Slasher
One of the favorite subgenres of horror in the late 20th century was the Slasher. The killer chases a group of people to slash to death in creative ways. Not only it’s safe to say that, at least for the most part, some filmmakers are getting over the racist and sexist clichés. We have more self-aware films providing a different breed of creative characters and satirical themes.
Though there are some fun franchise movies such as Freddy vs Jason, Halloween, and Scream, let’s concentrate on newer franchises and at least one film that blends different genres to create something refreshing in the Slasher film realm.
X (2022)
Director: Ti West
For the past few years, Ti West has been synonymous with horror movies for his acting in Adam Wingard’s You’re Next, films he directed, The House of the Devil, The Innkeepers, and our top pick for modern slashers, X. Coming from Mumblegore background, Ti keeps terrorizing us with his yet to be completed trilogy of indie works distributed by A24, starting with a throwback to 70s proto-slasher films in the vein of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Last House on the Left.
A movie set in the late 1970s tells the story of young people making a porno in an elderly couple’s house in Texas (what could possibly go wrong). Like the movies that inspired it, it’s dirty, brutal, and gory, and the trailer should’ve reminded you that “It’s just a movie.” The performance by Mia Goth as both Maxine and Pearl is astonishing.
By the way, the sequel Pearl is totally different and would’ve been my number two pick for Best Modern Slasher. I can’t wait for MaXXXine and everything else Ti West will do afterward.
X is available on Showtime.
Honorable Mentions:
- Pearl (2022), Director: Ti West
- Terrifier (2006), Director: Damien Leone
- Freaky (2020), Director: Christopher Landon
J-Horror
While the world was pushing the envelope with horror films, it was just another day at the office in Japan. Japanese horror never disappoints, and there’s always something worth noticing. These are the Japanese films that were made to scare and disturb the entire globe.
Ju-On: The Grudge (2002)
Director: Takashi Shimizu
The third installment in the Ju-On series was the first to be released theatrically. It started where Ring left off, kicking off another pop culture phenomenon with multiple sequels, American remakes, and video games. The Grudge is one of the most successful supernatural horror films ever made. It is one of the creepiest movies ever made, and it has influenced both J-horror’s global success and the paranormal horror craze that persists even today.
Go watch this eerie film on Amazon.
Honorable Mentions:
- Dark Water (2002), Director: Hideo Nakata
- Tag (2015), Director: Sion Sono
- Tokyo Gore Police (2008), Director: Yoshihiro Nishimura
Found Footage
Following the success of The Blair Witch Project in 1999, a new subgenre was born known as the found footage film. Though there are successful Sci-fi such as District 9, action films like End of Watch, and even comedies like Project X, no other movie genre has achieved the level of performance as horror.
When the found footage horror is done right, it’s a frightening experience due to the realistic look of the picture. Imagine watching your parents’ old VHS tape of their wedding, and someone is committing murder, or a ghost appears. Shocking, right? That’s how eldritch these movies can be.
Creep (2014)
Director: Patrick Brice
Mumblecore auteur Mark Duplass and director Patrick Brice collaborated in this low-budget film about a Craiglist job gone wrong in a remote cabin (of course, what could go wrong?). The Duplass brothers usually produce a realistic take on friendship and relationships. Imagine what they could accomplish if that approach is (as the film title suggests) creepy.
The result is a chilling psychological horror film that will make you think twice before hiring someone from an Internet website. The film has an up-to-par sequel, and a third part has been announced. However, the duo of Duplass and Price stated that they were waiting for a “super inspiration” before filming.
You can check out Creep on Netflix.
Honorable Mentions:
- The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014), Director: Adam Robitel
- V/H/S 94 (2021), Directors: Simon Barrett, Chloe Okuno, Timo Tjahjanto, Ryan Prows, Jennifer Reeder, Steven Kostanski
- Paranormal Activity (2007), Director: Oren Peli
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