10 smart horror films that aren't just about scares

Since the dawn of cinema, horror films have done everything they can to give audiences the scare they crave. Of course, there is certainly more than one way to achieve this daunting goal. Many horror movies employ a very direct approach; using jump scares, blood, and other surprising imagery to give viewers an immediate sense of fear. This tactic can definitely be quite effective when done correctly, but it's also not a style that everyone will like.

Happily, There is another style of horror-based cinema that is generally much more appealing to viewers who may not love having a huge amount of blood or jump scares in their films. Many modern horror films, but also many of the classics, use a much more intelligent approach, relying on carefully crafted scenarios that can completely unnerve their audience without relying on these overused elements. These carefully crafted horror films offer viewers plenty of nail-biting scares that work much more effectively than simple, immediate methods of creating fear.

10

A Quiet Place (2018)

Directed by John Krasinski

In 2018, the former The office star John Krasinski wowed audiences when he made the bold transition into horror with A peaceful placea haunting addition to the genre starring Krasinski alongside his wife, Oscar-nominated actress Emily Blunt. The premise of the film is quite simple: a family struggles to survive in a near-future version of Earth dominated by a race of alien creatures that hunt based on sound. The film really makes the most of this simple concept, presenting it in a way that is compelling enough to ensure that even the bravest viewers will sit silently.

Apart from its moving performances and unique story, where A peaceful place really thrives is in the use of sound; or, specifically, the lack thereof. The film uses sound sparingly, and characters generally only communicate when absolutely necessary. This absence of noise makes every sound completely horrifying as it alerts the audience that the fearsome creatures are quickly approaching. A peaceful place it even scored an Oscar nomination for its sound editing, aptly recognizing how the film can create pure terror through this element.

9

Summer Solstice (2019)

Directed by Ari Aster

Few modern horror films have managed to impress viewers as consistently as 2019's A24 film, Summer solstice. Written and directed by Ari Aster, Summer solstice follows a young woman, Dani (played by Florence Pugh) who travels to a remote community in Sweden with her boyfriend and some other friends after the death of her parents. Once there, they discover that the community is a cult-like society that carries out a series of disturbing, ritualistic murders.

Summer solstice helped set the tone for what a modern horror film could be, offering one of the darkest and most disturbing stories of the last decade of cinema. The film capitalizes on the feeling of imprisonment, with the rural setting of the community leaving the characters (and the audience) feeling like there is no escaping the horrors they witness. When combined with some carefully crafted disturbing imagery, the unnerving sensation Summer solstice easily makes it one of the most chilling films in recent memory.

8

The Witch (2015)

Directed by Robert Eggers

Robert Eggers made a huge impact on the horror world when he made his directorial debut with the 2015 film, The Witch. The film takes a rather unique approach to the genre, using 1630s New England as its setting. There, audiences follow a Puritan family who are relentlessly tormented by mysterious evil forces that surround their home. Due to its configuration, The Witch abandons many conventional methods used in modern horror films, terrifying its victims in ways more appropriate to the era.

Another way The Witch It shows its intelligence in the way it handles the revelation of the main character's true role. Throughout most of the film, the audience is made to sympathize with Thomasin, the eldest daughter of the family. In the end, however, Thomasin is seen embracing the darkness around her and joyfully welcoming a new life as a witch. This final scene turns the film into a kind of haunting origin story, forcing the viewer to redefine everything they just saw. The end of The Witch adds a disturbing new layer to the film.

7

Under the Skin (2013)

Directed by Jonathan Glazer

Under the skin may have underperformed at the box office, but that certainly doesn't mean it failed to achieve its goal of unnerving audiences. Directed by Jonathan Glazer, this 2013 film stars Scarlett Johansson as an otherworldly being who disguises herself as a human woman. In this guise, the creature travels across Scotland, luring unsuspecting men into its capture. The film received widespread critical acclaim thanks to its artistic and thoughtful approach to horror.

In addition to working well as a film about an alien entity capturing several victims, Under the skin it works so effectively as a commentary on what it means to be human. While traveling across the country, the creature closely observes the way humans act, learning about the good and bad sides of the species. The film forces the audience to take an outside perspective on how humans behave. By channeling this creative point of view, the film strikes an impressive balance between horror and social commentary.

6

The Shining (1980)

Directed by Stanley Kubrick

When it comes to psychological horror films, few films have achieved the same level of recognition as The Shining. Based on Stephen King's novel of the same name, this iconic work of horror allowed director Stanley Kubrick to do what he does best, masterfully working to create very specific feelings in his audience through meticulous cinematic techniques. Starring Jack Nicholson, The film follows the winter caretaker of an isolated resort hotel as he is driven insane by the harsh isolation and supernatural forces at play within the mysterious building.

The remote location, disturbing images, and vague backstory create looming threats, keeping the audience constantly aware that something dark is on the horizon. The film's clever pacing further heightens the sense of unease it cultivates, allowing the main character's mental deterioration to feel natural and believable. After all, any work of horror is more effective when the audience truly believes in the characters.

5

Hereditary (2018)

Directed by Ari Aster

Just a year before Summer solsticeAri Aster made his directorial debut with Hereditaryan early indicator of his great success to come. The film follows the horrific events that happen to a family after the death of their grandmother, slowly revealing that evil forces may have been plaguing the family for generations. Backed by a terrifying performance from Toni Collette, Hereditary is a thoughtful horror film that will linger in its viewers' minds long after the credits stop rolling.

Outside of its chilling story, part of what makes Hereditary such a clever horror film is all the subtle foreshadowing hidden throughout the film. From beginning to end, the film is filled with blink-and-you'll-miss-it details hinting at the characters' fates and the story's grim conclusion. These little inclusions prove that the filmmakers knew exactly what they were doing all along, while also adding extra layers to make it Hereditary even more enjoyable when watching it again.

4

The Babadook (2014)

Directed by Jennifer Kent

It's certainly not uncommon for horror films to feature frightening supernatural beings with a goal in mind; persistently torment their victims. The 2014 Australian horror film, The Babadookhowever, it puts a delightfully inventive spin on that idea, introducing one of the captivating movie monsters of the 21st century. Throughout the film, the titular beast terrorizes a widowed mother and her son, giving them terrifying visions and forcing them to perform various evil acts as they fight to free themselves from its presence.

Unlike most horror films that center on a frightening creature, The Babadook it actually employs a more psychological approach to horror, focusing on the mental suffering caused by the evil being rather than relying solely on its frightening appearance. At the same time, the film also uses the monster to offer an insightful commentary on loss, presenting a captivating, multifaceted story that extends far beyond what is seen on the surface. With an ending that is both satisfying and unexpected, The Babadook is a clever addition to the world of modern horror.

3

The Lighthouse (2019)

Directed by Robert Eggers

Four years after the success of The WitchRobert Eggers returned with his second feature film, The Lighthouse. Starring the powerful duo Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson, The Lighthouse tells the story of two lighthouse keepers in 1890s New England who must fight for their survival and sanity after becoming stranded together on a small, remote island. This unique film challenged several preconceived notions of the genre, with some even debating whether the film truly qualifies as a horror film. Regardless of your stance on this, it's impossible to deny that the film is extremely disturbing.

While one might expect a film about two men trapped on a mostly empty set to be boring, the impressive cinematography remains The Lighthouse interesting from beginning to end. The entire film is presented in black and white, which contributes greatly to the maddening atmosphere cultivated by the setting and the characters' dire circumstances. The unusual proportion also defines The Lighthouse in addition to other modern horror films, further increasing the feeling that something is not right. All these details help The Lighthouse evolve into the Oscar-nominated mystery film it is today.

2

The Invitation (2022)

Directed by Jessica M. Thompson

Over the years, certain stories have been told over and over again. However, some films offer exciting twists on old tales, transforming them into something new and exciting for modern audiences. One of these films is The invitationthe 2022 feature film directed by Jessica M. Thompson. This smart film offers a fresh, fresh take on Dracula's story. The film puts viewers in the shoes of Evie, a young woman who travels to England after her mother's death, only to discover that her ancestors are closely linked to a deep, dark secret.

The invitation is far from a typical Dracula movie, but it still manages to capitalize on all the elements that people have known and loved about the classic horror story for decades. By combining new and old horror tactics, the film presents something that can appeal to all types of horror lovers. With a thrilling ending that leaves the door open for the story to continue, viewers will certainly be thinking about this current twist. Dracula for some time.

1

Get Out (2017)

Directed by Jordan Peele

Unfortunately, horror films don't tend to do very well when it comes to major awards. However, Jordan Peele challenged this norm in 2017 with his directorial debut, To go outwhich received four Oscar nominations, even taking home the award for Best Original Screenplay. This disturbing horror film follows a black photographer named Chris who begins to uncover something sinister going on beneath the surface while visiting his white girlfriend's family. The film is not just a frightening horror story, but a moving commentary on racism in America.

With a script considered by the Writers Guild of America as the best of the 21st century, To go out is without a doubt one of the smartest horror films in recent memory. The story is complex and multifaceted, the dialogue is consistently believable, and the hidden messages are an excellent display of subtlety. To go out not only did he prove that Jordan Peele was a force to be reckoned with in the horror world, but he also helped redefine the genre as a whole.