Horror can be a very tricky genre to tackle. While there are plenty of great ones, from classics like Halloween and A Nightmare on Elm Street to well-reviewed moderns like Hereditary and The Witch, there have also been many failed horror attempts. Many filmmakers believe they have a good grasp on how to make a horror film and what it takes to truly frighten the audience, but that proves not to be true (as seen in many found footage films like the paranormal activity franchise).
Horror films are great at drawing the viewer in, creating a sense of tension right from the start and never letting them go. With so many talented filmmakers in the industry that have tackled numerous genres in their filmographies, it can be frustrating that many more don't delve into horror.
Christopher Nolan
Many moviegoers would agree that Nolan would be a perfect fit as a horror director. The blockbuster filmmaker known for The Dark Knight trilogy (which contains many horror elements in the menacing Joker and Scarecrow) and Inception is one of the best at producing original films. From his psychological thrillers like Memento and Insomnia to his space and war epics like Interstellar and Dunkirk, Nolan is no stranger to tackling multiple genres in his own unique way. So why not take on horror? The iconic filmmaker has spent the majority of his career toying with the concept of time in his films, so somehow connecting time with horror similar to other horror films such as Insidious 2 for example could create an immersive and wholly original experience.
Bong Joon-Ho
Coming off of a legendary 2020 Academy Awards ceremony, where the auteur filmmaker won Best Director and Best Picture for his critically acclaimed dark comedy Parasite (which also contains some of the most spine-tingling shots and tension put on film), the visionary Bong Joon-Ho would be a perfect fit for a horror film. Films such as the crime thriller Memories of Murder and the monster epic The Host (which is the closest to horror he's ever been) prove that he is capable of creating non-stop tension in his thrillers, but he has never dabbled in full on horror. Combining his attention to detail, his crisp visuals, his inclusion of timely themes involving social class, and as well as his experience with monsters, the Oscar winner could easily helm one of the most memorable horror films to date.
Denis Villeneuve
Rising to fame after his U.S. debut with the mystery thriller Prisoners, Villeneuve has become one of the best filmmakers in the industry working today. Films like Enemy, Sicario, Arrival, Blade Runner 2049, and Dune prove that Villeneuve is more than capable of handling different genres while still delivering his unique style. A central theme in most of his films centers on human trauma or morality. He explores the nuances in intense or familiar situations so beautifully, making fans become emotionally attached to any scene that plays out. Villeneuve taking on a horror film that involves an emotionally damaged character and placing that person in a horrific setting would no doubt be terrifying to witness. Also looking at his preference of visuals over exposition, Villeneuve's horror film may just seep into the minds of many and never let go.
Quentin Tarantino
Knowing his passion for film, especially for Hollywood's golden age as explored all throughout his recent comedy Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, the only thing that is surprising about this is that Tarantino hasn't attempted to direct a horror film. From crime thrillers like Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, to Kill Bill's martial arts style to Westerns like Django Unchained and The Hateful Eight and even to the war epic Inglourious Basterds, Tarantino has explored many different themes and genres throughout his gory filmography. He even wanted to put his own spin on an R-rated Star Trek film, but unfortunately the project will not be moving forward. The violent director taking his stylized approach and moving it into a horror setting could create some of the most gruesome scenes ever displayed on the big screen.
Todd Phillips
This may not be the first choice many think of directing a horror film. Even though he started out earlier in his career directing comedies like Road Trip, Old School, and the box-office hit The Hangover, Phillips would soon take a darker route, producing crime and psychological thrillers like War Dogs and the Oscar-winning Joker. Proving to be a successful transition, and now having experience working with more mature themes such as mental illness, abuse/trauma, and anarchy, there's no reason Phillips wouldn't be able push his filmmaking boundaries into new territory. Directors David Gordon Green (Halloween, Halloween Kills, Halloween Ends) and Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us) are other great examples of directors that have switched from comedies and are now making exciting horror. Directing Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker in some truly terrifying and edge of your seat scenes, Phillips would no doubt knock a horror film out of the park.