The 10 Creepiest Films (that you probably haven’t seen)

When October rolls around and Halloween approaches, me and Dan love to get a creepy film on. We’re always on the lookout for one we haven’t seen before and over the past few years we’ve found some brilliantly scary and sinister offerings. We’re banking on the fact that unless you’re a total film buff, you won’t have seen all of the films on this list. So in no particular order, here are 10 of our favourite creepy films. 👇👇👇

1.Host

We found this film after searching through some ‘scariest horror movies ever’ lists online. After checking the rating on Rotten Tomatoes and seeing that it scored 100% (it’s 99% at the time of writing) we gave it a go. Host is a horror film directed by Rob Savage (2020), and genuinely, this film was so scary that my fingers hurt afterwards from gripping the blanket I was hiding behind. The film takes place on a Zoom call during the Covid pandemic when for a laugh, a group of mates take part in an online séance but inadvertently summon a malevolent spirit. What is so impressive and brilliant about this film is that it is horror through and through despite its very low budget. The acting is so naturalistic that you feel you are on the call with the characters – which adds to the creepiness. Host was a brilliant and creative response to the 2020 lockdowns and is an impressive addition to the ‘found footage’ horror genre.

2.Under the Shadow

Under the Shadow is a 2016 Iranian horror film directed by Babak Anvari. Set in Tehran during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, the film follows the life of a mother and daughter who are haunted by a Jinn (a malevolent supernatural presence) in their apartment building. This film is CREEPY-A-F with some excellent jump scares – one, in particular, made me spill my espresso martini all over myself 😉. This film does what a lot of the best horrors do in my opinion, which is to incorporate a deeper layer (in this case social commentary) into the traditional horror storytelling. Under the Shadow portrays the psychological and physical terrors that the characters face in the midst of wartime and cultural restrictions.

3.Coherence

Our first non-horror creepy film! We were introduced to Coherence by our regular director Brett Harvey and since then we’ve been completely obsessed with it. Coherence is a science fiction thriller directed by James Ward Byrkit. The story follows a dinner party which takes a bizarre turn when a comet passes overhead, causing strange and unsettling events. As the night unfolds, the characters confront a series of increasingly perplexing and eerie occurrences that challenge their understanding of reality and human nature through a clever exploration of quantum theory and the multiverse concept. This is just up our street as diehard Twilight Zone fans. The first time I watched this film it gave me genuine goose pimples several times - I can’t say that most horror films I watch do that! The film is even more impressive for its low budget, single-location setting and plenty of great twists (all very ‘Owdyado!) The film is a pleasure to watch more than once because once you know what’s going on you’ll spot little hints and clues in the text, direction and costume that will enhance your appreciation of this extremely clever film on every re-watch.

4.Lake Mungo

Lake Mungo is a 2008 Australian faux-documentary, supernatural horror film directed by Joel Anderson. It follows the Palmer family as they cope with the tragic drowning of their teenage daughter, Alice. As they try to come to terms with her death, they discover unsettling and paranormal occurrences, leading them to believe that Alice's spirit is haunting them. Like another great Aussie horror, The Babadook, Lake Mungo delves into themes of grief and loss. It’s super-creepy and realistic with an eerie and slow-burning atmosphere that combines classic elements of ghostly horror, a detective story (as you start to learn that Alice’s death might not be an accident), and a deeply emotional and psychological narrative. Winner.

5.Room 237

Another film introduced to us by Brett and an actual documentary this time. Room 237 is a film that delves into various interpretations and theories surrounding Stanley Kubrick's classic horror film, The Shining. Directed by Rodney Ascher and released in 2012, it features interviews with individuals who offer their own, often elaborate, and sometimes (enjoyably) bat-shit-crazy interpretations of hidden meanings and symbols within The Shining. Theories include that The Shining is an allegory for genocide, that Jack represents a Greek minotaur and that the film is Kubrick’s moon landing hoax confession, with genuinely compelling reasons for all. The best thing about this film is that it reminds you of how awesome The Shining is. Our advice? Watch this then watch The Shining. You’ll have a great time deciding which of the theories you like best!

6.His House

Back to proper horror now: His House is a 2020 British film directed by Remi Weekes. The story follows a South Sudanese refugee couple who are given asylum in the UK and placed in a seemingly haunted, decrepit house. As they attempt to start a new life, they must also confront the malevolent spirits that inhabit their new home and grapple with the trauma of their past. This film is great as not only is it properly scary, but it’s told from a perspective that I’ve never seen represented before in the horror genre - and that’s refreshing.  Like Under the Shadow and Lake Mungo, the film has deep layers; both socio-political and psychological - delving into themes of guilt, cultural displacement, and the horrors of the refugee experience, making it a compelling and socially relevant part of the horror canon.

7.Fermat’s Room

Fermat's Room is a 2007 Spanish thriller directed by Luis Piedrahita and Rodrigo Sopeña. The film revolves around a group of mathematicians who receive mysterious invitations to a gathering in a remote location. Once there, they find themselves trapped in a room that is gradually shrinking in size. To escape, they must solve complex mathematical puzzles and riddles. Creepy no?! This film (along with the cult-classic Cube) was undoubtedly an inspiration for our 2018 stage show Vindicta Games (part of Twisted Tales Vol.1); especially the theme of the consequences of one’s actions. Fermat’s Room is an amazingly tense ‘pressure cooker’ piece with some creepy moments and great twists.

8.The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse is a 2019 arthouse psychological horror film directed by Robert Eggers. It’s a real ‘film-person’s’ film – and has a definite Ingmar Bergman vibe. Set in the late 19th century, it follows two lighthouse keepers played by Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson (what a combo eh?), who are isolated on a remote New England island for a month. As they tend to the lighthouse, their sanity deteriorates, and they descend into madness, paranoia, and supernatural encounters. Me and Dan adore any story that blurs the line between fantasy and reality and The Lighthouse is fantastic at this. A gorgeous looking and brilliant psychological and existential horror with great performances from the cast of two.

9.REC

Our second Spanish entry to the list and the second found footage one. REC is a 2007 horror film that follows a TV reporter and her cameraman covering a night with Barcelona's firefighters. Their seemingly routine call to an apartment building takes a sinister turn when residents become infected with a violent illness, turning them into bloodthirsty zombies. As the building is quarantined, the reporter and cameraman are trapped, and the film intensifies as they document the terrifying, chaotic events unfolding. I haven’t watched this in years but I have a vivid memory of the last scene being REALLY disturbing and creepy. I’d say have a blanket handy to hide behind for this one but if you’re watching this with subtitles that’s going to be difficult. All I can say is good luck!

10.Return to Oz

Okay, BEAR WITH ME. Yes, Return to Oz is a kids’ film but I believe it genuinely belongs on this list. It’s an 80s film (so, we’re already onto a winner 😉) and serves as a sequel to The Wizard of Oz. But rather than being a colourful optimistic musical, Return to Oz features electroshock therapy in a creepy children’s asylum, disturbing stop-motion animation and a ruined Oz populated by the eerily long-limbed ‘Wheelers’.  The scene where Dorothy (Fairuza Balk) has to walk down a corridor of disembodied heads is as unsettling as some of the imagery in the scariest horror movies. I was surprised to read a couple of years ago that this film did not initially receive a warm reception (although it has now earned a cult following and is appreciated for being more faithful to Frank Baum’s original Oz books). I’ll take this film over the original Wizard of Oz any day.

🎃If you know of any lesser know creepy films let us know on social media - we’re always up for adding to our list. Otherwise, thanks for reading and have a great Halloween! 🎃