2024 has indeed been a thriving year for the horror genre. Even though it's only summer, the list of impressive films is already filled with promising titles, ranging from serial killers, cults, and demons, to even necromancers. Waiting until the end of the year might mean missing out on some fascinating films, so today I’ve decided to compile a list of the most haunting stories worth watching up to this point. Keep in mind that everyone’s tolerance for fear varies, so these aren’t necessarily the bloodiest or most terrifying films, but rather selected based on criteria such as creative ideas, unique storytelling, and the skillful embedding of deeper meanings. Are you ready? Let's not waste any more time and dive right in.
The First Omen
As a prequel to The Omen (1976), one of the most acclaimed horror films, The First Omen recounts the harrowing night the Antichrist was born—a child later known as Damien, who wreaks havoc throughout the subsequent four films. Set from the perspective of a young nun named Margaret, the film beautifully captures the stunning churches of Rome in 1971 with nostalgic golden sunlight and captivating European aesthetics. However, lurking within the sacred corners of this holy place is a terrifying conspiracy taking shape.
With creative camera work, the scares in The First Omen are cleverly placed, avoiding overuse and predictability. The film boldly amplifies its gore to an extreme, notably in close-up scenes depicting the newborn emerging from its mother's womb, covered in blood and slime—a sight sure to send chills down the audience's spine. Thanks to the remarkable performance by young actress Nell Tiger Free, The First Omen is far from a careless prequel; it is meticulously crafted, unraveling the Church's hidden machinations to regain the people's faith. The film also subtly weaves in messages that sometimes demons are born in the seemingly purest places, and those who wear a cross may harbor the darkest intentions. With its tension, suspense, and deeply layered story, The First Omen undoubtedly deserves a spot on the list of standout horror films of 2024.
Stopmotion
Horror has always been a fertile ground for unique and unconventional ideas, and 2024 welcomes the bizarre feature debut of director Robert Morgan. The story begins with talented animator Ella Blake, who is assisting in completing her ailing mother Suzanne's final project. The pressure of having a domineering mother, who is quick to criticize and berate even the smallest of actions, quickly exhausts Ella. But when Suzanne suffers a stroke and is hospitalized, Ella finally has the chance to create a film of her own.
However, things are far from easy. Ella struggles with where to start and how to proceed. She aspires to craft a horror story compelling enough to surpass her mother's legacy. Yet, she soon realizes that she may not truly possess the talent required for stop-motion animation. That is until a young girl from the same apartment building shares part of a story about a killer named The Ash Man. Desperate for inspiration, Ella tirelessly works to bring the tale to life on screen. However, the girl only tells her the first half of the story, leaving the ending shrouded in mystery. To hear the rest, Ella must fulfill the girl's increasingly bizarre demands, such as using raw meat and even the organs of dead animals instead of wax for the models in her film. This obsession begins to consume Ella, leading to the terrifying reality of The Ash Man coming for her, in a grotesque form of flesh and blood.
While the first half of the film has been criticized for its slow pace and familiar tropes, it is precisely the eerie atmosphere and the blurred line between reality and illusion that makes it stand out. What must one sacrifice on the path to success? And is it truly worth it? I'll leave it to you to find the answers.
I Saw the TV Glow
I Saw The TV Glow is perhaps one of the most peculiar films of the year, emerging from the renowned A24 studio. While it's labeled as a horror film, many viewers might be puzzled by this classification, as it lacks the traditional scares found in other slasher or supernatural movies.
The film tells the story of Owen and his schoolmate Maddy, who are both social outcasts with no friends, united only by their shared obsession with a TV show called The Pink Opaque. The movie pulls us into a surreal dream as the show mysteriously goes on hiatus on the very day Maddy disappears. With dreamy neon hues, Owen's reality begins to blend with the TV show, making it increasingly difficult for him to distinguish between what is real and what is fiction. Is there truly a world on the other side of the screen where Maddy is waiting, a place where they can live the life they desire?
I Saw The TV Glow offers little in the way of explanations, giving it the feeling of a dream that layers multiple meanings that the audience must decipher on their own. At its core, the film delves into deep-seated psychological pain and the allure of escapism. The TV show's world, which captivates the two children, appears as a peaceful refuge, but reaching it requires abandoning reality, family, and even their physical selves. Will Owen take that leap, or will fear keep him grounded in his suffering as time slips away?
It sounds confusing, doesn’t it? Trust me, watching the film is even more bewildering. However, once you tune into its unique frequency, I Saw The TV Glow becomes an unforgettable experience.
Alien: Romulus
Alien: Romulus marks the seventh installment in the iconic Alien franchise, and by now, the Xenomorphs have become a timeless symbol in popular culture. Surprisingly, instead of delving deeper into the backstory of these extraterrestrial creatures or expanding the universe, Romulus returns to the franchise’s roots: space, monsters, and survival horror.
The plot centers on a female protagonist and her crew who venture into space, only to face near-certain doom. Set against a beautifully crafted backdrop, director Fede Álvarez masterfully builds tension, bringing back the familiar yet still terrifying scenes—Facehuggers latching onto victims’ faces, suffocating them; the eerie sounds emanating from within an unfortunate host as they await the gruesome emergence of a Chestburster; and, of course, the slimy, horrifying appearance of the Xenomorphs. All of this comes together to create a captivating monster horror experience that grips the audience until the very last moment.
In an era increasingly reliant on CGI, the decision to recreate these iconic elements using meticulously designed practical effects brings an authentic, tangible quality to the film. This approach harkens back to the science fiction classics of the 1980s, offering a nostalgic experience for long-time fans of the genre.
In summary, Alien: Romulus is a solid monster horror film, delivering all the necessary scares, action, and gore. Even though the storyline is straightforward to the point of being simplistic, the film can still be aptly described as thoroughly satisfying.
Infested
Imagine a moment of reckless curiosity leading to the accidental release of a highly venomous spider. Through some miraculous means, this spider grows and multiplies at an astonishing rate. What began as a single escapee quickly escalated into an army of spiders, growing in both size and number. At first, they prey on small insects, but their appetite and the size of their meals grow—birds, dogs, and eventually humans all become sustenance for this terrifying species. And as you realize, this is only the beginning of the nightmare that awaits.
This is the premise of Vermines, a French horror film that has received a remarkable 95% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and garnered widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike, even earning praise from Stephen King himself. Vermines is a unique horror film that delves deep into the primal fear humans have of spiders, but it also serves as a chilling reminder of the isolation and fear experienced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many of us were confined to our homes, cut off from the outside world.
Beyond the surface-level terror, Vermines thoughtfully incorporates commentary on persistent societal issues in France, such as discrimination, injustice, violence, bureaucratic inefficiency, and the abuse of power by authorities.
If you're on the hunt for a survival horror film centered around terrifying creatures, Vermines stands out as one of the most compelling entries in recent years.
Oddity
The motif of summoning spirits through supernatural forces to investigate a murder is certainly not new to audiences, but the challenge lies in how filmmakers can craft something fresh and original. Luckily, Oddity is one of those rare films that delivers just that.
Praised by Collider as a horror film that will "rip the audience's mind to shreds," Oddity, directed by Damian McCarthy, begins with Dani, who is living alone in a secluded suburban house. Her peace is abruptly shattered when Olin, a former patient of her late husband Ted, shows up and warns her that someone—or something—is in the house with her. Despite Olin's desperate pleas, Dani lets him in, and the tragedy begins. A year later, Darcy, Dani's sister, arrives at the house to investigate her sister's death. As a psychic, Darcy brings with her a life-sized wooden doll and begins using her spiritual abilities to uncover the truth. Initially, everyone assumes Olin is the culprit, but is it really that simple? The deeper she delves, the more horrifying the discoveries become.
In the film's eerie atmosphere, one mistake leads to another, and something feels terribly wrong—something cold, calculating, and malevolent lurks in the shadows. I won't reveal any more details but trust me, the 98 minutes you spend with this film will be among the most terrifying experiences of your life.
Read more: Oddity Review: A Horror Film That Will Tear The Viewer’s Mind to Shreds
Longlegs
A peaceful family life is suddenly shattered when the father inexplicably goes mad, grabbing a weapon and brutally murdering his entire family before taking his own life to join them in the afterlife. There's no sign of forced entry and no trace of anyone else present—only a cryptic letter left at the scene under the name Longlegs. Over 30 years, ten families have met the same fate, and the identity of the long-legged killer continues to baffle investigators.
Following the young FBI agent Lee Harker, who is tasked with solving this complex case, Longlegs quickly captivates viewers with its blend of detective mystery and supernatural elements, filled with religious symbolism woven throughout. The film is a dark and mysterious hunt that horror fans will find particularly enthralling. You'll need to pay close attention to the subtle clues of the lurking evil, piecing together the story for yourself.
Visually, the film is cinematic and atmospheric, with claustrophobic camera angles slowly traversing frames tinged with unsettling yellows and bright blood-reds, creating a tense and thrilling visual experience. Compared to The Silence of the Lambs, Longlegs stands out as a horror highlight of 2024, offering viewers a multi-layered story. On the surface, it's a murder mystery; deeper down, it explores the imagery of evil infiltrating life, and ultimately, it unravels a tearful family tragedy. Don't miss this film—it will leave you deeply reflective.
Read more: Decoding the Mysterious Killer "Longlegs"
Exhuma
Following two young sorcerers—an exorcist and a mortician—Exhuma immediately immerses the audience in a mystical world filled with the enigmatic rituals of Feng Shui, the Five Elements, and wandering spirits bound to the earthly realm. Set in a modern-day context where science is the guiding light for humanity, the film's spiritual interpretations offer a refreshing and intriguing perspective. Divided into six chapters, the story begins with the plan to relocate a grave that has been negatively impacting the wealthy family owning the land. Exhuma demands intense focus from viewers due to its dense information and also requires some basic understanding of the Five Elements and Yin-Yang concepts.
Rather than relying heavily on jump scares or terrifying ghosts, the film feels more like a spiritual exploration, gradually unveiling the painful history shared between South Korea and Japan. If you're well-versed in history, the latter half of the film will reveal itself to be meticulously crafted. Another element contributing to its success is the visually striking cold, gray cinematography and the unique, stylish portrayals of the sorcerers. Even before its release, scenes of actor Lee Do-hyun wearing headphones while dressed in traditional attire, with the Heart Sutra tattooed on his arm, sparked curiosity among viewers. There's something compelling about following a spiritual narrative set against the backdrop of contemporary society.
Despite some disjointed connections between the chapters, Exhuma is well worth your time and continues to solidify the distinct identity of Asian cinema in the horror genre.
Late Night With The Devil
And finally, to wrap up today's list, we delve into a special program with Late Night With The Devil, directed by the Cairnes brothers, Cameron and Colin. This film, with its unique mockumentary style, plays out like a Halloween talk show hosted by Jack Delroy, featuring various psychologists and psychics. But things take a chilling turn when Jack introduces a special guest to the studio—Lilly D'Abo, the sole survivor of a horrifying massacre. What starts as a discussion on demonic possession quickly spirals out of control when Lilly begins to exhibit strange behavior, leading everyone to believe she might be possessed by a demonic spirit. From here, the situation rapidly deteriorates.
Critics have showered Late Night With The Devil with praise, with horror legend Stephen King calling it a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Variety even described it as the perfect blend of classic showbiz flair and the demonic horror reminiscent of The Exorcist. Sounds intriguing, doesn't it? The film's unique concept and tight writing keep the audience on edge with its tense pacing and unpredictable plot. Despite some mixed reviews, Late Night With The Devil offers a distinct horror experience that shouldn't be missed, reaffirming the limitless creativity in this genre. After all, who would have thought the Devil would make an appearance live on TV, right before everyone's eyes?
Read more: Late Night with the Devil Explained - Don't Mess with the Devil