Top 10 Most Original Horror Movies of the Decade (So Far)
#10: “Late Night with the Devil” (2023)
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A lot of art takes what comes before and turns it into an original piece. Such is the case with “Late Night with the Devil,” a brilliant found footage film that takes great inspiration from the 1970s. It particularly focuses on the decade’s obsession with possession films, stemming from the earth-shattering success of “The Exorcist.” David Dastmalchian plays Jack Delroy, the host of a late night talk show who invites a supposedly possessed woman onto the stage. You can imagine the chaos that follows. The production and costume design pays delightful homage to the ‘70s, and the talk show spin proves that there is still some original juice left in the possession genre. And just when we thought we had seen it all!
#9: “Barbarian” (2022)
It’s amazing how much “Barbarian” manages to do in its swift 102 minutes; it’s basically got three stories in one film. There’s the first act, a modern-day parable of urban decay and gender issues, all wrapped around a delightfully creepy story about two people stuck in the same Airbnb. Then there’s the monster tale involving AJ and Tess, who are trapped in the house with a violent creature. And then there’s the third narrative, which briefly touches on the creature’s twisted origin. The idea of a monster hiding in a hidden section of a house is unexpectedly thrilling, and the movie’s structure allows the reveal of it to develop in a satisfying manner. Theme, story, execution - everything comes together perfectly to help “Barbarian” stand out from the pack.
#8: “Talk to Me” (2022)
One of the most original horror films of the decade comes via YouTubers RackaRacka. Composed of brothers Danny and Michael Philippou, RackaRacka made special FX-heavy videos, including the famous “Harry Potter vs. Star Wars.” Their background in filmmaking is evident, as “Talk to Me” is a wickedly-constructed film about a magic hand that allows people to interact with the dead. “Talk to Me” proves there is still plenty to do with the possession genre, with the Philippous finding inventive ways to spin the classic tropes. The story is fresh and original, and the themes around peer pressure, chasing social media clout and dangerous trends couldn’t be more relevant. This is horror for a new generation.
#7: “Prey” (2022)
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Serving as a prequel to the “Predator” franchise, “Prey” does a number of unique things not only for the series, but for the horror genre in general. For one thing, it takes place in the early 18th century, a setting not often seen in horror. But more importantly, it utilizes Native American culture in the telling of its story. Naru is a Comanche woman living on the Great Plains of North America, and the cast is filled with real Native American actors, including breakout star Amber Midthunder. Both the authentic period setting and cultural representation add a nice layer of depth to “Prey” and its bloody action set pieces.
#6: “Host” (2020)
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In March of 2020, the world shut down for the COVID pandemic. Just four months later, we got the first major COVID movie with “Host.” The indie horror flick directly integrates the pandemic into its storyline, with a number of friends hosting a séance over Zoom during lockdown. This séance summons a deadly demon and all Hell breaks loose - no pun intended. The movie was filmed entirely remotely, with Rob Savage directing his cast members over Zoom. These cast members were in charge of everything on their end, including makeup, sound, and even the visual effects. The premise took full advantage of a world-changing event, and it will stand forever as a startling glimpse into the confined and anxious year of 2020.
#5: “The Menu” (2022)
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Some of the best horror movies take place in a confined setting, and we can confidently add “The Menu” to that list. Set almost entirely in an exclusive restaurant, “The Menu” sees an esteemed chef putting on a dinner for some notable guests. However, the chef has ulterior motives and uses the dinner as revenge against his wrong-doers. The movie is full of great acting and prolonged tension, but what really sells it is the original story and killer themes. “The Menu” comments on a number of subjects, including pretentious foodie culture, forgotten passions, classism and artistic exploitation - themes not often explored in the horror genre. Suffice to say, “The Menu” has a great mouthfeel. Well, the movie equivalent.
#4: “The Invisible Man” (2020)
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Leigh Whannell proved his brilliance by re-forging the old into the new. The story of “The Invisible Man” is well over a century old, with H.G. Wells’s novel being published back in 1897. Even the iconic ‘30s film was almost a hundred years old when “The Invisible Man” came out in 2020. But Whannell updated the story for the new century, complete with a futuristic suit that turns its wearer invisible and a modern feminist spin with Elisabeth Moss at the helm. He also incorporated many topical subjects into his script, including trauma and abusive relationships. It’s “The Invisible Man” post #MeToo, an allegory that uses an age-old tale to comment on modern social issues.
#3: “Titane” (2021)
Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival, “Titane” is a horror movie with ambitions. Not only did the film premiere at Cannes, but it won the Palme d'Or, the festival’s highest prize and one of the most prestigious awards in the movie industry. So, yeah, it’s pretty darned good. “Titane” is eccentric in all the best ways, and many people don’t know what to make of it. Agathe Rousselle plays Alexia, a serial killer with a titanium plate in her skull and, has, um, close relations with vehicles. To say more would spoil the film, and we definitely don’t want to do that. This is a bizarre and deeply provocative movie, featuring images and stories we’ve never quite seen before. How many horror movies can say that?
#2: “Possessor” (2020)
Any fan of David Cronenberg should check out his son Brandon’s work, as he too is working within the body horror genre. And between “Possessor” and “Infinity Pool,” he is shaping up to be one of the defining voices in modern horror. “Possessor” contains a remarkably original story, taking place in an alternate 2008 in which hitmen physically invade other people’s bodies to carry out their assassinations. The premise is compelling and novel, and what Cronenberg does with it is nothing short of masterful. Furthermore, he follows in his father’s footsteps by giving us grotesque visuals we’ve never seen and couldn’t possibly imagine.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Crimes of the Future” (2022)
A Futuristic Horror Film with Fantastic World Building & Body Modifications
“Censor” (2021)
A Reality-Warping Story That Comments on Film Censorship & the Video Nasty Craze
“Men” (2022)
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#1: “Beau Is Afraid” (2023)
We don’t even know where to start with “Beau Is Afraid.” A24 took a huge swing with this film, giving writer-director Ari Aster $35 million to craft a surreal, impenetrable, and perplexing movie that is sure to baffle most of its viewers. The experiment didn’t really work, financially speaking, but “Beau Is Afraid” became the focus of intense discourse as people desperately tried to figure it out and parse its countless puzzles. Even if viewers don’t really understand it, we can still commend Aster and his brilliant team of filmmakers for crafting what is undoubtedly the most original horror film of the 2020s so far - and maybe even the most original film, period.
Can you think of any more original horror movies that have come out this decade? Let us know in the comments below!
