A horror movie's premise is crucial, as this is what sells the film to audiences who are hopeful that they have found their new favorite film. Whether looking back at classic flicks or new releases, the story is what draws people in, suggesting a terrifying ride full of surprises.
Sometimes, a movie has a silly premise that is hard to take seriously, but the movie is a lot of fun. Other times, the story is a bit weak and thin, making audiences wonder if there will be enough plot in the film. There are several well-crafted horror movies with premises that leave something to be desired.
When A Stranger Calls (1979)
At first, it seems like the premise of When A Stranger Calls is similar to 1974's Black Christmas, as both movies are based on the urban legend "The babysitter and the man upstairs." This tale is also mentioned in the 1998 horror movie Urban Legend along with other stories. Both movies involve a young woman (or a group of young women) who receive creepy phone calls and realize that a killer is after them.
Based on the premise, it doesn't seem like When A Stranger Calls would be that compelling. Carol Kane's character Jill Johnson is babysitting children when a man keeps phoning her, which becomes scarier and scarier as the night goes on. Years later, Jill has a family of her own and he comes back. The story might feel a bit thin, especially by today's standards, but Kane gives an amazing performance and the film is one of the best horror movies about babysitting.
Halloween (1978)
Jamie Lee Curtis couldn't possibly be more beloved for playing final girl Laurie Strode in Halloween... but when horror fans think about it, the premise of the 1978 movie is a bit thin. A teenage girl is babysitting on October 31st when she realizes that a killer has escaped from an institution and is coming back to his childhood home and street?
Of course, after watching the film, it becomes clear that the concept works and that there are so many strong elements here, from acting to music to the overall setting. Although the story is simple, Michael Myers is a strong and iconic villain, which makes the movie the classic that it is.
Unfriended (2014)
The 2014 film Unfriended is a creative horror movie but when fans hear the premise, it doesn't sound all that exciting, and it also doesn't really sound like it could work. A group of teenage friends are chatting online when a random person enters the chat. They think that it's strange but try to ignore this person. Before long, though, they begin wondering if this person is the spirit of Laura Barnes, a classmate who tragically took her life.
Hearing that the movie takes place on Blair Lily's (Shelley Henning) laptop screen also seems confusing, as it's hard to imagine that this will make for a compelling and scary movie. However, Unfriended is a happy surprise, with strong characters who are hiding secrets that could hurt each other, which moves the story forward.
Ma (2019)
The 2019 horror movie Ma is an underrated Blumhouse horror movie and also has a weak premise. In fact, it doesn't even sound like a horror film: a lonely woman named Sue Ann "Ma" Ellington (played by Octavia Spencer) allows teenagers to party in the basement of her house. While this is intriguing, as audiences immediately wonder why she would do that, how could this possibly result in a terrifying and interesting movie?
The premise might seem a bit odd, but the movie is incredibly well-done, with surprises, twists, turns, and great characters. Maggie Thompson (Diana Silvers) is the heart of the movie as an insecure but sweet teenager who just wants to fit in, and it's impossible not to get swept up by the story of what happened to Ma.
X (2022)
There are many classic horror movies that fans of X will love, as the 2022 Ti West film is surprising, artistic, and unique, but it also reminds fans of several films from the celebrated genre. At first glance, though, X might not have the most interesting premise: a group of filmmakers are shooting an adult movie and they rent a house in the country so they can get it done and become rich and famous. This might not appeal to that many people and yet X is one of the most interesting horror films in recent years.
The movie goes beyond the premise and has a lot to say about youth, aging, thinking about other people's expectations, following dreams, and standing up for oneself. The film also feels like an entry in a good old-fashioned slasher franchise.