The conventional horror genre has developed throughout the years for a variety of causes, and is today considered ‘elevated horror’ due to its widespread popularity and critical acclaim. The fascination with horror derives from a strong fascination with simulation experience: viewing these terrible and awful deeds on TV can elicit a physical and mental replication in the viewer’s state of mind. This is a big reason why people scream at the screen during the build-up to an ultimate death or a chase after a victim; viewers are engaged in the environment to the point where they believe the characters can hear their warnings.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, horror films gradually demonstrated that they could be both critically acclaimed and financially successful. Psycho was shot for less than a dollar and made more than 50 times that; The Exorcist, a 1973 adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s 1971 novel, was one of the first big-budget horror films, costing $12 million and grossing $450 million, establishing the genre as mainstream. We wouldn’t have streaming platforms dedicated completely to the acclaimed genre if it weren’t for early breakthrough horror films like these that went against the grain.
The Shudder streaming service, which was first introduced in 2015 by AMC Networks and was intended particularly for horror enthusiasts, offers a mix of classic, independent, and new original content to its users. Shudder stated in 2020 that it has surpassed one million paid customers, thanks to a continually growing platform. Horror fans will not be disappointed by the plethora of works streamed, whether they choose a monthly subscription for $5.99 or an annual plan for $56.99. Take a look at some of the best Shudder movies, a variety of jaw-dropping and night-terror provoking originals, with the critically acclaimed Hellbender launching on the site.
Bliss
In three words, Bliss is about sex, vampires, and drugs. Bliss is probably a must-watch for anyone who has ever had a long-term writer’s (or any creative) block; on second thought, maybe not if any viewers are highly sensitive to lighting (epilepsy warning). Desi (Dora Madison), a struggling painter, is stuck in a rut as she tries to come up with new ideas for a new piece. In this visually crazy arthouse horror, the rebellious iconoclast spirals into a life of excessive drug use, fuelling her craving for human blood.
Horror Noire
Daddy, Bride Before You, Brand of Evil, The Lake, Sundown, and Fugue State are among the six fictitious, thought-provoking horror stories concerning race featured in the 2021 horror anthology film Horror Noire (which takes its title from the aforementioned documentary). The focus is on fellow Black directors, screenwriters, and actors, defying the long-held belief that people of color cannot play a significant part in the horror genre.
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror
Cheers to the end of the age-old horror movie cliché of Black people dying in the first five minutes. The enlightening Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror shows unseen stories as it pertains to the history of Black Americans in horror cinema through an interview-based setting with fellow experts and makers. The documentary delves into the history of Black bodies in movies and how the narrative moved from being disregarded or frightened to acting as major character heroes, from stereotypes as maids and servants to intentionally inventing their own subversive monsters (i.e. Blacula).
Shook
Shook is the story of a group of beautiful, self-centered, and Instagram-famous influencers who have no idea how to distinguish between real life and social media perceptions, which is a terrifying prospect in and of itself. In this terrifying little gem, internet megastar Mia (Daisye Tutor) becomes the focus of a web-based terror campaign, and she must eventually complete a series of games to save people she loves about from being killed abruptly.
Slaxx
Wearing a cherished pair of jeans begins to damage the human body from the inside out, according to Slaxx. A mysterious pair of pants terrorizes the personnel at an ultra-trendy clothes business, according to the report. Initially coming across as cheesy, this bizarre gem blends horror and comedy to tell a terrifying story of possession with occasional comedic undertones, making it one of the best horror films about consumerism since Dan of the Dead.
The Medium
Mink (Narilya Gulmongkolpech) is cute, but anyone who wants to befriend her after seeing this film better run out and get a crucifix right now. As a documentary crew follows Northern Thailand-based shaman Nim (Sawanee Utoomma) to chronicle her experiences, it becomes clear that her niece Mink is beginning to exhibit weird possession-related symptoms. Mink’s possession grows stronger throughout the film, and her entire conduct becomes more weird and intense. This is perhaps the best found-footage film in a long time, and it’s a brilliant pseudo-documentary with satirical elements yet being very unsettling.
Violation
PSA: If you ever betray a family member, watch this film and make it a priority to seek for forgiveness or sleep with one eye open. Violation is a horror film set in Canada (because why not make a horror film where the majority of the people are insanely kind), and it follows a woman on the verge of divorce who seeks vengeance against her sister and brother-in-law after a horrific deed is perpetrated against her. After seeing this film, audiences will overwhelmingly support the sister who is legitimately unhappy and deceived, albeit they will likely not go to the same extremes she has. Violation is a horrifying example of how one’s own blood may cause them harm.
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