Support NeoGAF

[sCHOCOLATE]

IS there such a thing as a truly scary horror film? Seems like it's all just meant to scare kids.

For films that have (brief) moments of sheer horror/terror, I can only think of a few:

Chakushin Ari (English title: Last Call) - The Japanese original had at least one (subjectively) terrifying moment where an apparition was walking, upside-down along the ceiling of a hallway, from background to foreground, approaching the unsuspecting protagonist. The apparition's appearance was not the standard jump scare, rather, she had a slow, deliberate gait, crossing from dim light to shadow, with her grim visage becoming more apparent as she got closer to the camera. Gives me chills just remembering it.

V/H/S (2012) - The first found footage short, "Amateur Night" was particularly disturbing. Casting for the character "Lily" was on point. This short was well written and paced.

But a truly scary horror film, from start to finish, is hard to come by.

 

[saturnalian]

Edit, wrong quote

 

[Classicrockfan]

Terrified on shudder that movie scarred me a lot I finished watching it at 1am,I had to dilute the creepiness with a comedy.

 

[GymWolf]

Maybe hereditary, the plot is bullshit but acting and unsettling factor are pretty good.

 

[GymWolf]

Terrified on shudder that movie scarred me a lot I finished watching it at 1am,I had to dilute the creepiness with a comedy.

I need to know from where these pic\gif are.

 

[Rockondevil]

Scream
Friday the 13th
Final Destination

And if we actually meant modern I think Fear Street for me as it gave me the old school vibe somewhat.

 

[killatopak]

The Mist.

That ending makes me question my choices throughout life.

 

[NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt]

Favorite Horror Films

1922
Annihilation
Aliens
Crimson Peak
Castle Rock (Show)
Channel Zero (Show)
Donnie Darko
Hannibal (Show)
Invasion of The Body Snatchers
It Follows
Midsommer (2019)
Pan's Labyrinth
Rosemary Baby
Saint Maud
Southbound
Seven
Sleepy Hollow
Susperia (2018)
Starry Eyes
Servant (Show)
Tumbbad
The Color Out of Space (2019)
The Lighthouse (2019)
The Witch (2015)
Trick R Treat
The Sixth Sense
Vivarium

Off the top of my head

 

[Spaceman292]

Good job OP allows going back 40+ years, cos modern horror movies are mostly so mediocre.

I'll never understand why people say this. Incredible new horror movies come out every year. Just look at Mad God which someone mentioned in this thread.

 

[Days like these...]

I'll never understand why people say this. Incredible new horror movies come out every year. Just look at Mad God which someone mentioned in this thread.

They are just your typical horror fans who haven't watched horror in decades who think Friday the 13th is the pinnacle of horror.

 

[pramod]

Did anyone like Doctor Sleep?

I dont think its a horror movie per se, but it did have a pretty disturbing scene with the kid being tortured to death.

 

[NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt]

Did anyone like Doctor Sleep?

I dont think its a horror movie per se, but it did have a pretty disturbing scene with the kid being tortured to death.

Great movie much better movie than The Shining. I read both books and love them

 

[DragoonWalker]

"Modern horror." Cinema as we know is only about 120 years old. OP starts his list with Aliens (43 yrs old) and Rosmery's Baby (54 yrs old). Texas Chainsaw Massacre (58 yrs old). Dude.
I'd hardly even consider anything prior to 2000s "modern". 2010 and up at least. I'm old too but come on, I love the classics too but "modern" doesn't stay the same forever.
Here's what's sticks out to me in the last decade or so (no order).

Ready or Not
It Follows
Mandy
The VVitch
Swallow
The Skin I Live In
Raw
Upgrade
It
Green Room
Possessor
I Saw the Devil
Shin Godzilla
The Wailing
Train to Busan

 

[NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt]

"Modern horror." Cinema as we know is only about 120 years old. OP starts his list with Aliens (43 yrs old) and Rosmery's Baby (54 yrs old). Texas Chainsaw Massacre (58 yrs old). Dude.
I'd hardly even consider anything prior to 2000s "modern". 2010 and up at least. I'm old too but come on, I love the classics too but "modern" doesn't stay the same forever.
Here's what's sticks out to me in the last decade or so (no order).

Ready or Not
It Follows
Mandy
The VVitch
Swallow
The Skin I Live In
Raw
Upgrade
It
Green Room
Possessor
I Saw the Devil
Shin Godzilla
The Wailing
Train to Busan

Ready or Not, It Follows, Mandy, The VVITCH, Raw, It, Green Room, Possessor, Train To Busan. I have to say, you have excellent taste in horror. I have to watch the rest I didn't mention that's on that list. What's your favorite horror movie of all time? Mine is Rosemary's Baby

 

[TastyPastry]

Blair Witch Project is still my favourite horror movie of all time. I don't know, something about getting lost in the woods and the fact that you don't really see the witch makes it so scary to me. I've watched that movie at least a dozen times.

 

[01011001]

Scream 1
Scream 2
Scream 4
Final Destination 1
Final Destination 2
Final Destination 5
Silent Hill
Cabin in the Woods
Resident Evil
Halloween 1
Halloween H20
Halloween (2018)

 

[Blade2.0]

I'm going to name ones that I liked that haven't been named.

The Descent (Although the sequel ruined the end of the first one )
High Tension (I enjoyed the twist)
Krampus (Horror Comedy but I love it)
Tucker and Dale vs. EVIL (SAME as above)
Drag me to Hell
The Visit (Good M. Night film)
Hush
Happy Death Day
Freaky

There's some more but can't remember their names right now.

EDIT:
Let the Right One In

 

[DragoonWalker]

Ready or Not, It Follows, Mandy, The VVITCH, Raw, It, Green Room, Possessor, Train To Busan. I have to say, you have excellent taste in horror. I have to watch the rest I didn't mention that's on that list. What's your favorite horror movie of all time? Mine is Rosemary's Baby

Thanks! You too! There's a handful on your list I haven't seen either.

Oh hard to pin down just one. For classics, I think it's gotta be Repulsion, Seconds, or The Innocents. Jacobs Ladder fucked me up back in the day, but rewatching recently it's a little tame by how much it's been copied. Kwaidan, Don't Look Now, Videodrome, Vampire D: Bloodlust, Muholland Drive, Let the Right One are some that I can recall loving a lot.

I'm going to name ones that I liked that haven't been named.

The Descent (Although the sequel ruined the end of the first one )
High Tension (I enjoyed the twist)
Krampus (Horror Comedy but I love it)
Tucker and Dale vs. EVIL (SAME as above)
Drag me to Hell
The Visit (Good M. Night film)
Hush
Happy Death Day
Freaky

There's some more but can't remember their names right now.

EDIT:
Let the Right One In

Fuck, I looove the Descent. And Drag me to Hell too, because how funny it is.

 

[Brian Fellows]

1. Friday the 13th 2
2. Friday the 13th 4
3. Friday the 13th 6
4. Friday the 13th 5
5. Friday the 13th

The Mist.

That ending makes me question my choices throughout life.

Just watched this for the first time a couple of months ago. Hilarious ending.

 

[NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt]

I don't think this is horror but I would say American Psycho

 

[BennyBlanco]

V/H/S (2012) - The first found footage short, "Amateur Night" was particularly disturbing. Casting for the character "Lily" was on point. This short was well written and paced.

hell yea dude. too bad about the rest of the shorts.

 

[Blade2.0]

hell yea dude. too bad about the rest of the shorts.

A full length film was made based on amateur night but I forgot its name.

Also, can someone help me think of a movie. Can't remember the title. A family moves into a haunted house, but the twist is that the ghosts are the good guys and they're trying to save the family from the town. it was quite good if I remember but can't remember the name.

 

[NoLootBoxDev]

I wont name movies most people already placed here, but did not saw this ones mentioned, which I enjoyed

The Faculty: School and Monsters​

Event Horizon: Hell and Spaceships​

Evil Dead (original)​

The Thing​

The Blob​

The Exorcist​

The Stuff​

 

[Haint]

IS there such a thing as a truly scary horror film? Seems like it's all just meant to scare kids.

Nah, they're just pretending and having fun with it. You can be entertained by the story and design, but there's no way any reasonable adult is actually scared by the derivative schlock they post in these kinds of thread. No getting around 30 or 40+ years of desensitization. Even the "indie/alternative" expectation subversion allegory stuff is played out at this point. "Truly scary" will require a whole new medium, like some kind of room scale or house scale VR or AR experience.

 

[TheInfamousKira]

Silent Hill, the film.

Now wait a moment! Let me explain.

It plays off the fear of familiarity, of taking something you know in and out, and just slightly inverting it. You can't quite catch it at first, but something feels off. The opening is right. The camera angles are spot on. And then it hits you like a brick loaded crane, the brilliant Hitchcockian terror of realizing Harry is a woman. The school approaches. Midwich looks perfect. Dusty desks, rotting bathroom cubicles, desolate hallways. And then you realize....Pyramid Head is in the court yard instead of Silent Hill 2. The entire movie revolves around the fear that the next scene is going to contradict the canon even more, like Cybil getting burned at the stake by not-Dahlia. Every gamer in the audience was like "Please, stop. Please stop ruining Silent Hill," and then BOOM. A setting that's spot on. A well designed monster. You're thinking with a sigh of relief as you wipe your brow "Oh, it's better now. I'm safe," and then BAM. Interpretive dance Nurses.

It's really a Rollercoaster of a ride, and it subverts, then pisses on your expectations, before slapping you in the face. A very visceral style of horror that I've not seen often utilized in film. I applaud Mr. Whoever the fuck directed this abortion, for he understands what truly chills real human beings to the bone. Bad adaptations.

 

[Blade2.0]

I remembered the horror movie.

We Are Still Here

It's really good if you haven't seen it

 

[Classicrockfan]

Terrifier art the clown is the most sadistic clown I’ve seen,in one part of the movie he has this girl hanging from her feet and he slices the girl from groin to the face,there’s a sequel coming this yr can’t wait.
the sadness is an Taiwanese zombie film were people go crazy and murder ,rape,and just do outlandish things on people,Taiwan has been releas some great horror movies lately.

 

[Arcane0ne]

To say a different movie, i choose Event Horizon.
I like this movie.

 

[Rickyiez]

Thanks for the recommendations. After thinking really hard about it, I think the Ju-On movies(both direct to video and theatrical releases, but not American remakes) comes pretty close too, the build up to the monster reveal is actually pretty scary. The weird dead-cat motif is super creepy as well.

Yes , the original Ju-on is definitely one of the scariest I've ever seen . The way Kayako move and appearing at some of the common spot like under the blanket or table , while washing hair and so on left me a couple of nightmares .

 

[Darkmakaimura]

Poltergeist.

Obviously, the 1982 film with Craig T Nelson and Jo Beth Williams. An absolutely terrifying movie that still terrifies me today and I thought back in the early eighties.. it's still scares me more than any other movie I've ever seen.

The Exorcist.

The second most terrifying movie I have ever seen. I think most people will agree with me on this and that it is one of the most terrifying movies ever seen. It was terrifying then and it still remains terrifying today.

Aliens.

Both Alien and Aliens we're fantastic movies and believe it or not I would also add Prometheus. The first Alien is full out terror and one of the first and best science fiction, outer space horror movies ever made. The second movie is also terrifying but also full of action and a shitload of fun.

Nightmare on elm Street series.

Most specifically, nNghtmare on elm Street three and four. They were scary but not really terrifying and more of a scary mixed with fun.

The Mummy.

The first two Mummy movies starring Brandon Fraser. They were not really scary but just really, really fun. They are a perfect example of mixing horror with Indiana Jones. Now one can argue that mixing Indiana Jones with horror would get you the Temple of Doom, and they would be right! Still, The Mummy is another great example of a really fun and balls to the walls horror movie.

The Mist.

I was actually internally debating myself if I should add this. It's not high on my list but it's definitely a great movie that exceeded my expectations and is probably the best HP Lovecraft type of movie that exists in the modern era. There has not really been any good Lovecraftian movies but this one definitely get it and deserves a call out. Some scenes are genuinely terrifying as well plus, that fucking ending....

~~~~

I did not want to sound too redundant but I would have also added The Thing and Predator as horror movies but they are basically the same reasons as the Alien and Aliens. So it was a toss up so to speak and I still prefer the Alien franchise over the Predator or thing franchise.

 

[0neAnd0nly]

Honestly the fact that there is only 1 mention of the Wailing so far in here shows way too much dependence on Hollywood from most people, and not enough branching to the right places.

The wailing isn’t only the best horror film of the last 10 years, it’s also just an incredibly good movie. Yes it’s Korean, yes it’s subtitles - but it blows nearly anything else out of the water.

My tops of all time:

1. BWP (being 23 years old probably doesn’t make your list from your OP)

2. the Wailing (recent)

3. Insidious (recent)

All 3 for different reasons. BWP for atmosphere and the iconic ending, discussion is fun.

The Wailing because I don’t know another film that has made me pause to take a breather like that did. And it’s a movie that just BREEDS discussion.

Insidious because it’s just a great modern day horror film within the PG-13 realm that shows all of Wan’s strengths to produce a genuinely creepy film with excellent cinematography that doesn’t rely on gore or shock.

If you consider Train to Busan horror… which I don’t, that would slide into my top 3.

* for off the beaten path things you may not find suggested; Gonjiam (Korean found footage) is the best FF film in the last decade IMO.

 

[mekes]

I'm gonna try my best to keep it modern like the thread title suggests. Nothing says modern like kicking a list off with a movie from the 70s!

Hereditary
Annihilation
Sinister
The Autopsy of Jane Doe
Prometheus (Guilty pleasure!!)

I have a huge preference for sci fi / cosmic horror. I almost had The Thing prequel in my list. I hated it at the cinema but I've grown to like it quite a lot over the years. Watching both is actually pretty good.

My all time list in no specific order is

Alien
The Thing
The Fly
Dog Soldiers
Event Horizon

I could chop and change the last 2 depending on my mood.

 

[AV]

Honestly the fact that there is only 1 mention of the Wailing so far in here shows way too much dependence on Hollywood from most people, and not enough branching to the right places.

The wailing isn’t only the best horror film of the last 10 years, it’s also just an incredibly good movie. Yes it’s Korean, yes it’s subtitles - but it blows nearly anything else out of the water.

The Wailing is an extraordinary film. Obviously a horror film but there's so much more to it, it defies genre, it's got drama, it's a mystery thriller, hell it's even funny in places.

To that end here's 5 of my favourite (actually modern) not-entirely-horror movies that don't quite fit the standard definition, but all have a good dose of horror cinema in them:

The Lighthouse
Bone Tomahawk
Kill List
Green Room
Mandy

Some very recent horror movies I've seen and would recommend:

X - Ti West taking 70s exploitation cinema and spinning it on its head, loved it
Scream - 2022 and only if you've seen the rest, the best since the first for my money
In The Earth - very very low budget British film made in like 2 weeks during the pandemic, great director (Kill List, Sightseers)
Censor - again low budget British, lots of little nods to the video nasty moral panic of the 80s
Malignant - because it's rubbish, but the final act is so funny it's worth the setup

 

[mansoor1980]

pitchblack

 

[WhatDidHeSay?]

Aaaaaghhhhh!!!! Which one of you mother's recommended the dark & the wicked... This is disgustingly harsh... Good film but crikey - hard hitting this one. It's a difficult watch!!

I love/hate you!!!! /

 

[NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt]

pitchblack

The third movie Riddick is good too

 

[mansoor1980]

The third movie Riddick is good too

its ok i think

 

[NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt]

its ok i think

I just like it for the gore

 

[mansoor1980]

I just like it for the gore

and those titties

 

[NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt]

and those titties

That too

 

[0neAnd0nly]

The Wailing is an extraordinary film. Obviously a horror film but there's so much more to it, it defies genre, it's got drama, it's a mystery thriller, hell it's even funny in places.

To that end here's 5 of my favourite (actually modern) not-entirely-horror movies that don't quite fit the standard definition, but all have a good dose of horror cinema in them:

The Lighthouse
Bone Tomahawk
Kill List
Green Room
Mandy

Some very recent horror movies I've seen and would recommend:

X - Ti West taking 70s exploitation cinema and spinning it on its head, loved it
Scream - 2022 and only if you've seen the rest, the best since the first for my money
In The Earth - very very low budget British film made in like 2 weeks during the pandemic, great director (Kill List, Sightseers)
Censor - again low budget British, lots of little nods to the video nasty moral panic of the 80s
Malignant - because it's rubbish, but the final act is so funny it's worth the setup

It really is. I didn't have much knowledge going in on what it really was... a true cinematic / horror gem.

The movie definitely fulfills multiple genres in differing parts. But man... when it all comes together... whew.

Since we are both talking korean horror, did you happen to see Gonjiam? Another that was far better than I would have ever imagined.

 

[Classicrockfan]

Intruder love horror movies that take place in supermarket,and malls,

 

[AV]

It really is. I didn't have much knowledge going in on what it really was... a true cinematic / horror gem.

The movie definitely fulfills multiple genres in differing parts. But man... when it all comes together... whew.

Since we are both talking korean horror, did you happen to see Gonjiam? Another that was far better than I would have ever imagined.

I did not, will keep an eye out though we don't spend that much time watching movies these days. Cheers.

 

[JordoftheDead]

Aside from classics that nearly feel cliche to mention like The Thing, Alien, Rosemary’s Baby, The Shining et al, in terms of modern movies I loved the Witch. Lighthouse and Northmen too but they only have intermittent horror elements at best.

Annihilation stayed with me for a long time after watching and had some really disturbing imagery, as did Under the Skin but didn’t love either but couldn’t stop thinking about them.

It Follows was fun. Quite enjoyed The Ritual, but hardly a classic. Midsommar too, but again not a horror classic.

 

[bitbydeath]

Best of all-time:
Elm Street 3

Modern:
The Babysitter

The Babysitter 2

The Final Girls

 

[Fools idol]

just finished dark and the wicked, was quite good as others mentionned. Very creepy scenes

 

[Sidney Prescott]

If we're talking recent:

The Conjuring
Hereditary
Midsommar
Don't Breathe

I really enjoy a lot of the A24 releases for the most part

 

[NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt]

If we're talking recent:

The Conjuring
Hereditary
Midsommar
Don't Breathe

I really enjoy a lot of the A24 releases for the most part

I love the designs of the demons on the Conjuring verse

 

[Classicrockfan]

Incantation on Netflix was awesome scary found footage movie

 

[WhatDidHeSay?]

Incantation on Netflix was awesome scary found footage movie

I'll have a nosey into this... I'm right into my found footage at the minute. Loving it!!!!