There’s something oddly compelling about our fascination with the grotesque. Of things we were never meant to witness yet, we can’t seem to look away. With Halloween fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to revisit the most influential horror films ever made, while also looking forward to the spine-chilling releases on the horizon.
From genre-bending indies to highly anticipated blockbusters, here are the ten essential horror movies you need to check out this year.

The Substance - Coralie Fargaet (2024)
There’s no one more deserving of the horror spotlight right now than Coralie Fargaet. Just a few years ago she made her debut with the ironically titled French extremist film “Revenge.” The film was beyond empowering and vulnerable and ultimately served as the biggest “fuck you” to the exploitative rage-and-revenge subgenre of Horror. Since leaving her mark in the industry she’s now delivering another female-based nightmare surrounding the modern day state of beauty standards. The Substance follows a popular TV icon getting fired on her 50th Anniversary leading to a spiral about her physical appearance. The body horror will follow Demi Moore as she grapples with her body issues and in turn morphs into the better version of herself, Margaret Qualley. The film looks to lead us into an inescapable nightmare watching Moore fight for her sanity while also prioritizing her image over everything. From rave reviews, the extremist piece nearly snagged the Palme D’Or at Cannes; if it wasn’t for Sean Baker’s Anora it likely would have. Fargaet balances masterful storytelling and imagery in the upcoming piece which will put you in such a trance you’ll either be fighting to keep your eyes shut or you’ll be glued to the screen. Weaponizing feminism to the perfect degree, Fargaet is going to build another unapologetic masterpiece that will leave you disgustingly satisfied.

Bound - The Wachowskis (1996)
After covering the new releases it’s time to go back to the classics. Bound by Lana and Lilly Wachowski was the film that transcended mafia classics. The film follows two female lovers, portrayed by Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly, and their mission to scam Tilly’s mafia-based husband and flee with his fortune. Gina Gershon portrays “Corky,” an ex-convict that has taken a job in Violet’s (Tilly) apartment building to restore a neighboring resident’s home. The story unfolds in a chaotic, reckless, but intensely satisfying narrative of crime, queerness, and fun. Gershon is the cultured woman’s Ellen Ripley, and her masterclass performance is nothing short of iconic. The film follows an everlasting chase and grounds itself in characters that simply won’t give up until they're gone. The lovers have their eyes set on a journey ahead to avoid the criminal and violent pasts of their lives, yet to get there it’s going to take an unprecedented amount of blood and horror they aren’t prepared for. Before the Wachowski duo took on The Matrix and built pop culture for the ground up, they made their mark by intertwining two extremely different communities. By working with opposite ends of the spectrum, queer love and machismo violence, they forged a cult classic that once you’ve witnessed it there’s no going back. It’s queer, bloody, and absolutely gruesome, you won’t be the same once you’ve witnessed it.

Death Proof - Quentin Tarantino (2007)
I’d be lying if I said I was excited to watch this movie. Everywhere I looked, every platform seemed to agree: this was Tarantino’s worst film. No room for debate—his fan base had spoken. But then I remembered something: die-hard Tarantino fans often have a problem with strong female characters. So, whatever you’ve heard about this film, you’re likely in for the opposite. Death Proof is arguably Tarantino’s most daring film, which is saying a lot. The slasher film is an homage to exploitation films, or movies that are based on a certain trendy element. Death Proof follows a diverse group of pre-fame "it-girls" as they face off against a sinister serial killer whose weapon of choice is his car. The movie is sexy, bloody, iconic, and features one of the best soundtracks of any film. The story is split into two parts, each focusing on different groups of friends as they encounter the killer. One group’s journey takes place in a tacky western dive bar filled with dancing, classic 90s rock, and Jungle Julia herself. That will make sense later on. On the other hand, the second half follows a girl group of models, stuntwomen, and actresses all on set for a feature film. The screenplay is brilliant, the dialogue so 2007, and you’ll be looking for a friend group like this one as soon as the film’s over. Tarantino also pushes iconic collaborator Zoe Bell into a lead role which she absolutely nails and gives us a performance that can never, and I mean never be reproduced. The film is everything Tarantino isn’t, yet everything he is, and it’s going to be an automatic favorite.

Titane - Julia Ducournau (2021)
Titane was Julia Dicournau’s extreme masterpiece that took the world by storm. In 2021 Titane entered the Cannes Film Festival as the perhaps the bloodiest, most grotesque and graphic horror film in all of the festival’s history, and it won by being exactly that. Titane follows one of the most original journey’s ever seen in the horror genre, centered around Alexia, the film follows her journey after nearly dying in a car accident in her youth. We fast forward to her working as a showgirl at a local car show which combines sexuality, identity, and some of the best camerawork you’ll ever see. Titane then proceeds as a body horror but uses thriller techniques to make the viewer simultaneously enthralled but never able to tell what is next. What makes the film so influential is the way it explores complex themes like gender fluidity, identity, trauma, and the human body. It pushes boundaries, examining what it means to exist beyond traditional societal norms, making it a terrifying yet thought-provoking experience. The film plays out as any French Extremist film, with unprecedented gore, unpredictable choices, and surprising meditations on love. You’ll go through every emotion towards Alexia while trying to grapple Dicournau’s fearless approach to storytelling. In a genre that sometimes fails to explore beneath the surface themes, it balances the two ends of filmmaking absolutely perfectly. It’s a feature you can watch over and over again while simultaneously being a thrillride of an experience that will take you on one of the most wicked explorations of humankind.

It Follows - David Robert Mitchell (2014) (They Follow Sequel Coming 2025*)
David Robert Mitchell’s It Follows became an internet sensation in 2014, quickly gaining traction on platforms like Tumblr before evolving into a cultural phenomenon. Its eerie premise left viewers intrigued and puzzled, sparking widespread debate about the film’s deeper meaning and what it’s truly about. The film tracks Jay Height’s (Maika Monroe) journey in suburban America, a narrative filled with sex, friendship, and of course, troubled youth. It Follows is a perfect culmination of the 2000s and 2010s, taking the best elements of each decade to mark a transition point from one to the other. The film takes classic 2000s elements such as possession and iconic monsters to a whole new level. At the same time, the film utilizes narrative techniques of the 2010s to intertwine deeper topics into the script. The film acts as a vessel for a deeper message, though its goriness may make the film appear on a surface level, the suspense and eeriness tackles the main discussion completely unapologetically. The film has become a popular metaphor for discussion about STDs within America’s youth, and the dangers behind a transactional hookup culture. The film simultaneously delves into an iconic portrayal of early 2010s Suburban Life, and is a masterful exploration of the entrapment and emptiness that affects every aspect of life. On top of every perfect element is a masterful from such a young Maika Monroe. Monroe destroys the final or vulnerable girl trope in modern horror and delivers an unforgettable performance solidifying herself as one of the most influential Scream Queens of the 21st Century. Also anticipate Monroe returning to Jay for the NEON-produced sequel, They Follow, anticipated for late 2025.

Funny Games - Michael Haneke (1997)
Funny Games is the movie you show your friend that swears they don’t get scared by horror movies. The twisted 90s film by Michael Haneke is a projection of human beings in their worst most sinister state. Is the film even humanly possible? You can only hope not. It’s the type of film you’d oddly want to take a shower after just to feel like you can rid your body of the film you’ve just witnessed. Funny Games is no deep cut, and in fact is likely one of the most prominent horror movies ever made. However, the projection of the horror genre in the past decade has led many of the millennial and Gen-Z generation to ignore the classics. Funny Games itself follows a family's stay at a cabin on a pristine and calm lake to enjoy their vacation. They are met with two purely evil teen boys that use the family to live out their darkest fantasies. What follows is sadly something so unforgettable, and to this day I have still never felt the same level of discomfort while watching a film. When I first saw this I remember being overcome with so much anger and disgust I couldn’t process how someone could possibly make such an inhumane film. I believe it’s been long enough that my brain has thankfully recovered from what it’s witnessed, but upon another watch I’d still probably question why this film had to be made. Truly watch at your own risk, and maybe wash your eyes out afterwards.

Phantom of the Paradise - Brian De Palma (1974)
Brian De Palma’s work often gets overlooked due to his classics, Carrie and Scarface respectively, but when you dig deeper in his filmography you're presented with such amazing hidden gems. Phantom of the Paradise is the ultimate Halloween movie to cater to any viewer out there. The film itself is a combination of The Phantom of the Opera, Faust, and The Picture of Dorian Gray, while simultaneously being projected through a complimentary lens of 60s rock and roll. The film follows a young musician who presents his work to one of the most elite record producers in all of Los Angeles. When his work is stolen he makes it his life's goal to seek revenge on the man who ruined every element of his life, literally. What follows is an almost Rocky Horror Picture Show portrayal of rock and roll, 60s nightclubs, and theatrical nightlife. The film rebrands the combination of art and fame, tackling both the protagonist and antagonist for their moral dilemmas. It takes all elements of rock and roll and horror to blend a new portrayal of the criminal underworld, and perhaps the true villains that lie beneath the surface. There’s also a killer debut performance from Jessica Harper as the club’s charming young singer who played this role at 25 just a few years prior to becoming Dario Argento’s muse for Suspiria. Even in 74’ De Palma’s signature style shines through and shows his early on abilities to create an aesthetic wonder, and a picture perfect nightmare that is just as fun as it is eerie.

Possessor - Brandon Cronenberg (2020)
Cronenberg’s are a family that’s proven some aesthetics are hereditary after all. Rather than the distinct differences seen in the Coppolas and Cassavettes, the Cronenbergs are a testament to like-father-like-son. The grotesqueness is linear in this family, and this eerie nature can be explored in Brandon Cronenberg’s second feature film, Possessor. Possessor follows an assassin-like corporation dedicated to the work for their high profile clients, which oftentimes include them fulfilling the sinister desires, typically murder, for their elite customers. The story follows Tasya Vos, portrayed by Andrea Riseborough, the corporation’s most talented assassin as she attempts to complete her most daunting mission to date. The possession element of the film is the technique utilized by the company to complete the missions. Girder, played by the sinister icon Jennifer Jason Leigh, is the mad scientist behind the transplant, and she uses Vos mind to infect the body of another human to complete the mission, thus the “possession.” I myself have never been deeply into either Cronenberg, but there is no room to critique the ill-omened nature of this film. It’s masterful in taking a new and refreshing perspective on possession and utilizes an unprecedented modern aesthetic to push the boundaries of what is real versus fake. It’s simply an endless ride into an uncontrolled darkness, that neither the characters or viewers are prepared for. In all forms of life, culture, humanity, and lifestyle, Possessor is the ultimate modern day nightmare, and will perhaps leave you questioning your own reality.

Climax - Gaspar Noé (2018)
I have a love-hate relationship with Gaspar Noé. I adore Climax, but I’m absolutely terrified by Noé’s body of work. In Climax he ventures into the horror genre with a more accessible, less experimental approach than his usual style, and this shift paid off greatly for his career. If you’re familiar with Noé, you know his films are highly controversial. His previous works have showcased unsolicited sex, brutal rape scenes, and disturbingly real, inhumane acts without any clear thematic connection. His career thrives on shock value, and I simply despise and will not defend his past films. That said, Climax is actually one of the best horror movies I’ve ever seen. It’s a dance party turned nightmare, a drug-fueled descent into chaos. The story follows a dance troupe preparing for a competition. Interestingly, many of the cast members had never acted before, as the film prioritizes dance over traditional acting. Despite the risk, this approach pays off, delivering some of the most twisted characters I’ve seen on screen. This isn’t a film where morality is debated; it’s an experience that demands your attention. You’ll witness incredible dance sequences alongside a chilling storyline that shows the downfall of what should have been a creative celebration. The drug-laced nightmare keeps you on edge for the full 90 minutes, and once you see the opening sequence, you’re hooked for the rest.

Nosferatu - Robert Eggers (December 25, 2024)
It’s been nearly a decade since the initial announcement of this film, yet the horror legend himself is finally delivering. Nosferatu is the latest project from Robert Eggers, most known for his previous work The Witch and The Lighthouse. He took a much more fantastical execution towards his last project, The Northman, which expanded upon an action-packed epic of Norwegian folklore. The premise of the upcoming film will likely follow a similar line to the classic 1922 version, featuring Count Orlok (portrayed by Bill Skarsgard) terrorizing anyone in his path. Beyond its premise it’s a psychotic tale of obsession and terror and will utilize the classic story to bring an unprecedented amount of horror to Christmas Day. It’s truly Eggers time to shine, he’s got the weight of the entire film industry on his shoulders as he faces the challenge of the remake in the modern day. Though, when you are working with such a star-studded cast it seems impossible for him to miss. Nosferatu was originally built around Anya Taylor-Joy, but due to scheduling conflicts Lily Rose Depp had to step up and take on such a bold role. However, though the normal Eggers muse might not be there to make her mark, Depp’s performance solely in the trailer reinforces we are in for nothing short of pure madness. Nosferatu is so much larger than life, and Eggers breakthrough will have us asking all sorts of questions. Will we finally see a horror-based performance win an Oscar? Can Lily Rose Depp deliver a performance for the most cult-like fanbase out there? Will Willem Dafoe scare us to the point of leaving the theater? Probably.
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