Like most modern film genres, horror is becoming more and more dominated by a handful of big names that studios know to be marketable. It takes a dedicated viewer to seek out and find the hidden gems, but with near-constant releases on the big and small screen, the good stuff is very much still out there.
Though most of the horror conversation has been devoted to Screamor Texas Chainsaw Massacre, there have been dozens of scary films of this and last year that didn't get their time. Fans looking for a new nightmare to keep themselves on edge, look no further than these unfairly ignored horror films.
You Won't Be Alone
The directorial debut of Australian-North Macedonian filmmaker Goran Stolevski can still be found in theaters in some areas, and it is well worth seeking out. Fans of high-minded artsy horror will find their film of the year in You Won't Be Alone. The film follows the visceral and powerful journey of a girl transformed into a feral witch by a malevolent spirit. This new being slowly ventures into the human-occupied village until she takes the life of a local peasant. The witch takes on the skin of her victim and embeds herself into society, slowly learning what it is to be human, by killing and becoming them one by one.
This folklore-tinged horror movie blends the mystical nightmare of The Witch with a strikingly warm perspective on nature and the human condition to create something truly special. There isn't much out there like You Won't Be Alone, and those interested should do everything in their power to hunt it down.
We're All Going to the World's Fair
Jane Schoenbrun manages once again to turn people looking at computer screens into one of the most experimental, unnerving, and powerful coming-of-age stories in modern cinema. Schoenbrun's previous output includes delisted documentary A Self-Induced Hallucination and eclectic anthology piece Eyeslicer, but this feature should elevate her to a substantially higher profile.
The film tells the story of Casey, a teenager who immerses herself in a mysterious online game while attracting the attention of a mysterious figure. This is a deeply strange film, and it is unquestionably not for everyone, but people who grew up on the internet may find themselves less spoken to and more screamed at with visionary presentation. This film dropped in very few theaters on April 15th, but HBO Max will begin distributing it soon.
You Are Not My Mother
Irish filmmaker Kate Dolan's feature directorial debut is a powerful and moving film built around unique cinematography and stellar performances. The film tells the story of Char, a young lady with a prominent birthmark on one cheek, for which she is endlessly bullied. Living in a North Dublin housing estate, she lives in fear of her disabled grandmother and her miserable mother. Char's mom briefly vanishes, but when she returns, she's unrecognizable. Beneath Char's sad, but seemingly normal, life lies a mountain of unnerving secrets and horrific truths.
From its opening moments, the imagery in this movie is striking. There's hardly a moment of the film that doesn't build tension and keep the audience painfully on edge. It's not for everyone, but once it gets where it's going, its surreal presentation sticks with the viewer by force.
Lamb
Easily the most well-publicized film on this list, and the second one to star Noomi Rapace, Valdimar Jóhannsson's 2021 folk horror film enjoyed the benefit of A24's good name in North America. Even with that powerful organization attached, Lamb still deserves more eyes. The film tells the story of a troubled childless couple who suddenly discover an unnatural half-human/half-lamb child in their barn. Taking it upon themselves to raise the bizarre creature, they find their family farm assaulted by new horrors, both human and otherwise, that threaten their relationship and their lives.
The film starts with an absurd premise but carries on with an almost violently straight face, laying the absurdity out with the weight of any family drama. The supernatural elements bridge the gap between grounded horror and old folk myth, making the absurd details even more disjointed. Lamb is strange and powerful, commanding the attention of its audience with masterful filmmaking.
The Spine of Night
Fans of Ralph Bakshi finally have the revival of his unique style and tendencies that they've been waiting for. 1983's Fire and Ice provides a weighty chunk of the inspiration for The Spine of Night, from the rotoscope animation style to the liberal approach to sex and violence, to the aesthetic and lore. With an all-star voice cast including Patton Oswalt, Lucy Lawless, Joe Manganiello, and Richard E. Grant, the characters become swiftly lovable.
The story concerns the long and terrible dark fantasy journey of a mystical flower that grants horrific power to whoever finds it. This film is angled at a very specific crowd, but it's a masterwork for that audience.