As if the last year and a half was not terrifying enough, there have been numerous horror films released that can give one nightmares. Recently, horror films have evolved beyond mere slashers and by the numbers supernatural tales. They have become more cerebral and introspective by taking a deeper look at why certain things are scary.
Also, historically underrepresented communities are getting to tell horror stories of their own. It would not be incorrect to say that horror is in a renaissance at the moment. If these trends continue then the horror genre will gain the same respect that dramas and comedies enjoy.
Updated September 29th, 2021 by Russ Boswell: As 2021 ticks on, more and more Horror films are hitting theaters and digital shelves. The Global Pandemic has been a fairly tough strain on the film industry but that hasn't stopped Horror visionaries from cranking out their fair share of gruesome and gripping cinema rollercoasters. There's still a few months left in the year for some fiendish frights to show up, but those looking to get into the Halloween spirit early will definitely want to check out some of the best Horror movies of 2021 so far. To shine a bigger light on the genre and showcase even more chilling films, the following list has been updated to include more of 2021's best horror movies.
10 A Quiet Place Part II
Those that haven't seen the original Quiet Place should definitely put that at the top of their must-watch list. It's an incredibly eerie film with downright masterful sound design and some truly tense moments. It's a gripping horror story that takes a "classic trope" of humans being hunted by monsters and modernizes it using some great special effects.
A Quiet Place Part II continues the series, helping to build on the previously established universe by showcasing more lore surrounding the ravenous predatory creatures that have descended upon mankind. It's a great addition to the series, managing to keep pace with the original release by exploring new grounds while simultaneously highlighting what made it such a success the first time around.
9 Censor
One of the best parts of the Horror genre is that it's subjective. There are so many things that "frighten" people, and the all-shapes-and-sizes approach that some film companies take usually falls flat as they attempt to appeal to as many people as possible. That's why it's so refreshing to see a film stand on its own, without the need to adhere to the latest fads.
Censor is a great look into British filmmaking, specifically on the front of censorship in movies and how things differ from other countries concerning what can and can't be shown in movies. It's a 1980s period piece that is wonderfully shot, supremely creepy, and complete with an underlying story arc that showcases a Censor's slow descent into madness of what she thinks she's witnessed.
It's absolutely a slow burn, and it's likely to be a bit "boring" for those that are looking for high-octane thrills. For anyone craving something subversive and a bit "artsy," this is a great choice.
8 Violation
Revenge films can be a very satisfying watch since they usually contain themes in which someone truly sinister gets their comeuppance. Violation is a revenge film at its core but one of the most visually and emotionally gripping in recent years. The cinematography manages to make the entire storyarc and impending events feel incredibly claustrophobic and suffocating, even if they're taking place in an area surrounded by vast wilderness.
The title follows a woman named Miriam, who is having trouble with her marriage. With her and her husband reaching a tipping point, she seeks sanctuary with her sister in hopes of helping to repair her life. Unfortunately, things only get worse, with Miriam witnessing a horrid betrayal and then slowly descending into a very realistic-feeling madness.
7 The Djinn
Good Horror doesn't need to be overly gory or visually intense to grip an audience, it simply needs to be unnerving. That's exactly how the Djinn starts, with an interesting concept that sees a young mute boy being haunted by a mysterious entity when he finds a strange book and "makes a wish."
It's definitely the type of film that was shot with a lower budget, further proving that horror doesn't need to be extravagant to be psychologically invasive. The Djinn is wonderfully acted, with great cinematography and an engrossing story. It may run a bit long, and some were perturbed by "predictability," but it's definitely one of the most confined and nerve-wracking films of 2021.
6 Candyman
Remakes are always a slippery slope when it comes to horror films. Bringing a particularly great Horror series into the new age usually falls flat because film studios become fixated on the visuals and special effects, rather than the core elements that made the original film such a haunting experience in the first place.
Thankfully, this isn't the case with Candyman. Jordan Peele has become a fantastic Horror visionary in recent years and his genius was lent to the writing team for this particular remake. It shines through as the film successfully takes an urban legend, modernizes it, but still manages to grip firmly onto the roots that made the original release and folklore such a compelling thing.
5 Jakob's Wife
One of the queens of horror, Barbara Crampton, returns with yet another fantastic, scary, and thought provoking film. The messages contained within the film focus on female agency, longing, regret, and ultimately the high cost of freedom. Jakob's Wife contains more than a few shocking and scary moments that are very effective. Interestingly, the subtext of the film is so rich that it may take multiple viewings to really understand why certain characters make certain decisions. All the performances are great but Barbara Crampton continues to out do herself, one could argue that this may be her best one to date. This is a film for those that love to watch a movie then delve deep into its hidden layers.
4 Dementer
Director Chad Crawford manages to show just how terrifying the past can be when it infects one's present. Dementer focuses on Katie and her struggle to overcome a trauma so terrible that it seems to have filled every corner of her mind. As the film progresses it becomes clear that her trauma is far from over and that it will take all of her strength to vanquish it.
The film does a fantastic job at showing just how confusing and disorienting it is to process a major trauma. The narrative can be jarring at times but if one sticks with it they will not be disappointed. Also the character of Stephanie has Down syndrome and she is handled very well. Dementer is sure to roll around in the minds of viewers for quite some time to come.
3 The Empty Man
The Empty Man has been out for less than a year and it is already a polarizing film. It is sure to be talked about amongst horror fans for years to come as to whether it is actually clever or just a waste of time. The less said about the plot the better as one must go into this film blind. The film already has a cult classic status and it is sure to become more revered as the years go by.
Director David Prior has managed to craft a horror film that challenges viewers. This is not the film to watch if one just wants to see some gruesome kills or buckets of blood. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but The Empty Man deserves the attention it is getting and is worth one's time.
2 The Vigil
There are not too many (if any) films that focus on creatures based in Jewish folklore. This oversight is pitiful as Christianity seems to have a monopoly on the horror film market. However if The Vigil is any indication then things may be changing sooner rather than later. The film focuses on a young man named Yakov that must keep vigil over a dead Orthodox Jewish man.
This task becomes more complicated when something begins to torment Yakov and thus he is in for the battle of his life. Director Keith Thomas does a fantastic job placing the viewer in the world of Yakov and the traditions he has turned his back on. The fact that this is Thomas's directorial debut is stunning, he shows a deep understanding of how to direct a horror film so that it is horrifying on a personal level. This is a can't miss film and it will leave viewers excited for what Thomas will direct next.
1 Saint Maud
The much-lauded A24 film Saint Maud lives up to the hype. Director Rose Glass, in her first feature, takes a deep and wild look at Catholicism and the zeal that can arise from it. From the jump, one can tell that this film is going to be something special. The character of Maud is complex and a bit of a tragic figure. Viewers can understand her need to believe in something greater than herself but some of the actions she takes are just took radical to be excused.
Similar to the Ingmar Bergman film Persona, the relationship between Maud and the woman she takes care of named Amanda is immensely fascinating. Their dynamic is thrilling and some of the biggest scares come from it. One can sum up this film as a parable about religious zealotry but goes far deeper than that. The beauty of the film is that each viewer will not doubt comes to their own conclusions about the film and will be sure to ponder on it for years to come. Viewers will be hard pressed to find a more intelligent, engaging, and majestic horror film this year.