André Øvredal’s spooky adaptation of Alvin Schwartz’s beloved children’s book series begins on a fateful Halloween night in 1968 when three friends discover a cursed storybook. The days that follow are filled with terror as the children are haunted by stories that magically appear in the pages, with tales about a murderous scarecrow and a festering spider bite that erupts to unleash an army of creepy crawlers.

Any horror fan wondering if adapting a children’s book series could pay off with actual thrills for adults gets their answer. The film has jump scares for kids and an atmospheric, surprisingly mature chill for older audiences. With Guillermo del Toro attached as a producer, the film is also home to a handful of horrifying monsters brought to life with practical effects. Just the sight of the Pale Lady and her clay-like flesh is terrifying.