Ah, 2024—the year that practically rolled out the red carpet for horror movies! It was like a gory buffet where every dish looked tantalizing, and I just couldn’t resist piling my plate high. Seriously, narrowing it down to just ten was about as easy as finding a needle in a haystack... while blindfolded. So, in a fit of sheer enthusiasm (and maybe a touch of madness), I decided to go big and present you with a whopping 30 horror flicks that had me screaming—both in delight and terror. Buckle up, folks, here’s my take on the best horror (and horror-adjacent) movies of the year!
The Substance - A wild, stylistic ride with fierce performances and ultimate Cronenbergian body horror.
Longlegs - Moody, beautifully shot and effective crime procedural that takes a dark, dark turn.
Late Night with the Devil - Real time horror that build the dread and tension until an explosive end.
Exhuma - Epic supernatural yarn that unfolds in methodically and resolutely.
Oddity - Very creepy revenge horror set in a remote mansion that's slight, smart, and extremely effective.
Cuckoo - Feels like a lost 70s horror movie with a unique villain and standout performances.
Nosferatu - Sumptuous gothic tale that while familiar has never been more gorgeous and effective.
Strange Darling - A stylistic indie darling that plays with perceived gender roles and social commentary.
Abigail - Tongue-in-cheek vampire delight that is often hilarious, brutal and very bloody.
Heretic - An often profound exploration of faith and madness with stellar performances.
11. Rita – A tragic testament to horrors of man who subjegate young forgotten girls in a remote orphanage.
12. Falling Stars – An indie folklore tale about witches that's equally terrifying and mesmerizing.
13. Smile 2 – Takes the conceit of the first film and blows it open with a star-making main performance.
14. Stopmotion – Family guilt and obsessive madness haunt an artist with gruesomely quiet results.
15. MadS – This clever one-take wonder takes on an apocalypse in the smallest scale possible.
16. Alien: Romulus – A visceral, action-packed addition to the series that's smartly directed and fun.
17. Infested – An unrelenting French indie that takes our combined fear of spiders to epic proportions.
18. The Coffee Table – A fantastically grim, bleak and anxiety-producing film that I cannot openly recommend.
19. In A Violent Nature – A brilliant experiment that tests audience patience and stomachs.
20. You'll Never Find Me – A one-room atmospheric puzzle that is full of dread and unexpected turns.
Dream Scenario – A concept movie of an improbable circumstance of instant fame that turn to horror.
The Devil's Bath – A somber and sobering period drama of women and motherhood.
The First Omen – Smart and scary prequel that dovetails into the original while opening the lore.
Never Let Go – An unreliable narrator and questioning children forge the world after the apocalypse.
Azrael – A wordless visual poem of the horrors of the old world and what it begets.
Sting – This fun horror comedy is full of quirky characters and an out of this world spiders.
Maxxxine – The trilogy comes to an end in 1980s Hollywood and while less vicious has much to say.
Daddy's Head – A grief-stricken boy and his reluctant stepmother unravel in an isolated house.
Lisa Frankenstein – Diablo Cody’s latest horror-comedy is a candy-colored, absurdist 80's romp.
Immaculate – A sinister convent setting and a riveting, nuanced performance anchors this chilling tale.
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