and mine) bank account after a night out in Jimmy’s. Either way, this might be the only river scarier than whatever is lurking in the River Wear.

Josephine Butler- The Hills Have Eyes (2006)

Not only is Butler located right at the top of the Hill, but they had to be extra and give you the joyous experience of walking up the Mount too. It’s also a little far out from the city centre – meaning once you’re home for the day, you’re home for the day.

That’s exactly why The Hills Have Eyes is the perfect match. The characters are isolated, stuck and haunted by some very questionable looking people – which, let’s be honest, is exactly how it feels running into your past situationships in Durham.

Hild Bede- The Mist (2007)

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Honestly this one is very self-explanatory. A horror film about toxic air. A college that literally had to move because of rumoured toxic air. I mean the jokes (and in this case the articles) write themselves.

South- Bodies, Bodies, Bodies (2022)

South is the most modern of the colleges, being the youngest of them all, and it’s hard to think of a horror film more modern than Bodies, Bodies, Bodies. It’s one of the few movies that truly nails Gen Z humour – genuinely funny, chaotic and unexpectedly sharp.

Every performance shines, but Rachel Sennott as Alice completely steals the show (justice for her podcast!). This movie’s sleek, self-aware style and ironic energy gives it that distinctive, modern edge – just like South here in Durham. Bold, new and maybe sometimes even a little
underrated.

St Aidan’s- Jennifer’s Body (2009)

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Aidan’s is lovingly known as the “rainbow college,” and when you think of iconic queer horror cinema, what is more iconic than Jennifer’s Body? Not only is Jennifer’s Body a brilliant film but it also clearly stands out in the horror world, there is nothing quite like it.

I will warn you, I may be a little biased as this was one of my many gay awakenings… Megan Fox the woman you are. If you think you haven’t seen or heard of Jennifer’s Body before – firstly, how? From iconic stills to Tiktok trends. If you haven’t seen Jennifer’s Body already, simply why? There was no other opinion for Aidan’s as they are both queer icons.

St Mary’s- Revenge (2017)

From the director of The Substance (2024), this film gives viewers a feminist take on the very a sexist subgenre of horror. I don’t know why but I feel like Mary’s very much gives off girlboss, feminist energy, which Revenge also gives its viewers. From its strong powerhouse female main character, to the unforgettable kills. It is just a very gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss film which in my opinion screams Mary’s… The diva of the Hill.

Stephenson- The Loved Ones (2009)

Stevo was definitely the hardest one for me to pick — I’ll admit, I’ve kind of neglected it. I’ve only been there once (shameful, I know), but everyone I met was absolutely lovely. Still, there’s a certain vibe about people from Stevo that I can’t quite place… which is exactly why I landed on The Loved Ones (2009). I watched it recently and loved it — it’s sick and twisted in all the right ways, and it really goes places other horror films don’t.

It’s an underrated classic — just like the college itself. Sorry for neglecting you, Stevo — I promise I’ll visit more often.

Trevelyan- Cube (1997)

Another self-explanatory pick (sorry). The only thing most people seem to know about Trev’s is its weird obsession with a certain six-sided shape-like, why is everything hexagonal? So naturally, the only possible choice was Cube (1997). It’s an iconic and bizarre horror film that, much like Trevs, divides opinion. People either love it or just don’t get it. But there’s no denying it stands out as clever, confusing and geometrically unforgettable.

Van Mildert- The Birds (1963)

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Another self-explanatory pick (I fear I need to be more creative). Ducks are birds, right? Well if not they are for the sake of my article. There might not be a huge number of cute or fun things about Mildert, but Millie the Duck is undeniably adorable, and I’m a big fan. Still, nothing — and I mean nothing — can be as terrifying as being allocated Mildert. So really, The Birds just make sense.

Ustinov- The Cabin In The Woods (2011)

Ustinov is famously very secretive, so a horror film with a secret society/operation just fits Ustinov perfectly. This is one of my favourite horror movies of all time. Clever, self-aware, and unlike anything else in the genre.

I don’t want to spoil too much (it’s really best to go in blind), but ever since I first watched it, I’ve been chasing something with the same mix and nothing has come close. It’s a true standout in a crowded market: completely unique. Exactly like Ustinov. (Also, can I please come to your bar at least once?)

Hatfield- The Menu (2023)

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Honestly, Hatfield is horrifying enough without even needing a horror film assigned to it. And to be fair, it probably doesn’t deserve one as good as this. But for a college with such a colourful – and let’s be honest, somewhat problematic – reputation, there was really only one choice: The Menu.

This film might actually have more of a problematic dinner tradition than the spoon-banging at Hatfield formals. It’s sharp, absurd, and painfully relatable for anyone who’s ever survived a night surrounded by a Hatfielders.

St Johns- Heretic (2024)

Who’s shocked that John’s ended up with a religious horror film? Not me. But Heretic isn’t just about religion. It also features something very relevant to John’s: tunnels. I’ll admit I’m a bit of a John’s Bar hater, but in fairness, that’s just because I hate your stairs. Still, navigating that bar feels like a maze, and honestly, I think it’d be easier to survive Heretic than a night at John’s.

Castle- The Ugly Stepsister (2025)

Castle has a certain fairy-tale charm… but it also has its secrets. That’s why The Ugly Stepsister is the perfect pick. Set in what I believe is the 19th century, it has a historical vibe — but it also manages to make you feel slightly queasy, much like the prices in Castle Bar. Charming, historic, and a little bit sickening — sounds about right.

St Cuthbert’s- Evil Dead Series (1981)

It’s your lucky day, Cuth’s! You don’t just get one film — you get an entire series. As much as Cuth’s likes to think it’s special and stands out, the only things it truly has going for it are a collective love of frogs (which I fully support) and one very famous alumnus who’s partly to blame for us all being here – the one and only Jack Edwards. And what is Jack Edwards famous for, I hear you say? Being a booktuber. And what’s The Evil Dead all about? That’s right — an evil book. I know, I know — I’m a genius. You’re welcome. X

St Chad’s- Ready or Not (2019)

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I’ve saved the best (and most traumatising) for last. As a proud member of this college, I know the ins and outs of Chad’s. It’s beautiful — from the minute I first walked in, I was struck by how pretty it was. Ready or Not also has stunning cinematography and was the first horror film I ever truly fell in love with. Plus, it features a pretty badass female main character, which fits perfectly with Chad’s — a proudly female-dominated college (#feminism).

But, like Chad’s, there’s an ugly side too. It all seems perfect… until it’s not (trust me). That’s exactly the journey Grace goes on in the film. And here’s the kicker — did you know Chad’s does weddings? I know it has now become your new dream wedding venue.

If you want to add any (or all) of these films to your watchlist, don’t worry, I’ve made you a handy Letterboxd list — just click the link here. Hope you enjoyed it — and if you’re offended… stay mad, diva.

Featured image via YouTube
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