By Jim Mcleod 
Choosing just one film to watch on Halloween is a near-impossible task, a ritual of deliberation for horror fans everywhere. For author Die Booth, that annual decision has a clear and enduring winner: Joel Schumacher’s 1987 cult masterpiece, The Lost Boys. But this choice is about far more than simple nostalgia. In this personal essay, Booth takes us back to the dangerous, cool streets of Santa Carla to explore why this film’s potent blend of androgynous style, campy humour, and rebellious spirit captured his heart as a queer goth kid.
More importantly, he reveals how the film’s subversive critique of conservative family values has swung back into sharp, and urgent, cultural relevance today. So, grab some popcorn and settle in; we’re heading to the boardwalk to discover what makes The Lost Boys the perfect Halloween watch.
The Perfect Halloween Film: Why ‘The Lost Boys’ is a Timeless Choice by Die Booth
It’s almost impossible to choose just one Halloween film, but I think this year I’ll be going for The Lost Boys.
For anybody who’s somehow not seen this classic, The Lost Boys is a 1987 adventure-horror directed by Joel Schumacher and starring Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Patric and Corey Haim. It follows a single mother and her two teen sons moving back in with her father to ‘the murder capital of America’ a dangerously cool beachside town named Santa Carla. But little does she know that the nice, reputable man she starts dating is actually the master of a gang of young vampires who are intent on inducting her older son into their undead ranks – unless her youngest son can stop them.
A large part of why I love this film so much is nostalgia. I was ten when it came out, just old enough to watch it and young enough to unironically think it was the most awesome thing ever (I still hold that opinion!) Re-watching it takes me back to childhood: not safety, exactly, but the comfort of the familiar; these may be dangerous streets, but they’re my streets.
Of course, like every queer goth kid who watched this film, I wanted to be one of the vampires – it didn’t really matter that they were the ‘bad guys’ because they were just so cool. The entire look and atmosphere of The Lost Boys is unparalleled – a perfect blend of rock stylishness, androgyny, rebellion, freedom and energy, with humour and camp. It’s an almost flawless popcorn horror film. You come for the awesome costumes, gore, silliness and neat happy ending, and stay for the lingering messages.
This was a movie made at the height of Reagan-era America. Moral panic was rife and anything even hinting at being outside of conservative, heteronormative family structures and behaviour was demonised. So, it’s hardly surprising that the titular gothic crew are vampires – literal demons, out to recruit your children.
But in the end, it’s Max, the respectable, conservative patriarch figure who wants to ‘fix’ Michael and Sam’s ‘broken’ family who is the true villain, operating in plain sight and transferring the blame onto his wayward vampire progeny. It feels like, in 2025, that this film has unfortunately swung back into pressing cultural relevance.
The powers that be are once again waging war on anybody who looks or acts differently from a manufactured white, cishet, middle-class, conservative nuclear family mainstream. So, it’s a comfort to lose yourself in a film that’s fun, that celebrates found family – however unconventional – where the bad guy gets defeated and at least some of the queer-coded alternative kids survive to party another day. And if nothing else, the soundtrack is absolutely banging and perfect for a Halloween party!
Cool S by Die Booth
Tracy Forrest has it all. A great boyfriend, loyal best mate, good job and new house. But something is missing. There’s a wistful longing for good times gone by that Trace just can’t lay to rest. When she spots a ubiquitous and mysterious teenage doodle in an old schoolbook, she becomes obsessed with finding out what it is. Where did it come from? What does it mean? Are any of us really supposed to know? Cool S. Some things should stay lost.
Die Booth
Die Booth is an indie author who loves wild beaches and exploring dark places. When not writing, he enjoys making zines and DJs alongside his boyfriend at Last Rites – the best (and only) goth club in Chester, UK.
You can read his prize-winning stories in volumes from The Deadlands, Egaeus Press, Sans. PRESS and many others. His books, including his cursed novella ‘Cool S’ are available online here https://diebooth.wordpress.com/writing/ and he’s currently working on a queer coming-of-age folk horror novella. You can find out more about Die’s writing at http://diebooth.wordpress.com/ or say hi at Bluesky @diebooth.bsky.social
Horror Features on Ginger Nuts of Horror
If you’re a fan of spine-chilling tales and hair-raising suspense, then you won’t want to miss the horror features page on The Ginger Nuts of Horror Review Website. This is the ultimate destination for horror enthusiasts seeking in-depth analysis, thrilling reviews, and exclusive interviews with some of the best minds in the genre. From independent films to mainstream blockbusters, the site covers a broad spectrum of horror media, ensuring that you’re always in the loop about the latest and greatest.
The passionate team behind The Ginger Nuts of Horror delivers thoughtful critiques and recommendations that delve into the nuances of storytelling, character development, and atmospheric tension. Whether you’re looking for hidden gems to stream on a dark and stormy night or want to explore the work of up-and-coming horror filmmakers, this page is packed with content that will ignite your imagination and keep you on the edge of your seat.
So grab your favourite horror-themed snacks, settle into a cosy spot, and immerse yourself in the chilling world of horror literature and film. Head over to The Ginger Nuts of Horror and embark on a journey through the eerie and the extraordinary. It’s an adventure you won’t soon forget!
