Ask Lemmy

Looking for stuff that’s truly scary and not just gore

1. Hereditary (2018) - Still one of the most unnerving things I've ever seen. Does NOT rely on gore and has only maybe 30 seconds of blood in the entire thing. The horror of it comes from the skill of the storytelling and only at the end did I realize how many little things were said throughout the movie.

2. It Follows (2014) - Unique and does an incredible job of making you constantly check the background for potential danger. Did not scar me like Hereditary did but instead offers a very fun version of anxiety for its runtime if that makes any sense. The first is a must-see. Skip the sequel.

3. The Ritual (2017) - Brings some of that Lovecraftian style horror. One of those movies that just creeps you out and brings that fear of the unknown in style, yet brings out that primal survival instinct at the same time.

4. The Others (2001) - Just a damn good ghost story. I won't say anything else to avoid spoiling it.

5. Nope (2022) - I'll say that there are a lot of layers going on here. This is probably better recommended for movie nerds that love intertwining story themes, characters and backgrounds that serve as a foil to the main plot, a slow buildup of details that culminate into an expertly told story, and an emphasis on sound design and symbolism.

Honorable Mention: Coherence (2013) - I know, I know. It's not a horror movie. But that existential dread, that fear of the unknown, that feeling that makes you panic, it's all there. This is a sci-fi puzzle movie somewhat like Primer so I'll say the dread and terror is not in itself horror. That said, it's a creepy watch and I'll always recommend it as a good palette cleanser after something like Hereditary traumatizes you or after binging fun, dumb classic horror style stuff.

Event Horizon (1997). Traumatized me as a child, still scary af to an adult.

Cabin in the Woods is fun, also Tucker and Dale vs. Evil

The VVitch is one of the few movies I’ve found truly scary. Not a ton actually happens, but the movie leverages its isolated and dreary setting to the max.

Ravenous (1999) Really good take on the skinwalker myth that tries to stay genuine to the actual cultural signifigance that it has in naive american mythology. Its a story of tragic desperation giving way to insatiable hunger and the act of harming+killing another human during to keep yourself alive times of intense starvation tainting a persons spirit and mind. Not big spoopy deer monster.

he poughkeepsie tapes is the only horror movie I've ever had to turn off, it was just too depressingly real even knowing its fictional. Only for true horror nuts who get off on the depressing non-schlocky kind of horror.

Midsomar was a good one buy it was really popular so you mightve seen it

Hubbie Holloween isn't horror but a fun holloween themed comedy to watch as a palette clenser

The Shining - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shining_(film)

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt12749596/

Host.

It's a pandemic movie, and it was EXTREMELY well done. Not "well done for a pandemic movie" but "holy shit that's an excellent movie, period". And SCARY. Not just gore, there's actually very little of that, it just ramps the atmosphere up perfectly.

IMO, the first Scary Movie was the best. Badum tss

Ok, I'll find the way out...

Some older films can get creepy without gore. Check out the French film Diabolique (1955) or Wait until Dark (1967) with Catherine Hepburn.

Some Halloween movies that are just on my fun list: The Stuff (1985), The Stepfather (1987), Hider in the House (1989), and the Blob (1988).

• Day of The Dead (1985)
• Night of The Creeps
• The Blob (1988)
• Let the Right One In (2008)
• 28 Days Later
• The Mist
• REC
• The Descent
• The Host (2006)
• Train to Busan

I love all types of scary movies. But there are so many different categories of "scary".

creepy and ominous

Hereditary - I figured this one out pretty early on but Toni Collette's acting is top notch. Movie is still really good.

Signs - one of the scariest movies I've seen

It follows - this one stuck with me and made me think for days

Pontypool - really good flick about a zombie outbreak told from a secure radio station

Let the right one in (Swedish original) - just an amazing movie that happens to be a vampire flick

intense and brutal

Malignant - topped my list immediately. It's batshit. Absolutely insane. If you don't like James Wans' typical output you'll love this. It was obviously his whatever-the-fuck-i-want movie and it. Is. Awesome.

Barbarian - The Malignant of 2022

20 weeks later - I prefer this one over 20 days, mainly for the intense opening sequence

Dawn of the Dead (2000s version) - opening sequence

Red Sky (Netflix) - go in blind if you can. Like, don't even look at the thumbnail... vampires ...

comedy horror I actually like comedy horror movies so have to incorporate them

Wyrmwood Road of the Dead - maybe belongs in the list above but is more tongue in cheek than anything. Really got me into ozploitation movies

Tucker and Dale vs. Evil - fuck you, slasher movies

Cabin in the Woods - ending sequence is pretty insane but the movie was a must watch

Renfield - I'm a sucker for a good vampire flick and this did it for me

https://lemmy.world/post/5916520

I feel like this movie doesn’t get enough love, but Dark Skies (2013) is a really great all around scary movie.

There’s also all the A24 movies that have come out obviously (Hereditary, Witch, Midsommar). They released Talk to Me this year too which I thought was really good.

I think “A Tale of Two Sisters” is incredibly underrated, really great Korean ghost story. Acting is top notch, solid scares, and beautiful cinematography. Highly recommended!!

Scary Movie (2000)

The Green Room

Leftist punk rock band plays in a nazi bar and opens up with the song "Fuck Off Nazi Punks". But it gets worse when they witness a murder and get trapped in a room and have to get out.

Pretty realistic movie you wouldn't even expect to go to horror. With a great Patrick Stewart as the leader of the Nazis.

If you're looking for a mental kind of creepy, The Haunting of Emily Rose is quite scary.

It's got jump scares kind of, but it leaves room for your own imagination. Very minimal blood and gore.

Incantation.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incantation_(film)

Martyrs (2008)

i suggest you watch 1 eps of tom & jerry as dessert

Weird recommendation but the first half of Insidious (2010) is some of the best truly scary (not jump-scare) horror I've seen. The second half is a shit show, so don't expect a great movie overall, but man that first half is brilliant.