It’s Spooky Season once again, and Halloween lovers are preparing themselves for their horror binges. There are many classic horror films to enjoy, but some audiences may prefer a more recent look for their thrilling experience.
Recent years have seen the emergence of many new voices in the world of horror cinema, with creators like Jordan Peele and Robert Eggers making names for themselves in the genre. Letterboxd score can be a reliable source for a film’s credibility, as the user ratings are primarily from lovers of movies and those who have seen a wide variety of films.
Last Night In Soho (2021) – 3.5/5
Edgar Wright isn’t the first person that comes to mind when thinking of horror thriller movies, as most of his work has been characterized as lighter and fun. Last Night In Soho is a flashy but darker tale about a young woman leaving home to live in the city on her own.
Letterboxd users love Wright’s work, with many of his films having higher scores. The change of pace may have been difficult for this reason, though many found an appreciation for the project, regardless. Wright’s deviation from his usual style is exciting, and Anya Taylor-Joy is always gripping on screen.
Fresh (2022) – 3.5/5
Fresh was a new addition to the sub-genre of horror that shows the worst-case scenarios of normal situations. An idea that was popularized by Get Out, these types of films often take topical, relatable scenarios, and create horror situations out of them.
The success of Fresh owes a lot to the power of social media, as the film spread among younger adults on the internet. This explains the Letterboxd score and view count, as the demographic of the site is typically fans in their 20s. Fans loved Sebastian Stan’s performance and considered him one of the most terrifying villains of the year.
The Invisible Man (2020) – 3.5/5
Though The Invisible Man is a remake of an older film, it gains originality from its modernization. Elizabeth Moss and Aldis Hodge are typically strong, and the film is great for fans of clever jump scares and tense thrillers.
The film boomed on Letterboxd due to it releasing just before the pandemic. While many films were postponed for some time, The Invisible Man grew in popularity as it hit streaming services and was available to many movie lovers who were stuck at home.
A Quiet Place Part II (2020) – 3.6/5
While not as successful as the first film, A Quiet Place Part II expands on the mysterious world that John Krasinski is building. The addition of Cillian Murphy was excellent for the cast and tone of the movie, and Part II is still an enjoyable horror film.
Because of Peaky Blinders, many film fans could have largely checked out the sequel for Cillian Murphy. His effect, the accomplishment of the first film as a cinematic experience, as well as Part II being one of the first films to open up back in theaters, allowed for it to be largely viewed and well received on Letterboxd.
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022) – 3.6/5
A24 films are almost always popular on Letterboxd, so it’s no surprise that Bodies Bodies Bodies continued its reign of the modern film world. The film, which sports an exciting, young and talented cast, captured a relatable feeling through its characters, which is no doubt reflective of its score on Letterboxd.
Bodies Bodies Bodies is as much a satire of the young adults of Generation Z as it is a horror, fully nailing both aspects. The film is stylized, intense, and a lot of fun, with a harsh commentary on the lives of young people as expressed through social media.
X (2022) – 3.6/5
Another A24 horror film that’s scored well on Letterboxd is Ti West’s X. Much like Bodies Bodies Bodies, the film’s cast is young and involves a star not traditionally known for their acting. In the case of Bodies, this is Pete Davidson, and for X, it’s Kid Cudi.
The film appeals to a similar demographic of Letterboxd fans as Bodies, as it’s relatable to younger audiences. The site also often adores films about filmmaking, which was a fun choice here to mix with horror.
Titane (2021) – 3.7/5
The sub-genre of “body horror” rarely finds its place in modern popular filmmaking, but many of these films do have a niche, cult appeal which can often attract Letterboxd users. The European film Titane definitely fits into the genre that can be considered bold and raw.
Titane can be very difficult to watch and is a film that caused some Redditors to exit the theaters due to its graphic violence. Nonetheless, many viewers on Letterboxd clearly find this fascinating, earning it a high score.
Barbarian (2022) – 3.8/5
The recent release of Barbarian showed it to be reminiscent of many classic ’80s horror films, in that it was centered around an ordinary setting with hidden sinister qualities. In fact, there are many other great movies like Barbarian for fans to explore that tackle similar horror concepts.
Letterboxd users loved the film for its creepy approach to every day, relatable scenarios. There are tons of horror lovers on the site who are into films with a niche appeal, and Barbarian possibly reached out to many of them who feel unfulfilled by mainstream horror.
Nope (2022) – 3.9/5
Jordan Peele is quickly becoming a master of modern horror. He’s already one of the most influential modern horror directors after only three films, with Nope being his most recent accomplishment. While it isn’t as well scored as Get Out, it will always be difficult to top the phenomenon that changed his career.
Horror fans on Letterboxd love Jordan Peele, and they also love inventive filmmaking. Nope gets into big ideas about the entertainment industry and seems to have a commentary on its own genre. Not to mention it’s visually stunning and has some stellar performances from its cast.
Pearl (2022) – 3.9/5
One of the most recent horror releases that held a spot at the top of Letterboxd’s most popular films for a week, Pearl has quickly become a fan favorite A24 film. Described as a psychological slasher, Pearl is a prequel to X and shares similar, raunchy subject material.
Since X had a large audience on Letterboxd, Pearl had the backing of a growing fan base, and many saw the second installment as a strong companion to the first. The film has a similar appeal to American Psycho, as it takes a satirical approach to horror.
