Copyright Screen Rant
More than any other genre, horror is the perfect place to find true hidden gems. So many horror films are made on small budgets and fly under the radar, yet when they get discovered, people find that they're amazing. That's been especially true with modern horror over the past 15 or so years. There are some tremendous horror movies that nobody talks about that deserve more love and appreciation. They include one of the best slashers ever made, some psychological horror stories, movies that lean into the sci-fi genre, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Possessor (2020) Possessor is one of those movies that came and went during the COVID-19 pandemic and not many people noticed. That actually makes 2020 a year with several hidden gems across all genres and Possessor is one that blends both the horror and sci-fi worlds. The premise of Possessor centers on a corporate assassin who, through brain implant technology, can possess the bodies of others to fulfill the kills of her most high-profile targets. However, as she enters one particular body, she finds herself fighting for control over it. The film is from the mind of Brandon Cronenberg, son of famed filmmaker David, and shows off his twisted mindset. Possessor sits at 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and has all the makings of something that should be viewed as a cult classic in a handful of years. It's thought-provoking and features some disturbing imagery. Bliss (2019) Joe Begos is a rising name in horror filmmaking. Though he hasn't had a big mainstream hit yet, he has several indie projects that were impressive from VFW to Christmas Bloody Christmas, but his finest work just might be the extremely underrated Bliss. Bliss tells the story of Dezzy (Dora Madison Burge), an artist struggling with her work until she takes hallucinogenic drugs that unlock her creativity. However, it also sends her into a deep pit of madness where she does dangerous things she otherwise wouldn't. Burge's performance is great but it's Begos' efforts as director that really stand out. His visual choices make for something captivating and unsettling, yet you're unable to look away. This isn't a horror movie that holds your hand and if you're looking for something a bit more complex, Bliss is a great choice. Cuckoo (2024) One thing that gets people invested in a horror movie is a great trailer and Cuckoo had one of the best in recent memory. It never gave away too much, keeping you intrigued while also delivering some legitimate scares, especially in the scene where the protagonist sees a shadow reach out to her while on a bike in the dark. Ultimately, Cuckoo is likely not at all what you expect and that's kind of a good thing. The plot centers on Gretchen (Hunter Schafer), who moves to a resort town in the German Alps with her father but notices strange things about the new home and her dad's new boss. We won't give away what's actually happening in Cuckoo as it's the sort of thing you need to experience on your own. What we can say is that the movie is a thrilling tale that features a handful of terrifying moments. It was well-received by critics even if audiences haven't given it a fair shot. Cam (2018) When it comes to Netflix horror movies, Cam is a hidden gem, but it's also one of the streaming service's best films regardless of genre. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find an original Netflix movie with a better Rotten Tomatoes score than the 93% that Cam sits at. Cam follows Alice (Madeline Brewer), a camgirl who one day discovers that she has been replaced by a doppelgånger and finds her life turned upside down because of it. The movie was written by Isa Mazzei, who used her own experiences as a camgirl for inspiration. You never quite know what's going on in this movie or what's coming next. The warm reception that Cam received was for the film's atmosphere and Brewer's lead performance. With Netflix having so many subscribers, this great film is available to millions. Triangle (2009) The one film included here to get a release prior to 2010 is Triangle. This British movie is a psychological horror that leans heavily into the sci-fi genre. Triangle is one of many films in the time loop subgenre and that helps make it a twisty story that grabs anyone who watches. The plot of Triangle begins with single mother Jess (Melissa George) going on a boating trip with her friends. They end up having to abandon ship and board an ocean liner, where they find someone stalking them. It's all part of a loop as they keep ending up there and getting brutally murdered. The horror aspects of the characters getting stalked are great, but where Triangle is at its best is in the mystery. Who is doing this to them? Why is it happening? It all culminates in a fantastic final few minutes that turns Triangle from a good movie into a great one. Creep (2014) Most people can easily recognize Mark Duplass because he's a versatile actor who has appeared in everything from the comedy show The League to the Emmy-nominated Apple TV+ series The Morning Show. However, he's almost unrecognizable as a chilling character in Creep. The setup for Creep sees a videographer named Aaron get hired by a mysterious man named Josef to record him in his final days before he succumbs to a fatal illness. Things start normally but grow progressively weirder as Josef reveals himself to be a bit unhinged. Duplass does great work as Josef, with each scene making you unsure if he's going to attack someone, break down in tears, or do something cringe. Creep has a 91% rating while Creep 2 sits at a whopping 100%, making for one of the best horror duologies you'll find anywhere. Hush (2016) There are a few directors out there who can be considered modern masters of horror and Mike Flanagan is among them. He's most known for his work on Netflix series like The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass but in film, he's put out the likes of Doctor Sleep. While that's a sequel to a legendary horror film, Flanagan should be just as well-known for what he did with Hush. This 2016 horror film has a terrifying premise, centering on a deaf woman who is alone in her home when a killer invades it and tries to murder her. The fact that our protagonist can't hear her attacker makes for some alarming sequences that are hard to watch if you're home alone. Kate Siegel is fantastic as the lead, while John Gallagher Jr. does great work as the deranged man stalking her. You're Next (2011) The slasher genre has seen its ups and downs over the years. The late '70s and early '80s saw them rise before Scream helped revitalize them in 1996. The genre didn't really hit another high until the 2020s with Scream sequels and projects like Ti West's X trilogy. However, the best modern slasher movie is actually You're Next from 2011. It was likely overlooked since it came out during an era where slashers weren't as popular, but those who have discovered it have found something special. You're Next works so well because it turns slashers on their head. The film sees a family come together for a reunion, only to be attacked by a group of masked killers. The terror comes from those scenes, but You're Next becomes something special when the final girl Erin (Sharni Vinson) becomes the hunter and starts going after the masked men in her own brutal fashion. Raw (2016) A lot of the time, movie audiences in the United States overlook a film because it's from another country and people don't want to read subtitles. That means so many folks miss out on something great, which is the case with Raw, a horror film that's a joint production from France and Belgium. Raw tells the story of Justine (Garance Marillier), a vegetarian girl who enters veterinary school away from home and is forced to consume meat during a hazing ritual. The meat has ill effects on her, causing her to develop a dangerous hunger for it, leading to a cannibalistic nature. Raw was met with widespread acclaim, currently sitting at 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. The praise went to the screenplay, Marillier's performance, and Julia Ducournau's direction. It can be graphic in nature but many horror fans look forward to that kind of thing. I Saw The TV Glow (2024) If you haven't seen I Saw the TV Glow yet, then it's something you need to rectify soon. The film, from the mind of Jane Schoenbrun, who made their feature directorial debut with the acclaimed We're All Going to the World's Fair. However, I Saw the TV Glow takes things to the next level in almost every aspect. The film follows two teens who form a bond because of the TV show they both love, yet their connection leads them to question their identity and reality itself. Of course, the themes of the movie go so much deeper than that.
