Horror

movies are often thrill-seeking affairs that don’t leave long-lasting impressions beyond the occasional unique kill or memorably terrifying scene. They provide reasons to cheer or gasp at the screen but don’t necessarily linger in your mind afterward. However, every so often, a mind-blowing premise, a subversive interpretation, an innovative revival of a franchise, an unconventional blending of genres, or a shocking story comes along that rightfully resides in public memory for years, becoming a cultural icon. Often, this fame isn’t immediate, needing reᴀssessment a few years down the line.

For instance, some horror movies from the 1990s were so ahead of their time that they didn’t find appreciation or were panned when initially released, but are considered masterpieces today. It’s, of course, not terribly rare for horror films to become instant classics either, and some of the horror movies that changed millennials’ lives will forever be considered so, even by those outside the generation. Moreover, the occasional horror movie will be unlike anything you’ve seen before, and it will stick with you long after the credits have rolled.

10

Pearl (2022)

Directed By Ti West

Mia Goth has been in the industry for years, but the film that made her a household name and a prominent pop culture figure is Ti West’s old-school slasher X. It introduced the world to Maxine and Pearl, both characters played by Goth. Maxine is the final girl and Pearl is the primary antagonist, and Goth’s dual role draws attention to the connection between the two characters. West’s next film in the trilogy, the prequel Pearl, follows the тιтular Pearl and gives us the backstory of why she was particularly mad at Maxine.

Goth delivers one of the best A24 movie performances as the film follows young Pearl during the war when she is forced to live with her parents after her husband is drafted and constantly has her dreams of movie stardom crushed. She shows signs of psycH๏τic behavior from the start, but it gradually evolves into pure homicidal rage. The film raises questions about misogynistic expectations but doesn’t provide much space for Pearl’s actions to feel justified, leaving one to think about it for hours after it’s over.

9

Speak No Evil (2022)

Directed By Christian Tafdrup

Christian Tafdrup’s Speak No Evil follows a family on their visit abroad to another family’s home whom they met while traveling. The visiting family is welcomed graciously but soon start receiving pᴀssive-aggressiveness from their hosts. The behavior crosses boundaries at times, and the hosts are often disturbingly oppressive to their son, who is missing his tongue. Things come to a head in a climax which culminates in a moment that makes audiences audibly gasp.

The horrifying ends met by the characters in Speak No Evil have a long-lasting impact because of their gruesome natures, but there are more reasons to remember the film long after it’s over. The movie effectively ruminates on the necessity and drawbacks of politeness and how far it should be extended. The father’s inaction can be interpreted as cowardice, but it’s mostly motivated by the social norm of treating hosts with politeness and graтιтude. Speak No Evil makes every viewer wonder at what point they’d have said something in his shoes.

8

Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Rise (2023)

Directed By Lee Cronin

Sam Raimi’s The Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ is the quintessential zombie apocalypse movie. It is a horror movie that will always be a classic and inspired a franchise that has continued for over four decades. The film is known for its terrifying visuals and practical effects, which hold up even today. While the tone of the original isn’t retained in the later films and Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Rise, as the latest movie in the franchise is also a horror comedy, it feels like the original in its set pieces.

Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Rise has a remarkable opening scene, which teases a possible zombie infestation with a тιтle card that appears after the apparent protagonist levitates over a lake. However, it takes the storyline back 24 hours to reveal that the movie will focus on a different family. Without much of a plot, the film keeps the shock factor of the first scene by quickly introducing the primary zombie. Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Rise is arguably the best film in the franchise after the original and revives it. It’s memorable for the theme of motherhood and the use of excessive gore.

7

Resurrection (2022)

Directed By Andrew Semans

Tim Roth has given us some of the most memorable villains in Quentin Tarantino films and even in the MCU’s most forgettable film, The Incredible Hulk. His recent return to that character for She-Hulk showed us how good he is as a calm antagonist. Meanwhile, Rebecca Hall has made a reputation for portraying characters pushed to the brink of a breakdown who lose themselves in the process.

So, it’s natural that a movie where Tim Roth is the villain and Rebecca Hall is the protagonist questioning her sanity will leave a mark on any viewer. Resurrection follows Hall’s character during a tumultuous period in her life when she sees someone from her past, and her well-constructed world starts crumbling. She had been a victim of extreme emotional abuse at the hands of this man, and his resurgence threatens her mental health. With a bizarre ending that’s open to interpretation, the film explores power dynamics in relationships and isn’t easily forgotten.

6

I Saw The TV Glow (2024)

Directed By Jane Schoenbrun

Among the most overlooked films of 2024 is I Saw The TV Glow, directed by Jane Schoenbrun, whose first film We’re All Going to the World’s Fair put her on the map as a promising new horror director. We’re All Going to the World’s Fair uses the familiar trends of creepypasta to explore the role of dysphoria and the performativity of personality in the world of the Internet. I Saw The TV Glow goes a few years into the past to the world of VHS tapes.

I Saw The TV Glow tells a deeply personal story of a young person coming to terms with who they are. A sinister tone hangs over every frame as the teenager finds an avenue to explore that they are unfortunately forced to hide from everyone in their life, barring one friend. I Saw The TV Glow explores the disᴀssociating experience of feeling different from everyone around you and the disorienting impact of adolescence on a young mind. It’s difficult to verbalize the feeling you get when watching it, which will keep you thinking about it after it’s over.

5

The Substance (2024)

Directed By Coralie Fargeat

Demi Moore was one of the most promising movie stars of the 1990s, but she almost disappeared from stardom soon after, barely getting any promising offers since the 2010s began. However, she not only managed a comeback but delivered what is arguably her best performance ever in Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance. Moore plays the protagonist of the movie where the тιтular substance is a chemical that can allow someone to experience de-aging.

The unique mechanism of the drug allows for an interesting dynamic between Moore’s character and her younger self, played by Margaret Qualley. The idea itself is enough to keep you thinking about the movie long after the credits have rolled, but there are talking points that will linger in your mind as well. The Substance‘s exploration of the impact of ageism on people in the appearance-obsessed industry and its use of body horror to induce disgust in the audience will keep it in the zeitgeist, and it’s easy to see how the film will be discussed years later.

4

MadS (2024)

Directed By David Moreau

One of the most popular shows on streaming currently is Adolescence, which explores the impact of the manosphere on a teenager. Among other aspects, the series is receiving praise for its use of the continuous sH๏τ technique to film each of its episodes. The technique introduces a real-time progression of events and keeps viewers hooked to their screens in anticipation. However, it’s rarely used for horror movies.

So, MadS stands out right from the beginning when it becomes clear that the film uses a continuous sH๏τ to tell its bonkers story. It follows a group of people infected by the breakout of a disease from a psychiatric facility. The intense suspense created by the blocking employed to make the filming work is sure to make viewers anxious. Moreover, the infection is via the bloodstream; MadS features incredibly disconcerting moments of gore and violence to depict how blood spreads among people.

3

When Evil Lurks (2023)

Directed By Demián Rugna

Folktales make great subject matter for the scariest supernatural horror movies. Among the most notable entries in the folk horror genre in recent years is Argentine director Demián Rugna’s When Evil Lurks, based on the legend of The Rotten. This is a spirit that occupies a person’s body and waits for their demise to be born in physical form as a demon. Among its powers is the ability to turn people murderous so they might kill the host.

Rugna isn’t one to shy away from depicting excessively gory moments, and his taste for bloody, violent horror scenes shines through in When Evil Lurks. However, more than the gore and the intense suspense of the film, what stands out as a talking point is its exploration of faith. The main reason The Rotten can wreak havoc on the scale it does is the lack of sincerity in the characters, most of whom dismiss the danger as non-existent. The skepticism allows for avoidable casualties, and that thought will haunt you longer after the movie is over.

2

Companion (2025)

Directed By Drew Hancock

If you’re already nervous about AI, you should avoid the movie Companion. However, the main villain in the film isn’t the AI that gains autonomy, but the man who misuses her abilities for selfish gain, including forcing her to commit murder. Companion is set in a world where realistic humanoids fitted with AI can be programmed to fall in love with people and follow their every bidding. However, while their coding prevents them from causing harm, the coding can be circumvented to turn them violent.

Companion‘s protagonist makes it clear to his AI companion that she is merely a toy for him to play with as he pleases. The spine-chilling misogyny he displays throughout the film and his pretend victimization at the hands of the system that supposedly prevents him from becoming successful are portrayed with disturbing accuracy by Jack Quaid. We all know people like his character, and the discomfort he leaves behind, and the AI’s triumph will keep you thinking about the film for hours after the credits roll.

1

Sinners (2025)

Directed By Ryan Coogler

Few тιтles in recent years have made a better case for why movies should be seen in theaters than Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which is already making waves within a week of its release. Frequent Coogler collaborator Michael B. Jordan stars in a dual role as twin brothers who have returned to their hometown community in 1932 Mississippi after making a fortune in Chicago. They plan to open a juke joint, but the fateful events of the opening night, including the attack by vampires, permanently change their lives.

Coogler’s film presents forceful ᴀssimilation as a threat to community-building as the white vampires slowly start turning people in the joint, forcing them to join their group. The commentary on the power of music to unite a culture across space and time is conveyed through a memorable continuous sH๏τ depicting Black musicians and dancers of various eras performing in the same space. It is a thought-provoking horror film that will keep you engaged with its detailed world-building and keep you up at night with its social commentary.