Buzz
Horror movies are not unfamiliar to us. Despite feeling terrified, due to curiosity, most people still enjoy this genre. Horror movies come in various types with different plots and character traits. The only way to judge whether a movie is good is to watch it and make your own assessment.
In today's article, I will compile The best horror films of all time. Stay tuned, folks!
1. The Haunted House - The Shining (1980)
Adapted from the novel of the same name by author Diane Johnson, The Shining differs significantly in content from the novel. Initially, the film was poorly received and received much criticism and did not receive any prestigious awards. After some time, the film was evaluated more positively and considered a classic of the horror genre in the 20th century.
Movie synopsis: Jack Torrance (portrayed by Jack Nicholson) is a writer who takes on the job of caretaker at the Overlook Hotel, in the Colorado mountains during the winter. This is an isolated hotel, closed during the winter. Torrance and his family, including his wife and young son, are the only ones at the hotel during this time. After discovering the secrets of room 247, Jack becomes increasingly deranged and tries to kill members of his family.
2. The Final Destination – Final Destination (2000)
Unlike many horror movies about demonic hauntings, Final Destination follows a group of individuals who can foresee death but ultimately cannot escape the clutches of Death. Despite not being highly praised, Final Destination is a refreshing addition to the horror genre that you should check out.
Movie synopsis: The film follows Alex Browning (played by Devon Sawa) who has a premonition that Volee Air Flight 180 will explode after taking off on its way to Paris. Alex tries to leave the plane and gets into a scuffle with a friend.
As a result, he and a gym teacher, along with several other students, are kicked off the plane. Just minutes later, looking through the terminal window, they witness the plane explode at the airport's passenger pickup area. Feeling relieved to have narrowly escaped death, the nightmare returns as Death comes to claim lives one by one.
3. 28 Days Later (2002)
This might be the film that kickstarted the trend of zombie apocalypse movies. Upon its release in 2002, the film was highly praised by critics and received positive reception from audiences. It was hailed by Time Out magazine as the best British film.
Movie synopsis: The film begins with a warning about a deadly virus outbreak that can devastate the city by a group of scientific researchers. 28 days later in London, the character Jim (portrayed by Cillian Murphy) wakes up in a coma at St Thomas Hospital. After wandering through the hospital and outside, he finds the surroundings deserted and the streets filled with horrifying flesh-eating zombies.
4. The Trap – Shutter (2004)
A pretty decent horror film produced and filmed in Thailand. Shutter explores the human psyche's obsession with wrongdoing. The film is captivating in its storytelling and chilling to the audience despite its somewhat slow pace.
Movie synopsis: After driving back from his best friend Tonn's wedding, Tun and his girlfriend Jane hit a mysterious woman on the road. In a panic, Tun urges Jane to keep driving, disregarding the life or death of that woman.
After the accident, Jane is haunted by nightmares every day. She lives in constant fear, anxiety, and regret. Meanwhile, Tun acts as if nothing happened. That is until eerie supernatural streaks appear in Tun's photos and those close to him begin to die mysteriously one by one. Now, the true nightmare begins...
5. The Human Redeemer – Constantine (2005)
Featuring the star of The Matrix - Keanu Reeves, this 121-minute film doesn't rely on chase scenes or screams like most other horror films but portrays a demon hunter.
Movie synopsis: Follows the character John Constantine (played by Keanu Reeves), who has the ability to see the images of angels and demons existing within each person. He specializes in investigating mysterious and supernatural cases. He teams up with detective Angela Dodson from Los Angeles to investigate the mysterious death of her schizophrenic twin sister Isabel Dodson. While alive, Isabel often spoke of strange things that ordinary people couldn't see. Now, in the deserts of Mexico, the seeds of evil and darkness are waiting for the opportunity to rise.
6. The Monsters Beneath – The Descent (2005)
Watching The Descent will make audiences jump with fear due to its dark setting and terrifying monsters. The film is not only praised for its storyline but also for its well-developed characters. The American horror film review website Bloody Disgusting voted The Descent as the third-best horror film of the decade.
Movie synopsis: The film revolves around a group of six women exploring a cave led by Juno (Natalie Mendoza) along with five other women: Sarah, Beth, Sam, Rebecca, and Holly. The group planned carefully, believing they were entering an explored cave. However, the other five women were unaware that Juno, out of curiosity, led them into an unexplored cave for exploration.
Unaware of what awaits them ahead, the group ventures into a survival escape from the bloodthirsty monsters in the cave. However, the fear doesn't just come from those horrifying monsters but also from one of their own.
7. The Bunker – 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
A film with unexpected twists and intense moments, surely the first time watching it, we won't easily predict what will happen next. Starting off slowly and gradually building up to a climax with an ending that couldn't be better, viewers will feel a sense of fear to the extreme, fulfilling the purpose of a horror film but also with a hint of excitement like an action movie.
Movie synopsis: The story begins with a fierce accident involving Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), leaving her limping in her car. When she wakes up, Michelle finds herself being treated for her wounds and imprisoned in a bunker with two men. Howard (John Goodman) - one of them - tells her that the outside world is facing a horrific disaster, and that staying in the bunker will help preserve lives. Unconvinced by Howard's words, Michelle tries everything to escape and uncover the truth.
8. Journey to Busan – Train To Busan (Busanhaeng) (2016)
Train To Busan - Busanhaeng brings us a breath of fresh air alongside the undead-themed horror products from the US. Unlike many survival horror genres, the film also delves deep into human psychology. With its unique highlights, the film achieved a viewership of 10 million in just three weeks, elevating the stature of Asian horror films to the level of Hollywood.
Movie synopsis: Set in a country besieged by a mysterious virus that turns humans into bloodthirsty undead, present on the train from Seoul to Busan is a father and daughter, two expecting couples, and some high school students. When the zombie outbreak suddenly erupts, they have no choice but to confront it to protect their loved ones. The 453km journey from Seoul to the safe zone of Busan unexpectedly becomes a fierce battle for survival.
9. Escape – Get Out (2017)
After its global release, Get Out received praise from critics. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $253.1 million USD with a budget of only about $4.5 million USD. Despite not featuring famous actors or extravagant special effects, the film's storyline delivers a psychological blow that allows viewers to imagine their own fears. If you're a hardcore fan of horror films, this is one movie you should definitely watch at least once.
Movie synopsis: The film revolves around the character Chris (portrayed by Daniel Kaluuya) - a talented young black man visiting his girlfriend's family for the weekend. As horrifying secrets slowly unravel, Chris cannot imagine that the meeting with his girlfriend's family has turned into a deadly trap in a sinister land.
10. The Silent Land – The Quiet Place (2018)
With silence being the predominant factor in the film, the story is simple: if you make any noise, from speaking to breaking a glass, you must trade your life for it. What would you do then? The film features a small cast but delivers excellent performances. It's truly the horror blockbuster of 2018 that you should watch.
Movie synopsis: Set in a remote area in the woods, a couple lives with their two children. Their lives are threatened by highly sensitive supernatural forces to sound, so to live peacefully, they have set rules that no member is allowed to violate, such as only walking on marked spots, communicating through sign language, laughing without sound...
However, in a playful moment, the family's only son accidentally broke the oil lamp and caused a loud noise. Since then, the entire family has been hunted by dangerous forces beyond imagination.
Conclusion
Watching horror movies may make you scared, even haunted in your dreams, but you can't deny the 'hot' trend of this genre. If you're tired of action-packed films, invite some friends to watch the ones mentioned above - you'll have a great time!
Enjoy the movies, everyone!
