Netflix has released some of the most compelling and entertaining programming of the past few years. From hit shows like Stranger Things, Wednesday, and Midnight Mass, there has definitely been no shortage of series to get excited about. But while the streaming service releases several original movies each year as well, some of Netflix's horror movies aren't quite as scary or exciting as other films in the genre.
From slashers that don't tell fresh and compelling stories to a film that doesn't live up to its exciting plot twist, there are several Netflix horror movies that have been poorly received.
The Open House (2018)
The 2018 Netflix horror movie The Open House has a vague story and never really gets off the ground. Logan Wallace (Dylan Minnette) and his mother Naomi (Piercey Dalton) begin staying at a country house and someone is stalking them. But audiences never find out who it is or why the killer is after them. Instead of telling a creepy and fun story, The Open House is dull and confusing.
Instead of a satisfying horror movie ending, the film wraps up with Logan freezing to death and the killer going to another open house, suggesting that he does this often. But this isn't enough of an explanation for answer. Dave Franco's directional debut The Rental is equal parts smart relationship drama and equal parts terrifying slasher about a man who spies on people who stay in vacation homes. In contrast, The Open House doesn't have enough happening.
The Perfection (2019)
While Alison Williams does a good job as roboticist Gemma in the hilarious campy horror movie M3GAN, she also starred in the 2019 Netflix horror movie The Perfection that isn't much fun. The Perfection has a plot twist halfway through that shifts the story, but that's the most compelling part of the film. Otherwise, the main characters aren't very likable or original, and the dark and serious subject matter isn't handled quite as delicately as it could be.
When compared to the best horror movie plot twists, this one is ruined by the poor character development. It's easy to wish that the movie spent more time allowing viewers to get to know Lizzie Wells (Logan Browning) and Charlotte Willmore (Williams) instead of focusing on the flashy twist.
In The Tall Grass (2019)
In contrast to underrated Stephen King adaptations, In The Tall Grass is fairly boring. Adapted from the novella by King and his son Joe Hill which was published in 2012, it's about Cal DeMuth (Avery Whitted) and his pregnant sister Becky (Laysla De Oliveira) who stumble upon a field while on a road trip. Right from the beginning, the story makes no sense, as it doesn't seem that they would want to stop. But instead of ignoring the first signs of trouble and going on their way, the characters walk deeper and deeper into the grass and discover a magical world that they might not escape from.
Instead of a memorable villain, Patrick Wilson's character Ross Humboldt isn't very compelling, and viewers will wish that the story was more fast-paced. Sometimes Stephen King's adaptations can't capture the magic of his words and while in print the grass might seem sinister, on the screen it looks silly.
There's Someone Inside Your House (2021)
There's Someone Inside Your House joins several lackluster teen horror movies with dull villains with motives that don't make sense or are just plain cheesy. Adapted from the smart and scary Stephanie Perkins young adult novel published in 2017, the movie changes the killer. This time, Zach Sanford (Dale Whibley) hates that his fellow town residents are unhappy with his father's corruption and decides getting revenge on them is the best idea.
As Zach shares the secrets of the people he wants to murder and then makes sure that they die, it's hard not to wish for a different villain with another motivation. Zach is one of the most forgettable slasher movie killers and the main characters blend into one another. They don't stand out from other teens in scary films, either.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)
It's possible to say that the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a horror movie that didn't need a sequel, and the 2022 Netflix reboot didn't impress fans much. Instead of telling a fresh, exciting story about Leatherface stalking new characters, the legendary villain doesn't seem as terrifying as he did before. The movie tries to talk about subjects like gentrification and youth, as Lila (Elsie Fisher) is a photographer and she and her friends are traveling through Harlow, Texas in order to bring the small town back to life. But ultimately, horror fans looking for another scary entry in the slasher franchise will be disappointed.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre misses the original's point and its memorable but upsetting ending is extremely dark. While a brutal conclusion is often expected in the horror genre, there's something especially harsh about this one, especially as Lila and her sister Melody (Sarah Yarkin) are genuinely sweet and likable characters. This is definitely a reboot that missed the mark.