- Get Out - The story of a black man, Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), who visits his white girlfriend’s (Allison Williams) family and uncovers a nefarious plot resonated as the defining film of 2017. Between the success of this film and IT, 2018 and beyond should be very kind to the horror genre. IT's success doesn't excite but this film's does. Writer/director Jordan Peele has revitalized the social commentary of the horror genre in this funny and often scary film. The film has real truth within it, making it actually scary well beyond the twist and turns it packs.
- Raw - The tale of Justine's (Garance Marillier) first few months at veterinarian college explores so much. Not only does it capture the displacement and solitude of the first year away from home, it also explores sexual awakenings and appetites. Raw is not for the squeamish but for all the hype around its gore, the film ends up being very sincere and thoughtful.
- Hounds of Love - Ben Young's fictional riff on the true-crime case of a Perch couple who kidnapped, raped and murdered four women in the 1980's will leave you shaken to your core. The whole film is largely told from the victim's perspective, putting you inside the nightmare like few films have ever done before. The trio of actors, Emma Booth, Ashleigh Cummings and Stephen Curry, are all stunning as is Young's use of the camera.
- The Girl With All The Gifts - Just when you thought the zombie genre was all played out comes this inventive and affecting film. On the surface, the film's premise about a young girl with special powers seems like any other YA story. However this young girl is infected witha zombie-like fungi and yet she is able to retain her humanity despite her hunger for flesh. Some clever narrative turns make this film standout as do the performances from Sennia Nanua and Glenn Close.
- Super Dark Times - For almost two-thirds of its running time, Kevin Phillips' debut is a knock-out coming-of-age film that really has an ear for how teens talk. The film follows a pair of teens in the 90's whose friendship begins to crack after a tragic accident. The film quietly morphs into an effective thriller and thrills as it becomes a metaphor for the lost of childhood.
- The Lure - The best killer mermaid musical you have likely not yet seen. This Polish film is destined for cult status due to its bizarre mix of sex, fairy-tale creatures, 80's synth-wave and gore. The Lure should not work and yet every element within it does.
- Gerald's Game - Further proof that Mike Flanagan is one of the genres new masters. This adaptation of a Stephen King novel shouldn't work as the plot takes place largely as in internal conversation as Jesse finds herself handcuffed to a bed in the middle of nowhere when a sexual adventure with her husband goes wrong. Carla Gugino is masterful in the lead role and the film has the most memorable gore gag of the year.
- The Killing of a Sacred Deer - Yorgos Lanthimos switches from rom-com to straight up horror with this follow-up to The Lobster. Equally detached and oddly humorous, this film deals with a surgeon (Colin Farrell) who is put through an sick and twisted game by the son of an ex-patient who died on his operating table.
- Boys in The Trees - This Australian film from Nicholas Verso combines horror and fantasy elements to tell a moving story of guilt and bullying. Set in the 90's on Halloween night, two estranged friends come together and go through a strange journey over the course of one night. Verso's use of great music from the era and his striking eye for imagery make this film standout.
- Among The Living - Made back in 2014 from filmmakers Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury, who directed the neo-classic Inside, this slasher/coming-of-age film finally made it to the US thanks to Shudder. This is kind of like Stranger Things mixed with the extreme style and gore that the French new wave horror filmmakers are known for. The tone is much different from their previous films while they juggle elements of Halloween, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the previous mentioned coming-of-age elements.
Other good ones:
- A Dark Song
- The Blackcoat's Daughter
- The Devil's Candy
- Prevenge
- It Comes At Night
- Killing Ground
- Better Watch Out
- It
- The Transfiguration
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