A series of creepy movie teasers went viral in recent days, with the horror world predicting the film to be the “scariest of 2024” – while we wait for more updates, here are five creepy films to get you in the mood.
Earlier this month, a mysterious trailer went viral – it’s cryptic, it’s creepy, and it’s about as unsettling as it gets. In the clip, an old family photo appears on screen as a 911 call audio plays alongside chilling music. When the operator picks up, a panicked man whispers, “That’s not my daughter… I’ve got to be quiet.” Right at the end, we see what looks like a crime scene photo showing a girl’s long legs.
It’s this latter detail, among others, that led the online community to believe the teasers for Longlegs – an upcoming horror movie directed by Oz Perkins and starring Nicolas Cage, Maika Monroe, Alicia Witt, and Blair Underwood. This was all but confirmed a week later, when a more detailed teaser arrived, with Rotten Tomatoes and JoBlo listing it as the Longlegs trailer.
Anticipation is building for the film, which has already been dubbed the “scariest of 2024” – but while it’s reported it’ll drop this year, there is no release date set in stone just yet. So, to keep you tide over, here are five bone-chilling movies that are sure to give you the creeps.
Possum (2018)
Matthew Holness brings some real “balls to the wall” horror with Possum, a psychological flick that will leave you just as confused, unsettled, and intrigued as the Longlegs teasers. The basic premise centers on a disgraced children’s puppeteer – a creepy detail in itself – who returns to his childhood home to destroy a human-faced spider marionette, itself a metaphor for trauma. Holness captures the atmosphere and tension of ‘70s horror, bolstered by the relentlessly bleak British setting and surrealist elements. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but you’re hardly here for an easy watch, right?
Where to stream: On-demand
Skinamarink (2022)
Much like Longlegs, hype for Kyle Edward Ball’s lo-fi horror Skinamarink was strong after a cryptic teaser left viewers wanting more. Turns out, the movie itself is a cryptic ride, one that will take all of your concentration to get through – but it’s well worth it. Rather than relying on cutting-edge effects or big-name actors, Skinamarink is a confounding, low-budget exercise in cinematic experimentation, one that taps into our childhood fears. An ambient sound design and disorientating camerawork make the jump scares all the more effective, all of which build to an ending bound to have you sleeping with the lights on for weeks.
Where to stream: Shudder
House (1977)
Nobuhiko Obayashi’s 1977 movie House is the most berserk haunted house story you’ll ever witness on screen, centering on a schoolgirl who travels with her six friends to her aunt’s country home, only to discover that it harbors malevolent supernatural forces. Though a completely different work to Longlegs – at least, we assume – it’s unsettling in the sense that you never know what’s coming next. House is a surreal cinematic kaleidoscope that defies conventional storytelling, plunging viewers into a fever dream in which reality fractures, unleashing a torrent of fantastical and disconcerting imagery. What sets House apart is its audacious visual style and experimental approach to filmmaking, the director’s fearless abandonment of cinematic norms turning House into a disorienting and unforgettable experience.
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Where to stream: On-demand
Inland Empire (2006)
You can’t write a list of unsettling movies and not include David Lynch, and while it might not be his best, Inland Empire tops the chart in terms of creep factor. A labyrinthine exploration of the blurred boundaries between reality and fiction in the realm of Hollywood, the 2006 film revolves around actress Nikki Grace, played by Lynch’s acting bulwark Laura Dern, who becomes entangled in a mysterious film production. As she immerses herself in the role, the lines between the character she portrays and her own identity begin to dissolve. Lynchian elements such as cryptic dialogue, abstract visuals, and an omnipresent sense of dread permeate the film – and an honorable mention goes to that terrifying Dern scene.
Where to stream: On-demand
Dogtooth (2009)
While The Favorite and Poor Things might now come to mind when you think of Yorgos Lanthimos, his 2009 flick Dogtooth is arguably the creepiest. The plot centers on a disturbing microcosm of a father’s authoritarian experiment, where his children are shielded from the external world and taught an alternate, distorted reality where sexual boundaries simply don’t exist. What makes the premise even more sinister is that the screenplay was written just before the disturbing case of Josef Fritzl came to light – and it’s not hard to see the parallels. But alongside the plot, Lanthimos crafts an atmosphere of eerie normalcy, punctuated by deadpan performances and a clinical aesthetic.
Where to stream: Max
All of these movies are available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, which you can sign up for here. You can find our other horror coverage here.
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