As the leaves turn and the air chills, fall ushers in a time when the veil between worlds thins to a gossamer thread, inviting whispers of the supernatural and the unknown. Dubbed the “Spooky Season,” it’s a time when shadows seem to dance a little livelier and the night air hums with eerie possibilities. And the perfect backdrop for horror aficionados and those who revel in the thrill of a good scare.
This year, Coventum dives deep into the cinematic crypt to unearth the most chilling horror gems of 2024. We’ve got your go-to list for a season filled with deliciously dark escapades. So grab your popcorn (and maybe a protective talisman or two) as we explore what this year’s filmmakers have dared to disturb from the spectral realms!
A Different Man
An A24 film featuring Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, and Adam Pearson, premiered to applause at Sundance. This darkly humorous tale delves into identity and obsession, capturing attention with its twisted plot and unsettling gore. Stan’s role—changed by prosthetics—offers a stark look at societal reactions to perceived disabilities, making it a standout choice for those who revel in both horror and satire during the spooky season.
Heretic
Movie plunges viewers into a haunting narrative featuring two young Mormon missionaries, portrayed by Chloe East and Sophie Thatcher, who encounter a man embroiled in a psychological game of belief. Crafted by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, known for “A Quiet Place” and recent works like “65” and “The Boogeyman,” this film weaves suspense without overt gore. The trailer presents the man offering a choice between doors marked “BELIEF” and “DISBELIEF,” challenging the missionaries’ convictions. A gripping scene in a wooden labyrinth at the trailer’s end suggests a maze of faith and doubt, drawing viewers into its intricate, menacing world.
The Substance
In Coralie Fargeat’s movie is a groundbreaking entry at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, a TV superstar, ousted due to aging, uses a mysterious substance promised to create a younger version of himself, only to spawn a radical clone. This sci-fi cloning narrative pushes boundaries with its extreme violence, challenging the viewer’s endurance. Masterfully crafted within the body horror genre, the film delivers a visual feast that is indispensable for aficionados. The title, “The Substance,” hints at both the physical essence and a deeper metaphysical interpretation, elevating the genre to new heights and offering unforgettable moments for its audience.
Smile 2
In “Smile 2,” the eerie grins of terror are back, now haunting the life of global pop star Skye. As inexplicable events unravel, Skye finds herself trapped on the thin line between reality and nightmare. Merging the pressures of fame with shadows from her past, she must confront her history to escape this relentless horror. “Smile 2” promises to drag audiences once again into the depths of dread, proving that fear is indeed contagious. Ready for a sequel that smiles back just as frightfully?
The Devil’s Bath
This movie breathes new life into the horror genre, particularly highlighting the rise of folk horror films post-2010. Set in the 1750s in Upper Austria, this film, premiering at the 74th Berlin Film Festival, offers a refreshing divergence from the reheated scripts of cult classics. It starts dramatically with a woman throwing her baby from a waterfall, followed by a confessional visit to a church. We then delve into the life of Agnes, a peasant girl who marries her beloved, Wolf. However, the initial joy fades as Wolf grows distant, Agnes’s desire for a child goes unmet, and their communication breaks down, plunging her into loneliness and melancholy. Agnes’s increasing despair, compounded by her inability to have a child and her struggle between Christian faith and solitude, paints a poignant portrait of psychological horror rooted in folklore traditions.
Woman of the Hour
The film delivers a chilling true-crime story set against the backdrop of 1978’s “The Dating Game.” In a gripping portrayal, Anna Kendrick stars as Cheryl Bradshaw, a contestant who unknowingly selects Rodney Alcala, a man behind the charming facade of a photographer, as her date. Unbeknownst to her, Alcala was a notorious serial killer, suspected of murdering over a hundred victims while masquerading as a photographer in Los Angeles. Portrayed by Daniel Zovatto, Alcala’s dark double life unfolds in stark contrast to the bright television set.
Longlegs
Longlegs showcases a riveting showdown between modern horror’s rising queen, Maika Monroe, and the legendary Nicolas Cage in a tale that fully harnesses their dramatic prowess. Monroe, known for her breakthrough roles in ‘It Follows’ and ‘Watcher,’ brings to life Lee Harker, a young, detail-oriented FBI detective with social anxiety who relentlessly pursues answers. The film provides ample opportunity to delve into Detective Harker’s complex persona and troubled life before her path inevitably intersects with the killer.
Nosferatu
Robert Eggers reimagines the classic vampire tale “Nosferatu” in his latest horror venture, starring Bill Skarsgård and Lily-Rose Depp. Reviving the story of Count Orlok, originally portrayed in F.W. Murnau’s 1922 silent film, Eggers infuses this cult classic with his signature eerie style. Set against a backdrop of existential dread and forbidden love, this version promises to delve deep into the dark allure of its vampiric protagonist, captivating a new generation with a fresh yet faithful take.
Speak No Evil
Directed and co-written by young Danish filmmaker Christian Tafdrup with his brother Mads, Speak No Evil emerges as one of the year’s most unexpected surprises. The film centers on a Danish couple, Bjørn and Louise, and their children Agnes and Abel (who is mute from birth), as they holiday in Tuscany. There, they meet the Dutch couple, Patrick and Karin. After sharing a seemingly perfect vacation, the Danish family receives an invitation from their new acquaintances to visit their rural home for a weekend. Despite knowing little about them, Bjørn and Louise, swayed by their positive first impressions, decide it would be rude to refuse. What could possibly go wrong?
Meanwhile on Earth
Jérémy Clapin’s first live-action film, “Meanwhile on Earth,” presented by Metrograph Pictures, is a science-fiction gem for those usually averse to the genre. This poignant film blends celestial wonder with stark realism, exploring grief and human connection through the eyes of Elsa, played by Megan Northam. As Elsa grapples with her astronaut brother’s disappearance, she sketches the elderly she cares for, capturing life’s fleeting moments. Clapin’s use of evocative cinematography and animated sequences intertwines Elsa’s earthbound reality with the cosmos, creating a haunting yet familiar alien world.
The Front Room
“The Front Room” is a harrowing horror-thriller from the directing duo Max and Sam Eggers. The film centers around a pregnant couple tasked with caring for a disturbingly estranged stepmother. As expected, their situation spirals rapidly into madness. Starring Andrew Burnap, Brandy Norwood, and Kathryn Hunter as the eerie stepmother, the narrative twists through tense, claustrophobic encounters that promise to unhinge both the characters and the audience alike.
Azrael
A gripping tale of survival and ancient evils, set in a silent world where no one speaks. The film follows a young woman named Azrael, who escapes from captivity only to be hunted by a female-led community. When captured, Azrael must battle not just her captors but also the primordial wickedness lurking in the wilderness. This narrative stitches together elements of suspense and horror, as Azrael fights to avoid becoming a sacrifice to an ancient evil, showcasing her fierce determination to survive against all odds.
Hold Your Breath
Movie unfolds in 1930s Oklahoma, where devastating dust storms disrupt life. Amidst these natural upheavals, a woman senses a sinister force behind the chaos, threatening her family. As the community deems her mad, she fights to protect her loved ones from what she perceives as a demonic presence. This atmospheric thriller merges historical hardships with supernatural elements, challenging viewers to question the true nature behind the storms while depicting a poignant struggle for survival.
