Top 5 Underrated Horror Movies
Well, my birthday month has rolled around once again! Happy October everyone. Since it’s officially the spookiest month of the year horror movies are everywhere to be found—especially on Instagram and Letterboxd. Which is great; they are some of my favorite films. I enjoy when horror gets its time to shine, and I do love many of the most buzzed-about horror movies out there (The VVitch is my personal favorite). However, I wanted to make a list of some of the titles that don’t get as much attention or love, particularly on Instagram, even though they definitely merit some attention.
These are five films that make you think or question yourself in some way. They are dark and unforgiving and often focus more on the human condition than blind violence or raw fear. These may not be THE BEST horror movies or masterpieces like Rosemary’s Baby, but they still have more to offer than they are often credited with.
5. The Woman in Black
This movie gets a lot of hate and carries a 2.9 rating on Letterboxd. I get that it isn’t a masterpiece and that it has a lot of flaws; ghost stories can be tough to get right. Don’t write this movie off completely though because there are some genuinely great moments in it. From an atmospheric creation of dread, to using a shift in focus to create a much more effective moment of horror than a simple jump scare, to a larger theme of guilt and how we handle it this movie has more on its mind than just “creepy ghost lady.” Seriously, rewatch this one with an open mind and see if you can find something new to love about it.
4. House of Wax (1953)
Okay so I know this is a cult classic but I haven’t seen a dang post about it. It’s bizarre and campy with the always delightful Vincent Price, and was genuinely ahead of its time effects wise. When it comes to macabre, this mid-century take is criminally underrated. Each creepy head is a component of the overarching themes of the film—themes of talent and fame, obsession and greed.
3. Carnival of Souls
As much as any Criterion film can be underrated, this one is. Looking closely at trauma, loss, closure, and anxiety through surprisingly progressive eyes for its time, Carnival of Souls is a genuinely scary film that will bring you to the edge of your seat. I’m not normally a fan of mental illness used strictly as a tool for art—whether it’s for horror or drama or comedy, but when it’s done right with a message of empathy it can be an important experience. Given how horror runs on fear it is no surprise that a thwarted fresh start stemming from a mysterious and tragic accident can make you feel this afraid and stressed.
2. 1408
I remember going to the theater with my mom and sister for this one, which came out right in the middle of my Stephen King obsession. I was pleasantly surprised with how well done this adaptation was and how masterfully it handled balancing doubt and tension. The evil nature of this room and the mystery of its origin gnaws at you and never lets up. the bottleneck setting and the one-man show from John Cusack present a challenge that was tackled so well that you’ll feel stifled and claustrophobic—but in a good and thrilling way
1. Ganja and Hess
Currently, I am working on a Top 100 Films of the 1970s (fingers crossed for Wednesday…we’ll see) and I have been meaning to get to this one for a while now. Now that I have I can genuinely say experimental/art-house horror is very overlooked. The themes of race, sexuality, and masculinity all work nicely into horror, especially in an era of grainy camera work. New independence from studios allowed for a fresh twist on an old legend meant to explore human desire. This movie may be weird, and PROBABLY isn’t for everyone, but I strongly suggest most people at least give it a try. It isn’t talked about nearly enough in online film circles.
I hope you give at least one of these five movies a chance (or a second chance); all of them deserve to be mentioned in the conversation and don’t seem to be making it on any of the lists I’ve been seeing. Horror allows for a level of creativity and introspection often unafforded to films with more clout or prestige. Because horror doesn’t have to be safe, it can be honest. Even when placed in a weak package a horror film taken seriously and made with earnestness can tell us more about ourselves than most Best Picture winners.
I haven’t decided how much of October I plan to dedicate to horror movies but I’m sure a few more posts will sneak in. Enjoy the month of scares and I look forward to more of YOUR content as well.
Let me know if you’ve seen these and what your favorite underrated horror movie is.