1. Orphan (2009)
After suffering from the loss of their newborn, a couple decides to adopt a child, to help them move on from the incident, and come across a charming 9-year-old girl called Ester. So far so good, right? Well not exactly. Despite the seemingly well start adjusting to the family, things start getting, well, weird.
A brilliantly executed film with an amazing storyline and an even better plot twist. Seriously, if you haven’t watched it already, it will certainly have your jaw to the floor.
2. Gonjiam: The Haunted Asylum (2018)
From what starts off as a seemingly cheerful and optimistic adventure into a haunted asylum, a group of aspiring young adults looking to live stream their tour around the asylum in pursuit of internet fame. However, things start going terribly and horrifyingly wrong very quickly.
Filmed through go pros and hidden cameras, Gonjiam is sure to leave you with your heart in your throat and wonderfully disturbed. I made the mistake of watching this one at 2 am in a pitch-black room, so I would advise you to avoid that if you are planning to sleep afterwards.
3. Hereditary (2018)
Whatever you’re expecting, it’s not it. After the matriarch of a family passes away, odd things start happening to her daughter and grandchildren as they uncover the sinister secrets they’ve inherited due to their ancestry.
A gripping and captivating movie, that has you on the edge of your seat the second it starts playing. With several unexpected twists and some horrifyingly graphic scenes, it’s bound to leave you feeling queasy.
4. Apostle (2018)
After Thomas Richardson’s sister is kidnapped and being held ransom by a religious cult, he travels to a faraway island inhabited solely by the members of the cult, fully determined to get his sister back at any cost. Undercover, he infiltrates the island’s community but quickly realizes that there is something terribly wrong going on in the island – leading him to unravel a secret more shocking than he could have imagined.
And to be fair, it was more shocking than I could have imagined too. Seriously, it’s not what you’ll expect. The second his boat lands on the dock of the island, you instantly get this uneasy feeling of something being…well…not right that remains with you throughout the entire movie. Packed with intense and brutally graphic scenes on a strange and sombre island, this movie is not one you’re likely to forget.
5. Triangle (2009)
Jess, the mother of an autistic little boy, decides to take a day off from her exhausting lifestyle of being a single mom. She goes on a boating trip with a group of friends for the weekend. A giant storm upturns their sailing boat and leaves them stranded until they are approached by a giant mysterious ship. Boarding the seemingly empty ship, they soon realize that they are not alone. Whoever is with them on the boat is not exactly friendly.
This movie had my stomach in knots and my brain in a scramble. Packed with mystery, action and plenty of thrill. A heartbreaking twist it is bound to leave your head in a spin and your chest nothing short of tight. A definite must-watch.
6. Get Out (2017)
Chris, an African-American man, decides to visit his White girlfriend’s parents during a weekend getaway. Although they seem friendly enough at first, disturbing and dark truths slowly begins to unravel themselves.
Again, definitely not what you’d expect. Filled with suspense and a lingering feeling of discomfort and tenseness, it’s bound to leave you on the edge of your seat the entire time.
7. Silent Hill (2006)
Unable to accept the fact that her daughter is dying, Rose decides to take her daughter to a faith healer. On the way, they get into a car accident that knocks Rose unconscious and when she wakes up, her daughter is missing.
Mysterious and gripping, Silent Hill was suspenseful and keeps you on your toes. Every aspect of this movie is just the element of surprise and a lingering feeling of uncertainty. You never really feel safe throughout the film. The plot is unique and unfolds brilliantly. It’s perfect for anyone who has an affinity for monster horror with plenty of mystery and gore.
8. Evil Dead (2013)
Mia, a recovering drug addict, is determined to completely get rid of her addiction. To help her, she asks her brother, and a couple of their friends to accompany her to their family’s remote forest cabin. Inhabited for so long, the cabin is infested with strange, bizarre and mysterious things. None that belong to the family, and uncovering the secrets unleashes something sinister onto the entire cabin.
Gore! And Gore! And more Gore! Gore again! Perfect movie for fans of graphic gore. The effects were straight to the point, and the characters were rather likeable. The story unfolded in a way that is sure to leave you feeling incredibly disturbed and rather horrified. A definite must-watch for any horror fans out there!
9. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
Moore is prosecuted for the wrongful death of a girl thought to be demonically possessed, because he administered the church-sanctioned exorcism that ultimately killed her. Prosecuting attorney Ethan Thomas contends that the young woman, Emily suffered from schizophrenia and should have been medically diagnosed. Meanwhile, defence lawyer Erin Bruner argues that Emily’s condition cannot be explained by science alone.
Based on the true story of Anneliese Michel, this is a very unique horror film with a very idiosyncratic storytelling form. Emily Rose’s story unfolds through an ongoing court case, which added credibility and rather than taking away from the genre of horror, and the dialogue is one that makes for believable and likeable characters. It isn’t a gore film, but the phenomenal acting and the unsettling violence makes it no less terrifying.
10. The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
After a mysterious Jane Doe is found buried in the house of a crime scene, it is taken to a father and son duo that work as coroners to investigate the cause of death. As they get deeper into their investigation, it only gets more and more confusing until strange and sinister things start taking place as the truth of the Jane Doe slowly unravels.
This movie is more of a psychological horror than a typical gore and jump scare movie. Packed with mystery and suspense it makes for a fantastic raw and intriguing movie that is bound to leave you with chills.
11. Hush (2016)
Maddie is a deaf writer who has retreated into the woods to live a solitary life. One night a masked visitor pays her a visit and she must fight for her life to protect herself from the killer that appears outside her house.
Though not insanely gory, you’re bound to be on the edge of your seat throughout the entirety of the movie. The concept is original and the attention to detail is very precise and impressive. As well as that, this movie doesn’t rely heavily on jump scares and is rather about strategy and suspense. Along with the addition of the plot twists, it will undoubtedly have you tense and troubled.
12. Dabbe: Curse of djinn (2013)
Ebru is a psychiatrist with an interest in alleged cases of possession. She documents exorcist Faruk at work but remains sceptical. She suggests he try to exorcise her friend Kubra who was allegedly possessed on the night of her wedding which led Kubra to stab her new husband to death. Things initially go well, as Faruk begins to treat Kubra, but then take a turn for the worst as hidden secrets about the family come into life, leading to something far more sinister and evil than anyone could have imagined.
This Turkish horror film is far from your typical American horror stories. Based on a true story, it is compiled through found footage which adds to the “documentary theme” of the entire movie. Because the movie is Turkish, it contains a whole new genre of supernatural elements from an entirely different culture in contrast to what is typical in Western supernatural horror movies. This is bound to grasp your attention and interest throughout the entire film. The sceptic character of Ebru, along with the spiritual character of Faruk makes up for both sides of the story and the terrifying plot twists are bound to leave you shaken.
13. The Others (2001)
Grace, the devoutly religious mother of Anne and Nicholas, moves her family to the English coast during World War II. She awaits word on her missing husband while protecting her children from a rare photosensitivity disease that causes the sun to burn them. Soon after they move, Grace’s daughter, Anne, claims to see ghosts. Not believing her daughter, Grace initially thinks the new servants are playing tricks but soon chilling events and visions make her believe something rather supernatural and sinister has occurred.
The setting is superb, the climax is unbeatable and Kidman handled her role so meticulously. Despite being confusing for a good portion of the movie as the bizarre events taking place slowly unfold making you wonder what on earth is going on, the twists in the movie are mind-blowing and tie it all together perfectly. The entire mood of the movie has been designed through the character roles and despite being a fantastic horror movie, there is also a lot of beauty to the story. An outstandingly well-thought movie that has an incredible plot and creates a perfect psychological horror experience for the audience who watch it.
14. Eli (2019)
Eli suffers from an extreme auto-immune disorder that’s made the outside world an impossibility. Desperate to find a cure for his extremely rare disease his parents take him to Dr. Isabella Horn’s secluded medical facility, a large, old house that has been modernized and quarantined. While undergoing the special treatment at the house, Eli begins to experience strange and supernatural occurrences that gradually worsen which leads him to believe the house is haunted.
Although not a classic, it has plenty of horrifying elements and is packed with suspense and mystery leaving the audience in shambles trying to figure out what is going on. The storyline is unique and the medical aspect adds a whole new theme to the movie that isn’t seen often in the horror genre. The twists might not be for everyone but they are definitely not something you’d expect, which overall makes for a very enjoyable thriller.
15. Mother! (2017)
A young woman spends her days renovating the Victorian mansion that she lives in with her husband in the countryside. When a stranger knocks on the door one night, he becomes an unexpected guest in their home. Later, his wife and two children also arrive to make themselves welcome. Terror soon strikes when the beleaguered wife tries to figure out why her husband is so seemingly friendly and accommodating to everyone but her.
One thing is for certain. If you like movies that are straight forward and just make sense, this movie probably isn’t the one for you. The movie starts off with serene and tranquil that slowly descends to a complete 180 with everything collapsing into complete chaos that leaves you confused, horrified and emotional. But if you’re someone that likes a movie that gets all up in your head to scramble things around and make you really have to think, you’re gonna like this one.
16. Goodnight Mommy (2014)
Twin boys who do everything together, welcome their mother home after her reconstructive surgery. But with her face wrapped in bandages, and her demeanour distant and cold, they grow suspicious of her identity and question whether she even is their mother at all.
This film is packed with disturbing imagery and is very cleverly portrayed. Shocking and suspenseful, Goodnight Mommy is a perfectly dark film that explores the horror of the human mind. The heartbreaking twist makes the movie well worth watching, so if you’re into psychological thrillers that not only play with your mind but with your emotions too, this movie is perfect.
17. Shutter Island (2010)
The implausible escape of a murder from a mental hospital for the criminally insane brings U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels and his new partner to Ashecliffe Hospital – a fortress-like insane asylum located on a remote, windswept island. The woman appears to have vanished from a locked room, and there are hints of terrible deeds committed within the hospital walls. As the investigation deepens, Teddy realizes there is something far more sinister taking place on the island than he could have ever imaged.
This is less horror and more of thriller, but nevertheless, a masterpiece that everyone should watch at least once. A rather personal opinion but this is undoubtedly the most brilliant, underrated and intelligent work in the whole cinematographic industry. Shutter Island is perfectly executed, with very close attention to detail, adding more and more suspense and mystery as the story unfolds. The twist is so shocking it will leave you speechless for days. Definitely a movie you’ll remember for the longest time.
18. The Omen (2006)
Robert agrees to adopt a baby after his wife Katherine delivers a stillborn. They name him Damien. Despite the couple’s best efforts to raise their new son, sinister and unexplainably evil things begin happening around Damien, which leads Robert to become convinced his son isn’t who he seems.
The remake of the 1976 version of The Omen is pretty much the same if you’re just not really a fan of old movies, then this a great remake for you to enjoy. The film revolves around the famous subject of the Antichrist. A seemingly innocent child who turns out to be sinister. Mysterious deaths, scary hounds appearing out of nowhere, satanic omens follow the main premise of this movie. It’ll surely be a great hit if you’re a horror fan.
19. Gerald’s Game (2017)
A woman and her husband go off to a remote holiday home in attempts to reignite the flames of their relationship and spend some quality time together. During a kinky game where the woman, Jessie, is handcuffed to the bed, unable to escape, her husband, Gerald dies, leaving Jessie handcuffed to her bed with no hope of rescue. Soon she begins hearing voices and seeing strange visions.
A truly artistic masterpiece that is thought-provoking when it comes to expressing the daunting state of mental confusion, dementia and the various detrimental stages of human emotions in the face of imminent end and solitude. The film also lucidly explores the devastating effects of the incipient mind of a child caused by the trauma as a result of an unhealthy family incident. Delightfully gruesome and suspenseful with terrifying elements that challenge the mind, it is definitely worth the watch.
20. Midsommar (2019)
A couple travels to Sweden to visit their friend’s rural hometown for its fabled midsummer festival, but what begins as an idyllic retreat quickly devolves into an increasingly violent and bizarre competition at the hands of a pagan cult.
A bizarre and eccentric psychological thriller that goes against all the traditional values of horror movies. Set in broad daylight with the sun shining on all the gruesome and horrifying acts taking place, to represent how normalized and accepted the acts of violence were in the cult, only makes the story even more chilling. The visual effects used in this movie truly bring to life what the characters are experiencing. Nothing on the screen is out of place and everything has meaning and connects to the overall story from the paintings to the walls and trees. Despite being confusing and outlandish the peculiar nature of the film is certainly something to appreciate.
21. Carrie (2013)
A shy and awkward teen being raised by a religious zealot, Carrie is frequently the target of bullies due to her unique lifestyle that is forced on her by her mother. But Carrie has a secret talent; telekinesis. Desperate to finally fit in and be accepted by her peers, Carrie disobeys her mother to attend her school prom but when things go from bad to worse, it sets off something unimaginable.
It’s insanely gripping and suspenseful, not to mention the horrorsome and intense storyline that is disturbing beyond what is typical in horror movies. With the element of supernatural embedded within what seems like a typical high school scenario and the intensity of the climax, it is definitely something you will enjoy.
22. Ready or Not (2019)
Grace couldn’t be happier after she marries the man of her dreams at his family’s luxurious estate. There’s just one catch – to be truly accepted as part of the family, she now has to play a game, a family tradition based on the board game empire the family is famous for. However, things go from strange to horrifying as Grace begins to unravel the dark truth’s about her in-laws and it’s far from the loving family she had hoped for.
Definitely something new, original and unique! This movie was insanely entertaining and tense with comical moments that fit the genre perfectly. Ready or Not knowingly pokes fun at horror clichés and is not afraid to laugh at its own ridiculousness. It infuses horror with comedy very comfortably and does so sparingly without losing any tension. So if you’re looking for something horror while also being incredibly fun to watch, this is just the movie for you.
23. The Witch (2015)
In 1630 New England, panic and despair crowd a family of a farmer, when the youngest son, Samuel suddenly vanishes. The family blames Thomasin, the oldest daughter who was watching the boy at the time of his disappearance. With suspicion and paranoia mounting, twin siblings Mercy and Jonas suspect Thomasin of witchcraft, testing the family’s faith, loyalty and love to one another.
This movie doesn’t rely on the typical features of a horror movie, however, that doesn’t take away from how disturbing and unsettling it is. From the dark and unnerving atmosphere that is carried throughout the film along with the slow and gradual descend into something sinister and evil, it is a very well made and unique horror film with amazing cinematography and an eccentric storyline.
