The best horror film of each year of the 2010s

The 2010s graced and terrified audiences with the scariest films in cinema history. From supernatural tales of ghosts and witches to psychological thrillers that hide deeper social messages, it’s been a golden decade for the world. horror genre. Directors like Jordan Peele and Robert Eggers have managed to deliver modern horror films by pushing boundaries and reinventing old tropes, not only scaring but also surprising their viewers and subverting their expectations.

Meanwhile, films like The Conjuration and A peaceful place introduced fans of this haunting genre to new and exciting universes, creating franchises to explore and expand. With classic horror elements, inventive plots, and charming characters, these films have attracted a loyal fan base. It’s difficult to choose the best horrors of the 2010s, but some films, whether critically, artistically or commercially, stood out, becoming classics of modern horror.

10

Let Me In (2010)

Directed by Matt Reeves

The remake of the Swedish film Let the right person in, Let me in is a romantic horror that received largely positive reviews from critics when it debuted in 2010. The story, set in the 1980s, focuses on a 12-year-old boy who is an outsider among his peers and develops a romantic relationship with a child vampire played by Chloë Grace Moretz. Stephen King called it “The best American horror film of the last 20 years” (via AwardsDaily).

Like a classic tale that plays with the line between good and evil, the film becomes even more disturbing when viewed through the lens of its young characters’ ages. Chloë Moretz’s Austin Critics Award-winning portrayal of the young vampire blurs the line between her apparent vulnerability and her threatening nature, leaving a frightening impression on the viewer.. The film was also the highest-rated horror of 2010 on Rotten Tomatoes.

9

Sleep Well (2011)

Directed by Jaume Balagueró

Sleep well is a Spanish psychological thriller that delves into the mind of Cesar (Luis Tosar), an apartment concierge who, unable to find happiness in his life, sets out on a mission to make the building’s tenants as unhappy as he is. According to Empire, the film was “buzzing with Hitchcockian suspense”.

Sleep well the clever exploration and portrayal of Cesar’s troubled psyche paints a haunting portrait of obsession and control, amplified by Tosar’s performance, which earned the artist the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Through the insanity of its central character, the film is able to terrify its viewers without the need for monsters under the bed or flesh-eating zombies, but simply showing the worst of humanity. The raw authenticity of the plot and the tension-filled atmosphere make Sleep well the best horror film of 2011.

8

Cabin in the Woods (2012)

Directed by Drew Goddard

When it hit theaters in April 2012 Cabin in the Forest scared and shocked audiences with its plot twists and satirical reversal of classic horror film tropes. Written by Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon (famous for directing and writing Buffy the Vampire Slayerr), this horror movie follows a group of college friends who retreat to a remote cabin only to encounter horrific monsters. The plot may seem familiar at first glance, but beneath the surface lies a more disturbing truth – a truth far more terrifying than any monster they encounter.

Because of its surprising ability to be fun and terrifying at the same time, while subverting any expectations traditional horror fans might have, the film could not be ignored. With a terribly unexpected ending and a cynicism so at odds with the young age of its characters Cabin in the Forest is one of the best horrors of the 2010s and the ultimate winner in 2012.

7

The Conjuring (2013)

Directed by James Wan

In 2013, when The Conjuration debuted, not everyone probably suspected that the story would be just the beginning of the popular franchise centered on Ed and Lorraine Warren, two paranormal investigators based on real people. The film, however, with its emotionally charged acting and use of traditional horror elements from folk stories about haunted houses and malevolent spirits in a compelling and aesthetically stunning way, captivated viewers and grossed over $319 million in everyone.

The opening statement, “Based on a true story,” contributed to its chilling impact. The mysterious scenography and the charismatic nature of the main characters elevated The Conjuration for a cult. The film opened the door to a fictional universe in the modern horror genre that has produced equally acclaimed sequels and terrifying spin-offs.

6

The Babadook (2014)

Directed by Jennifer Kent

The Babadook is an Australian psychological horror that stands out for its moving themes. Through the haunting story of a widowed mother and her son, the film explores grief in a disturbing yet moving way. Since its debut, the story has attracted international attention and praise, becoming a classic of the genre. The Exorcist director William Friedkin tweeted that he had never seen a more terrifying film (via The Guardian.)

The monster appears as a metaphor for the trauma shared by the two characters, giving this disturbing story an authenticity that makes the film even scarier. This monster tale is a modern horror film that sensitively examines pain through suspense and fear.

5

The Witch (2015)

Directed by Robert Eggers

Set in the 17th century, The Witch is the story of a Puritan family who encounter unspeakable forces of evil near their new home, where they have been banished. The film is a slow-building horror film that unsettles the audience through disturbing themes such as religious extremism and temptations, as well as an expressionistic atmosphere.

Anya Taylor-Joy’s eerie performance, which earned her an Empire Award for Best Female Newcomer, combined with gradually rising tension in an oppressive atmosphere, easily integrates into the historical setting, creating a chilling and immersive experience. presence of jump scares to scare the audience, but in its psychological depth and desperate narrative, consolidating its status as a horror classic and one of the best films of the 2010s for the genre. Stephen King praised The Witch to being instigating and petrifying (Via FilmWeb).

4

Train to Busan (2016)

Directed by Yeon Sang-ho

Zombie movies are most of the time a guaranteed scare. However, not all of them work as successfully as Train to Busan, the South Korean action horror. The depth and intensity of its characters encourage audiences to create an emotional bond with them, amplifying apprehension as viewers become invested in their survival. The film has a score of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. Edgar Wright, director of Shaun of the Dead, called Train to Busan the “best zombie movie I’ve ever seen” (via FilmWeb)

The unusual approach to the setting does its part: the story takes place on a high-speed train ride from Seoul to Busan during a zombie apocalypse, making the film not only a suspenseful horror, but also a claustrophobic, horror-filled experience. anxiety.. In August 2016, Train to Busan became the first Korean film of the year to break the audience record of over 10 million viewers. As one of the best zombie horror films of all time, Train to Busan deserves a spot as the scariest film of 2016.

3

Get Out (2017)

Directed by Jordan Peele

Between To go out and This2017 is not an easy year to choose the best horror film. In the end, however, with its inventive plot and underlying social criticism, little explored in this genre, To go out had to win. Jordan Peele, in his directorial debut, stunned audiences with this chilling masterpiece, which was critically acclaimed and a commercial success. The film received four Oscar nominations (including Best Picture), with Peele winning for Best Screenplay, and is often cited as one of the best films of the 21st century.

This modern horror film uses the genre’s typical suspense as a way to explore the phenomenon of hidden racism in the United States. The story appears as a frightening version of the cult Guess who’s coming to dinner. Amid silent games of manipulation, wit and fake smiles, the film emerges as the most terrifying story of 2017, not just because of its scares or heartbreaking plot twists, but because of the raw authenticity it contains.

2

A Quiet Place (2018)

Directed by John Krasinski

As a horror about a family struggling to survive “silently” in a post-apocalyptic world inhabited by alien creatures with extremely acute hearing, A peaceful place ironically it made a lot of noise when it hit theaters in 2018. John Krasinski’s work has received critical acclaim due to his ability to explore heartfelt themes of family and what it means to be a father fighting for his children’s survival in an unusually dangerous situation. It also earned an Oscar nomination for Best Sound Editing.

In addition to the heart-stopping beginning and the ever-present, silent tension, this 2010s horror film stands out for the excellent performances from the cast. In a world where even saying a word became dangerous, actors were forced to convey a wide range of emotions and dreads simply through their facial expressions, and they did it extremely well. The characters’ traditional and relatable family dynamics make their situation even scarier, allowing the audience to see themselves in their shoes. Stephen King called the film “an extraordinary work” and praised the “fantastic acting” in it (via Deadline).

1

Us (2019)

Directed by Jordan Peele

After To go outJordan Peele managed to terrify audiences again in 2019. Tilt cited it as one of the best horrors of the 21st century. Us explores the “evil twin” (or in this case, evil doppelgängers) trope, taking it to the next level. Peele, through the frightening story of an unhappy family, takes the opportunity to scare the audience and send a deeper political message, in this case exploring themes related to the concept of “other”, social exclusion and classism.

With a score of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes Us borrows elements from terrifying classics that defined cinema history, such as Jaws, The Shiningand funny games, while subtly establishing itself as another cult. As one of the most terrifying home invasion horror films of all time, Us deserves the gold medal for best horror of 2019.

Source: AwardsDaily, Empire, The Guardian, FilmWeb, Deadline, Tilt