36 votes

Eight under-appreciated elevated horror films that will scare your pants off, in an artistic way

16 comments

  1. [2]
    Carrow
    Link
    For the horror fans that just want the list: Possessor (2020) Pulse (Kairo) (2001) Titane (2021) Men (2022) The Empty Man (2020) A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014) Swallow (2019) House (1977)...

    For the horror fans that just want the list:

    • Possessor (2020)
    • Pulse (Kairo) (2001)
    • Titane (2021)
    • Men (2022)
    • The Empty Man (2020)
    • A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
    • Swallow (2019)
    • House (1977)

    The article includes trailers, a brief comment, "for fans of: ..." recommendations, and links for where to watch.

    22 votes
    1. Eji1700
      Link Parent
      The Empty Man quickly became one of my favorites. I highly recommend it, and the less you know the better. I'll have to try out some of the rest of these. Hopefully there's some similar gems in there.

      The Empty Man quickly became one of my favorites. I highly recommend it, and the less you know the better.

      I'll have to try out some of the rest of these. Hopefully there's some similar gems in there.

      4 votes
  2. Lapbunny
    Link
    I've gotta watch Hausu again, I feel like I remember most of it but could not tell you the order in which it happens. God bless Kung-Fu and her sicknasty theme.

    I've gotta watch Hausu again, I feel like I remember most of it but could not tell you the order in which it happens. God bless Kung-Fu and her sicknasty theme.

    5 votes
  3. [2]
    palimpsest
    Link
    As a fan of arthouse cinema and horror I have to say that Titane was one of the wackiest movies I ever watched, and not in a good way. I was warned going in that it was a complete waste of time...

    As a fan of arthouse cinema and horror I have to say that Titane was one of the wackiest movies I ever watched, and not in a good way. I was warned going in that it was a complete waste of time but I thought ok, different strokes for different folks. Unfortunately, it really was very, very bad.

    I can wholeheartedly recommend The Possessor and Men, though. Very different films but both were very enjoyable.

    4 votes
    1. ewintr
      Link Parent
      For me Titane definitely delivered the most intense "Wait. What did I just watch?" response when walking out of the cinema that year. I agree that the movie as a whole does not deliver, but being...

      For me Titane definitely delivered the most intense "Wait. What did I just watch?" response when walking out of the cinema that year. I agree that the movie as a whole does not deliver, but being so wack and still being able to keep my attention until the end does count for something. Parts of the story were well done, I think. Calling it a complete waste of time is exaggerating.

      2 votes
  4. rahmad
    Link
    First of all. Hang on. That article was on Digg? How has that place survived all these years?

    First of all. Hang on. That article was on Digg? How has that place survived all these years?

    3 votes
  5. amfram
    Link
    I absolutely loved Pulse when I watched it! I was dealing heavily with some loneliness and how to process it at the time, the movie absolutely hit me where it hurts. I haven't seen any of the...

    I absolutely loved Pulse when I watched it! I was dealing heavily with some loneliness and how to process it at the time, the movie absolutely hit me where it hurts. I haven't seen any of the other films on the list, but A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night sounds very interesting.

    2 votes
  6. [4]
    aurko
    Link
    If anyone is a fan of found footage I recommend checking out Noroi: The Curse(2005) I believe it is available on Shudder. The production is a little rough; however, I feel that the rough aesthetic...

    If anyone is a fan of found footage I recommend checking out Noroi: The Curse(2005) I believe it is available on Shudder. The production is a little rough; however, I feel that the rough aesthetic really works with mid 00s internet/ripped-DVD-style setting.

    2 votes
    1. [3]
      choccy
      Link Parent
      Occult too is great, from the same director. It's also found footage style, and features a cameo from minor spoilerthe director of Pulse!

      Occult too is great, from the same director. It's also found footage style, and features a cameo from

      minor spoilerthe director of Pulse!

      1 vote
      1. [2]
        aurko
        Link Parent
        I loved Occult; if you have a chance you should check out the series Senritsu Kaiki File Kowasugi!, its by the same author, Koji Shiraishi. minor spoiler for later into the series They tie into...

        I loved Occult; if you have a chance you should check out the series Senritsu Kaiki File Kowasugi!, its by the same author, Koji Shiraishi.

        minor spoiler for later into the series They tie into the story of Occult.
        1 vote
        1. choccy
          (edited )
          Link Parent
          Cool, I think I stumbled across these at one point but I didn't watch them. Also didn't realise there were that many in the series! They sound awesome (couldn't resist peeking at the spoiler),...

          Cool, I think I stumbled across these at one point but I didn't watch them. Also didn't realise there were that many in the series! They sound awesome (couldn't resist peeking at the spoiler), I'll check them out. Perfect for October! :D

          This isn't found footage, but falls into the category of lesser-known J-horror (and I think you might like it, given that you like Noroi and Occult): Shikei dotto netto, it's about a website you can join to request a murder but you have to do one too. I loved it and never see it mentioned much

  7. NoobFace
    Link
    Throw Come True in there and you got yourself a list going.

    Throw Come True in there and you got yourself a list going.

    2 votes
  8. thefilmslayer
    Link
    As a diehard horror fan, I can vouch for A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night and Kairo (Pulse). Hausu (House) from 1977 is too comedic/goofy to be considered a 'horror' film honestly. My...

    As a diehard horror fan, I can vouch for A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night and Kairo (Pulse). Hausu (House) from 1977 is too comedic/goofy to be considered a 'horror' film honestly. My recommendation would be Exorcist III - AKA 'Legion'. Despite the tacked-on Exorcist title mandated by the studio, it's a fantastic film that I love far more than the original. Very slow burn, light on gore and violence (until the last act anyways), but high on creepy visuals and performances. Features easily the best and most effective jump scare of all time, too.

    1 vote
  9. [2]
    elcuello
    Link
    Any of these movies available on the most common streaming sites?

    Any of these movies available on the most common streaming sites?

    1. boxer_dogs_dance
      Link Parent
      I usually use reelgood.com when I want that kind of information but I think there are other sites as well.

      I usually use reelgood.com when I want that kind of information but I think there are other sites as well.

      1 vote
  10. crdpa
    Link
    Pulse didn't do it for me, but all others are really good. Empty Man is the only one I didn't watch. Will do this weekend

    Pulse didn't do it for me, but all others are really good.

    Empty Man is the only one I didn't watch. Will do this weekend