The year 2022 has been a banner one for horror films. Whether it be the eagerly anticipated return of beloved franchises like Scream and Predator, brand-new films from contemporary genre auteurs like Jordan Peele and Ti West, or the appearance of newcomers like Zach Cregger and Mimi Cave. There was scary content available in 2022 for every type of horror aficionado.
What horror films this year did audiences connect with the most? A lot of horror films in 2022 outperformed expectations, according to the popular movie review app Letterboxd, which has historically been a reliable indicator of which films did well with audiences.
‘Barbarian’ — Rating: 3.7
Barbarian, the most recent installment in the Airbnb horror series, follows Tess (Georgina Campbell) as she checks into her apartment and experiences everyone’s worst fear: social contact. The first of many secrets that will soon be revealed is learning that Keith (Bill Skarsgard) is already stay ing there.
One of the best screenplays of 2022 is in Barbarian, which continuously comes up with novel methods to startle the viewer. As things become stranger and darker, it throws a fresh curveball just as they appear to be going in one direction. It will undoubtedly be spoken about for many years to come and is destined to become a cult classic.
HBO Max has Barbarian available for streaming.
‘Bones and All’ — Rating: 3.8
Bones and All, the second film director Luca Guadagnino starring Timothee Chalamet, centers on Chalamet’s Lee and Taylor Russell’s Maren, two teenage lovers who share a condition that makes them crave human flesh. They run with a variety of odd personalities as they travel throughout America in quest of Maren’s long-lost mother.
Bone and All is one of the best-made horror movies of 2022, despite its controversial subject matter with stars Timothee Chalamet and Kerstin Russell routinely gorging on human remains.
‘Fresh’ — Rating: 3.5
Daisy Edgar-Jones’ character Noa decides she’s had it with the dating scene. She concludes it’s not worth the effort after encountering endless apps and unpleasant men who only want to share images of their genitalia. That all changes when she meets handsome Steve (Sebastian Stan), and the two quickly fall in love.
It goes without saying that Noa and Steve’s relationship takes a darker turn in Fresh, but to say anything more would give away the surprises it has in store. Stan and Edgar-Jones make a great team as the lead actors, and Stan especially seems to be enjoying the opportunity to shed his MCU character. They’re accompanied by a strong storyline that frequently combines humor and terror.
Hulu offers a stream of Fresh.
‘Nope’ — Rating: 3.9
Nope, Jordan Peele’s third movie, meets up to his high expectations. Em (Keke Palmer) and OJ (Daniel Kaluuya), older siblings, find a UFO residing in the skies above their family property and decide to film it for money. However, as the object turns hostile, they are forced to engage in a struggle for their lives.
With his third film, Nope, director Jordan Peele still displays his horror skills, even though it more closely resembles science fiction than his previous two. Nope has some of 2022’s most upsetting moments and visuals, including one scenario that takes place inside the UFO’s suction tube that is certain to stay in some viewers’ memories for the rest of their lives.
Nope may be streamed on Peacock.
‘Pearl’ — Rating: 3.9
Fans didn’t have to wait long for a sequel to the well-liked horror film after seeing Ti West’s precursor to X. Pearl follows the antagonist of that film when she was a small girl and residing on a farm with her parents. Pearl, who is convinced that she is destined to be a celebrity, quickly acquires a taste for murder as she allows no one to stand in the way of her aspirations.
Mia Goth, reprising her role from X, excels as Pearl and conveys a range of emotions. Goth can shock you as she brutally murders someone with a pitchfork, or she can make you feel sorry for her by revealing her desires and weaknesses in a world that never seems to allow her have what she wants.
‘Prey’ — Rating: 3.6
Prey, the best entry in the Predator series since the first, may be the most unexpected film of the year. The story centers on Naru (Amber Midthunder), a young Comanche who aspires to be a warrior, and is set in 1719 on the Great Plains. When a Predator shows up and starts stalking the locals, Naru sets out to demonstrate her prowess.
Prey deserves praise for its dedication to faithfully capturing Comanche life in the 18th century and shedding light on a culture that many viewers would never have seen. Prey differs from the Predator sequels in that it is more loyal to the original, even if it still contains lots of action and gore.
Hulu offers a stream of Prey.
‘The Menu’ — Rating: 3.8
The Menu is a horror film that also serves as a crash course in fine dining, in which the malevolent Chef Slowik subjects the patrons of a posh restaurant to a sequence of horrible incidents. One of the visitors is Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy), an outsider who causes Slowik’s intentions to fall through.
The Menu, one of the best dark comedy in recent memory, enjoys making fun of the food industry and people who idolize it. For their roles as the stars, Taylor-Joy and Fiennes have each gotten Golden Globe nods, and their many altercations make for interesting viewing.
HBO Max offers The Menu for streaming.
‘Werewolf by Night’ — Rating: 3.6
Werewolf by Night, the MCU’s first entry into the horror genre, has been a great hit. The story, which takes place over the course of one night, centers on Jack Russell (Gael Garcia Bernal) and Elsa Bloodstone (Laura Donnelly), two monster hunters who must band together in order to live.
Werewolf by Night’s presentation, with its black-and-white look clearly harking back to the era of vintage horror movies, is by far its most striking feature. It’s a risky decision that pays off beautifully for the project since it gives it a distinct personality that helps its gripping plot go along quickly in under an hour.
Disney+ has Werewolf by Night accessible for streaming.
‘X’ — Rating: 3.6
One of the best slasher films to hit theaters in a while, X follows the cast and crew of a pornographic movie as they head to Texas in the 1970s to film at a secluded farmhouse. They arouse the ire of the elderly proprietors while there, and their joy turns to misery as they are murdered in a number of horrifying ways.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is clearly a big inspiration for the film X; even the framing of some scenes is reminiscent of the original horror film. Any fan of slashers will appreciate X, which is bolstered by a stellar ensemble that includes Jenna Ortega, Brittany Snow, and Mia Goth, all of whom are clearly having fun in their roles.
Showtime has X available for streaming.
‘You Won’t Be Alone’ — Rating: 3.6
You Won’t Be Alone portrays a young peasant girl who has led a sheltered childhood in 19th-century Macedonia. She runs across a witch and as a result of the meeting gains the power to shape-shift. The girl sets out on a quest to uncover her inner humanity while inhabiting the bodies of others since she is curious about the outer world.
Anyone who enjoys The Witch will enjoy You Won’t Be Alone because it fits neatly within the folk horror genre. Although it obviously leans more toward the artistic side of the horror spectrum, which might not be appealing to people who prefer their horror to be violent and graphic, this is a well-made, melancholy film that will actually get under your skin.
