In the last five years,horrorfans around the world have been delighted with the release of some remarkable and thrilling entries in the genre. From the latest chapter of belovedfranchises likeScreamandThe Conjuringto Oscar-worthy masterpieces likeThe 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.
Thehorror 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.
Barbarian
Cast
Barbarian follows a young woman who discovers her Airbnb has been double-booked with a stranger already present. Despite initial hesitation, she decides to stay, only to uncover disturbing secrets within the unsettling rental. The film, released in 2022, explores themes of trust and unease in unexpected encounters.
AlthoughBarbarianhas 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,Barbariancould have achieved even higher peaks.
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This lesser-known cinematic gemsubverts 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.
The Menu
A darkly comedic horror-thriller, The Menu focuses on a group of diners invited to a high-end restaurant on a private island by one of the world’s greatest chefs. Shortly after arriving on the island, Margot Mills begins to realize something is strange beyond the perceived pompous nature of the menu. Her suspicions are confirmed when the night turns deadly as the restaurant staff begins to descend into a cult-like madness.
With Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy,The Menuis a deeply unnerving and anxiety-provoking eat-the-rich horror. The movie isa 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 Menuhas 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.
Late Night With the Devil
Late Night with the Devil is a horror thriller starring David Dastmalchian as Jack Delroy. Delroy is a late-night talk show host in 1977 trying to keep his broadcast on the air. But when he tries to communicate with the devil through a young girl live on the air, things don’t go according to plan.
Late Night with the Devilis 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. Despitethe exciting premise andthe 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 thatStephen King praised this underrated horroris 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 sensationalismin exchange for profit while highlighting the public’s complicity in the disturbing events that unfold.
Influencer
Influencer follows social media influencer Madison on a solitary backpacking trip in Thailand, where she encounters the free-spirited CW. Initially drawn to her adventurous lifestyle, Madison soon discovers that CW harbors a more sinister intent, dramatically altering the course of her journey.
Written and directed by names who are still new to the industry,Influenceris 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.
Strange Darling
A twisted one-night stand spirals into a deadly game of cat and mouse when a relentless predator chases an injured woman through the Oregon wilderness.
Set in the rural area of Oregon,Strange Darlingcombineselements 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 Darlingcreates 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.
The Feast
The Feast is a 2021 horror film centered on a wealthy family’s dinner event. As the evening unfolds, a mysterious young server subtly disrupts the gathering, leading to unforeseen and chilling consequences. The narrative explores themes of family dynamics and hidden secrets, building tension throughout the course of the meal.
The Feastis a Welsh horror that usesdisturbing imagery and elements typical of folklore mythologyto 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 likeThe WitchandMidsommar.Lee Haven Jones' work is a fine and downright horrifying addition to this wave. Set in the beautiful and eerie countryside of Wales,The Feastoffers the viewer a creepy and picturesque escape from reality.
The premise of the moviefollows 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 Feastis worth adding to the expanding list of must-watch modern folk-horror masterpieces.
Anything for Jackson
Anything for Jackson is a horror film that follows a grieving elderly couple who, after losing their grandson, resort to black magic in an attempt to bring him back. Their plan spirals out of control, leading to unforeseen and terrifying consequences.
A supernatural horror produced in Canada,Anything For Jacksondelivers an emotionally compelling story of love and grief. The film focuses on an elderly couple who, after recently losing their grandson, kidnaps a pregnant womanto 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, offeringan 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 Jacksonplunges into utter chaos, keeping the viewer on edge for the whole 97 minutes. Althoughthe horror’s twisted ending leaves the viewer with some questions, the film is worth discovering.
Censor
A British horror film set in the 1980s, following a film censor who starts to lose her grasp on reality after watching a video nasty that echoes her sister’s mysterious disappearance.
The first feature film directed by Prano Bailey-Bond,Censoris a remarkable debut that certainlyearned 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 moviesdeemed 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 psycheof a traumatized woman who grows increasingly unable to distinguish reality from delusion.
The Conference
The Conference is a 2023 horror-comedy film by director Patrik Eklund created for Netflix. When a group of corporate employees head off to a company retreat for the weekend, they begin to air their grievances with one another - until they get picked off one by one by a bloodthirsty masked killer.
The Conferenceis 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-workersaway 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 Conferencehas 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 Conferencedoes 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.
The Night House
Beth grapples with grief after her husband Owen’s suicide. Haunted by Owen’s cryptic note and eerie occurrences, she delves into a disturbing revelation about her past. As she uncovers Owen’s dark secrets, Beth confronts supernatural forces and confronts her own mortality. With her sanity at stake, Beth faces a perilous journey to unravel the truth behind Owen’s actions and confront the entity known as “Nothing.” In a battle between life and death, Beth must find the strength to defy the sinister forces threatening her existence.
The Night Houseis not only one ofthe best yet overlooked scary movies of the last five years, but it also has one ofthe most underrated horror performancesin 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 Housecreates, 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 Housecreates, 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 thehorrorscene, one of their best works flew under the radar.
