70 MORE Underappreciated Horror Movies
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Despite being critically lauded and championed by its fans, this movie remains something of an forgotten gem of the haunted house sub-genre. George C. Scott turns in one of his career's highlight performances as a bereaved man who moves into a house hiding secrets that lead him down dark corridors...literal and figurative.
Grieving parents are told that their recently deceased daughter is trying to reach out to them and soon their perception of reality begins to change in the face of strange occurences. A stunning use of color, symbolism, and editing abound in this highly influential flick from the legendary Nicolas Roeg. Stylistically indebted to Hitchcock, this supernatural thriller set the stage for a lot we now take for granted in the genre while simultaneously presenting us with a striking look at the grieving process.
A doctor obsessively(and criminally) tries to assuage his guilt for his role in his daughter's car accident by trying to fix her disfigurement much to her increasing dismay and madness. A groundbreaking and controversial film upon its release, Eyes Without A Face pushed boundaries of the visceral and strange. Though tame by today's standards, the pervasive mood and somber atmosphere make it a notable (if not downright strangely beautiful) standout.
Frozen (2010)
Nature and circumstance take the front seat in this piece of teeth clenching survival horror. Not everything has to be a creature lurking in the dark to be ghastly.
Tightly wrought tension abounds in a shuttered down environment as madness plagues the denizens of an apartment building. This Spanish language film is a shining example of how the found footage sub-genre can be used to excellent effect. The movie plays with tropes in an attempt to misguide you before closing its jaws down on you with ghoulish abandon.
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This Turkish descent into surreal madness is something that must be witnessed to be believed. Gruesome, grueling, and downright Lovecraftian, "Baskin" is a must for any fans of the strange.
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Arguably the only other film in Argento's oeuvre that rivals the rabid reception of his magnus opus "Suspiria", and deservedly so. "Deep Red" is the height of the giallo sub-genre that Argento virtually legitimized single-handedly with his brilliant camerawork, lighting, and music curation.
Revenge (2017)
A beautifully shot rape-revenge film that somehow manages to reign in its exploitative nature by being an incisive jab at rape-culture among men. Stunning photography contrasts gruesome imagery to the sound of a retro-synth inspired score in this excellent addition to the French horror movement.
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The Wicker Man (1973)
A disappearance takes a policeman onto an island where ancient, pagan rituals live on and the rules of the civilized world do not apply. Unfortunately most people associate this name to the Nicolas Cage travesty that was the eponymous remake. Make no mistake, "The Wicker Man" is an exemplary film that, once you see, you won't be able to deny it's sweeping influence on such films as "Hereditary",among others.
The Ninth Gate (1999)
With the exception of "Rosemary's Baby", Roman Polanski's contributions to the genre go largely ignored or tucked away into cult status. A real shame considering their dead-on grasp of the cerebral slow-boil. In "Ninth Gate" Johnny Depp is a man in search of an ancient tome said to be the means to summon the Devil himself. Intrigue and otherworldly interference ensue.
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Who said b-movies couldn't take on consumerism? Legendary exploitation and schlockmeister Larry Cohen writes and directs this thinly veiled critique of greedy corporate America and the mindless sheep that take its lead. The discovery of a mysterious substance that flows from the ground leads to it's immediate commercialization, even at the consumer's sake. Not that they are complaining as this living slime is highly addictive AND all consuming.
Fret not, things don't get too heavy handed, instead it all turns into a goopy, effects laden, body melt flick of the most enjoyable kind. Much is owed to George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead but that's not a bad thing.
Fret not, things don't get too heavy handed, instead it all turns into a goopy, effects laden, body melt flick of the most enjoyable kind. Much is owed to George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead but that's not a bad thing.
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Directed by Tobe Hooper (Texas Chain Saw Massacre), written by Dan O' Bannon (Alien), and based on a book by Colin Wilson, "Lifeforce" feels like a kid at a candy store in celluloid form. The influence of old school Hammer, Nigel Kneale, and sci-fi schlock is evident throughout. While this might not make it a film for everyone, those in tune with that vibe will have much to enjoy. If all else fails, naked space vampires!
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Balls out, no frills slasher goodness. Make no mistake, this is a b-movie at its core but it embraces that with morbid glee as it brings us the unfortunate souls that cross paths with Art the Clown, a psychotic harlequin who might be more than he appears to be.
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"The Goonies" be damned, this is the fun kids movie for lovers of all things horror!
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Finally available in the definitive "Cabal Director's Cut" after decades, the second directorial outing from legendary horror writer Clive Barker is a wildly imaginative, starkly visceral, and effects heavy mix of horror and fantasy.
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The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)
Phibes loved his wife but his colleagues could not save her after an accident that left his horribly disfigured...he will have his revenge! Though it wears its whimsical nature proudly on its sleeve, this movie also manages to be an old school horror delight that taps into the gothic tales of old with a completely different visual aesthetic. Art Deco meet Vincent Price in his prime!
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Delightfully cheeky in its unrepentant flippancy toward critics, "Theater of Blood" is a horror middle finger to any derision toward the genre. Mind you, it all comes across with tongue planted firmly in cheek. In this Price classic, a disgraced theater actor does away with his critics in the goriest fashions that Shakespeare could conjure up, all to the delight of the sycophantic derelicts, vagabonds, and madmen that adulate him.
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Audition (1999)
Having experienced "Audition" upon its American release, I can truly say now what it must have been like for people when they first saw Hitchcock's "Psycho". See innocent desire for company turn into deranged madness and never be the same again.
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The often overlooked sequel to the game-changing 28 Days Later has a lot to offer despite not reaching the same heights.
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The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
A surprisingly subdued take on the real life case of Anneliese Michel, a pious German student who died as the result of the rigors of an exorcism and the case against the overseeing clergyman that performed it. While not entirely beholden to facts the film also doesn't drag its subject through the cliches of the genre, instead opting to make a courtroom drama with a strong message about faith. A very competent cast rounds out the picture and helps it land with the gravitas it sets out to accomplish.
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The Signal (2007)
An intriguing experiment in film that is worth watching for its "gimmick" even if you don't like the results. The story of the effects of a ominous signal that triggers a largely negative response in people who are exposed to it. We learn of the signal's effects on society over the course of three largely divergent segments, each focused on a distinct approach to the material.
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Body Parts (1991)
Eric Red remains a somewhat unsung master of the genre, having several noteworthy pieces under his belt and both writer and director (The Hitcher, Bad Moon, Near Dark). Body Parts is a body horror movie with some camp overtones but played about as seriously as it possibly can...and somehow it all works.
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Innovative zombie madness from South Korea as an outbreak plagues the commuters and travelers on a train. Stunning action pieces, great effects, and a story and cast of characters that make you fully invest in the picture make this one stand out from the pack. Excellent entry into the genre.
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John Dies at the End (2012)
A surprisingly loyal adaptation of a very strange, surreal, and downright hilarious book of the same name. From the man that brought us decades of Phantasm movies and a movie about Elvis fighting a mummy, comes this wild and crazy ride as we follow two friends that contend with the mind (and reality) bending effects of a super-drug. Oh what madness lies beyond the realm of normal perception!
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Two Evil Eyes (1990)
An underappreciated duo of Poe adaptation from two of the horror genre's biggest names. Both "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar" and "The Black Cat" are brought to life by George A. Romero and Dario Argento, respectively. The final products result in adaptations that are just as much Poe as they are the directors'.
Valdemar is, adequately enough, a morality tale featuring the living dead, both topics that Romero was extremely familiar with. Though it feels a bit stretched out at moments it does deliver the goods. "The Black Cat" brings the avatar of guilt and impending justice to gruesome visceral life as only Argento could. Great camerawork, awesome effects, and a surprising early genre turn from Harvey Keitel make this a blast. Keep an eye out for all the fan service, cameos, and nods to other Poe stories.
Valdemar is, adequately enough, a morality tale featuring the living dead, both topics that Romero was extremely familiar with. Though it feels a bit stretched out at moments it does deliver the goods. "The Black Cat" brings the avatar of guilt and impending justice to gruesome visceral life as only Argento could. Great camerawork, awesome effects, and a surprising early genre turn from Harvey Keitel make this a blast. Keep an eye out for all the fan service, cameos, and nods to other Poe stories.
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The Relic (1997)
Modern man oversteps his boundaries by mucking about with other cultures and inadvertently unleashes a beast upon civilization. It's a trope done to death, so it's quite refreshing to see it done with all the monster chomping glee (and grue) that The Relic manages. The movie knows what it is and it revels in it. Very fun.
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Stir of Echoes (1999)
An excellent adaptation of the legendary Richard Matheson's story of the same name. Writer/Director adds a dose of paranoia to the story that goes incredibly well with the supernatural goings-on. Kevin Bacon, playing a man afflicted by visions, turns in a stellar performance.
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Socially inept May begins to make inroads into friendship but finds that most relationships are fragile and fleeting. Torn by her needs and reality she must decide to grow her inner circle or fulfill her mother's sage childhood advice, in what what certainly remains as Lucky McKee's standout contribution to horror. Dark comedic aspects abound in this psychological horror piece that further profits from Angela Bettis' dazzling portrayal of the titular character. Macabre and, strangely enough, moving and endearingly sweet.
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Creep (2004) (2005)
A woman is stranded overnight at a train station where she is soon stalked by a deformed and deranged cannibalistic vagabond who makes the maze of the subterranean station his hunting ground. This movie owes quite a bit to Raw Meat (Deathline) in terms of its concept but stands on its own as a more straightforward creature feature. Great effects and steady stream of thrills only add to the enjoyment.
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Hard Candy (2005)
Hard Candy is unsettling in a variety of ways. The idea of an online predator seeking to fulfill his perverse needs should be enough to make you wriggle in your seat but the stakes are ramped up when things are not as they seem and the morality of vigilantism is put into question even when applied to those most condemned in society.
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13 Game of Death (2006)
Leave to East Asia to bring us something this strange. 13: Game of Death (13 Beloved) centers around a man who is tasked with increasingly demeaning or unlawful tasks in a bid to win money. Though unsettling at time, it balances out it's piercing commentary on the limits humans are willing to go to for security or entertainment with a nice dose of dark comedy.
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So much gets ignored or relegated to obscurity. Time to indulge again!