Indie Horror Film Selection
By Nino Lupin
Vile. Grotesque. Stunning.
This list strays away from the mainstream horror movie pool that has so frustratingly been dominated by mashups of cheap jump scares, superficial plots, lazy screenwriting and a complete and total disregard to the beauty of the disturbing. Instead, it attempts to give the lesser known masterpieces – both Western and Eastern – a stage and provide a pool of horror movies that respects the subtle art and psychology behind filmmaking.
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Before you start. . .
I would like to advise each viewer to engage in these films without any further information. Keep your mind open and let your thoughts flow throughout the film. Additionally, I would like to warn each viewer for two possible hazards:
Some of these films are extremely disturbing in the audio-visual sense and may be too much for some viewers. I will add a warning to each film that I believe meets these criteria.
Some of these films follow very little to no logic at all: they play on the visual medium and are often rather surreal. They are weird as heck and will not be liked by the average viewer. If you feel like this applies to you, save yourself the waste of time and pass on these films.
Finally, let us get frisky.
The Devil’s Candy (2015)
Directed by Sean Byrne
This is an effective film: it takes a well-rounded plot and mediates it through lots of steady shots and a haunting, nebulous soundtrack. It has a very consistent pace which might make it easier for the occasional horror audience to get through. This is a metal-as-F horror flick that has the potential to both satisfy and terrify.
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Verdict: 8.0/10
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The Lighthouse (2019)
Directed by Robert Eggers
A remarkable piece of art rather than a movie. This film is not for the average horror movie viewer and will most likely bore those who are not into the art behind filmmaking and the disturbing side of the human psyche. Nevertheless, for those who are interested to check out a ‘less conventional’ film, I advise them to tune in attentively.
This black and white film is a hallmark in modern filmmaking. The unorthodox 1.19:1 ratio that has been used may be considered as ‘too small’, but that seems to precisely what the director seeks to convey. The black and white tones already strip this film of any vibrance, but in combination with the square-like ratio it creates claustrophobic elements and leaves the atmosphere completely void. Every shot has been studied and revised; every light source has been meddled with and touched up, but above all of these mind-boggling techniques shine Defoe and Pattinson. These two have the difficult task of filling up the void that has been created through the visual and auditory achievements, they are responsible for delivering a plot that keeps the viewer engaged. And lord do they do so perfectly.
I can go on for hours about the state-of-the-art quality of this film, but I simply encourage every enthusiast to give it a go.
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Verdict: 10/10
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The Tunnel (2011)
Directed by Carlo Ledesma
Found-footage films are often condemned in their approach to plot-building, as they are labelled as “easy ways out” and never make it to the big screen. The Tunnel is an excellent example of a well-executed and more importantly, quite convincing found-footage film. What speaks mostly in this film, apart from the script writing, is the acting. Australians barely disappoint on this front and often succeed in coming across naturally and passionately. Though there may be some plot holes, this film in general is a fun watch and has some reasonably grim moments.
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Verdict: 7.5/10
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Hell House LLC (2015)
Directed by Stephen Cognetti
Another found-footage film that excels at what it does best. This one is much scarier than your average found-footage film like The Blair Witch Project (Eduardo Sánchez & Daniel Myrick, 1999) or Cloverfield (Matt Reeves, 2008). It also adopts a very unique approach in plot-building in the wheelhouse of haunted house films. The viewer is incentivized by the actual trauma and learns through found video footage about the road to the trauma. The humanity behind this film is what leaves most viewers rather disturbed after watching it.
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Verdict: 8.0/10
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Audition (1999)
Directed by Takashi Miike
Perhaps much more a thriller than a horror, this Japanese flick depicts a less admirable side of Japan and entails a plot that feels very uneasy to the people of the West. Some scenes will be imprinted onto your memory for a good while and the disturbing realities depicted in this film make it a watch worth considering.
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Verdict: 9.0/10
*warning: may mess you up*
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Oculus (2013)
Directed by Mike Flanagan
A rather confusing plot made possible through some very innovative techniques. Mirrors have never been so goddamn scary, and though many may still find this film too logically flawed, Oculus has plenty of exhilarating moments. Furthermore, Karen Gillan does an excellent job in her dedicated role. Oculus might have its minor downfalls, but it rises above most modern horror movies in terms of innovation.
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Verdict: 7.5/10
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The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
Directed by André Øvredal
This one is quite spooky indeed. Though at certain moments it lacks ingenuity, this film does well in the bleak lighting and intrinsically cold acting. The special effects are horrifying real so make sure you finish your food before you start watching this film. The Autopsy of Jane Doe does not fully dedicate itself to the plot and therefore feels a bit bland. Even though set-ups and pay-offs keep the viewer intrigued, in the end it does fall short. Nevertheless, a fun watch.
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Verdict: 6.0/10
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Martyrs (2008)
Directed by Pascal Laugier
New French Extremism has a very limited audience. This progressive twenty-first-century French cinematic realm tries to push the boundaries of what can be displayed on film and often seeks to expose the most vile and brutal side of human nature. Martyrs is no exception. It would perhaps even be the epitome of New French Extremism, as there is only one, atrociously messed up theme: suffering. This movie goes beyond interesting: it is challenging and confronting. This film is not everyone, but for those still intrigued, this will both be a treat and a nightmare.
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Verdict: 8.5/10
*warning: may (and probably will) mess you up*
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Under the Skin (2013)
Directed by Jonathan Glazer
I personally would have preferred a slightly more convincing plot, but lord does this film disturb the mind. The visual aspects of this film are of another world, while the soundtrack is probably one of my favorite soundtracks ever created. It is really hard to understand what exactly is going on in this surreal film, but the vigilant viewers will figure it out no doubt. This is the ultimate example of the film as an audiovisual vessel and I believe David Lynch was a true inspiration for Under the Skin.
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Verdict: 9.0/10
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Eraserhead (1977)
Directed by David Lynch
Disclaimer: you will get weirded the f*ck out. Eraserhead is the ultimate nightmare, the first film of surrealist mastermind and creep David Lynch. Shot in black and white, this film should not be looked upon as an actual film, but much rather as an actual nightmare. Not only does this movie have the bleakest, most depressing atmosphere to have ever existed, it also portrays a disturbed man living an even more disturbed life. That being said, nothing in this film falls short, but this is not a date movie. Do not watch this film with the expectations of being entertained.
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Verdict: 9.0/10
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The Witch (2015)
Directed by Robert Eggers
A reasonably straightforward plot makes this movie much more accessible than it could have been. The primary reason that this film is so effective is that it is very convincing. Films often fall short because there is no commitment to its purpose and The Witch shows perfectly how such commitment can make the movie a true achievement. It is written in Early Modern English and allows for a Shakespearean touch, provided that the actors work up to this standard. Luckily, the cast is as strong as an ox. They take every opportunity to strike the audience with emotion and do so immensely well. All in all, I recommend this film to anyone interested in historical horror films.
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Verdict: 8.5/10
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Get Out (2017)
Directed by Jordan Peele
Though it is not exactly an indie film, it still possesses the unique virtues of an indie film and the vision of a passionate director. Jordan Peele’s Get Out is another important milestone in modern film making. Not only is it a political commentary on institutionalized racism (which is usually the argument for those who scold this film), but also adopts revolutionary shots that were particularly pleasing to see on the big screen. What is most striking in this film is that even though the outcome of the film is highly foreshadowed, it is still pretty darn disturbing. The viewer has a minimal idea of what is about to come, yet shivers time after time. Peele makes himself noticeable with his horror debut and offers a lot of promise for the future.
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Verdict: 9.0/10
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Green Room (2015)
Directed by Jeremy Saulnier
The first real slasher film of the list is an extremely visual one and quite astonishingly, original in its approach. A punk/metal band ends up playing for a bunch of far-right neo-Nazi skinheads and it basically goes downhill from there. That may sound rather direct and superficial, but this film is by no means predictable. Apart from that, it is just sickening and vile in the visual sense. Slashers often lack depth, which could be argued as well for this movie, but the acting is right there (with a suggestive wink to sir Patrick Stewart) and makes up for it. Weak stomachs should definitely pass on this film, but slasher enthusiasts should definitely tune in!
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Verdict: 8.0/10
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Irréversible (2002)
Directed by Gaspar Noé
Irréversible (English: Irreversible) is without the slightest shred of doubt the most inhumane film on this list. That being said, it is also the most humane film on this list, as it tries to confront the viewer with some of the most disturbing forms of violence to have ever been seen in a film. It follows a reverse chronological order which makes this film all the less accessible to the average viewer. Time after time we get thrown into a dreadful scene of violence and slowly, we learn how all these scenes came into being. This film is a bold masterpiece by Gasper Noé both in terms of concept and execution.
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Verdict: 9.0/10
*warning: this film is guaranteed to have an impact on you and for those who have been in contact with intimate violence/abuse, I strongly discourage watching this film*
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The Descent (2005)
Directed by Neil Marshall
Do you want to be scared shitless without having to deal with certain awfully disturbing images stuck in your head? Then go ahead and turn in for The Descent, because this one is creepy. The plot allows for minimal lighting and some very unexpected scares, the acting is not too distracting but just supportive enough to contribute to the scare factor and the soundtrack does its job adequately. This is one to watch with your friends (provided that they do not just talk all the time) and have a spooky old horror night.
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Verdict: 7.0/10
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It Follows (2014)
Directed by David Robert Mitchell
Another film that entered the commercial sphere while still possessing the essential traits of an indie film is It Follows. The first half of this film is extremely promising, as the viewer knows as little as the protagonist, but it fails to keep up this standard. Creepy as the soundtrack may be, the makers simply tried to put too much into this plot and in the end, their dedication to writing was their own downfall. Nevertheless, it is still a pleasing film and worth a try.
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Verdict: 6.5/10
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The Wailing (2016)
Directed by Na Hong-jin
The film makers of the East have proven again and again that they are much better at writing a sensible, iron strong screenplay without boring the viewer to death in a three-hour long film. The Wailing is no exception in these criteria. It is a long stretch and requires a level of commitment from the viewer, but it is highly rewarding and very satisfying. The essence in this film is situated in the plot, thus the director decided to go easy on intriguing shots and distracting scores but chose to divide attention across all fields in order to convey the message of the film. No holes have been left out in this plot and each line contributes to another. South Korean film makers continue to surprise me with their creations, and I urge every Westerner to take a deep dive into this vastly different world of horror films.
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Verdict: 8.5/10
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I Saw the Devil (2010)
Directed by Kim Jee-woon
Another South-Korean product of genius, I Saw the Devil turns to the confronting dimensions of movies and hits the viewer with shocks of violence throughout the movie, while ultimately revealing the motive behind all of these cruel deeds. It is by far more of a thriller than a horror, but the stillness of this movie still makes it realistically disturbing.
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Verdict: 8.0/10
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Haunt (2019)
Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods
Halloween movies can either annoy or entertain limitlessly. They are either full of lame clichés or terrifying all the way down the road. Haunt is an enjoyable popcorn slasher that does its job in being a mediocre, but fun piece of American culture. Sure, the plot is rather unoriginal and has some laughable aspects, but the usual lot of paradoxes that such mainstream films often provide are fortunately left behind. Lots of spooky fellas, a few worthless extras and definitely some gore.
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Verdict: 6.0/10
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Creep (2014)
Directed by Patrick Brice
A man once had a concept that he thought so ridiculous it just had to work out, and that concept was Creep. This short, but incentivizing found footage film needs no further explanation. At the same time, it is both easy to watch and hard to feel comfortable with, all thanks to one of the greatest antagonists I have ever witnessed on screen.
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Verdict: 8.5/10
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Der Goldene Handschuh (2019)
Directed by Fatih Akin
This German film takes a realistic approach at portraying fragments of German serial killer Fritz Honka and smashes it out of the park. I cannot find a single flaw in this movie. The sickening deeds of Honka are reconstructed disturbingly real, while the setting of post-war Germany shines light on the empty hole that gives birth to Honka’s motives. The viewer is slammed in the face by the destructive power of alcoholism, both on an individual and social level. Der Goldene Handschuh (English: The Golden Glove) will rid you of your comfort and impress you at the same time.
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Verdict: 10/10
*warning: may mess you up*
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The Girl Next Door (2007)
Directed by Gregory M. Wilson
“Based on real events” are the first few words of the movie that send chills down the spine of most people. Unfortunately, this film is quite realer than one would hope. This movie will upset you and possibly even anger you, but it was not created to do that. It was created to show the world a real look into domestic violence. Apart from the value behind this film, it is a well done movie. The acting allows the emotions to set in and the screenplay matches with its setting and time.
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Verdict: 8.0/10
*warning: may mess you up*
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Kill List (2011)
Directed by Ben Wheatley
Two dodgy fellas doing dodgy things, but then it gets even dodgier… This British film lays a barrier of accents in front of the viewer, but once it is penetrated the viewer gets absorbed into the film. Like many British films, Kill List is an absolute rollercoaster. Swift editing and passionate acting change the pace all the time and while some might enjoy this more than a steady pace, others will be agitated by it. Nevertheless, this movie takes some disturbing turns and is guaranteed to wave you off with a good old ‘what the f*ck?’
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Verdict: 7.0/10
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The Machinist (2004)
Directed by Brad Anderson
A mindf*ck of new proportions, a true molestation of the synapses. That is what this film is. I would already suggest this film merely for the astonishing performance of Christian Bale. Insomnia is still marginalized within the sphere of mental illnesses and The Machinist goes for the most accurate, deeply saddening and dreadful representation there is.
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Verdict: 9.0/10
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Crawl (2019)
Directed by Alexandre Aja
“Let’s make a movie that just screams Florida at you”. Yes, this must have been what the makers of this film were thinking when drawing up the storyboard. The movie is basically about a hurricane, a basement and a few gators. There are some instances of refreshing cinematography and if one disregards the somewhat unfinished plot it can definitely be an enjoyable movie. Nevertheless, there are way too many elements in this film that do not contribute to the story in a single way. It is a fun watch, but not a great movie.
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Verdict: 5.5/10
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Noroi: The Curse (2005)
Directed by Kōji Shiraishi
As claimed before, many found-footage films receive harsh criticism for their lack of depth and ‘ease of execution’, but there are many examples of the genre that show exactly why this unique format can work so well. Noroi: The Curse follows a concept familiar to both the West and the East but carries it over to the viewer through a whole new medium. This Japanese mockumentary, as it is called, is the realest of its kind and in my personal opinion, the scariest as well. Every scene feels natural and as icing on the cake, the final sequence latches on to you and does not let go for a while.
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Verdict: 9.5/10
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Lake Mungo (2008)
Directed by Joel Anderson
Another found footage film that excels at what it does. Lake Mungo is a long stretch with lots of attention to detail and many chilling plot twists. It is certainly a horror in the general sense, but the core of this film lies in grief and loss. There is much more psychology behind grief than people tend to think and many of the decisions made in this film portray the destructive power of losing a loved one perfectly. I was moved by this film in multiple ways and though it is a long stretch (which is not iconic to the genre), it packs a definite punch.
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Verdict: 8.0/10
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May (2002)
Directed by Lucky McKee
This one is a bit of slow burn and is an off-meta swing for the fences. That being said, it is not exactly scary in the sense that you will head to bed at night with the heebie-jeebies creeping up on you. This film will, however, make you think twice when you meet someone a little unordinary. The lead actress that plays May does a fantastic job in evoking empathy and centralizes issues that many in fact do walk around with.
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Verdict: 8.5/10
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The Seasoning House (2012)
Directed by Paul Hyett
The Seasoning House follows the story of a deaf and mute girl surviving in an Eastern European brothel. With keen lighting and a simple, but effective set the tone of this movie is set brilliantly and though it does have those irritable horror flick hiccups, the plot is painful and distressing. I feel it just to spotlight the actress who plays our deaf and mute antagonist, because it is unarguably quite the task to portray a deaf and mute girl convincingly, but she does an excellent job at that. This is certainly not a date film, but the entertainment is there.
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Verdict: 9.0/10
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The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007)
Directed by John Erick Dowdle
There was an actual serial killer in the 70-s called the “Poughkeepsie Killer” and this found-footage gem takes much of its inspiration from the case. Though some clichés of the genre made me sigh significantly, it is primarily the footage on the actual tapes that struck me boldly. The primary victim of our killer shows true fear and despair, which makes you question how fake these tapes in fact are. The trippy camera footage on the tapes may annoy some viewers, then again it may also entertain others. Regardless of its flaws, The Poughkeepsie Tapes is a chilling experience with a touching insight into profiling and the moral burden that comes with it.
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Verdict: 8.0/10
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Savageland (2015)
Directed by Phil Guidry, Simon Herbert and David Whelan
Savageland is another found-footage film that tries to mediate its story in a rather horrific way. Many will be disappointed by the rather weak attempts to frighten the viewer and rightly so. However, this film is much more about the political landscape around the US-Mexican border and the wild injustices that people are submitted to. The film was never created to scare you, rather it was made to make you think. It does so by deploying an arsenal of psychological tricks that are mostly brought to life by a refreshing and incredible cast. All of the characters that have been given screen time utilize it to the fullest extent, and they possess a crucial virtue that is often overseen in found-footage films - they possess imperfection. Savageland fails to decide on whether it is a horror film or a political commentary, and if they had dedicated themselves to the latter the outcome would have been even better.
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Verdict: 7.0/10
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Found (2012)
Directed by Scott Schirmer
Very rarely do we come across films that go beyond simply treating the viewer to a perspective on a particular experience, but when we do, these films leave eternal marks. Found latches onto you from the first second and consumes you as the time passes. I will not be sharing too much about the plot because I urge every film buff to dive into this one and see for themselves. I can also not account for the genre, as it transcends all boundaries and harmoniously manifests a genre of its own that I would like to call ‘the real f*cking world’. What I can say is that the acting, albeit clumsy on some occasions, is generally superb. The dynamic between characters is confronting and the character development hits you deep. I can see why some will fail to sympathize with the concept behind this film and my adoration for this film is certainly fueled by my own experiences of the concept, but those who let themselves be absorbed by this extremely private and highly maniacal masterpiece will be guaranteed a heart-shattering view.
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Verdict: 9.5/10
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Shutter (2004)
Directed by Bangjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom
Another fine bit of film coming from the far East, this ominous Thai horror displays the virtues of a tense, confronting horror. Many films that adopt classical techniques and approaches to plot-building fall short, simply because they are replicating things we have already seen and not putting any effort into originality. The concept behind Shutter could have been such a disappointing case, but it is not. The execution is razor sharp: every shot seems to have been revised to perfection and some of the acting strikes as very natural. The plot is very compelling, from start to end, it presents itself in an enjoyable stretch of time. The twist is remarkable and reveals once more that the horror genre is by no means dominated by the commercial West. A great watch that will please anyone looking to be frightened.
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Verdict: 8.5/10
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Gerald’s Game (2017)
Directed by Mike Flanagan
Not an indie film, but certainly one worth mentioning. Stephen King novels have repeatedly been adapted by filmmakers and unfortunately, many of them simply play on the commercial crowds. Gerald’s Game, however, remains loyal to the ideas of the renowned author. This psychological horror grips you from the start and slowly syphons the focus out of you with its interesting and somewhat biblical concept. This film makes the other King movie productions – with several exceptions – look like expensive mumbo jumbo created by a group of pop-oriented sixteen year old teenagers.
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Verdict: 8.5/10
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