15. The Closet (South Korea)
The title of this creepy and emotionally affecting South Korean chiller may be generic and lacking in menace, but the film transcends the title to deliver great scares and enough heart to squeeze some moisture from your eyes. There’s a supernatural terror at the center of the tale, and as it unfolds we’re gifted with dead kids, a terrifying exorcism set-piece, and more horror goodies. There’s something special in finding real terror in such an innocuous setting, and this imaginative gem does just that. (Read my review.) Available to rent.
14. Underwater
Creature features set at sea will always be something special, and this big-budget studio fare nails what makes the sub-genre so thrilling. Kristen Stewart headlines and is fantastic as she fully immerses herself into the horror displaying both humanity and heroism, and the film’s production design, creature effects, and set-pieces follow suit. It’s a lot of monster movie fun that delivers claustrophobic thrills and Lovecraftian imagery, and the supporting cast are equally game with Vincent Cassel, John Gallagher Jr., and Jessica Henwick all doing strong work. Go ahead, dip your toe in. (Read my review.) Available to stream on HBO Max and to rent.
13. Anything for Jackson (Canada)
Tales of demons, possessions, and flirtations with the occult are commonplace in the horror genre, but Justin G. Dyck and Keith Cooper manage something special here by infusing their film with humor and a desperate heart. An elderly couple turns to the dark arts in the hopes of bringing their young grandson back from the dead, but once the door is opened a host of other visitors stream through with some truly terrifying results. Did I mention it’s also more than a little funny? Julian Richings and Sheila McCarthy step out of the character actor shadows to take the leads, and both are as delightful as they are frightening. Available to stream on Shudder.
12. The Hunt
Craig Zobel’s stupidly controversial thriller may only be borderline horror — both because it’s a riff on “The Most Dangerous Game” and because it’s even more of a comedy — but it’s horror enough. It’s also pretty damn great thanks to some sharp writing that throws shade towards liberals and conservatives alike in the form of both obvious jokes and scathing barbs. The commentary is smart, and the bloodletting is frequent and occasionally glorious starting with an opening slaughter delivering laughs and a body count. The film also made my Best Action list thanks to some sharply choreographed fight scenes, but there’s no shame in being a genre-blender. (Read my review.) Available to rent.
11. Snatchers
Sometimes you want horror that rattle your bones and keeps you up at night, and sometimes you want a hilarious comedy about teen sex, bodily fluids, and unwanted monstrous pregnancies. If you find yourself in the mood for the latter, you can hardly do better than this little gem blending teenage angst with alien monstrosities. Think Mean Girls meets It’s Alive, or Juno by way of Slither, and you’ll be in the right mind for this gory gut-buster that’s far funnier than most unintended pregnancies. (Read my review.) Available to stream on HBO Max and to rent.
Related Topics: 2020 Rewind, Horror
