David Robert Mitchell's It Follows is a horror film that puts a unique spin on the slasher genre. The story follows Jay (Maika Monroe), a young woman who is pursued by a supernatural entity after a sexual encounter. The entity, which can take the form of anyone, walks slowly but relentlessly towards its victims, creating a sense of inescapable dread. It Follows is a film that is both scary and stylish, with its retro aesthetic, synth-driven soundtrack, and unsettling atmosphere. Mitchell has stated that the film was inspired by his own childhood nightmares and anxieties.

John Krasinski's A Quiet Place is a horror film that delivers suspense through sound design. The film follows the Abbott family, who live in a post-apocalyptic world where blind, sound-sensitive monsters hunt any source of noise. With minimal dialogue, the film relies on visual storytelling and sound to create a constant sense of dread. A Quiet Place is a nail-biting thriller that explores themes of family, survival, and sacrifice. Krasinski not only directed the film but also starred alongside his wife, Emily Blunt, adding a layer of authenticity to their portrayal of a family fighting for survival. The success of the film spawned a sequel, further expanding the world and its mythology.

Jennifer Kent's The Babadook is an Australian horror film that explores themes of grief, trauma, and the challenges of single motherhood. The story follows Amelia (Essie Davis), a widowed mother who is struggling to cope with the death of her husband and the difficult behavior of her young son, Samuel (Noah Wiseman). When a mysterious pop-up book titled The Babadook appears in their house, Amelia and Samuel become convinced that a monster is stalking them. The Babadook is a film that is both scary and emotionally resonant, with its unsettling atmosphere, strong performances, and exploration of complex psychological themes. The Babadook monster was designed to represent Amelia's suppressed grief and anger.

Jordan Peele's Get Out is a horror film that blends social commentary with suspense and humor. The story follows Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya), a young African-American man who visits his white girlfriend's family estate for the weekend. As Chris spends more time with the Armitage family, he uncovers a dark and disturbing secret about their intentions. Get Out is a film that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, with its clever plot twists, memorable characters, and sharp observations about race and privilege in America. Jordan Peele's directorial debut was a critical and commercial success, and won him the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Yorgos Lanthimos's The Killing of a Sacred Deer is a chilling and unsettling psychological thriller that puts a dark twist on the Greek tragedy of Iphigenia. Colin Farrell stars as Steven Murphy, a successful cardiac surgeon who takes a young boy named Martin (Barry Keoghan) under his wing. As Steven's relationship with Martin deepens, he and his family become the target of a mysterious and terrifying curse. The Killing of a Sacred Deer is a film that is both darkly funny and deeply disturbing, with its deadpan humor, unsettling atmosphere, and shocking acts of violence. The title is a direct reference to the Greek myth of Iphigenia, who was sacrificed to appease the gods.

Nicolas Winding Refn's The Neon Demon is a visually stunning and disturbing horror film set in the cutthroat world of high fashion in Los Angeles. Elle Fanning stars as Jesse, a naive young model who arrives in LA with dreams of stardom, only to find herself caught in a web of jealousy, obsession, and cannibalistic beauty rituals. The Neon Demon is a film that revels in its own artifice, with its striking cinematography, pulsating electronic soundtrack, and over-the-top performances. While the film is not for everyone, its unique and uncompromising vision makes it a truly memorable cinematic experience. A curious detail is that Refn has said the film was inspired by his wife's experiences in the fashion industry.

Robert Eggers's The Lighthouse is a psychological horror film that plunges viewers into the isolated and claustrophobic world of two lighthouse keepers in the late 19th century. Thomas Wake (Willem Dafoe) and Ephraim Winslow (Robert Pattinson) are tasked with maintaining a remote lighthouse on a storm-battered island, where they slowly descend into madness and paranoia. The Lighthouse is a visually striking film, shot in black and white and with a near-square aspect ratio, which adds to its unsettling and claustrophobic atmosphere. Dafoe and Pattinson deliver tour-de-force performances, and the film's ambiguous narrative leaves audiences questioning what is real and what is a figment of their characters' imaginations. The director cited influences like Edgar Allan Poe and Herman Melville.

Robert Eggers's The Witch is a chilling period horror film set in 17th-century New England. The film follows a Puritan family who are banished from their settlement and forced to live on a remote farm, where they are soon plagued by unexplained events and growing paranoia. Anya Taylor-Joy delivers a breakout performance as Thomasin, the eldest daughter who becomes the target of suspicion and accusations. The Witch is notable for its meticulous historical detail, its authentic use of 17th-century language, and its unsettling exploration of religious extremism and the fear of the unknown. A fun fact is that Eggers did extensive research to ensure the accuracy of the film's depiction of Puritan life, even consulting with historians and scholars.

Luca Guadagnino's Suspiria is a remake of Dario Argento's 1977 classic, but it charts its own distinct and disturbing path. Set in 1977 Berlin, the film follows Susie Bannion (Dakota Johnson), an American dancer who joins a prestigious dance academy run by a coven of witches. Guadagnino's Suspiria is a visually stunning and thematically rich film that explores themes of female power, guilt, and the legacy of trauma. With its unsettling atmosphere, haunting score by Thom Yorke, and mesmerizing dance sequences, Suspiria is a hypnotic and unforgettable cinematic experience.

Julia Ducournau's Raw is a French-Belgian horror film that combines coming-of-age drama with gruesome body horror. The story follows Justine, a young vegetarian veterinary student who develops a sudden and uncontrollable craving for meat after a hazing ritual at her university. As Justine gives in to her primal urges, she uncovers dark secrets about her family and her own identity. Raw is a visually arresting film that explores themes of sexuality, sisterhood, and the unsettling nature of desire. Ducournau's bold direction and the film's unflinching depiction of cannibalism make it a truly unforgettable cinematic experience.

Darren Aronofsky's mother! is an audacious and polarizing allegorical horror film that tackles themes of creation, destruction, and the insatiable demands of an audience. Jennifer Lawrence plays the young wife of a poet (Javier Bardem), living in a secluded house that she painstakingly restores. As their home is invaded by increasingly chaotic and demanding guests, their idyllic life crumbles into madness. mother! is a visually stunning and deeply unsettling film that invites multiple interpretations, whether viewed as a commentary on environmentalism, artistic creation, or religious idolatry. Be warned: this is a film that provokes strong reactions and is not for the faint of heart.

Another unsettling masterpiece from Ari Aster, Hereditary burrows deep under your skin and stays there long after the credits roll. The film centers on the Graham family as they grapple with the aftermath of a matriarch's death, only to uncover increasingly sinister secrets about their lineage. Toni Collette delivers a tour-de-force performance as Annie, a woman teetering on the edge of sanity, while the film expertly blends psychological horror with supernatural elements. A particularly striking aspect of Hereditary is its use of miniature models, which serve as a chilling visual metaphor for the characters' lack of control over their own lives. From séances to shocking twists, Hereditary is not easily forgotten.

Ari Aster's Midsommar is a sun-drenched nightmare that unfolds in the bright, unending daylight of a Swedish midsummer festival. The film follows Dani, played by Florence Pugh in a breathtaking performance, as she copes with immense personal tragedy by joining her emotionally distant boyfriend and his friends on a trip to Sweden. What begins as a search for cultural immersion quickly descends into a horrifying exploration of pagan rituals and psychological breakdown. Midsommar stands out for its bold use of unsettling imagery, its examination of grief and codependency, and its disturbingly beautiful cinematography. A true standout in modern horror.