Vampires, zombies, and demons usually get first billing, but the fear of the unknown can be the most frightening ghoul of them all. What’s that lurking in the dark? What is making that sound? Where did everyone go? Not having all the answers can send anyone’s mind racing with possibilities.
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Movies likeThe ConjuringandThe Blair Witch Projectmay come up short in terms of buckets of blood being used on set, but they most certainly still pack a punch. Before the rise of special effects, movies did their best to allow viewers to fill in the blanks behind the scenes. Today, filmmakers still deploy that technique to fully maximize the terror potential.
‘Under The Shadow’ (2016)
Taking place in Tehran, Iran during the Iran-Iraq war,Under the Shadowmakes use of a war-torn backdrop to set the tone of the story. Shideh (Narges Rashidi) takes refuge in her apartment with her daughter, Dorsa (Avin Manshadi) as bombs rain down on the city. Shideh’s neighbor claims that an evil spirit has entered the building and seeks its next victim.
The theme of paranoia and war fatigue are essential to the film. Shideh is a mother trying her best, albeit stubbornly, to make it through the war in one piece. Consumed by the terrors of war, Shideh’s greatest enemy soon becomes what lurks in the shadows.
‘The Lighthouse’ (2019)
This movie is like a dream collaboration between everyone involved.Robert Eggersdirects, andWillem DafoeandRobert Pattinsonstar.The Lighthousefocuses on the two lighthouse keepers as they face the harsh weather and overwhelming isolation on their island. As time wears on and cabin fever sets in, it becomes clear that each of the men has something to hide from their past.
The Lighthousewas filmed in black and white and it perfectly fits the tone of the film. The aesthetic is not a gimmick, but a compliment to the feeling of dread that consumes the movie. Dotted with dark humor and incredible chemistry between the two leads,The Lighthousetells a very simple story but tells it in a way that puts the viewer on the edge of their seat.
‘The Conjuring’
The Conjuringfeatures the famous paranormal investigation couple, Ed and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga and Ron Livingston) as they help the Perron family deal with their haunted new house. Throughout the film, the true nature of the spirit that haunts the Perron family changes, creating a thrilling mystery as to what is actually happening.
The Conjuringharkens back to horror films of the 70s and 80s. It does a masterful job of laying out the story in a way that keeps the viewer guessing as they go along for the scare-filled ride. There are plenty of jump scares, butThe Conjuringis at its best when the tension is turned up and the audience is in the dark as much as the Perron family.
‘The Blair Witch Project’ (1999)
The found footage film that started it all,The Blair Witch Projecttook a meager budget and turned it into a massive box office success. FilmmakersDaniel MyrickandEduardo Sáncheztook three unknown actors and dropped them into the forest to scream at each other for 90 minutes. On paper, it doesn’t sound like a promising hit, but the film created an unmistakable atmosphere that buys completely into the fear of the unknown and the unseen.
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The Blair Witch is never seen during the film, but the witch’s presence is certainly felt. They simply didn’t need to reveal their witch. The power of this film was in its simple “lost in the woods” concept. Any camper or hiker has had this fear at some point, but throw in the witchcraft lore and suddenlyThe Blair Witch Projectbecomes a horror icon.
‘Paranormal Activity’ (2007)
As another found footage film that helped popularize the genre,Paranormal Activityalso relied heavily on keeping the viewer in the dark, even with all the fancy night vision. LikeThe Conjuring,Paranormal Activityfollows a couple as they move into a new home where they are met with a mysterious spirit that terrorizes them. After many encounters with the ghosts, the couple decides to set up cameras around the home to catch the activity. And that’s where the real fun begins.
Paranormal Activitywas as much a psychological thrilleras it was a ghost story. Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micah (Micah Stoat) became physically and mentally worn down as the film progressed, something new homeowners know all too well. The film resonated with audiences and has spawned several sequels in the past decade.
‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ (1974)
Following a group of twenty-somethings as they make their way through rural Texas in their van,The Texas Chainsaw Massacrecreated an often duplicated atmosphere that many films fail to capture. The introduction of the character “Leatherface” was both jarring and pioneering.
One of the most iconic horror films of all time,The Texas Chainsaw Massacreintroduced a diabolical cannibalistic family as the evil force behind the massacre, yet somehow managed to leave most of the massacring to the viewer’s imagination. DirectorTobe Hopperwanted to keep the violence down to a minimum to reach a wider audience. Regardless, the film’s tension and terrifying nature struck an unnerving chord with viewers and is widely regarded as one of the best horror movies ever made.
‘It Follows’ (2014)
Set in a weirdly ambiguous time period,It Followstells a cautionary coming-of-age taleabout the dangers of casual sex. A curse of unknown origins has been created and sends an ever-changing demon after its victim unless they pass the curse onto the next unsuspecting person they have sex with. A concept that sounds like it was created by a burnt-out sex ed teacher, the film actually works on many levels.
It Followsutilizes the fear and confusion that comes along with finding a person’s sexual identity in their youth. Although never explicitly depicting the demon’s wrath, it becomes obvious to the viewers that the curse is very real.It Followsproves that creating mysterious lore goes a long way in crafting an effective horror film.
‘The Ring’ (2002)
Based on the original Japanese novel and film,The Ringdid an excellent job of recreating the sheer terror and thrilling investigation.The Ringfollows reporter Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) as she investigates an urban legend that when a victim views a very specific tape, they immediately receive a call claiming they now only have seven days to live. Throughout her investigation, Rachel discovers the unsettling origin of that tape and its unstoppable force behind it.
Set in the dreary Pacific Northwest,The Ringtells its story in a way that keeps the viewer engaged and guessing along the way. The feeling of impending doom keeps the tension up and by the end of the film, the lack of gore isn’t noticeable whatsoever.
‘Psycho’ (1960)
A horror film that paved the way for others, with concepts that were perhaps well ahead of its time.Psychowas released in 1960, in an age of a much more conservative approach to what was allowed on screen.Psychocenters around Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), who has just stolen a large sum of money from her employer. She escapes to the Bates Motel where she meets Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). Marion soon learns that the motel harbors some very dark secrets of its own.
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Psychofeatures one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history, the infamous “shower scene.” Despite the brutal attack, the viewer never explicitly sees a murder, but with frenetic editing, it is made clear. DirectorAlfred Hitchcockwas notorious for his storytelling ability, andPsychowas no exception.
‘The Gift’ (2015)
Written and directed by starJoel Edgerton,The Giftplays on the fear of past grudges coming to a head in the present.The Giftalso starsJason BatemanandRebecca Hallas a couple who start to receive strange gifts from a former acquaintance, Gordo (Edgerton). Slowly, Gordo overstays his welcome and the couple begins to question his true motive. The couple is soon pushed to the brink as the ordeal takes a sinister turn.
The Giftis a great example of the toll that psychological tension creates. The confrontation is not a heated fight, but the culmination of scare tactics perpetuated by Gordo.The Giftdoes an excellent job of casting doubt on everything that has happened. The real horror comes from questions about what just exactly each character is capable of.
