Top Ten 2024 Horror Films That Stuck With Me

By: Myriam Akbar

During my process of building any film list, I try to balance what I enjoyed and what I believe was executed well. In most ways cinematic commentary is subjective, but there can be useful critiques given (for a script writer like me) by discussing objective narrative strategies and directing techniques. More than anything, I ask myself: Did the film surpass my expectations, by lingering in my mind for days — weeks even? Did it offer something new? Does it feel like it was made with a passion for cinema?

In this piece, I’ll highlight ten films from 2024 that: provide refreshing ways to experience horror, explore unique concepts, and balance the intertwining of multiple genres. To make the most sense of my perspective on what qualifies as horror and its sub-genres, I want to highlight an interpretation of the Oxford English Dictionary definition from the novel Scream Writing (2019 ): “Alright, so a horror film would be a film that endeavored to provoke fear, shock, or disgust within the viewer,” (pg. 15). It’s a fitting definition in my opinion, because it demonstrates how emotionally layered the experience of watching a horror film is. People often assume that I love the genre because I like to be scared. That’s not only a stretch from the truth, but a total misunderstanding. I am drawn to the complexities of human nature and survival, so naturally the genre scratches the inside of my mind in the very best way. For me, watching a horror film showcases the wide spectrum of feeling one can experience in a lived reality: contentment, shock, disappointment, anxiety, fear, laughter, confusion, acceptance, courage, and if not a bleak ending — hope. Other genres don’t have that impact on me and that’s why I’ve been a horror fan since my youth.

1.) Rita

Rita is a heartbreaking yet beautiful Guatemalan film that’s based on a true story. The story follows a girl named Rita who escapes her abusive father, only to be taken to a government-led shelter where girls are exploited and abused. Together they discuss plans of fleeing, posing her as their leader. The plot involves exposing the state's sick actions and whether the girls will find freedom. Despite that being the primary course of events, the impact of its entirety is there without a long run-time. The film intertwines multiple genres effortlessly: supernatural horror, dark fantasy, and social commentary (exploring human trafficking and femicide). Rita stuck with me for many reasons, but truly landed in the top spot because it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. From the enchanting drumming beats, to the directing choices, to the way it made me feel. The entire film expertly plays with juxtaposition in such a brilliant way, both literally and symbolically. The little things – like glitter and gold twinkle lights versus the dark atmosphere. Another example is the black versus white angel/fairy wings, which cleverly contributes to the fantasy genre elements. It’s like watching a whimsical ballet that becomes taken over by the shadows of the woods. There’s deeper placements as well, like the presentation of events feeling dream-like yet also nightmarish. This along with the shifts from freedom to being trapped, which correlates to my favorite use of this device – the shifts between reality and the non-physical world. This had the most emotional and mental impact on me, by placing me in a position of both haunting complacency and naive hope. I don’t want to spoil the direction of the film or its ending. What I will say is that I wasn’t expecting it to have the mood that it does because of the premise and fantasy elements. Rita is currently available to rent on Prime Video and I highly recommend watching, if you’re looking for cinema outside of the US. If you’ve watched the film Incident in A Ghostland and liked it, this just might be for you!

2.) Oddity 

Oddity is a film that gave me all the object-sentience-goodness I was craving from the supernatural horror sub-genre. The plot follows a blind clairvoyant woman, seeking answers as to who brutally murdered her twin sister. Although it has a short run-time and is simplistic in nature, I almost gave this film the number one spot because of how unique and eerie it is. It reminds me of the slasher Tourist Trap because of the use of mannequins, relying on uncanny imagery and chilling movements to create an uneasy mood. If you’re a fan of jump-scares, you should definitely check this out because one of them definitely got me. Also the auditory imagery is top notch, especially in the very last scene. My favorite thing about this film is the way the protagonist's occupation (shopkeeper at a cabinet of curiosities shop) correlates to the unique concept of her reading objects for clues to solve the mystery and enact revenge. The acting performances are great and the entities look terrifying. It’s a refreshing and clever expression of things-that-go-bump-in-the-night, available to watch on Shudder now.

3.) The Substance 

I would describe The Substance as a repulsive and somehow-still-sexy film that makes an iconic addition to the body horror sub-genre. Despite thinking this would be in the number one spot, I’m a massive fan who has been thinking of it ever since I watched it in theaters. The plot follows a woman struggling with her fading celebrity career and the consequences of her using a black market drug to gain a more youthful appearance. This is the first on the list that I’ve put in my fuck-around-and-find-out film category, because as you can imagine there’s side-effects and they’re completely bonkers. I “went in blind,” knowing very little and that was the 2nd best cinematic decision I made the whole year. The film tackles a ton of themes: womanhood, struggles and acceptance of aging, the entertainment industry’s unrealistic expectations of women, drug and cosmetic addiction, misogyny etc. I believe the serious nature of the thematic concerns is well balanced with bright colors, dance numbers, spunky dialogue, and unhinged body horror scenes. Both Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley give spectacular performances, so much that most viewers instantly voiced their need to see them win awards. What’s fun about this film is that despite pulling inspiration from popular horror films, it truly has its own aesthetic and vibe. It made for awesome costumes this Halloween and I imagine I’ll see more over the years as more people watch. The Substance doesn’t hesitate with the gore, so if you're squeamish – this is not for you. My only negative critique is the run time of two hours, twenty minutes. I feel many scenes could have been shortened, especially the ending because to me it drags on and becomes gimmicky. I think a half an hour shorter would have been perfect! Nonetheless, this film is truly the definition of a must-watch. Overall, it’s feminine, fresh, and freaky as hell.

4.) Blink Twice 

Blink Twice is a film that some debate is not horror, but rather a psychological thriller. An often neglected sentiment in modern perception is that two things can be true at the same time. I think this is a perfect example of that and the subjectivity of cinema in general. The plot follows a waitress who is invited to a strange yet extravagant island by a billionaire CEO, who previously stepped down because of unspecified yet clearly controversial behavior. Private flights, all white matching outfits, and psychedelics -- everything you'd imagine in that kind of setting. The film explores themes relevant in current society: rape culture, exploitation in the entertainment industry, abuse of power, and generational trauma. Memory is a huge component of the mystery in the story, as characters start to question how long they’ve been on the island and what’s really going on. For many like myself, watching this was a triggering experience and at first I didn’t think I would be able to rewatch it. There’s several scenes depicting physical and sexual abuse that even while considering the subject matter, still shocked me. Since its release, I’ve seen it four times and that is solely because of the craftsmanship. Director Zoe Kravitz, did an outstanding job with: the script, world building, characterization, casting, the score, and using her own personal experiences to create something that felt real. Bringing it back to that horror definition, this film checks every box: the concept and setting creates fear, the suspense and plot twists create shock, and the revelations and subject matter create disgust. There’s some fun chase and kill scenes, secondary characters (Badass Maid), and a monologue from Channing Tatum that sent chills down my spine. If you’re a true-crimer or just like a good thrill – this should be at the top of your watchlist. 

5.) Murmur

Murmur is a trippy, fun film that I caught within the last two weeks of the year and I’m so relieved that I did. I’m not ashamed to admit that I have technophobia and zero technological hubris. So naturally a plot involving teens playing a horror augmented reality game, freaked me out. This is another one that I’ve added to my “fuck around and find out” film category. As you can imagine, playing the game begins as “harmless fun” but slowly transforms into a dangerous nightmare. Murmur shows how altered states of reality operate within a horror setting, while considering its tropes. For example, tripping over something that was behind a projected image. It also criticizes violent social media challenges like the "Slenderman" and how characters become injured just by the distraction of these. Other thematic concerns include: accountability with technology usage, the sociological impact of social media, and human narcissism towards nature. It has aspects of found footage, horror, sci-fi, social commentary, and mockumentary. The intertwining of genres is brilliantly executed in my opinion, as well as the balancing of satire and gore. I like to describe it as a mix of Stay Alive and As Above, So Below. I think the pacing works well and the dialogue is intentional which is one of the main things I look for in a script. There’s some jump-scares and chilling imagery that stuck with me after watching. If you’re looking for a less-talked-about horror film from 2024, I highly suggest giving this one a shot because a lot of people unfortunately missed it. 

6.) Strange Darling

Strange Darling is another psychological thriller that I feel leans towards horror and can certainly be argued as that. This film is what started my “going in blind” journey and the strategy did not disappoint – the best cinematic decision I made all year. The plot involves a seductive game of cat and mouse between a man and woman, with the mystery existing in the question: which one of them is the actual danger? Using non-linear storytelling and an abundance of plot twists, Strange Darling plays with your gender biases and assumptions to keep your eyes glued to the screen. Despite the story not exploring much else, the watch is enthralling and addictive. Willa Fitzgerald’s performance was phenomenal and solidified her as a horror Scream Queen. I rarely say a film is perfect but this one is extremely close. My only negative critique is that the ending has a glaring pacing issue that was a bit aggravating. Nonetheless, this is a sexy and savage must-watch of 2024!

7.) It’s What’s Inside 

It’s What’s Inside is a mind bending sci-fi horror film, that has a dash of comedy. It follows a group of friends on their way to a wedding, who gather for a celebration beforehand. This is the final addition to the fuck-around-and-find-out category, as they decide to play a game of let’s-switch-consciousness. This is made possible with an advanced technology device which these days, doesn't even sound far-fetched. What I love most about this one, is how unique the concept is — I’ve truly never seen anything like it before. It’s trippy, fun, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s full of twists and turns regarding who has switched with who; so much that if you don’t give it your undivided attention, you’ll find yourself misplaced in the story. There is a final twist at the end that corresponds with the world building in the story. I don’t hate it; however, I would have preferred a few different scenarios to replace it, as well as the resolution portion in general. I won’t spoil it but it came off over-complicated and cheesy, whereas other possibilities that I considered would have had a more effective impact on me.

8.) Mr. Crocket

Mr. Crocket is a nightmare-fueled horror film with a gory, cartoonist vibe. It follows a mother trying to save her son from being kidnapped by a madman who emerges from the television. Despite being an obvious villain, he targets households that have some form of abuse present in the home. This particular aspect of the plot triggered me, causing me to become uncomfortable and anxious due to personal experiences with childhood abuse. I hope to find myself healed enough to watch again because it’s a damn good film and there wasn’t a ton of black representation in horror in 2024. What I love most is the concept itself because there isn’t an overload of similar films in the genre and it has its own unique touches. I also think it’s clever to use relatable childhood experiences (watching shows like Mister. Rogers’ Neighborhood), because the audience can automatically put themselves in the story. There’s influences of A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Ring, also reminding me of the first season of Channel Zero: Candle Cove. Its colorful atmosphere contrasted with the blood and gore very well in my opinion, being one of the most perfected parts of the film. Likewise, the balancing of the playful nature of the children's show concept with the serious subject matter. This is one I highly recommend watching if you aren’t negatively impacted by the thematic concerns at hand and want some fun, gory entertainment. 

9.) Cuckoo 

Cuckoo is a strange and intriguing sci-fi horror film that follows the mysterious events that take place when a teenager who is grieving the death of her mother, goes to live with her father. I personally found a lot of the plot to be uninteresting, but I adore the overall concept once it's revealed and explained. It’s original, weird, and the world-building demonstrates potential for sequels. However, the unfamiliarity factor was underwhelming and distracting for me to adore the overall film. I like a cinematic experience that makes me think but upon first watch, the cuckoo reference didn’t land for me. I had to do research to understand what it meant in the world of the story. While it’s easy to apply the details to what’s happening in the story, I wasn’t crazy about having to rewatch just to have the full experience. It’s basically one of those movies where you couldn’t guess what’s actually going on even if you tried. I think the execution would have been more effective if it had leaned further into the sci-fi elements, intertwining the explanation in just a little bit more. What I did like though (without spoiling too much), was the unusual fear experience created by the sound of screeching and imagery of beating in the throat. I also think the hooded villain has a cool look, it reminds me of something out of Pretty Little Liars. If you like mind-bending films that leave you full of curiosity, this is the one for you!

10.) In A Violent Nature 

In A Violent Nature, is a slasher horror film that follows the POV of the masked villain as he does the killings. I will say that I don’t feel the plot pushed anything new or exciting, but it’s such a memorable watch because of the closeness we get as an audience. The camera and directional choices made me feel like I was moving with the villain as he walked. Hearing his breathing and panting made me feel like I was in the room with him. The kill scenes were my favorite of the year and that’s truly why it’s on the list. They were gruesome, merciless, and vivid. My main issue with the film is that there was zero attempt to create a twist or moment that was thought provoking. If there was just a little more effort in those departments, it could have made my top three. 

Cheers to another year of horror! I'm looking forward to all the fear, shock, and disgust 2025 brings to cinema.

Photo Cred: Collages made using images from IMDB.com