50

Hereditary

2018 | 2h 08m | USA | ENGLISH | 17+

[+] Top10nerScore83.469 / 100

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"She isn't gone."

DIRECTOR: Ari Aster

WRITERS: Ari Aster

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Pawel Pogorzelski

STARRING: Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Gabriel Byrne, Milly Shapiro, Ann Dowd

GENRE: Supernatural Horror, Psychological Horror, Psychological Drama, Family Drama

When Ellen, the matriarch of the Graham family, passes away, her daughter’s family begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry.

Hereditary skillfully employs its conventional premise as the canvas for a chillingly unconventional horror experience. Its icy grip continues to haunt your thoughts, extending far beyond the final frame, leaving you with a lingering sense of unease.

49

The Invisible Man

1933 | 1h 11m | USA | ENGLISH | 12+

[+] Top10nerScore83.655 / 100

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"I might even wreck a train or two..."

DIRECTOR: James Whale

WRITERS: Philip Wylie, Preston Sturges, R.C. Sherriff

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Arthur Edeson, John J. Mescall

STARRING: Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart, William Harrigan, Dudley Digges

GENRE: Science Fiction, Horror

Working in Dr. Cranley’s laboratory, scientist Jack Griffin was always given the latitude to conduct some of his own experiments. His sudden departure, however, has Cranley’s daughter Flora worried about him. Griffin has taken a room at the nearby Lion’s Head Inn, hoping to reverse an experiment he conducted on himself that made him invisible. But the experimental drug has also warped his mind, making him aggressive and dangerous. He’s prepared to do whatever it takes to restore his appearance. 

The Invisible Man is a chilling triumph of classic horror cinema, where groundbreaking special effects blend seamlessly with a haunting narrative. Its portrayal of unseen terror lingers in the mind, showcasing the fear of the unknown with timeless flair.

48

The Evil Dead

1981 | 1h 25m | USA | ENGLISH | 17+

[+] Top10nerScore83.976 / 100

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"Join us…"

DIRECTOR: Sam Raimi

WRITERS: Sam Raimi

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Tim Philo

STARRING: Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Hal Delrich, Betsy Baker, Theresa Tilly

GENRE: Splatter, Supernatural Horror

THEME: Chamber Film

When a group of college students finds a mysterious book and recording in the old wilderness cabin they’ve rented for the weekend, they unwittingly unleash a demonic force from the surrounding forest.

The Evil Dead is a terrifying plunge into primal fear, wielding relentless suspense and chilling practical effects to deliver a visceral horror experience. Its raw intensity and inventive scares redefine the genre, leaving an unsettling impression that lingers.

47

Nosferatu
the Vampyre

'Nosferatu - Phantom der Nacht'

1979 | 1h 47m | WEST GER & FRA | GERMAN | 16+

[+] Top10nerScore83.994 / 100

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"Time is an abyss…"

DIRECTOR: Werner Herzog

WRITERS: Werner Herzog

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jörg Schmidt-Reitwein

STARRING: Klaus Kinski, Isabelle Adjani, Bruno Ganz

GENRE: Gothic Horror, Dark Fantasy

THEME: Vampire

MOVEMENT: New German Cinema

Jonathan Harker, a real state agent, goes to Transylvania to visit the mysterious Count Dracula and formalize the purchase of a property in Wismar. Once Jonathan is caught under his evil spell, Dracula travels to Wismar where he meets the beautiful Lucy, Jonathan’s wife, while a plague spreads through the town, now ruled by death.

Herzog’s mesmerizing visuals and Kinski’s haunting portrayal of the iconic vampire in Nosferatu the Vampyre breathe new life into the classic, establishing it as a timeless gem in the horror genre. Conclusively, it stands as a testament to their formidable creative collaboration.

46

Häxan

'The Witches'

1922 | 1h 45m | SWEDEN | SWEDISH | 16+

[+] Top10nerScore84.153 / 100

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"Poor little hysterical witch!"

DIRECTOR: Benjamin Christensen

WRITERS: Benjamin Christensen

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Johan Ankerstjerne

STARRING: Benjamin Christensen, Elisabeth Christensen, Clara Pontoppidan, Elith Pio, Oscar Stribolt, Tora Teje

GENRE: Docudrama, Folk Horror, Dark Fantasy, Gothic Horror, Supernatural Horror

Grave robbing, torture, possessed nuns, and a satanic Sabbath: Benjamin Christensen’s legendary film uses a series of dramatic vignettes to explore the scientific hypothesis that the witches of the Middle Ages suffered the same hysteria as turn-of-the-century psychiatric patients. But the film itself is far from serious– instead it’s a witches’ brew of the scary, gross, and darkly humorous.

Häxan mesmerizes with its daring blend of historical inquiry and supernatural terror. Its eerie atmosphere and pioneering use of imagery imbue the horror genre with profound cultural introspection. A landmark in early cinema, it continues to intrigue and unsettle viewers.

45

Braindead

'Dead Alive'

1992 | 1h 43m | NEW ZEALAND | ENGLISH | 18+

[+] Top10nerScore84.340 / 100

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"I kick ass for the Lord!"

DIRECTOR: Peter Jackson

WRITERS: Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Stephen Sinclair

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Murray Milne

STARRING: Tim Balme, Diana Peñalver, Elizabeth Moody, Ian Watkin

GENRE: Splatter, Black Comedy, Body Horror, Gross-Out Comedy, Horror Comedy

THEME: Zombie

When a Sumatran rat-monkey bites Lionel Cosgrove’s mother, she’s transformed into a zombie and begins killing (and transforming) the entire town while Lionel races to keep things under control.

Braindead is a gory delight in the gross-out comedy genre. Jackson’s inventive direction and the practical effects work reveal a dedication to the craft, making it a cult classic with an enduring fanbase. Its unique blend of humor and horror offers an unforgettable experience.

44

House

'Hausu'

1977 | 1h 28m | JAPAN | JAPANESE | 16+

[+] Top10nerScore84.501 / 100

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"...Bananas! Bananas! Bananas! Bananas!..."

DIRECTOR: Nobuhiko Obayashi

WRITERS: Chiho Katsura

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Yoshitaka Sakamoto

STARRING: Kimiko Ikegami, Kumiko Oba, Ai Matsubara, Miki Jinbo, Yoko Minamida, Eriko Tanaka, Masayo Miyako, Mieko Sato

GENRE: Absurdist Comedy, Surrealism, Horror Comedy

THEME: Haunted House

Hoping to find a sense of connection to her late mother, Gorgeous takes a trip to the country to visit her aunt at their ancestral house. She invites her six friends, Prof, Melody, Mac, Fantasy, Kung Fu, and Sweet, to join her. The girls soon discover that there is more to the old house than meets the eye.

House ingeniously blends horror and humor, crafting a delightfully quirky experience. Its surreal visuals and inventive scares redefine the genre, leaving audiences enchanted by its eccentricity and chilling surprises. A must-watch for horror aficionados seeking fresh thrills.

43

Hour of the Wolf

'Vargtimmen'

1968 | 1h 30m | SWEDEN | SWEDISH | 17+

[+] Top10nerScore84.509 / 100

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"We're afraid."

DIRECTOR: Ingmar Bergman

WRITERS: Ingmar Bergman

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Sven Nykvist

STARRING: Max von Sydow, Liv Ullmann, Gertrud Fridh, Georg Rydeberg

GENRE: Psychological Drama, Psychological Horror, Surrealism

THEME: Gothic

An artist in crisis is haunted by nightmares from the past in Ingmar Bergman’s only horror film, which takes place on a windy island. During “the hour of the wolf” – between midnight and dawn – he tells his wife about his most painful memories.

Ingmar Bergman’s venture into the horror genre, Hour of the Wolf, deftly channels the eerie manifestations of artistic demons, showcasing his profound psychological inquisition and expanding his cinematic repertoire with spine-tingling finesse.

42

Cure

1997 | 1h 51m | JAPAN | JAPANESE | 17+

[+] Top10nerScore84.974 / 100

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"All the things that used to be inside of me..."

DIRECTOR: Kiyoshi Kurosawa

WRITERS: Kiyoshi Kurosawa

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Tokushô Kikumura

STARRING: Koji Yakusho, Masato Hagiwara, Tsuyoshi Ujiki

GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Psychological Horror

THEME: Police Procedural

A wave of gruesome murders is sweeping Tokyo. The only connection is a bloody X carved into the neck of each of the victims. In each case, the murderer is found near the victim and remembers nothing of the crime. Detective Takabe and psychologist Sakuma are called in to figure out the connection, but their investigation goes nowhere…

Cure offers a chilling exploration of psychological horror, deftly blending eerie atmosphere with a gripping narrative. Its slow-burn tension and enigmatic plot create a haunting experience that lingers in the mind, showcasing the artistry of Japanese horror cinema.

41

Deep Red

'Profondo rosso'

1975 | 2h 07m | ITALY | ITALIAN | 17+

[+] Top10nerScore85.015 / 100

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"There's someone in the house…"

DIRECTOR: Dario Argento

WRITERS: Dario Argento, Bernardino Zapponi

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Luigi Kuveiller

STARRING: David Hemmings, Daria Nicolodi

GENRE: Giallo, Psychological Horror

A musician witnesses the murder of a famous psychic, and then teams up with a feisty reporter to find the killer while evading attempts on their lives by the unseen killer bent on keeping a dark secret buried.

Dario Argento’s signature kinetic camerawork and relentless gore are brilliantly showcased in Deep Red, complemented by a rich, intricate narrative. This fusion of visceral style and storytelling mastery elevates the film to a remarkable achievement in the horror genre.

40

An American Werewolf in London

1981 | 1h 37m | UK & USA | ENGLISH | 17+

[+] Top10nerScore85.181 / 100

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"A naked American man stole my balloons."

DIRECTOR: John Landis

WRITERS: John Landis

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Robert Paynter

STARRING: David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne, John Woodvine

GENRE: Black Comedy, Horror, Horror Comedy

THEME: Werewolf

Two American tourists in England are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists.

An American Werewolf in London howls with visceral thrills and groundbreaking effects, redefining horror with its blend of humor and chilling suspense. The film’s transformation scenes remain iconic, ensuring its place in cinematic history as a genre-defying classic.

39

Invasion of the
Body Snatchers

1956 | 1h 20m | USA | ENGLISH | 13+

[+] Top10nerScore85.222 / 100

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"They're here already!"

DIRECTOR: Don Siegel

WRITERS: Daniel Mainwaring, Richard Collins

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ellsworth Fredericks

STARRING: Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Larry Gates, King Donovan, Carolyn Jones

GENRE: Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller

THEME: Alien Invasion

A small-town doctor learns that the population of his community is being replaced by emotionless alien duplicates.

A standout political allegory from the 1950s, Invasion of the Body Snatchers masterfully merges science fiction and horror. Its efficiency and eerie atmosphere render it a thought-provoking cinematic gem, underscoring the paranoia and conformity of the era.

38

Don't Look Now

1973 | 1h 50m | UK & ITALY | ENGLISH | 17+

[+] Top10nerScore85.223 / 100

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"Nothing is what it seems."

DIRECTOR: Nicolas Roeg

WRITERS: Daphne du Maurier, Chris Bryant, Allan Scott

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Anthony B. Richmond

STARRING: Donald Sutherland, Julie Christie, Hilary Mason

GENRE: Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Psychological Horror

Laura and John, grieved by a terrible loss, meet in Venice, where John is in charge of the restoration of a church, two mysterious sisters, one of whom gives them a message sent from the afterlife.

Don’t Look Now captivates with its haunting atmosphere and psychological depth. It deftly blends horror with poignant drama, crafting an unsettling narrative that lingers in the mind. Venice adds eerie beauty, enhancing the film’s gripping tension and emotional resonance.

37

Videodrome

1983 | 1h 28m | CANADA | ENGLISH | 17+

[+] Top10nerScore85.226 / 100

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"Death to Videodrome! Long live the new flesh!"

DIRECTOR: David Cronenberg

WRITERS: David Cronenberg

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Mark Irwin

STARRING: James Woods, Deborah Harry, Sonja Smits, Peter Dvorsky

GENRE: Body Horror, Science Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Satire, Digital Horror, Surrealism

As the president of a trashy TV channel, Max Renn is desperate for new programming to attract viewers. When he happens upon “Videodrome,” a TV show dedicated to gratuitous torture and punishment, Max sees a potential hit and broadcasts the show on his channel. However, after his girlfriend auditions for the show and never returns, Max investigates the truth behind Videodrome and discovers that the graphic violence may not be as fake as he thought.

Videodrome is a mesmerizing blend of sci-fi and horror, seamlessly delving into the dark psyche of media addiction. Cronenberg’s visionary and Woods’ riveting performance ensure it remains a provocative cult classic in the realm of body horror and mind-bending cinema.

36

Peeping Tom

1960 | 1h 41m | UK | ENGLISH | 17+

[+] Top10nerScore85.403 / 100

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"The silly bitch! She's fainted in the wrong scene!"

DIRECTOR: Michael Powell

WRITERS: Leo Marks

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Otto Heller

STARRING: Karlheinz Böhm, Moira Shearer, Anna Massey, Maxine Audley

GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Psychological Horror

Loner Mark Lewis works at a film studio during the day and, at night, takes racy photographs of women. Also he’s making a documentary on fear, which involves recording the reactions of victims as he murders them. He befriends Helen, the daughter of the family living in the apartment below his, and he tells her vaguely about the movie he is making.

Peeping Tom revolutionizes horror with its psychological depth and innovative camerawork. The film’s exploration of voyeurism and obsession creates an unsettling atmosphere, haunting viewers with its chilling narrative and thought-provoking themes.

35

Carrie

1976 | 1h 38m | USA | ENGLISH | 17+

[+] Top10nerScore85.594 / 100

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"WHAT THE HELL?"

DIRECTOR: Brian De Palma

WRITERS: Lawrence D. Cohen

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Mario Tosi

STARRING: Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, John Travolta, Amy Irving, Nancy Allen

GENRE: Supernatural Horror, Drama

THEME: New Hollywood

Carrie White, a shy and troubled teenage girl who is tormented by her high school peers and her fanatically religious mother, begins to use her powers of telekinesis to exact revenge upon them.

In Carrie, De Palma expertly blends teenage angst with supernatural terror, crafting an enduring icon of horror cinema. Sissy Spacek’s haunting portrayal of Carrie White captivates, while the film’s chilling climax remains a benchmark in horror storytelling.

34

The Wicker Man

1973 | 1h 34m | UK | ENGLISH | 16+

[+] Top10nerScore85.598 / 100

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"FLESH TO TOUCH… FLESH TO BURN!"

DIRECTOR: Robin Hardy

WRITERS: Anthony Shaffer

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Harry Waxman

STARRING: Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland, Diane Cilento, Ingrid Pitt

GENRE: Mystery, Folk Horror

Police sergeant Neil Howie is called to an island village in search of a missing girl whom the locals claim never existed. Stranger still, however, are the rituals that take place there.

The Wicker Man is a hauntingly atmospheric cult classic, featuring a mesmerizing performance by Woodward and an eerie folk-horror ambiance. Its chilling narrative, symbolic imagery, and unforgettable climax make it an enduring and thought-provoking work of art.

33

Onibaba

1964 | 1h 45m | JAPAN | JAPANESE | 16+

[+] Top10nerScore86.066 / 100

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"I'm not a demon! I'm a human being!"

DIRECTOR: Kaneto Shindō

WRITERS: Kaneto Shindō

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Kiyomi Kuroda

STARRING: Nobuko Otowa, Jitsuko Yoshimura, Kei Sato, Taiji Tonoyama

GENRE: Jidaigeki, Psychological Horror, Folk Horror

While her son, Kichi, is away at war, a woman and her daughter-in-law survive by killing samurai who stray into their swamp, then selling whatever valuables they find. Both are devastated when they learn that Kichi has died, but his wife soon begins an affair with a neighbor who survived the war, Hachi. The mother disapproves and, when she can’t steal Hachi for herself, tries to scare her daughter-in-law with a mysterious mask from a dead samurai.

Onibaba thrills with its primal intensity, weaving a chilling tale of survival amidst feudal chaos. Its stark black-and-white cinematography casts an eerie spell, while the relentless suspense and atmospheric tension redefine horror through a haunting narrative of human desperation.

32

Vampyr

1932 | 1h 14m | GERMANY & FRA | GERMAN | 16+

[+] Top10nerScore86.524 / 100

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"Why does the doctor always come at night?"

DIRECTOR: Carl Theodor Dreyer

WRITERS: Carl Theodor Dreyer, Christen Jul

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Rudolph Maté, Louis Née

STARRING: Nicolas de Gunzburg, Maurice Schutz, Rena Mandel, Sybille Schmitz, Jan Hieronimko, Henriette Gérard

GENRE: Supernatural Horror, Gothic Horror

THEME: Vampire

Allan Gray, a young man fascinated by the supernatural—particularly vampires—goes to a small village where he feels a sinister force descending upon him. There, Allan meets an old man who asks him to protect his two daughters, for one of them has been bitten by a vampire…

Vampyr stands as a haunting gem in horror cinema. Its eerie, dreamlike visuals and innovative use of shadows evoke an unsettling atmosphere. The film’s surreal narrative, filled with creeping dread and supernatural elements, immerses viewers in a world of chilling, ethereal terror.

31

Freaks

1932 | 1h 02m | USA | ENGLISH | 15+

[+] Top10nerScore86.601 / 100

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"We accept you, one of us! Gooble Gobble!"

DIRECTOR: Tod Browning

WRITERS: Willis Goldbeck, Leon Gordon, Clarence Aaron ‘Tod’ Robbins

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Merritt B. Gerstad

STARRING: Harry Earles, Olga Baclanova, Daisy Earles, Henry Victor, Leila Hyams, Wallace Ford, Roscoe Ates

GENRE: Drama, Horror

A circus’ beautiful trapeze artist agrees to marry the leader of side-show performers, but his deformed friends discover she is only marrying him for his inheritance.

Freaks challenges societal norms with its daring exploration of human diversity. Browning’s deft touch and the authentic performances by a cast of individuals with unique physical traits contribute to a film that remains a landmark in both early horror cinema and social commentary.

30

The Birds

1963 | 1h 59m | USA | ENGLISH | 13+

[+] Top10nerScore86.630 / 100

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"I think you're evil. EVIL!"

DIRECTOR: Alfred Hitchcock

WRITERS: Evan Hunter

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Robert Burks

STARRING: Tippi Hedren, Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette

GENRE: Natural Horror, Thriller

Chic socialite Melanie Daniels enjoys a passing flirtation with an eligible attorney in a San Francisco pet shop and, on an impulse, follows him to his hometown bearing a gift of lovebirds. But upon her arrival, the bird population runs amok. Suddenly, the townsfolk face a massive avian onslaught, with the feathered fiends inexplicably attacking people all over Bodega Bay.

The Birds astonishes with its chilling portrayal of nature’s wrath, blending suspense and horror seamlessly. Hitchcock evokes primal fear, amplified by Hedren’s compelling performance. A timeless classic that lingers in the mind for its innovative approach to horror.

29

Eyes Without
a Face

'Les yeux sans visage'

1960 | 1h 24m | FRANCE & ITA | FRENCH | 16+

[+] Top10nerScore86.706 / 100

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"My mask frightens me even more."

DIRECTOR: Georges Franju

WRITERS: Pierre Boileau, Thomas Narcejac, Claude Sautet, Jean Redon, Pierre Gascar

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Eugen Schüfftan

STARRING: Pierre Brasseur, Alida Valli, Édith Scob, Juliette Mayniel

GENRE: Psychological Horror

Dr. Génessier is riddled with guilt after an accident that he caused disfigures the face of his daughter, the once beautiful Christiane, who outsiders believe is dead. Dr. Génessier, along with accomplice and laboratory assistant Louise, kidnaps young women and brings them to the Génessier mansion. After rendering his victims unconscious, Dr. Génessier removes their faces and attempts to graft them on to Christiane’s.

Eyes Without a Face is a hauntingly atmospheric and beautifully composed exploration of identity and sacrifice. Its pioneering surgical scenes remain chillingly effective, while the film’s influence on the horror genre endures, proving its timeless resonance.

28

Frankenstein

1931 | 1h 10m | USA | ENGLISH | 12+

[+] Top10nerScore87.051 / 100

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"IT'S ALIVE!"

DIRECTOR: James Whale

WRITERS: John L. Balderston, Francis Edward Faragoh, Garrett Fort, Robert Florey, John Russell

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Arthur Edeson, Paul Ivano

STARRING: Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, Edward van Sloan, Dwight Frye, Frederick Kerr, John Boles

GENRE: Gothic Horror, Science Fiction

Dr Henry Frankenstein is obsessed with assembling a living being from parts of several exhumed corpses.

Almost a century later, Frankenstein continues to captivate, skillfully delving into the delicate balance of brilliance and insanity. Boris Karloff’s iconic portrayal of the monster remains a source of enduring terror, reinforcing the film’s enduring impact on the horror genre.

27

Eraserhead

1977 | 1h 29m | USA | ENGLISH | 17+

[+] Top10nerScore87.146 / 100

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"In Heaven, everything is fine."

DIRECTOR: David Lynch

WRITERS: David Lynch

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Frederick Elmes, Herbert Cardwell

STARRING: Jack Nance, Charlotte Stewart, Allen Joseph, Jeanne Bates

GENRE: Surrealism, Psychological Horror, Body Horror, Experimental

Henry Spencer tries to survive his industrial environment, his angry girlfriend, and the unbearable screams of his newly born mutant child.

Eraserhead is a haunting exploration of existential dread, blending surrealism with stark, industrial imagery. Lynch’s debut is a visceral journey into parental anxiety, with unsettling visuals and a chilling score that redefine horror through a lens of psychological unease.

26

Kwaidan

'Kaidan'

1964 | 3h 03m | JAPAN | JAPANESE | 15+

[+] Top10nerScore87.299 / 100

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"You must be careful, not to be deceived by bad men."

DIRECTOR: Masaki Kobayashi

WRITERS: Yoko Mizuki

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Yoshio Miyajima

STARRING: Tatsuya Nakadai, Rentaro Mikuni, Tetsuro Tamba, Keiko Kishi, Takashi Shimura, Michiyo Aratama

GENRE: Anthology Film, Kaidan, Supernatural Horror, Dark Fantasy

Taking its title from an archaic Japanese word meaning “ghost story,” this anthology adapts four folk tales. A penniless samurai marries for money with tragic results. A man stranded in a blizzard is saved by Yuki the Snow Maiden, but his rescue comes at a cost. Blind musician Hoichi is forced to perform for an audience of ghosts. An author relates the story of a samurai who sees another warrior’s reflection in his teacup.

Kobayashi’s Kwaidan weaves haunting tales of supernatural lore into a tapestry of visual splendor and atmospheric depth. Its chilling beauty transcends the horror genre, immersing viewers in a realm where ancient myths come alive with eerie elegance.

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