Horror films come in all shapes and sizes in terms of genres. As a result, some of the scariest movies in the medium may not look exactly like the others, and they may feature their own unique twists that proves no one genre tells the same story. A great place to explore these films is on Netflix, but with so many choices, it’s hard to find some of the scariest movies available. Thankfully, this article will explain five of the scariest and most creative horror films available on the streaming platform.
The Conjuring
When The Conjuring was released back in 2013, audiences couldn’t have suspected it would have kickstarted one of the biggest horror franchises of the 2010s. That said, while each film offers its own brand of terror, none can compare to the initial terror shown in the original. The film follows Ed and Lorraine Warren as they investigate paranormal activity in the Perron family’s new home. However, what they uncover is more sinister than any could have imagined. What makes the film so iconic is its use of special effects and camera work to create unforgettable scares that can still conjure some scares.
Pet Sematary
Based on the novel by Stephen King, Pet Sematary is a morbid look at the concepts of death and love as a family is forced to experience the unthinkable. When a family’s toddler son dies in a tragic accident, the father hears of a pet cemetery that can resurrect the dead. Rather than letting the dead rest, the father, racked with guilt, buries his son in the cemetery. However the child that returns isn’t his and is something far more sinister. The movie is a powerful analysis of how far some people will go to rekindle lost happiness. However, it’s also a cautionary tale that reminds viewers that sometimes dead is better.
It Follows
It Follows is a unique and thought-provoking story about intimacy, safety and consent. When a young girl spends the night with a man, he informs her that she has contracted a curse, but unlike any other curse, this one can take any form to trick the victim into its grasp. However, once it catches the victim, they die. As a result, the young girl is constantly on the run as the creature continues to follow her unless she passes it on, similarly to the man who gave it to her. The story examines maturity, sexuality and adulthood in a terrifying way, and while it’s short on jump scares, it offers an ominous tone that will keep audiences looking over their shoulder.
The Ritual
The Ritual is a one-of-a-kind creature feature about a group of friends hiking in the woods in Europe to honor the death of one of their own. While each member begins to unload their past resentments, they inadvertently conduct a ritual that causes them to be followed by a mythical creature. As tensions rise, things turn from supernatural horror to a monster film that has its cast dealing with feelings of anger, acceptance and ultimately forgiveness. It is a deceptive film with great create effects and the ability to transition from one horror genre to another smoothly.
The Exorcist
A bonafide horror classic, The Exorcist, follows a young girl who becomes the host to a powerful demonic entity after using a Ouija board. The only two with any chance of saving her are an elderly priest and another struggling to maintain his faith. What ensures is a startling film filled with shocking imagery even by today’s standards, but beneath the genuine horror that is shown on screen is a story about heroism. Ultimately it’s a battle between good and evil where two men stop at nothing to save the soul of a young girl and is a must-see for any fan of horror.
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