In the last five years, horror fans around the world have been delighted with the release of some remarkable and thrilling entries in the genre. From the latest chapter of beloved franchises like Scream and The Conjuring to Oscar-worthy masterpieces like The Substance, well-written and captivating scary movies have been abundant. However, amid these long-awaited returns and critically acclaimed blockbusters with recognizable names, many exceptional horror films have flown under the radar.
The horror genre has always been filled with underrated gems, and the 2020s are no exception. Due to the genre’s often underestimated reputation, it is already hard enough for these films to receive the recognition they merit. Some of these hidden treasures slipped through the cracks due to their more niche appeal or simply because they have been overshadowed by more renowned production companies or prominent cast. Nevertheless, they are a must-watch.
10
Barbarian (2022)
Directed By Zach Cregger
Barbarian
- Release Date
-
September 9, 2022
- Runtime
-
102 minutes
- Director
-
Zach Cregger
- Writers
-
Zach Cregger
Although Barbarian has been well-received by critics and the public alike, the movie’s more subdued marketing campaign and the fact that it was Zach Cregger’s directorial debut led it to be somehow overlooked during its release. Due to the ingenious and completely unexpected progress of the story, had the movie been made by a more prominent name in the industry, Barbarian could have achieved even higher peaks.
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This lesser-known cinematic gem subverts traditional tropes of the genre. Cregger immerses the viewer in the story and deceives them into thinking they know where the plot is headed. However, as time passes, all our predictions are destroyed. Perhaps the premise presented in the trailer might have caused the public to believe it would be another classic scary tale about a woman trapped in a dangerous situation. However, nothing is what it seems like. With its erratic but efficient narrative structure and the social message embedded, Barbarian is a must-watch.
Directed By Mark Mylod
The Menu
7/10
- Release Date
-
November 18, 2022
- Runtime
-
106 minutes
- Director
-
Mark Mylod
- Writers
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Seth Reiss, Will Tracy
With Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy, The Menu is a deeply unnerving and anxiety-provoking eat-the-rich horror. The movie is a clever satire that blends elements of suspense, thriller, and black comedy, while also delivering a sharp social critique on themes like the commodification of art. However, despite being critically acclaimed, this wild masterpiece seems to have been quickly forgotten among other horror releases of the same period.
The shockingly funny writing, in-depth characterizations, and metaphorical elements all come together to create one of the best horrors of the last five years.
The Menu has such an imaginative way of simultaneously intriguing and terrifying the viewer in order to craft a clever commentary that it deserved more than two Golden Globe Award nominations for the actors. The shockingly funny writing, in-depth characterizations, and metaphorical elements all come together to create one of the best horrors of the last five years. Without a doubt, Mark Mylod’s production is worth watching.
8
Late Night With The Devil (2024)
Directed By Colin & Cameron Cairnes
Late Night With the Devil
8/10
- Release Date
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March 22, 2024
- Runtime
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86 Minutes
- Director
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Cameron Cairnes, Colin Cairnes
- Writers
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Colin Cairnes, Cameron Cairnes
Late Night with the Devil is a chilling horror that combines the storytelling methods of found footage and documentary style to lead the viewer on a disturbing journey into a late-night talk show nightmare. Set on the night of Halloween in 1977, an ambitious host attempts to raise the ratings of its programs by featuring a girl who harbors a demon on his program. Despite the exciting premise and the 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film still does not have the notoriety it deserves.
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This could partially be due to the relatively unknown names of the directors. However, the fact that Stephen King praised this underrated horror is a testament to its unsettling quality. The TV format helps build a more familiar and realistic sense of dread. It plays with the media’s obsession with sensationalism in exchange for profit while highlighting the public’s complicity in the disturbing events that unfold.
7
Influencer (2023)
Directed By Kurtis David
Influencer
- Release Date
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May 18, 2023
- Runtime
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92 minutes
- Director
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Kurtis David Harder
- Producers
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Jack Campbell, Brandon Christensen
Written and directed by names who are still new to the industry, Influencer is still no less worthy of recognition than other films of this sub-genre. The movie explores a timely and relevant topic: the world of influencers and social media culture. Because of the digital age we currently inhabit, portraying the dark and sinister side of the web is a smart way to captivate the viewer– it taps into a fear that feels disturbingly real.
The character of Madison, an unhappy influencer who goes on a vacation in Thailand, where someone steals her passport, is a vessel for the film’s exploration of the dangers that lurk beneath the patinated world of social media. As the narrative develops, the viewer joins the unfortunate protagonist in a game of deceit and manipulation where the subtle line between reality and the online world blurs.
6
Strange Darling (2024)
Directed By JT Mollner
Strange Darling
6/10
- Release Date
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August 23, 2024
- Runtime
-
96 Minutes
- Director
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JT Mollner
- Writers
-
JT Mollner
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Willa Fitzgerald
The Lady
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Set in the rural area of Oregon, Strange Darling combines elements of the erotic thriller sub-genre with psychological horror, crafting a tense cat-and-mouse chase that will linger in the mind of the viewer long after the credit rolls. Unfortunately, this indie gem was slightly overlooked when it premiered last year due to scarce marketing strategies and its niche appeal. However, if given a chance, the film might become a cult.
With a suffocating atmosphere and a non-linear narrative structure divided into six chapters, Strange Darling creates a confusing yet absolutely enthralling world to delve into. The power of this must-watch horror lies in Willa Fitzgerald’s performance. On an otherworldly, romantic background, a story of menace and violence comes to life, creating a stark juxtaposition between the serene beauty of the scenery and the twisted events unfolding.
5
The Feast (2021)
Directed By Lee Haven Jone
The Feast
7/10
- Release Date
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November 19, 2021
- Runtime
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93 minutes
- Director
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Lee Haven Jones
- Writers
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Roger Williams
- Producers
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Paul Higgins
The Feast is a Welsh horror that uses disturbing imagery and elements typical of folklore mythology to invoke fear and create a critique of excessive consumerism and greed. The fascinating sub-genre of folk horror has been revisited in recent years, thanks to widely acclaimed successes like The Witch and Midsommar. Lee Haven Jones’ work is a fine and downright horrifying addition to this wave. Set in the beautiful and eerie countryside of Wales, The Feast offers the viewer a creepy and picturesque escape from reality.
The premise of the movie follows a wealthy family hosting a fancy dinner party, where a young and mysterious woman is tasked with serving the guests. However, as the night unfolds, something sinister begins to surface, breaking the illusion of a seemingly perfect and idyllic reality. The Feast is worth adding to the expanding list of must-watch modern folk-horror masterpieces.
4
Anything For Jackson
Directed By Justin G. Dyck
Anything for Jackson
- Release Date
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December 3, 2020
- Runtime
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96 Minutes
- Director
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Justin G. Dyck
- Writers
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Keith Cooper
-
-
Julian Richings
Henry Walsh
-
Konstantina Mantelos
Shannon Becker
-
A supernatural horror produced in Canada, Anything For Jackson delivers an emotionally compelling story of love and grief. The film focuses on an elderly couple who, after recently losing their grandson, kidnaps a pregnant woman to perform a reverse exorcism and bring their nephew back to life. Unsurprisingly, things take a darker turn when the rite doesn’t go as expected, leading to a series of chilling events.
The movie alternates between a tragic, gloomy atmosphere and its satirical streak, offering an intelligent perspective on unsolved grief and obsession. The emotionally charged performances of the cast are nothing short of mesmerizing. As the results of the mournful and sympathetic couple’s actions spiral out of control, Anything For Jackson plunges into utter chaos, keeping the viewer on edge for the whole 97 minutes. Although the horror’s twisted ending leaves the viewer with some questions, the film is worth discovering.
3
Censor (2021)
Directed By Prano Bailey-Bond
Censor
7/10
- Release Date
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June 11, 2021
- Runtime
-
84 Minutes
- Director
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Prano Bailey-Bond
- Writers
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Prano Bailey-Bond, Anthony Fletcher
The first feature film directed by Prano Bailey-Bond, Censor is a remarkable debut that certainly earned a respectable spot in the British horror landscape. The story takes place in 1985, a peculiar time for the cinema in the United Kingdom, when movies deemed too violent and explicit were relentlessly banned. Enid, a film censor charged with scrutinizing and canceling disturbing content, becomes dangerously consumed by her work.
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The film explores many themes, from moral panic and societal blame to the dangers of censorship and the incessant need to find meaningless scapegoats for what often seems unexplainable. Additionally, the tragic story of Enid’s sister also looks at the consequences of unresolved grief. With a slow-burn narrative pacing, the viewer is brought into the downward-spiralling psyche of a traumatized woman who grows increasingly unable to distinguish reality from delusion.
2
The Conference (2023)
Directed By Patrik Eklund
The Conference
- Release Date
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October 23, 2023
- Runtime
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100 Minutes
- Director
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Patrik Eklund
- Writers
-
Thomas Moldestad
The Conference is a brutally suspenseful slasher that flips the classic formula of the genre. In this case, instead of targeting a group of teenagers or college students, the masked killer sets his sights on a team of co-workers away in a secluded area for a corporate retreat. Although it belongs to a subgenre dominated by Hollywood ’90s horrors, the film is a Swedish production and uses a typically Swedish context and atmosphere.
The Conference has an almost satirical undercurrent, but it does not sacrifice the chilling mood the increasingly violent events set off. Helped by the eerie atmosphere of an isolated setting and the sense of hopelessness plaguing the victims, the movie creates an intensely claustrophobic sensation for the viewer. Additionally, The Conference does not shy away from exposing the darker and corrupt side of the corporate world, embedding the film with a social commentary that is indispensable to the plot.
1
The Night House (2021)
Directed By David Bruckner
The Night House
8/10
- Release Date
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July 16, 2021
- Runtime
-
108 minutes
- Director
-
David Bruckner
- Writers
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Ben Collins, Luke Piotrowski
The Night House is not only one of the best yet overlooked scary movies of the last five years, but it also has one of the most underrated horror performances in a while by Rebecca Hall. The film follows Beth on a dramatic journey into the sinister mystery surrounding the lakeside house built by her now-deceased husband. The movie intertwines themes like grief and trauma with a creepy, supernatural element.
The Night House creates, like few other films managed, an atmosphere of gradually rising dread, without sacrificing the emotional depth of the story.
Despite receiving mostly positive reviews, the film—and Hall’s haunting performance—did not obtain the level of recognition it deserved, especially given its ominous premise and masterful execution. The Night House creates, like few other films managed, an atmosphere of gradually rising dread, without sacrificing the emotional depth of the story. Although David Bruckner is becoming increasingly known in the horror scene, one of their best works flew under the radar.