Modern horror movies are filled with underrated gems that, for those who have watched them, have helped rejuvenate the genre and one of the best is now available on Netflix. Released in 2022, Barbarian, directed by Zach Cregger, was one of those films that managed to capture the attention of audiences who found it because it goes in directions nobody expects. Even if someone has seen the trailer before watching the movie, it still doesn’t give much away, adding to the fun.

Barbarian starts with a story that seems like it sets up an intriguing horror film, only to then take a turn and go down a totally different, yet still scary route. It all then comes together to deliver a fantastic third act. Reviews for Barbarian were strong across the board and it was praised for being another strong entry into the modern horror revival alongside the likes of Midsommar, Get Out, Hereditary, and Talk to Me. Those who haven’t seen it can now find it on Netflix.

Barbarian Is A Modern Horror Movie All Fans Of The Genre Should See

It’s Helping To Revitalize The Genre

What makes Barbarian so special is the way it subverts expectations. The film starts with the seemingly straightforward setup of a woman (Georgina Campbell) arriving at an Airbnb only to discover that it has been double-booked and a man (Bill Skarsgård) is already staying there. The audience immediately expects this to be an uncomfortable situation where the woman is in danger from the man, yet the story goes a totally different place.

On top of that, there’s also the involvement of another character (played by Justin Long) who ends up playing into the story in a creative way. Barbarian features great twists and turns that make it an ideal watch for any horror fan. The film was a success at the box office, mostly due to the small budget (it made $45.3 million on a $4.5 million budget, via Box Office Mojo), and became a bigger hit on streaming when it hit platforms.

That said, it’s still criminally underseen given how good the movie is. Barbarian sits at an impressive 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the highest-rated modern horror movies. The strong reception, cast featuring horror mainstays like Long and Skarsgård, and the intense themes including trauma, Sєxual abuse, and misogyny, all add up for something special.

Barbarian’s Director Has An Exciting Follow-Up Coming Later In 2025

He’ll Be Working With Another Great Cast

Whenever a new horror movie makes an impact the way Barbarian did, people want to know more about the filmmaker. That was the case with Robert Eggers and The Witch, Jordan Peele and Get Out in 2017, Ari Aster and Hereditary in 2018, and others. In the case of Barbarian, that filmmaker is Zach Cregger and it was actually his first solo directorial effort. Cregger previously only co-directed the comedy Miss March in 2009.

For his follow-up to Barbarian, Cregger has a movie coming out later this year. He directed, wrote, and even helped compose the horror film Weapons, which sees a group of 17 kids from one classroom all disappear overnight. Considering the work Cregger does with Barbarian, we’re likely in for something with wild twists. Julia Garner and Josh Brolin lead a talented cast. Cregger is also in line to helm a reboot of the Resident Evil franchise.