For much of the 20th century, horror films provided an ideal venue for cinematic experimentation. On the one hand, because it was pure entertainment, which, as a rule, brought financial success with relatively small investments. On the other hand, it allowed us to try new filming techniques, which included everything from practical effects, makeup, to camera tricks and optics. The truth is that the genre was ideal for simply reaching a wide audience. At the same time, explore new territories that conventional cinema did not allow.
But in the 1960s and 1970s, horror films quickly took on a more mature tone. What, thanks to success Devil Seed, Carrie, Exorcist, Prophecy, Alien – Eighth Passenger and other titles. All were profitable at the box office, which also demonstrated that spooky stories could be more than just entertainment for fans. A process that was no longer running over the decades they become deeper and more interesting.
2024 was the best demonstration of this growth. With films focusing on complex and symbolic horror, the genre once again demonstrated its capabilities and growth. As proof, we leave you with the ten best horror films of the year. From a premise that turns the turmoil of our time into body horror, to redo turned into a piece of art from that era. Everything, not only for fans of the genre, but also, those who want to enjoy some of the best productions of the year.
The best horror films of 2024.
Substance
Director Coralie Farjat channels this twisted vision of aesthetic violence that’s also a reimagining body horror David Cronenberg style. The result is a story in which the fear of aging is a monster that must be conquered, and youth, an unfulfilled desire doomed to tragedy.
Elizabeth (Demi Moore, nominated for a Golden Globe for this performance) tries to survive in the film industry, which devours her appearance. So he takes the risk of trying a mysterious treatment to stay young. What she doesn’t realize is that her desperation to remain young and desirable will lead her into a spiral of destruction. One of the most adventurous and visually stimulating spaces of the year.
Long-legged
Oz Perkins turns Satanic Panic into an allegory about the evil that hides in plain sight in this sinister work that combines psychological horror and supernatural elements. Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) is an FBI agent tasked with catching an elusive serial killer. What, thanks to his deductive abilities with hints of clairvoyance.
But once he begins his journey to capture Longshanks (Nicolas Cage in yet another unique role), he discovers that behind the violence lies a primal evil. With a cinematic part that relies on a tense and ominous atmosphere. The film surprises and defies expectations.
Heretic
Scott Beck and Brian Woods direct this production, which focuses on a mixture of psychological and religious horror. Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East) are two Mormon missionaries who try to preach without much success. So, the kindness of Mr. Reed (the sinister Hugh Grant) This will surprise them and ultimately gain their trust.
What they don’t know is that Reed’s house is a massive trap in which the man will test their faith. Moreover, it will make them victims of a deadly cruel game. With a script that explores theology from a darker side. is a brilliant bet on the modern horror genre.
First prophecy
If we talk about religious terror, First prophecy Not only did it surprise with its update of the classic 1970 franchise, of which it is a prequel. At the same time, to explore violence against the female body, using as a backdrop baroque, uncomfortable and frontal horror.
Margaret (Nell Tiger Free) travels to Rome to pick up her nun habits. But he soon learns that behind the walls of the monastery where he lives, a terrible conspiracy is hiding, of which he will become a victim. Holiday for for fans of supernatural horror and with one of the best scenes of the genre in 2024.
Strangeness
Director and screenwriter Damian McCarthy uses the image of a cursed object to explore guilt, fear and violence. Darcy (Carolyn Bracken) will travel to Ireland to find out what happened to her twin sister Danny (Bracken in a dual role). The latter was killed under mysterious circumstances. a patient in a psychiatric hospital run by her husband, Danny.
Things get even stranger when Darcy uses his connection to the wooden machine gun he carries on his back to make contact with the spirits. An unexpected twist that will turn the investigation into an ominous scenario in which evil will manifest itself in unexpected ways.
Alien: Romulus
The new part of the saga returns to the roots of cosmic and psychological horror. The story, written by Fede Alvarez, who also co-wrote the screenplay, follows Reyna (Cailee Spaeny), born and raised beneath the soil of the ever-dark planet LV-410. This will become the leader of a small group of settlers who will try to escape. using the cryogenic beds of an abandoned scientific space station.
What they don’t know is that the abandoned plane is hiding a colony of xenomorphs that they will have to fight to escape alive. With a visual section that immerses the atmosphere and monsters created in practical effects, it’s a terrifying take on Ridley Scott’s classic plot.
Nosferatu
He redo Robert Eggers’ classic 1922 film is a gothic horror that turns the titular monster (played by Bill Skarsgård) into a mysterious creature. On the other hand, Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp) falls under his influence, finding herself in the midst of a sinister temptation that will drag her into the shadows. To save him, her husband Thomas (Nicholas Hoult) must face not only the risk of being killed, but also the threat of being killed. but to the horror of losing his immortal soul.
Halfway between a period film and a horror study that leans towards the occult. Nosferatu It surprises with its visual ambition and character development. What makes it a painful and brilliant final scene, as a tribute to the vampire genre as a whole.
Devil’s Bath
The winner of the 2024 Sitges Film Festival has a host of historical dramas that it explores in a disturbing series of events that took place in Upper Austria around 1750. However, directors Veronica Franz and Severin Fiala use the codes of horror cinema to delve deeper into the story. What’s happened. So, killing a child, will lead to a disturbing and sinister environment that becomes increasingly creepy.
Agnes (Anja Plaschg) has just married Wolf (David Shade). Gradually, the happy event turns for Agnes into a source of unhappiness, but also into a cruel awareness of pain, despair and hopelessness. Check out the brutal final scene of one of the best horror films ever. year.
Smile 2
Parker Finn directs this direct sequel to the 2022 hit. The story once again delves into the terrifying presence of an entity that manifests itself as a malignant infection. The victim this time will be Sky Riley (Naomi Scott), a pop singer who He will have to face a mysterious demon, barely understanding its nature.
More ambitious and complex than the first installment, the film retains the sense of absurdity and horror that made the original famous. Which perhaps opens the door to a horror saga in the future. All at the center of the horror film genre universe, well presented, which is just beginning to be explored.
Last late night
Cameron and Colin Cairns explore the genre found footage a whole new angle on this strangeness that takes Satanic Panic to a new level. When Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian) tries to make his TV show fail, will risk releasing a Halloween edition in which everything is allowed.
Including an interview with a girl with a troubled past. Given the impeccable historical setting and the increasingly uncomfortable atmosphere, The film is one of the biggest surprises in the list of horror films. year.
Source: Hiper Textual
