In the words of the beloved DC comic book villain, “Is it just me, or is it getting crazier out there?”  The world looks like a different place for a lot of people right now, as we are amidst what a lot of people are referring to as a global pandemic.  However, the team at Modern Horrors embraces the “couch quarantine” as an opportunity to finally get caught up on all of those pesky horror films hiding on your watchlist.  Below is a list that will walk you through my personal recommendations of movies that you may not have gotten to.  So sit back, pull the recline lever on your lazy boy, and let us do the work for you.

1. One Cut Of The Dead (2017)

a zombie comedy unlike anything you have ever seen

Here at Modern Horrors, we have said it until we are blue in the face: for the love of god, please watch One Cut of The Dead.  This is a zombie comedy unlike anything you have ever seen.  The mastery behind the way this movie flows is next level.  Don’t let the movie fool you, just when you think its, over, you have only just begun.  So let this movie play out through it’s full runtime, and thank us later.

Description:

Things go badly for a hack director and film crew shooting a low budget zombie movie in an abandoned WWII Japanese facility, when they are attacked by real zombies.

Availability:

  • Shudder (Stream)
  • Apple, Amazon, Vudu, Youtube, Google Play (Buy)

2. Amusement (2008)

pays off in a big way

This is a fun, nightmarish trip that structures itself much like an anthology film.  The scares are well crafted, and the ending pays off in a big way.  This film may just have my all time favorite clown scene of any horror film to date.  As far as cinematography goes, this movie screams early 2000’s, and as far as I am concerned, that’s a good thing.  Always a diamond in the rough for me, but if you are looking for some good, early 2000’s scares, Amusement is a ton of fun.

Description:

Three women are stalked by a killer with a grudge that extends back to the girls’ childhoods.

Availability:

  • Vudu Free (Stream)
  • Apple, Amazon, Vudu, Youtube, Google Play (Buy)

3. The Autopsy of Jane Doe

The practical SFX … are nothing short of amazing  

The Autopsy of Jane Doe is one of those rare movies that is actually able to successfully build suspense and horror all the way to its final conclusion.  This movie keeps its monster in plain sight the entire runtime, and yet still manages to build the intensity and creep factor.  The practical SFX used in this film are nothing short of amazing. The acting is top notch, and the storyline is incredibly engaging.  Do not sleep on this one.

Description:        

A father and son, both coroners, are pulled into a complex mystery while attempting to identify the body of a young woman, who was apparently harboring dark secrets.

Availability:

  • Netflix (Stream)
  • Apple, Amazon, Vudu, Youtube, Google Play (Buy)

4. Bedevilled (2010)

a brutal and emotional roller coaster

Fair warning, this movie is going to wreck you. This is not a happy tale by any means.  However, if you are as into highly sobering and hard to watch movies as I am, Bedevilled definitely should be on your watch list.  This movie is a good example of horror happening the longer you are forced into a situation.  Hailing all the way from South Korea, Bedevilled is a brutal and emotional roller coaster that will leave a mark.  Despite it’s hard narrative, the acting is incredible, the cinematography is great and the direction from Cheol-soo Jang is expertly executed.  Maybe get to this one BEFORE cabin fever starts messing with your mind.

Disclaimer:  This movie deals very heavily with mental, physical and sexual abuse.

Description:

A woman subject to mental, physical and sexual abuse on a remote island seeks a way out.

Availability:

  • Amazon Prime (Stream)
  • Apple, Amazon, Vudu, Youtube, Google Play (Buy)

5. Brimstone (2016)

not for the faint of heart

Much like Bedevilled, Brimstone is not for the faint of heart.  This is a period piece set in the old west, starring Dakota Fanning, Guy Pierce and Kit Harrington.  The acting and cinematography is incredible, yes.  What makes this film so special is the writing and storytelling.  You weave in and out of a young girl’s life as she tries to flee from danger.  This movie is continuously tragic and will tap into all the emotions you have left.  It’s a heavy setter, but an excellently crafted one at that.

Disclaimer:  This movie deals very heavily with mental, physical and sexual abuse.

Description:

From the moment the new reverend climbs the pulpit, Liz knows she and her family are in great danger.

Availability:

  • Amazon Prime and Showtime (Stream)
  • Amazon, Vudu, Youtube, Google Play (Buy)

6. The Exorcism Of Emily Rose (2005)

compelling and scary

Need your fix of demon possession?  Look no further!  Exorcism of Emily Rose explores the horrors that take place when a young college girl becomes possessed.  Not only does this movie feature some of the scariest demon possession scenes I have ever seen, it also deals heavily with the legal aspects of dealing with a situation like this.  Some people have not been the biggest fan of the courtroom drama side of this film, but I think it is a great, um, exorcise in realistic filmmaking that takes it’s narrative very seriously.  What would you expect from Scott Derrickson as the director?  Turns out, the guy knows how to make compelling and scary movies!  This movie made my skin crawl back in 2005 and it’s sure to deliver in 2020.

Description:

A lawyer takes on a negligent homicide case involving a priest who performed an exorcism on a young girl.

Availability:

  • CBS All Access (Stream)
  • Apple, Amazon, Vudu, Youtube, Google Play (Buy)

7. Last Shift (2014)

a scary little siege narrative

Listen, Last Shift isn’t some large sprawling, prolific, expertly crafted narrative that is going to leave you wanting to change the world.  Last Shift is a scary little siege narrative, packed full of well-crafted creeps, and jump scares.  That’s why I love this movie.  It sticks to its guns and delivers.  If you’re looking for something that keeps you entertained, has great practical effects, and gives you the willies, I suggest checking this potent little film out.

Description:

A rookie cop’s 1st shift alone in the last night of a closing police station turns into a living nightmare.

Availability:

  • Shudder, Tubi TV (Stream)
  • Apple, Amazon, Vudu, Youtube, Google Play (Buy)

8. Seventh Moon (2008)

so simple, yet so effective

Seventh Moon is a brainchild of the well known Eduardo Sanchez.  Sanchez is most famously known for rebirthing the found footage movement with The Blair Witch Project.  But if you’re like me, and wished that BWP had a bit more to sink your teeth into, well, you may just love Seventh Moon.  This movie is one of a handful of movies that truly inspired me to pursue filmmaking.  Sanchez takes a Chinese myth, and turns it into a very simple and scary found footage ghost movie.  I think the ghosts in this movie are so simple, yet so effective, and that is why I love this one.  Just goes to show that you don’t need a bunch of fancy gear to make a good horror film, as long as you know how to work the camera, SFX and surrounding to your advantage.  Seventh Moon is definitely a must see.  This is one of the few examples on this list that is not available anywhere for stream, but you can find this for as low as a $3.99 purchase on all major VOD outlets.  Plus, if you like it, you own it, and can show your friends!

Description:

Melissa and Yul, Americans honeymooning in China, come across the exotic ‘Hungry Ghost’ festival. When night falls, the couple end up in a remote village, and soon realize the legend is all too real.

Availability:

  • Apple, Amazon, Vudu, Youtube, Google Play (Buy)

9. I Saw The Devil (2010)

brutal, thrilling, gorgeous and expertly executed

If you’ve hung around fans of foreign horror long enough, then you have probably heard of I Saw The Devil.  Personally, I was late to check this one out until about 2 years ago.  Wow, I slept on a real gem.  This movie is brutal, thrilling, gorgeous and expertly executed.  This is a film that will continue to be well revered, and for a good reason.  It’s just a damn good movie.  For all of my true crime and mystery fans out there, don’t skip I Saw The Devil.  It’s a wonderful game of cat and mouse, that will keep you on the edge of your seat.  Unfortunately, there are limited streams of it available at this time, however, this movie is worth your money to buy or rent.

Description:

A secret agent exacts revenge on a serial killer through a series of captures and releases.

Availability:

  • Hoopla (Stream)
  • Apple, Amazon, Vudu, Youtube, Google Play (Buy)

10. House Of The Devil (2009)

a fun slow burn

House Of The Devil is the third film from genre darling filmmaker Ti West.  This movie is a period piece that is shot to look like it is set in the 1980s.  They got this one right.  Everything from the way the camera moves, the cinematography, the acting, the setting…every single thing looks and feels period accurate.  As much as I love the looks of the movie, this one is all about the feeling.  This is a fun slow burn that slowly reveals the horror it has in store.  By the time the credits roll, it definitely delivers it’s punches.  This may not be for everyone, but if any of this sounds interesting to you, I assure you that the movie does an even better job at capturing your attention.

Description:

In 1983, financially struggling college student Samantha Hughes takes a strange babysitting job that coincides with a full lunar eclipse. She slowly realizes her clients harbor a terrifying secret, putting her life in mortal danger.

Availability:

  • Amazon Prime, Shudder, Hoopla (Stream)
  • Amazon, Vudu, Youtube, Google Play (Buy)