My favorite kind of horror films are those in the realm of possibility. Scary movies where the bad guy is a human rather than something supernatural. To me there is nothing more horrifying than a realistic situation where one can imagine themselves inside the terror.
A crazy homicidal chef, a high tech AI toy that goes bad, an insane racist family, a con artist unafraid of kidnapping and murder – all possibilities.
Here are some of my favorite newer horror films:
The Menu (2022)
Speak No Evil (2024)
Get Out (2017)
Heretic (2024)
Megan (2024)
These films, while diverse in their specific themes and execution, share a common thread of exploring social anxieties and unease through a genre lens, primarily horror and thriller. Here’s a comparative look:
A young couple travel to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.
- Genre: Dark comedy, psychological thriller
- Themes: Class disparity, artistic pretension, the commodification of experience
- Tone: Satirical, suspenseful, with moments of dark humor
- Social Commentary: Explores the power dynamics between the wealthy elite and those who serve them, as well as the hollowness of performative artistry.
After befriending a British couple with a mute son, Americans Ben and Louise accept an unusual invitation to bring their daughter for a weekend at an idyllic country estate. Yet when they discover their hosts are hiding sinister motives, Ben and Louise fear their family may be pawns in a disturbing plot. Led by a riveting performance from James McAvoy (Split, Glass) as a charismatic man masking unspeakable darkness, a dream holiday warps into an unnerving nightmare in this shocking thriller from Blumhouse, producers of The Black Phone.
- Genre: Psychological horror, thriller
- Themes: Social awkwardness, cultural misunderstandings, the fear of confrontation
- Tone: Uncomfortable, tense, gradually escalating dread
- Social Commentary: Examines the anxieties of politeness and the potential dangers of suppressing one’s instincts in social situations. It also explores the clash between different cultural norms.
When Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), a young African-American man, visits his white girlfriend’s (Allison Williams) family estate, he becomes ensnared in the more sinister, real reason for the invitation. At first, Chris reads the family’s overly accommodating behavior as nervous attempts to deal with their daughter’s interracial relationship, but as the weekend progresses, a series of increasingly disturbing discoveries lead him to a truth that he could have never imagined. This speculative thriller from Blumhouse (producers of The Visit, Insidious series and The Gift) and the mind of Jordan Peele (Key & Peele) is equal parts gripping thriller and provocative commentary.
- Genre: Horror, thriller, social commentary
- Themes: Racism, cultural appropriation, the exploitation of marginalized groups
- Tone: Suspenseful, unsettling, with elements of psychological horror
- Social Commentary: A sharp critique of systemic racism and the ways in which it can manifest in seemingly liberal spaces.
Two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant). Made to choose between belief and disbelief, they find themselves plunged into the darkest labyrinths of Reed’s mind and a deadly game of cat-and-mouse in this twisted horror from writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (A Quiet Place).
- Genre: Horror, thriller
- Themes: Religious extremism, cults, the abuse of power
- Tone: Ominous, suspenseful, with potential for graphic content
- Social Commentary: Likely to explore the dangers of blind faith and the ways in which religious beliefs can be twisted for nefarious purposes.
M3gan is a marvel of artificial intelligence, a lifelike doll that’s programmed to be a child’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally. Designed by Gemma, a brilliant roboticist, M3gan can listen, watch and learn as it plays the role of friend and teacher, playmate and protector. When Gemma becomes the unexpected caretaker of her 8-year-old niece, she decides to give the girl an M3gan prototype, a decision that leads to unimaginable consequences.
- Genre: Science fiction horror, thriller
- Themes: Artificial intelligence, the ethics of technology, the dangers of unchecked power
- Tone: Suspenseful, with elements of slasher horror and dark humor
- Social Commentary: Explores the potential consequences of advanced technology and the ways in which it can blur the lines between human and machine.
All films utilize genre conventions to explore deeper social issues and anxieties. They often feature protagonists who are outsiders or who find themselves in unfamiliar and threatening environments. The films create a sense of unease and suspense, keeping the audience on edge.
Overall, these films offer a diverse range of perspectives on contemporary social issues, using the power of genre to entertain and provoke thought. They invite audiences to reflect on their own anxieties and assumptions about the world around them.
