20. Cobweb
This film spins a beautiful web of atmosphere and tension. The action takes place in a gloomy, creaky old house where you can practically feel the monsters under the bed, in the closet – or in the walls. Woody Norman plays the role of dejected and perpetually horrified little boy wonderfully; you really care for him when his parents start acting more and more unhinged. Antony Starr in particular threads the needle between likeable, trustworthy father and the potentially psychotic killer you catch glimpses of beneath the surface. Unfortunately the reveal ruins the film, for me. The creature is laughable and the tone becomes all slapstick and camp – I’m reminded of Barbarian, where the first half is everything I want in a horror movie, which just makes it all the more disappointing when it goes off the rails.
19. Unwelcome
An expecting young couple escapes the hustle and bustle (and wanton violence) of London for an inherited home in the Irish countryside, but a leaky roof and intolerant locals turn out to be the least of their worries. Sure, the premise has been done before, but Unwelcome has a cozy charm and some truly likeable protagonists that make it well worth watching. And not to give away too much, but the third act takes a turn for the supernatural in a way that is very satisfying.
18. Knock at the Cabin
M. Night Shyamalan may be known for his twists, but in his latest film, the setup is the star of the show. From the moment Dave Bautista appears in a tranquil meadow and starts trying to befriend a little girl, you’re glued to your seat, wondering what will happen next. The mystery and tension build exponentially as other antagonists are introduced and the give their grave proposition. Throughout the second act, as the stakes are made plain and we’re given little glimpses of context, the script beautifully walks the line of “is this really happening?” Whether you appreciate the ultimate answer to that question or not, the finale doesn’t quite live up to the promise of the premise, but it’s a wild ride.
17. Saw X
It’s not often the fourth installment of a franchise has surprises left for you, let alone the tenth, but Saw X pulls it off by shifting the focus away from the victims and squarely onto Jigsaw himself. It’s a brilliant move, and his character is given more depth through his relationships and his tribulations. Maybe it feels a bit odd sympathizing with John Kramer, in the context of the other films and all the completely unjustified torture he has inflicted; but within the confines of this installment, they do a good job of making the people playing his games truly villainous. It’s not perfect: there’s some bad acting and worse de-aging effects, and you can poke holes in the plot and the games, but if you enjoy any Saw movies (even if you quit after the first couple), you will not be disappointed in Saw X.
16. M3gan
I suspect anybody who thinks about artificial intelligence regularly has at least a bit of healthy trepidation about the implications of the rapidly-advancing technology. M3gan targets that anxiety and combines it with the tried-and-true evil doll plot to make an effective scifi thriller. Don’t expect to be peering through your fingers – there are more laughs than real scares – but it is cleverly written and the characters are well-realized enough that you care whether they live or die. For my tastes, some scenes go too far into the realm of silliness, but ultimately they don’t ruin an overall solid film.
15. Evil Dead Rise
If M3gan was too saccharine and bright for you, the dingy, hopeless hallways and extreme gore of Evil Dead Rise might be more up your alley. This movie doesn’t waste much time before getting to the action, but there are just enough character beats to get invested in this broken-but-loving little family. The secondary characters are as memorable as their fates are horrible; Lee Cronin pulls no punches. The lore, mostly delivered through exposition dumps via old records, isn’t a strength here. It’s all about grotesque monsters, disturbing kills, and thrilling action scenes. It’s one note but if that’s what you’re after, Evil Dead Rise delivers.
14. The Conference
Take the folks from The Office and put them in a secluded woodland resort for a team building retreat, and then unleash an axe murdering, bobble-headed dutch boy. That’s what this horror comedy brings to the table, and it’s a fun watch from start to finish. The kills are suitably gory and ridiculous (one on a zipline in particular sticks with me), but its the dialogue and the humor that skewers corporate bullshit that makes this a must-watch for anybody who likes a few laughs with their blood and guts.
13. Lockdown Tower
12. Huesera: The Bone Woman
What does a woman give up when she becomes a wife and a mother? What does it cost her, and how much pain does she really go through, both physically and emotionally? Huesera examines these questions through the lens of very effective body horror – the tension between our individual dreams and desires and the expectations of our families and cultures is made flesh and then twisted into grotesque forms. I’m always a fan of films where the supernatural can be seen as a metaphor for real world horror, and Huesera does this beautifully.
11. Scream VI
The sixth Scream film is a worthy installment in the most consistent horror franchise. We get some impressive and creative kill sequences, starting with an exceptional cold open. We get the return of some familiar faces without over relying on the nostalgia factor – this movie is still mostly focused on the new cast, and Jenna Ortega in particular shines in an expanded role from the fifth film. The “meta” aspect doesn’t feel as shoehorned in as the last one, too. The reveal of the whodunnit may not be as impactful as some entries in the franchise, but I’d still put this one in my top three or four Ghostface flicks.