7. Revenge
Revenge slipped through the cinematic cracks during a jam-packed summer, but this is a must-see horror experience! This French import from director Coralie Fargeat is a throwback to the rape and revenge genre of the 1970s with an even more feminist twist than those original films. Revenge follows Jen as she attempts to kill the men who assaulted her and left her for dead, but the way she recovers from the attack is inspiring.
What makes actress Matilda Lutz stand out among the women usually found in the genre is the reality she brings to Jen. You relate to her, you feel for her, and you really want her to get her titular revenge. She goes through so much in this film and how she takes back her dignity is quite the pleasure to witness. You might’ve skipped this film when it first came on the scene, but don’t waste any more time not watching Revenge!
6. The House That Jack Built
The film that’s so so shocking it pissed off the MPAA! Yes, The House That Jack Built is the newest film from Lars Von Trier and it wouldn’t be a Von Trier film if there weren’t any controversy. The tale of a serial killer Jack (Matt Dillon) and his 12-year journey through mayhem is equal parts disgusting and hilarious. While it doesn’t have the chills and thrills of a usual slasher, Jack is more depraved than all of the horror slashers combined.
The House That Jack Built features some most brutal acts of violence in cinema this year, with the multiple scenes of heinous actions being committed to women, children, and even animals. This movie isn’t for everyone, but if you want a horror story that feels all too real, this Lars Von Trier piece is for you.
5. Suspiria
As the year closes, 2018 shaped up to be the year of the witch. With Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and American Horror Story on television and the release of Suspiria, audiences were under an occult spell. Suspiria took the dark magic of the 1977 original film and elevated it to new heights. Director Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name) adds his classy touch to this graphic tale of witches running a ballet school, leading to one of the year’s most polarizing films.
If you loved or hated this movie, you have to respect the craftsmanship that went into creating Suspiria. With superb acting from Tilda Swinton and Dakota Johnson to some amazing cinematography from Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, this is a top-notch film. If only you can get past the intense dance scenes and graphic violence!
4. Cam
The final Blumhouse film to make this list and this one might be the least known out of the three. Cam is a recently released Netflix horror film, with a cyber-scary premise similar to the hit show Black Mirror. Even with its streaming release, this is a must-see for any horror fan. Lead actress Madeline Brewer throws herself into this exposing role as a cam girl trying to reclaim her identity after her site steals her real image.
Cam feels new and refreshing. It is not only because of its futuristic concept but the way the film presents our protagonist. Having a female writer Isa Mazzei, someone who worked in the webcam industry, adds a new layer to how to tell this story. Never does it feel cheap or exploitive; if this movie came out just ten years ago, things would’ve played out very differently. Thankfully 2018 was the year we finally got a piece like Cam.
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