To date, the horror genre is the most popular in both domestic and foreign film distribution. Which can be explained from the point of view of practical psychology: the adrenaline generated when watching this kind of movie helps relieve stress and distract from oppressive problems. Is this not necessary for modern man? The British newspaper Guardian ranked the top 10 scariest horror films, taking into account the opinions of readers and authoritative film critics.
We have also selected the scariest horror films in the world of the 21st century for you.
10. Peeping
This film tells about how the childhood dreams of one young man turned into the worst nightmare. For others. As an assistant operator, the main character (Boehm) has always cherished the idea that one day he will occupy his niche in directorial art. In the end, the “art” was pinning women with a camera tripod and shooting this truly terrifying action.
9. Vampire: Alain Gray's Dream
“Vampire” is an exciting, bone-breaking journey into the world of dreams, mysterious and dangerous. The film begins with the fact that a lone traveler stops in an old castle, where nightmares and visions begin to haunt him. The film was released at that time in the development of cinema, when sound appeared in it, so initially it was conceived as dumb. But despite some qualitative flaws, this horror is immensely atmospheric and able to tickle the nerves of the modern viewer.
8. Let me in
In the center of events is the twelve-year-old Oscar, which is the object of ridicule and bullying. Neither at school nor outside her friends does he have. All that this boy dreams of is revenge. One night, he meets a girl named Eli. Friendship arises between two teenagers, and then something more. The thirst for love, urged in Eli, is accompanied by ... a thirst for blood.
7. Nosferatu - horror symphony
The film was shot based on the famous novel by Bram Stoker, and moreover, it was the first adaptation, which became the "source" of all films about Dracula. By the way, films about Dracula were shot, according to general data, more than a hundred. Therefore, retelling the plot of this horror is an absolutely waste of time. The unequivocal advantages of the critics' films include a competent game in black and white and composition.
6. The Exorcist
Another “movie starting point” in the horror genre. The film was released in 1973 and collected almost all possible awards. Of course, against the background of modern films in the theme of "Obsession", it will look rather faded. But we must not forget that it was from him that all subsequent ideas were drawn. The plot is twisted on the obsession with the daughter of one famous actress. No psychotherapist could make an accurate diagnosis. But once a specially invited priest realizes that something otherworld took possession of the girl’s soul.
5. Radiance
Perhaps the most famous horror film, shot by Stephen King. This is the case when time does not affect perception. The Gothic film palette, specific musical accompaniment, strong psychological techniques - all this completely immerses the viewer in the darkness, woven from a criminal nightmare. The film begins pretty sweetly: the protagonist arrives with his family in an old hotel to work as a caretaker. But something terrifying that once happened within the walls of this building drives the main character crazy.
4. Wicker man
A police sergeant, Gobi, flies to Summermeiland Island, near Scotland, to investigate the disappearance of a local girl. However, local residents are not at all happy about his investigation and himself, sometimes it even develops into hostility. At first, all the inhabitants denied that the girl that the inspector showed them in the photograph had ever lived on this island. When it turns out that the girl was still there, everyone abruptly “remembers” that yes, she lived, but she died six months ago. However, when Gobi opens the girl’s grave, the carcass of a rabbit appears there .. In the remake shot in the USA in 2006, the main role (wicker man) was played by Nicolas Cage, however, the film caused extremely negative reviews of film critics and fans.
3. Now do not look
The film “Now don’t look” is very specific both in the shooting methods and in the content. The spouses of Laura and John die under mysterious circumstances. In an effort to escape from their own grief, and also with the goal of at least somehow “patching up” their marriage, they move to live in Venice. But the cold and gloomy Venice did not solve their problems, but only brought nightmare riddles and new suffering into their lives.
2. Rosemary's baby
“Rosemary's Baby” is the first Hollywood cinematographic work of the famous director Roman Polanski, based on the novel of the same name by Ira Levin. It is worth noting that the author of the book himself will later call this film the best film adaptation ever made on a literary work. The main characters are a young couple Guy and Rosemary, who moved to a new residence. Soon they meet their neighbors, eccentric, but rather pleasant people. But when Rosemary finds out that she is pregnant, all the joy is overshadowed by the strange events taking place around them.
1. Psycho
This "old-school" horror catches its style. Catchy black and white tones prevented the picture from becoming obsolete, at least visually. And so, the plot is quite predictable, and the scenes are commonplace. Nevertheless, throughout the viewing of the film still keeps the viewer in suspense. The film tells about what flight from problems and the search for an easy life through “easy” money can lead to.
If we take into consideration the rating of a randomly caught film, it can be noted that the ratings of viewers and film critics diverge qualitatively. And this pattern is observed in almost every movie. No wonder: after all, when evaluating a film, film critics give points for directing, cinematography and other subtleties, while ordinary townsfolk are guided by only one criterion - “scary / not scary”. And they have every right to do so.