2024 was a good year to be a horror fan.
From high-concept psychological horrors to spine-tingling supernatural tales,2024’s lineup easily ranks among the strongest in recent years.
The finished product isa bold, memorable, focused affair, boasting a streamlined vision and impressively confident execution.
Image by Federico Napoli
It fuses balletic action with unexpected humor and revenge-o-matic thrills.
It’sbloody, brutal, and a ton of fun.
As with the previous installments, a lot rides onThornton’s twisted, charismatic performance.
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“Hugh Grantturns one of his best performancesever in this horror about faith and fanaticism.
Finally,the movie’s philosophical musings are also surprisingly smart, elevatingHereticabove other similar, more middling movies.
“Smile 2isone of the few horror sequelsthatimproves on the original.
Story-wise, it explores the aftermath of the smile curse that drove victims to madness and death.
Then there’s also the terrific lead performance byNaomi Scott, which is undoubtedly the film’s secret weapon.
She’s both entertaining and believable.
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The actor can be very hit-or-miss with these performances, but here, he absolutely nails it.
Oddityisa minimalist but endlessly creative affair.
It’s one ofthe best movie endingsof 2024.
Overall, it marks directorDamian McCarthyas one to watch.
The first twoAlienmovies were masterpieces, but the sequels could never quite recapture that magic.
It follows a ragtag crew who break into a research vessel only to find it overrun with xenomorphs.
Image via A24
This movie is simply bursting with confidence and style, an enjoyable return to form for the series.
In a desperate bid to reverse flagging ratings, Jack invites an allegedly possessed girl onto the show.
As strange occurrences begin to plague the studio, it becomes clear that something otherworldly has been unleashed.
While not all that scary,Late Night with the Devilis impressively creative.
The retro setting and aesthetic infuse the whole thing with a playful, tongue-in-cheek sensibility.
This approach doesn’t mean the movie isn’t dark, however.
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It takes its themes seriously, too, never resorting to empty sloganeering.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, andAndrzej Zuawski’sPossession, all filtered through her unique perspective.
1’Nosferatu' (2024)
Directed by Robert Eggers
“Some shadows never fade.”
Claiming the top spot on this list is, unsurprisingly,Robert Eggers’s rich reimagining ofF.W.
What’s also impressive here isthe film’s emotional depth.
Characters are fleshed out, and their inner struggles are well-realized.
Image via Neon
Not for nothing,Nosferatuwas embraced by everyone fromDavid LowerytoDavid FincherandSean Baker.
Rent on Apple
NEXT:The 10 Best Sci-Fi Movies Since the Pandemic, Ranked
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