Fear is a universal language. Scary stories have been a part of cultures since anyone can remember. Folktales about monsters and demons out to make those who misbehave pay have been subject to interpretation after interpretation until we get to where horror is now. Instead of through oral tradition, it now is seen in books, video games, and of course movies.
Every January, theaters are filled with cash grabs in the form of cheaply made horror movies, often in the form of slasher movies. For most of the slasher genre's lifespan, it has been considered an exploitation genre, filled with angst, sex, and gore on a minuscule budget made in an impossibly short span of time. For the most part, they're late-night gore-fest movies that are good for a night in with friends, but nothing beyond. However, some have gone beyond that and into stardom making them touchstones of american cinema. With that grab comes international appeal.
Although the horror genre is loved worldwide, the slasher genre isn't as popular across the world. Coming up with a list of slasher movies from America is almost unfair to the large number of great slasher movies there are. But finding those from around the world is a little more challenging. Still, that shows a lot about what certain audiences find horrifying versus others. With that said, there isn't much to choose from in the realm of slasher movies abroad, let alone entertaining ones that aren't pure trash. However, there are a few that have the make-up of a slasher movie, but also maybe something a little extra other than nudity and gore.
Blood and Black Lace
The slasher genre would most likely not exist if it wasn't for the presence of Giallo movies. Giallo is an Italian genre that is mostly composed of exploitation movies in the form of thrillers, mysteries, and yes, slashers. This genre become massively popular in the 60s, which is where this entry comes in. Blood and Black Lace is a 1964 film by genre powerhouse, Mario Bava.
The plot is almost laughably straight forward, with a masked killer slashing away at the models of a fashion house. But where simplicity reigns in the story, the set design quite literally explodes in color. The mise-en-scene is riddled with color and style, and it creates a fun and weirdly beautiful slasher that fans of the genre need to experience to see the early beginnings of the genre.
I Saw The Devil
This Korean film may be more on the thriller side rather than the slasher movie genre, but it still has some moments that will have viewers reeling more than some of the most intense slasher movies.
The movie's plot is fairly familiar to those who are thriller buffs. A secret agent gets revenge on a serial killer who murdered his fiancé by putting him through a series of extremely violent catch-and-release scenarios that border on torture. In one scene, the serial killer stabs a group of men in a van until it looks like the interior is now a different color alone. That alone is worth any slasher lover's time.
Bird With the Crystal Plumage
Yes, it's another Italian Giallo film. The genre is just too influential to not be heavily featured on this list. But no one director is more influential than Dario Argento, who directed Bird with the Crystal Plumage.
This film follows an American writer investigating a series of murders after he witnesses a murder attempt in an art gallery. The mystery is intriguing, and there are some glimpses into what the slasher genre would end up becoming. The classic hidden figure is there with some very prominent leather gloves that may deserve its own credit, and a foray of blades to slash is all here and essential for slasher film lovers.
Evil Dead Trap
This 1988 Japanese slasher film is definitely heavy on the gore. Squeamish viewers should probably avoid this entry, as it includes some explicit moments that are definitely dated.
In this film (which is unrelated to Sam Raimi's Evil Dead franchise), aTV crew investigates further into submission to the show that seems to be a snuff film. It's simple, but it works. But beyond that, it is a slasher through and through, with some art house film student taste thrown in. It is even topped with a weirdly cheerful score to subvert expectations. It is creative in its kills, and offers more than just teens in a house doing teen things.
Perfect Blue
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Every list needs a controversial pick, and here's this one. It may not be considered a slasher, or even may be missing some essential slasher aspects. However, it has moments of pure slasher horror cinema and even features multiple gory murders.
This Japanese anime film follows the psychological breakdown of a former pop star as she navigates her new career while being stalked by an obsessive fan. It may not be the quintessential slasher movie, but it still has glimpses of the slasher genre and deserves to be seen by all slasher genre fans.