20 – 11

20. The Innocents (2021)

Eskil Vogt’s supernatural thriller offers a chilling exploration of innocence corrupted. Set against the backdrop of a Norwegian summer, the film follows a group of children who discover they possess strange powers. What starts as innocent fun takes a darker turn as their abilities spiral out of control. The movie skillfully combines coming-of-age elements with psychological horror, crafting a narrative that juxtaposes childhood purity with unsettling menace.

The strength of The Innocents lies in its refusal to spoon-feed answers, forcing viewers to grapple with the moral complexities of its characters. The young cast delivers astonishingly mature performances, lending an eerie authenticity to the unfolding chaos. This is a film that dares to ask: what happens when innocence and power collide? The answer is both haunting and devastating.

19. The Descent (2005)

Neil Marshall’s The Descent is a triumph of claustrophobic horror, plunging viewers into the depths of primal fear. Following a group of adventurous women on a spelunking trip, the film takes a nightmarish turn when they become trapped in a labyrinth of caves inhabited by grotesque, bloodthirsty creatures. Marshall’s direction excels at creating unbearable tension, exploiting both the physical confines of the cave and the emotional fractures within the group.

With its all-female cast delivering powerhouse performances, The Descent is as much a story of survival against external monsters as it is about confronting inner demons. Brutal, relentless, and impeccably paced, the film redefined creature features for the modern era, proving that the real horrors lie not just in what lurks in the dark but also in the bonds we think we can trust.

18. Mandy (2018)

Panos Cosmatos delivers a kaleidoscopic descent into madness with Mandy, a visceral revenge tale drenched in neon-soaked visuals. Nicolas Cage stars as Red, a man whose tranquil life is shattered when his lover Mandy is abducted and murdered by a deranged cult. Fueled by grief and rage, Red embarks on a blood-soaked quest for vengeance, wielding a handcrafted axe and the unrelenting power of Cage’s most unhinged performance.

Mandy is more than just a revenge thriller; it’s an audiovisual assault on the senses. The hypnotic cinematography and surrealist score by the late Jóhann Jóhannsson create an experience as intoxicating as it is horrifying. This is a film that revels in its eccentricity and dares to push the boundaries of genre filmmaking, standing as a love letter to fans of the bizarre and the brutal.

Movie Review: Mandy (2018)

17. The Orphanage (2007)

Produced by Guillermo del Toro and directed by J.A. Bayona, The Orphanage is a masterclass in atmospheric horror. The story follows Laura, a woman who returns to the orphanage where she grew up, with plans to reopen it as a home for disabled children. When her son mysteriously disappears, Laura is drawn into a chilling mystery involving the spirits of the orphanage’s tragic past.

Bayona crafts an emotional narrative that blends supernatural terror with poignant human drama. The film’s gothic setting, combined with an unnerving score and carefully orchestrated scares, makes for an experience that lingers long after the credits roll. The Orphanage is a haunting reminder that the ghosts of our past are often more terrifying than anything imagined.

16. Climax (2018)

Gaspar Noé’s Climax is a nightmarish, intoxicating descent into chaos. The film opens with a mesmerising dance sequence, showcasing the raw talent of its ensemble cast, including Sofia Boutella. As the night unfolds, the celebratory atmosphere devolves into madness when the group discovers their sangria has been laced with LSD.

Noé’s trademark style is on full display, with long takes, dizzying camera work, and pulsating music creating an immersive and disorienting experience. Climax is a brutal exploration of human nature under duress, pushing its characters—and the audience—to the brink. While not for the faint-hearted, this experimental horror piece is a visceral triumph for those who can handle its intensity.

15. The Devil’s Backbone (2001)

Guillermo del Toro’s The Devil’s Backbone is a ghost story that transcends its supernatural trappings to explore the scars of war and the resilience of the human spirit. Set in a remote orphanage during the Spanish Civil War, the film centers on young Carlos, who uncovers the mysteries surrounding a ghostly presence haunting the grounds.

Del Toro weaves a tale rich in symbolism and emotional depth, using the ghost as a metaphor for unresolved grief and trauma. The film’s haunting visuals and poignant storytelling showcase the director’s ability to blend beauty with horror. The Devil’s Backbone is a cinematic gem that lingers in the memory, reminding us that the most powerful ghosts are often the ones we carry within.

14. The Substance (2024)

Coralie Fargeat’s sophomore feature The Substance is an unrelenting plunge into psychological and body horror. Starring Demi Moore in a career-redefining performance, the film unfolds as a chilling exploration of obsession, transformation, and societal ideals pushed to grotesque extremes. Fargeat, who previously wowed audiences with Revenge (2017), crafts a narrative that blurs the line between beauty and terror.

What sets The Substance apart is its audacious visual style and haunting thematic depth. Fargeat melds elegance with grotesquery, resulting in a cinematic experience that is as alluring as it is unsettling. While its bold approach may alienate some, for those willing to embrace its nightmarish vision, The Substance is nothing short of a masterpiece—a film that lingers in the psyche and challenges perceptions of cinematic horror.

Movie Review: The Substance (2024)

13. Shadow of the Vampire (2000)

E. Elias Merhige’s Shadow of the Vampire is a darkly comedic and deeply unsettling reimagining of the making of F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu (1922). John Malkovich stars as Murnau, an obsessive director determined to create the ultimate horror film, while Willem Dafoe delivers a mesmerising, Oscar-nominated performance as Max Schreck, who may be more vampire than actor.

This metafictional tale delves into the sacrifices made for art, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. The film’s eerie atmosphere and biting commentary on filmmaking make it a standout entry in 21st-century horror. Dafoe’s Schreck is both terrifying and tragic, embodying a creature caught between his monstrous nature and the absurdity of the human world. A must-watch for fans of horror and cinema history alike.

12. Don’t Breathe (2016)

Fede Alvarez’s Don’t Breathe flips the home invasion subgenre on its head, pitting a trio of young thieves against a blind man (played with terrifying intensity by Stephen Lang) in his fortified home. What begins as a simple heist spirals into a claustrophobic nightmare as the blind man’s lethal skills and dark secrets come to light.

Alvarez masterfully ratchets up the tension, using silence and sound design to keep viewers on edge. The film’s moral complexities add an additional layer of unease, challenging audiences to question who they should root for. With a sequel that continues to explore its characters’ fates, Don’t Breathe solidified Alvarez as a filmmaker to watch and left horror fans eagerly anticipating his next move.

Movie Review: Don’t Breathe (2016)

11. It Follows (2014)

David Robert Mitchell’s It Follows is a modern horror classic that reinvents the supernatural curse trope with haunting originality. The story centers on Jay (Maika Monroe), who becomes the target of a relentless, shape-shifting entity after a sexual encounter. The entity follows her at a slow but unstoppable pace, forcing her to constantly stay on the move to survive.

Mitchell’s minimalist approach and retro aesthetic create a timeless, dreamlike quality, amplified by Disasterpeace’s eerie synth score. The film’s central metaphor, examining the lingering consequences of intimacy and vulnerability, resonates deeply without being overly didactic. With its inventive premise, masterful pacing, and striking cinematography, It Follows is a chilling exploration of paranoia and the inevitability of mortality.

• Saul Muerte