Thehorror genrehas never lived in the spotlight of mainstream cinema. As a consequence, it is normal that some of its entries might end upbeing slightly overlookedeven among the most devoted movie enthusiasts. However, while horror fans are usually eager to sing the praises of the most terrifying masterpieces of the genre, certain films remain curiously under-discussed —even within the horror community itself.
Perhaps some of these films lacked the heavycommercial backing that guarantees worldwide attention. Or maybe they chose subtlety over spectacle, insinuating themselves into the mind of the viewer in a less dramatic, more silent manner. They never screamed for attention, and because of this, they quickly faded from everyone’s conversation.Nevertheless,their value to the genre is indisputable, and I’m genuinely shocked that no one ever brings them up.
The Blackcoat’s Daughter
Cast
Girls Kat (Kiernan Shipka) and Rose (Lucy Boynton) are left alone in a Bramford prep boarding school during the winter holidays when their parents mysteriously fail to pick them up. While they experience increasingly strange events at the isolated school, the film shows another story - that of Joan (Emma Roberts), a troubled young woman on the road who, for reasons unknown, needs to get to Bramford as quickly as possible. As Joan gets closer to the school, Kat is tormented by increasingly horrifying visions.
The Blackcoat’s Daughteris a profoundly touching film with a complex production history. Perhaps, this is the reason why it has been overlooked when it comes to praising other horror gems in the last few years. According to Oz Perkins, due to the precarious success of the horror genre in the 2010s and its relatively unknown name at the time, financing the story has apparently been difficult. Nevertheless, the project came out incredibly well, especially considering it wasPerkins' directorial debut.
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The Blackcoat’s Daughterfollows three young women, two of whom are students, who find themselves connected by thedark events occurring at a secluded boarding school. The hidden, isolated setting, shadowy atmosphere, and haunting score all combine to create a creeping sense of dread. The director was able to evoke deep emotional resonance and sheer terror. This movie deserves more attention.
The Orphanage
The Orphanage follows a woman who returns with her family to her childhood home, a former orphanage she plans to reopen. Strange occurrences begin when her son befriends an invisible entity.
One of the most terrifying horror movies of the last twenty years,The Orphanagedeserves way more credit than it has recently been given. The film centers on Laura, a young mother who returns to the mysterious orphanage where she had been raised, only to learn that her son has gone missing. Asthe woman embarks on a desperate quest to find her child, the older, dark secrets that haunt the place emerge, giving life to a slow-burn and atmospheric emotional journey.
Despite its widespread recognition in Spain, where production took place, it never earned its place among other unforgettable horror gems.
The Orphanagereceived critical acclaimwhen it first premiered. However, despite its widespread recognition in Spain, where production took place, it never earned its place among other unforgettable horror gems. The fact seems absurd, especially considering how well the movie blends its whimsical elements with a terror-driven plot and visuals. Had the story been shot in the United States, it would probably now be considered a cult. Without a doubt, the film isa haunting must-watch horror masterpiece.
The Devil’s Backbone
The Devil’s Backbone is a Spanish Gothic horror film directed by Guillermo del Toro. Set during the Spanish Civil War, the film follows a young boy named Carlos who is left at a remote orphanage. As he navigates the eerie and troubled environment, Carlos uncovers the dark secrets of the orphanage, including ghostly apparitions and hidden pasts. The film explores themes of loss, betrayal, and the lingering effects of war.
Perhaps, in the long and prolific filmography of Guillermo del Toro,The Devil’s Backbonemight have taken a backseat, but that does not take away from its cinematic value. Produced in 2001, this horror is a gothic tale that takes place during the Spanish Civil War and features Carlos,a boy sent to a Republic loyalist orphanage after his father’s death. There, he finds himself haunted by a recently deceased child, Santi.
“What is a ghost? A tragedy condemned to repeat itself time and again? An instant of pain, perhaps. Something dead which still seems to be alive. An emotion suspended in time. Like a blurred photograph. Like an insect trapped in amber.”
As usual, Del Toro is able to blendthe eerie beauty of gothic horrorwith a poignant, human-centric story, crafting a film that is simultaneously devastating, disturbing, and socially aware. The movie is a testament to the director’s ability to understand and manipulate the eerie world of ghost tales and the macabre to explore uncomfortable and difficult themes of loss, trauma, and the impact of war.
May
May is a psychological horror film released in 2003, following a socially awkward veterinary assistant with a lazy eye. Her obsession with perfection leads to a descent into depravity after developing a fixation on a boy with perfect hands, exploring themes of loneliness and the quest for acceptance.
A 2000s horror you probably haven’t seen,Mayis so distinctively chilling that I am still shocked to this day at how it has been repeatedly ignored when it comes to celebrating the best scary movies of the last twenty years. Directed by Lucky McKee, the story follows a socially awkward and isolatedyoung woman whose only friend is a glass-enclosed doll she has had since childhood. Unfortunately, what appears to be an originally sad quirk from a difficult youth devolves into obsessive behavior with tragic consequences.
Despite receiving critical praise,Maywas unsuccessful at the box office when it first came out. Nevertheless, over the years, it grew to become quite a significant hidden gem of the genre. Yet horror enthusiasts often fail to mention it when discussing the greatest scary stories of the 2000s, undervaluing its depth and worth.
The Woods
The Woods is a 2006 horror film set in 1965 New England. It follows a troubled girl who is sent by her estranged parents to an isolated girls' school, where she encounters mysterious events in the surrounding woods.
AfterMay, Lucky McKee proved once more to be a masterful cinematic storyteller. And, again, his ability has been sadly overlooked.The Woodsis one of the most terrifying supernatural tales of the 2000s. The film creates an increasingly disturbing atmosphere utilizing secluded spaces far away from society and rustic, albeit mesmerizing, visuals. The plot followsa troubled girl forced to go to a female private high school that conceals dark secretstied to its surrounding woods and the staff.
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The Woodsmight not be a groundbreaking production, but it certainly deserves to be remembered for its uniquely haunting visuals and how cleverly it honors one of Dario Argento’s most acknowledged terrifying masterpieces,Suspiria.There is a nightmarish, spooky element that easily appeals to fans of witchcraft tales and supernatural horror. The film is a must-watch and, if given a second chance, it could become a cult.
Perhaps within the subgenre of shark horrors and its many fans,The Reefis rather well known. After all, the movie isa great, adrenaline-inducing journey of survival in the open sea. However, it seems that its notoriety is limited to a restricted niche, which is a shame considering how blood-curdling and entertaining the story is.
The Reeffollows a group of friends who, after their boat capsizes while on a trip to Indonesia, must fight for survival in the treacherous waters of the Great Barrier Reef, relentlessly hunted by a great white shark. The film capitalizes on the primal, deep-rooted fear of helplessness—the idea of being hunted—while trapped in a merciless environment. It captures the sense of powerlessness in a hostile, human-adverse setting, crafting an immersive and terrifying experience. Without a doubt,the horror is an underrated shark movie.
Black Christmas
Black Christmas is a 1974 horror movie from A Christmas Story director Bob Clark. The Canadian slasher centers on sorority girls who are stalked and killed by a crazed killer during the holiday season. Throughout the film, the teenagers get strange and threatening calls from the killer known as Billy. Black Christmas recieved mixed reviews upon release but has since become a cult classic.
Often overlooked when discussing the great scary movies that made history in the 20th century,Black Christmasis a classic horror slasher from the 1970sand is considered by many to be the forefather of the subgenre. The story follows a group of sorority sisters who, during the Christmas period, start receiving disturbing phone calls and are stalked and killed by an anonymous assailant.The film is inspired by the legend of “the babysitter and the man upstairs”.
The movie initially received mixed reviews, but over time, it has been re-evaluated and earned a cult following. Despite its growing respect within horror circles,Black Christmasstill lacks the same level of recognition in popular culture as other iconic slashers. This is unfortunate, especially considering its significant influence on more famous cult classics likeHalloween, proving its importance in shaping modern horror.
Lake Mungo
Lake Mungo is a psychological horror film directed by Joel Anderson. The story centers around the Palmer family, who experience a series of unexplained and unsettling events following the tragic drowning of their daughter, Alice. Utilizing a mockumentary style, the film delves into themes of grief, loss, and the supernatural as the family’s investigation into Alice’s death uncovers disturbing secrets and mysteries.
Perhaps the elusive figure of the director might have contributed to the mystery surroundingLake Mungo.Nevertheless, many factors make thishalf-documentary and half-found-footage productthe terrifying psychological horror film that turned out to be. The 2008 movie features a group of families who attempt to come to terms
Lake Mungohas a 95% rating onRotten Tomatoes.
Lake Mungois Joel’s only project as a director, and it is a shame, given his extensive talent.The movie builds tension through slow-burning pacingand an unsettlingly realistic and emotional narrative. However, despite the critical acclaim it received, the film appears to have been forgotten in recent years. Perhaps Joel’s recent involvement as a scriptwriter and producer in the masterpieceLate Night With The Devilmight help reignite interest in his work. Honestly, I stillcan’t believe the low watch rate of this greatly reviewed horror.
Cemetery Man
Cemetery Man is a 1994 horror-comedy film directed by Michele Soavi, featuring Rupert Everett as Francesco Dellamorte, a cemetery caretaker who must confront reanimated corpses and his own existential dilemmas. The film explores themes of life, death, and the nature of reality, blending macabre humor with philosophical undertones.
As we have already seen, foreign movies are commonly less likely to attract the same attention that Hollywood productions obtain. For this reason, aside from the widely recognized masterpieces of Dario Argento, not everyone might rememberCemetery Man. Starring Rupert Everett and Anna Falchi, the movie premiered in 1994 as the story ofa cemetery caretaker who faces the bizarre task of burying the dead who repeatedly rise from their graves.
Cemetery Manis a brilliant and surreal blend of horror and humor, creating an engaging and intriguing experience for the viewer.
Cemetery Manis a brilliant and surreal blend of horror and humor, creating an engaging and intriguing experience for the viewer. Despite its B-movie appeal, it has an inner depth and intelligence that sets it apart. The film is a visually mesmerizing, absurdly gory, and emotionally compelling must-watch that deserves much more respect in the genre. Martin Scorsese deemed it one of the best Italian productions of the 1990s (ViaCollider).
The Invitation
The Invitation is a horror thriller released in 2022, centering around Evie, who is invited by a newfound cousin to a wedding in the English countryside. She soon discovers a sinister conspiracy and uncovers dark family secrets while struggling to survive in this gothic setting.
Given its mixed-to-negative critical reception, most people might disagree here. ButThe Invitationis an absolute gem, and I am shocked that most of the public and horror community have dismissed it so quickly. Directed by Jessica M. Thompson, the film follows Evie, a young American woman who, after discovering distant relatives through a DNA test, is invited to a grand wedding in the posh English countryside. The story draws inspiration fromDraculaby Bram Stoker.
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Perhaps the plot might be vaguely predictable and follow traditionalhorrortropes, butit works perfectly for the classical gothic tale it aims to tell. The eerie visuals, gory elements, and almost fairytale-turned-nightmare-like setting match the beloved narrative of ancient vampires, cursed bloodlines, and sinister rituals. Nathalie Emmanuel delivers a powerful performance. Despite its current overlooked status, the film may one day be re-evaluated for its deeper social commentary and earn the recognition it truly deserves.
