In ten years, I've seen my fair share of scares. Horror movies--or horror stories in general--have always delighted me in many ways, and throughout the 2010s I've probably explored the genre in the most daring manner. I had explored many unique subgenres for the first time, including all the major slasher franchises, suspense thrillers, the Italian gaillo films, and cosmic horror (which is probably the rise now more than ever). Earlier in the decade, I also saw some the goriest and most disturbing of films--few of those hold up, but lately I've wizened up to the follies of excessive shock value. Blood and guts don't have nearly as much charm as a good, bone-chilling tale that's told well.
When it comes to new horror film that came out year after year, I found myself becoming more and more enthralled by the horror scene. Films had moved away from trashy torture films and closer to truly inspired originality. Even though there have been quite a few sequels, remakes, there have been quite a few smash hits that boldly obliterated the mold. In particular, there have been an uncanny number of films involving people trapped in dangerous situations, films about threatening individuals, and quite a few throwback ghost stories. We've had phases involving James Wan's Conjuring franchise, and a string of cheap (but perhaps effective) Blumhouse productions (and with these pictures, lots of jump scares). Also...is it me, or are most of the 2010s horror films all about families falling apart? It's quite an unsettling theme that a lot of recent films explore, and they're perhaps a grade more disturbing that way.
Despite a few letdowns, many of these will undoubtedly be cemented as new favorites of mine. Some have even been influential in guiding my interests and imagination, becoming new inspirations for my own uncanny tales of terror.
Of the 200+ horror films I've seen from the 2010s, I've singled out 50 that I feel stand out the most and are the most worthwhile. Whether I found them thrilling, unsettling, or just plain entertaining, I have thought of them time and again and most get my highest recommendation.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Runner Ups:
- The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
- The Crazies (2010)
- Evil Dead (2013)
- A Field In England (2013)
- IT Chapter Two (2019)
- Jigsaw (2017)
- Let Me In (2010)
- Overlord (2018)
- Piranha 3D (2010)
- Ready or Not (2019)
- Scream 4 (2011)
- The Skin I Live In (La Piel Que Habito) (2011)
- Suspiria (2018)
- The Thing (2011)
- Troll Hunter (2010)
- The Visit (2015)
- The Void (2016)
- We Are Still Here (2015)
-----------------------------------------------------------
50: I Spit On Your Grave (2010)
This was never a particularly tasteful tale, but it's told anew with a lot more grunge and brutality. The revenge scenes, in all their vileness, prove satisfying--if you can handle it.
-----------------------------------------------------------
49: Clown (2014)
A pretty low-key flick, with a yarn that feels like a slight rehash of
the Goosebumps mask story. Still, I did find this halfway compelling
thanks to its focus on a character becoming corrupted by evil. A little
hard to stomach perhaps, but then again, clowns are naturally
unsettling.
-----------------------------------------------------------
48: Climax (2018)
Quite the mixed bag from Gaspar Noe--on one hand, the dance scenes are presented as a grand piece of performance art that'll surely dazzle. On the other hand, the opening act offers very little momentum. The film's last half is a visceral spiral of madness and despair, but it's also a hard watch at times. It's definitely unforgettable.
-----------------------------------------------------------
47: Ma (2019)
There's something uncanny and compelling about disturbed villains, and Ma delivers a genuinely unsettling villainess through Octavia Spencer's performance--it might be her best. The story is suspenseful, even if it's shot in a low-key low-budget manner.
-----------------------------------------------------------
46: The Green Inferno (2013)
Eli Roth pays a tribute to the Italian cannibal films of the 70s. Even though the Green Inferno plays out like a standard torture film, the jungle setting and themes make it somewhat unique. I would have liked this more if it was more kitschy and extreme like the older flicks, but this is still pretty harrowing.
-----------------------------------------------------------
45: A Serbain Film (Srpski Film) (2010)
This is the film that pushed the envelope as far as it can go. I can't blame anybody for finding this distasteful and pretentious--I have to admit though, it's definitely an intense experience that leaves a mark. I wound up admiring the film for its simple focus on a man coerced into crossing certain lines, all the way to its tragic finale. It's all captured with handsome camerawork and production quality. It might be a little too much shock value, and the film's themes are probably too far-reaching. There's nothing else like this, for better or for worse.
-----------------------------------------------------------
44: Silent Night (2012)
Pretty standard update on Silent Night, Deadly Night, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. The kills are quite inventive and over-the-top. All the naughty slayings are captured with crisp and vibrant photography. Santa's slays are quite wicked.
-----------------------------------------------------------
43: Ghostland (2018)
A dark and oppressive odyssey, which achieves its strangest and most unsettling images by the midpoint. It takes some patience to get through the conventional first act, but afterwards, becomes quite the bleak and surreal experience.
-----------------------------------------------------------
42: Halloween (2018)
Michael Myers just won't die. Even after forty years, the Halloween franchise continues onward, and this semi-reboot semi-sequel offers a stylish new take on Laurie Strode's arc. It's inherently thrilling to watch Jamie Lee Curtis sink back into a familiar role, but with more attitude and empowerment. It's also nice that John Carpenter came back to remix the main theme--the revamped music score is quite awesome.
-----------------------------------------------------------
41: Alien: Covenant (2017)
After the success of Alien and the dubious reputation of Prometheus, there was little chance that this prequel would be anything but a rehash of familiar story beats. Even though it plays out like an Alien remake, it's well-filmed and few scenes are incredible standouts.
-----------------------------------------------------------
40: The Wolfman (2010)
The classic tale of the Wolf Man is updated with a lavish production
quality and plenty of good talent. The film is modestly entertaining and
quite stylish. This doesn't quite reach the levels of empathy that Lon
Chaney elicited in the 40s, but it's still a pretty fun werewolf pic.
-----------------------------------------------------------
39: Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010)
Easily one of the strangest watches of the decade. This debut film from
Panos Cosmatos combines the style of futuristic science fiction with
outlandish cosmic horror, delivering visions that are often dreadful and
compelling. The film runs slow, but the atmosphere is thick. It's maybe
a little hard to follow this way, but I was smitten by the experience
and the imagery--there's nothing else like this film anywhere.
-----------------------------------------------------------
38: Kill List (2011)
This bizarre puzzle of a film may test your patience, but it'll reward
you with quite the unsettling finale. The film somehow mashes up crime
tropes with the occult, in an understated story that explains very
little and forces you to pay attention to figure out where it's going.
-----------------------------------------------------------
37: The VVitch (2015)
Quite the slow burn, and this will understandably bore many viewers.
What kept me coming back to this was the atmosphere, quality period
reproduction, and the fascinating religious themes. The film's last shot
is a particular stand-out.
-----------------------------------------------------------
36: Haunt (2019)
Though not particularly deep of a story, the titular haunt is a
frightening place thanks to its hard-hitting scares, the creepy
villains, and many rooms full of diabolical traps. I found it adequately
suspenseful and stylish.
-----------------------------------------------------------
35: Stoker (2013)
Chan Wook-Park breaks into Hollywood with this enigmatic thriller. It
bears something in common with the violence and bleakness of the
Vengeance trilogy, but Stoker feels a grade warmer and more
romanticized in a way. This tale of human monsters is brought to life
sublimely with a phenomenal cast and rich cinematography.
-----------------------------------------------------------
34: Bedevilled (Kim Bok-nam Salinsageonui Jeonmal) (2010)
This Korean thriller, with its focus on domestic abuse, can be a rather
harsh watch. The slow-burning drama ultimately climaxes with a brutal
bloodbath, so full of twists and suspense. With quality photography and
creditable performances, the film stands out vividly. The tale overall
is a gruesome and compelling chronicle of one woman's outrage.
-----------------------------------------------------------
33: Black Swan (2010)
Who would have thought that being a ballerina could be so scary? With
its focus on perfectionism, the film becomes a nightmarish descent into
madness where reality is blurred. The cast is top-notch. Their
performances are captured with gritty, documentary-like camera work. The
film has a way of messing with everyone's minds before its big finale,
and it's quite a thrilling show.
-----------------------------------------------------------
32: Green Room (2015)
A taut and gritty suspense film that'll keep you on the edge for its
whole runtime. It's especially interesting to see Patrick Stewart in a
villainous role. The rest of the cast is apt. The film is stylish and
makes good use of its limited sets. Not bad for something that takes
place mostly in one room.
-----------------------------------------------------------
31: mother! (2017)
A frustrating watch for many reasons--this is a bizarre and confusing film that eschews literal reality in favor of an allegory stretched beyond reasonable limits. And yet, the absurdity and impressionistic images are what makes it stand out so much. The film aims to outrage its audience by toying with their empathy and dragging the characters through some very horrific and traumatizing scenes. It's hardly pleasant, but as an arthouse experience, the film does elicit enough thought and feeling to make it worth the heartaches.
-----------------------------------------------------------
30: It Follows (2014)
A surprise sleeper hit, It Follows offers a unique spin on
supernatural horror. Perhaps a little obvious in its allegory, but the
film remains thrilling and suspenseful thanks to its atmosphere, style,
and talent.
-----------------------------------------------------------
29: The Girl With All The Gifts (2016)
This might be one of the most unique zombie pictures I've seen in a long time. It plays out a little like The Last of Us,
complete with the post-apocalyptic settings and somber mood. The film
is shot well and paced well. Performances are decent. Above all, it's a
pretty neat story that's compelling and stylish.
-----------------------------------------------------------
28: Get Out (2017)
Jordan Peele breaks into horror with this surprise hit. The political
messages of the film will keep people talking for years, but its simple Twilight Zone
style twists make it consistently watchable and thrilling. The imagery
is punchy, but it rarely goes overboard. Some combination of
performances and style makes this uncanny at all the right moments.
-----------------------------------------------------------
27: Split (2017)
Could it be? Has M. Night Shyamalan found his mojo again? The dubious effort of Glass probably suggests otherwise, but hot dang, Split
was a phenomenal surprise. James McAvoy owns 23 different roles in a
remarkable performance. The film itself is quite stylish and well-built,
but it's especially notable for its unexpected genre shift towards the
end. There are a few scenes that drag, but most of this is uncanny,
fascinating, and thrilling.
-----------------------------------------------------------
26: Unsane (2018)
It's a taut and suspenseful exploration of insanity in a post-recession
era, rife with social themes and psychological terror. Steven Soderbergh
shot this on an iPhone, but it still looks pretty handsome thanks to
its camera composition and decent performances. The most thrilling
scenes are staged well, but Claire Foy keeps it relatable and engaging
the entire way through.
-----------------------------------------------------------
25: Oculus (2013)
A rather interesting ghost movie involving mirrors. Some might say this
is bland and derivative, but I found it interesting and enjoyable all
the same. I was especially pleased with the storytelling and the way the
film juggles two plotlines in tandem.
-----------------------------------------------------------
24: Insidious (2010)
James Wan delivered some seriously creepy scenes in this modern take on classic tropes previously seen in films like Poltergeist.
The imagery is quite uncanny and definitely elicited a level of
suspense and dread. Even with a few jump scares, the film carries the
right atmosphere.
-----------------------------------------------------------
23: The Conjuring (2013)
Perhaps the best from James Wan. It's inherently interesting to dig into
the history of Ed and Lorraine Warren. The period reproduction is
solid, and the film crafts a heck of a frightening experience with a
pretty smooth style. Not sure how this will hold up as a franchise, but
it had a decent start.
-----------------------------------------------------------
22: Us (2019)
One of the most bizarre pictures in recent memory, Us is lest interested in realism and logic and more interested in style, performances, and messing with your mind. And that's why I like it this much--the film is at its best with its uncanny images and overall strangeness. The premise involving doppelgangers is interesting, but also demands much from the cast (and I feel they deliver admirably). This might not make much sense to most viewers, but I appreciate the impressions the film leaves behind.
-----------------------------------------------------------
21: Don't Breathe (2016)
This plays out like a modernized take on the myth of the Minotaur and the labyrinth. The low-key setting squeezes the actors into tight predicaments full of tension and fright, and menace is easily felt through Stephen Lang's imposing stature. This culminates with a rather wicked twist--with or without it though, this is quite the suspenseful flick.
-----------------------------------------------------------
20: 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
While the original Cloverfield presented itself as a found footage monster movie, its follow-up takes the unexpected approach and becomes a traditional suspense thriller set in a confined space. The photography is solid (much improved from its god-awful predecessor), and the performances are decent. John Goodman is exceptional in a role that exudes menace--that alone made the film suspenseful, but the ending twists are eye-popping as well.
-----------------------------------------------------------
19: Final Destination 5 (2011)
This series was always a blast with all its inventive death scenes and
such. The fifth of the series (and a prequel) offers more of the same,
with much better quality than some of the others before it. The deaths
are wicked as ever, and captured with superb style and quality. It links
up with the original film pretty smoothly, and it feels like a circle
is completed.
-----------------------------------------------------------
18: Train to Busan (Busanhaeng) (2016)
The Korean zombie movie--one that uniquely focuses on outrunning zombies
on a train. There's plenty of action and gore to satisfy zombie-movie
fans. It's a solidly-built film with decent performances. It's paced
swiftly--the film itself is like a runaway train, and all you can do is
sit and watch in terror.
-----------------------------------------------------------
17: Crimson Peak (2015)
Guillermo Del Toro offers a fresh gothic romance tale, the likes of
which I honestly don't see that much these days. While the film won't
elicit as much excitement or suspense as the director's other works, it
is a good story told with vivid style and strong performances. Effects
are decent, but it's the lavish sets and locales that dominate. I feel
that this is quite underrated--it's a good ghost story.
-----------------------------------------------------------
16: Prometheus (2012)
Living up to 1979's Alien remains an elusive feat, but Ridley
Scott tried hard to give this prequel its own identity and iconography. I
won't deny that the film has its dumb moments, but it does offer some
truly unique and unsettling scenes that stand out in their own way. The
characters, and their search for the origins and meaning of life,
mirrors the Prometheus myth in thoughtful ways. It's a shame that some
threads are dropped in Covenant, but it's still a dark and suspenseful odyssey that deepens the lore of Alien.
-----------------------------------------------------------
15: The Lighthouse (2019)
It seems there is much to fear by the sea. This black-and-white
full-frame picture may look charming and quaint, but it doesn't hold
back on its bizarre, punchy, and sometimes graphic images, which
includes everything from the rustic lighthouse setting to tempting
mermaids. For a movie with only two leads, it manages to sustain
tension, mystery, and an uncanny atmosphere, even when the film becomes
absurd and crude. Much of this is arty and strange--maybe even
pretentious--but it's certainly bold, well-composed, and unforgettable.
-----------------------------------------------------------
14: A Quiet Place (2018)
This thrilling sci-fi monster flick offers the unique premise in which
people hide from creatures with acute hearing. For a movie that has to
naturally hush all its dialogue, the story is surprisingly well-told
with performances and visuals alone. Photography, performances, and
effects are solid. With as much thrills and emotion the film has,
silence really is golden.
-----------------------------------------------------------
13: The Babadook (2014)
It might seem like a bit of a cliche to craft a supernatural story out of childish nursery rhymes and such. The Babadook
presents its tale with plenty of quality and style, but it takes some
surprisingly dark and punchy turns that elicits deeper fear out of the
human characters. That Babadook is no joke after all.
-----------------------------------------------------------
12: The House That Jack Built (2018)
In several chapters, Lars Von Trier explores a seriously troubling individual. Each episode offers disturbing violence, and perhaps a dark shade of comedy. I can't say I found this picture entirely palatable, or its themes agreeable, but I found it most relatable when the film pulls the camera through the underworld and it becomes a parallel to Dante's Inferno.
-----------------------------------------------------------
11: Doctor Sleep (2019)
It's a tough job to create a sequel to The Shining that balances itself between Stephen King's text and Kubrick's 1980 film. Thankfully, the cast and crew of Doctor Sleep
step up to the challenge and does decent justice to both. The plot and
story of the book carries over well, but remains consistent with its
predecessor. It was a joy to watch the characters come to life. The film
has a style and identity of its own, which is continuously moody and
suspenseful. The return to the Overlook Hotel is creepy as ever.
-----------------------------------------------------------
10: The Wailing (Gokseong) (2016)
In a rural town in South Korea, the terror of immigration and demon
curses collide for an unsettling effect. Even though this is quite the
long film, it is methodically-paced, well-framed, and well-written. Most
horror films make a point to show how science can fail to defeat the
unknown--this is one unique take where superstition and rituals fail as
well, and with bloody results.
-----------------------------------------------------------
9: The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
This just sounds so cliched, right? We've all seen these silly flicks
with cabins in woods where stupid teenagers get killed by something.
This film gives us just that...but with a twist. With a meta narrative,
the film offers deconstruction and satire behind its conventional
thrills, leading up to a surprising finale. There's as much laughs and
thrills to this as there is blood, and I appreciate how different the
story went. I definitely didn't see any of this coming.
-----------------------------------------------------------
8: I Saw The Devil (Ang-ma-reul bo-at-da) (2010)
A simple premise can be such a devilish delight. In this South Korean
thriller, a cop plays cat-and-mouse with a serial killer, repeatedly
catching and releasing him in a never-ending loop of revenge. The film
is consistently on the move, and thus the tension never runs dry. It's
well-shot, and the actors are at the top of their game. It is quite the
dark and bloody game they play, but it remains one of the best and most
thrilling Korean thrillers of them all.
-----------------------------------------------------------
7: IT (2017)
Far from the campy 90s miniseries, this adaptation of (well, half of)
Stephen King's famous novel aims for gravitas and heart. Pennywise is at
his most terrifying thanks to Bill Skarsgard's unnerving performance
and a plethora of incredible scares and effects. The rest of the cast is
admirable as they bring the Losers Club to life--it helps that the
script shows attention to characterizing the lot of them, but there's
still ample amounts of mystery and suspense. It all moves at a swift
pace. Even though the finale leaves an opening for a sequel, it is
satisfying to watch these kids overcome fear and become a lovable bunch
worth rooting for.
-----------------------------------------------------------
6: Midsommar (2019)
Ari Aster's ultimate breakup movie, disguised as a horror film similar to The Wicker Man.
I have my doubts that isolated Swedish folk communities would go this
far, but the film makes its own reality in the most vivid and
hallucinogenic way. It is one of the most gorgeous films I've seen,
thanks to its sunlit prairie settings and all the flowers, and its firm
cinematography. Performances are compelling, most especially from
Florence Pugh. Music and sound is quite eclectic. Despite the length and
slow pace, the film maintains enough suspense with the intense ritual
scenes and a few uncanny details. It builds up to quite the cathartic
finale--the entire film is a trip I won't forget about any time soon.
-----------------------------------------------------------
5: The Neon Demon (2016)
This may be my greatest guilty-pleasure of the lot, given that so many
viewers find this rather pretentious and shallow. It's true that there's
little subtlety behind the film's satire concerning the fashion
industry. Take it as a stylized fable, however, and I thought it was
engaging. The film's style is as vivid as they come, coupled nicely with
its synth soundtrack. Even if she does becomes some kind of figurative
demon, Elle Fanning is a delight to watch. There are a few scenes I
could probably do without, but I still value this film for its craft and
allegories.
-----------------------------------------------------------
4: Mandy (2018)
One of the strangest surprises in recent years, Mandy is a
heavy-metal fever dream. A simple story told well, but elevated to
another dimension thanks to its bizarre cinematography, vivid lighting
and colors, and its music score. Nicholas Cage, surprisingly, shows all
the rage but without the camp he's known for--this is easily one of his
best and most serious performances. The other performers are no slouches
either. Even at its strangest and most ridiculous, the quest to avenge
Mandy never fails to instill a sense of awe, wonder, and terror.
-----------------------------------------------------------
3: A Cure For Wellness (2016)
This stands as one of the best-looking films in the last ten years. The
cinematography alone, so eye-catching and beautiful, will keep you glued
to the quaint mysteries of an unassuming Swiss wellness center. The
film's story is structured well, chock full of uncanny terrors and
strange encounters, and it culminates in an exciting climax. All the
performances are decent. The music score is quite nice. Even at its most
macabre, the film maintains a level of class that remains unparalleled.
-----------------------------------------------------------
2: Annihilation (2018)
Beyond the threshold of the Shimmer, the most uncanny terrors await and threaten to destroy all mankind. While there probably aren't as many scares in this as other films, the unique and unnatural sights in Annihilation are enough to elicit fear over cosmic forces and the lucid nature of biology. The simple story takes some diversions to explore deeper themes concerning self-destruction and rebirth, ultimately tying into an ambiguous ending that'll leave you guessing what happens next. With decent photography, performances, and music, the film stands as a new favorite sci-fi horror hybrid.
-----------------------------------------------------------
1: Hereditary (2018)
It takes much to scare me after the credits roll. Somehow, the story and visions presented in Ari Aster's Hereditary managed to linger in my head for long, sleepless hours at night. I couldn't help but to wonder about spirits, demons, and the significance of this story as such forces slowly ground a family down.
Hereditary is as handsome of a film as they come, thanks to its solid cinematography, unique color pallets, and decent lighting. All of the performances are top-notch. The writing is nuanced. This production boasts interesting sets, costumes, locales, and certainly some bizarre and unsettling effects. It all meshes together in a story that seems unassuming at first glance, but with a few shocking twists, it becomes a bittersweet tragedy. I know some folks find some scenes laughable--I find much of it bleak and uncanny, even if some dark humor is intended.
This is a story that underscores how preexisting faults (in particular, the inability to cope or face reality) can drive a family apart and lead to death and mayhem. There are freaky cults, bizarre supernatural occurrences, scenes with creepy naked people for some reason--but I will always remember this film for its characters and the dire turns they took under the manipulation of other forces. Who knows if such forces can control your life too?
