TIME100 Next Gala Attendees Share Fears and Favorite Spooky Films

As Halloween nears, attendees at the 2026 TIME100 Next Gala in New York City shared their deepest fears and favorite spooky films. The event, held on October 29, offered a glimpse into what set the mood for the season's haunts among notable figures.

Some guests opted for well-known horror classics. Actor Cooper Hoffman recommended "Rosemary's Baby," while actor Dominic Sessa cited "Resident Evil" as his pick. Paapa Essiedu, who is slated to appear in the upcoming HBO adaptation of "Harry Potter," chose the modern horror film "Obsession," describing it as "terrifying, it's entertaining, it's a brilliant, brilliant, brilliant movie."

Filmmaker Curry Barker, known for his role in "Obsession," demonstrated extensive knowledge of the horror genre, listing films across different eras such as "A Nightmare on Elm Street," the original "Texas Chain Saw Massacre," "The Invisible Man," "Weapons," "Hereditary," and "Midsommar." Barker is currently developing a new project titled "Anything But Ghosts," scheduled for release next May.

Comedian and former Saturday Night Live cast member Chloe Fineman offered a more contemporary perspective, stating that the news, the state of the world, and social media are her biggest sources of fear. "Instagram kind of is my horror movie," she remarked.

Musician Conan Gray leaned towards a more lighthearted choice, naming the cozy and less overtly scary film "Practical Magic" as a must-watch. Joey King, who starred in "Practical Magic 2," reflected on her experiences, noting a perceived thin veil with the afterlife. She admitted that while past scary encounters have caused her to suppress that aspect of herself, she now embraces it more. King also expressed a desire to see a medium but hesitates due to fear of knowing her future.