What makes new releases in horror stronger than other genres, is the anticipation mixup. Come January, we’ll all take a look at the release calendar and make our predictions on what we think will be the best horror movies of the year. Alien: Romulus was at the top of my list, but I know better now. I swore last year’s Evil Dead Rise would take the cake until When Evil Lurks came out of nowhere and sucker punched me in the gut (complimentary). The best genre movies of each year, for me at least, are the ones we don’t hear about until the release is on our tails. Oh yes, the element of surprise.
I’m a sucker for the extreme and the disturbing. Maybe that has something to do with my favorite horrors of the year being kept quieter than others. If that’s a pattern like I think it is, horror in 2024 just proved me right again. Here’s my breakdown:
10. Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person
Hilarious, raunchy, but also heartwarming dialogue makes this vampire coming-of-age story one to remember. I’d imagine that it could usher the current and future youth the same way Juno or Scott Pilgrim vs. The World cradled us during our Tumblr eras. The phrase is thrown too liberally these days, but director Ariane Louis-Seize has an instant, feel-good cult classic on her hands.
9. Longlegs
I have a few issues with Osgood Perkins’ latest, mostly with the story and pacing. I don’t think anybody can deny how much of the Longlegs wave was a cultural moment, and I’m pretty thankful for that this year. There’s good reason to be obsessed; dreadful vibe, tone, funky camera tricks, performances… Nic Cage in wild prosthetics. It’s time for a rewatch right about now.
8. Red Rooms
I’m a binger, so excuse me if I forget some details after leaving the theater. I’ve probably jumped into another story already. For the volume of horror movies I’ve watched, it’s rare to have a movie stick to the brain the way Red Rooms stuck to mine. It’s true-crimey, and one of the only horrors that I’d consider “extreme cinema” without an ounce of violence. It’s a fictional story of an accused killer on trial for his crimes. However, we follow two women members of the online serial killer fandom. It’s complicated.
7. The Coffee Table
I love when a movie disrupts my stress levels. This is another black comedy that might’ve slipped under your radar if you aren’t tapped into the festival circuit. The discomfort you’ll feel is next level thanks to a firm story, incredible dialogue, and sweaty performances. I’m so glad I went the blind route. Nobody could’ve been ready for what The Coffee Table is bringing to Thanksgiving. Hide your kids, hide your wife, hide your sister-in-law too.
6. V/H/S/Beyond
Some connect with Scream, others with Terrifier, but V/H/S is my franchise of choice. If you know me, you know I love a good theme, and shooting up to science fiction was exactly the territory fans deserved. Anthologies are a mixed bag, but all the segments are solid here, and the wraparound story They just keep getting scarier, and the monsters keep growing more disturbing.
5. Alien: Romulus
My most anticipated release was obvious. Praise Fede Alvarez for this beautiful installment. I’m talking about beautiful lighting and desktop wallpapers in every scene. Story-wise every moment of relief should be celebrated seriously, because it’s just brutal enough for my taste. Oh, and for the 7th time this year, I’ve got to say; puppetry is back, baby.
4. Infested
I don’t love spiders, I don’t really mind them either. As far as my taste in movies goes, though, I’m good… until I watched Infested. Now that’s what I call arachnophobia! I know the public thinks spider movies are cheesy (for valid reason), but I’m begging you all to cross it off the list. It’s a masterclass of discomfort and claustrophobic filmmaking. Great score and cast too.
3. Strange Darling
Let me tread lightly. Two strangers meet in a parking lot for casual sex, when shit hits the fan with 6 ounces of sex appeal and 12 ounces of audacity and rage. Performance-driven, yes. This is another “better go in blind” situation, so I’m not saying much. However, I have been recommending it to all the horror-loving couples in my friend circle (wink).
2. The Substance
I don’t think anyone’s questioning the raw cinematic power of Coralie Fargeat. It’s a horror baddie’s body horror nightmare. I’ve gotten too excited trying to explain its greatness to others, and it never works well in words. You’ve got to see it to believe it, but if you’ve seen it already, you better see it again! I pray to Monstro Eliasue that it’s decorated with nominations this awards season.
1. Late Night with the Devil
After my first screening, I knew this found footage banger would be my favorite and most rewatched movie of this year. David Dastmalchian is easy to love in any role, but Jack Delroy is the sweet spot between a loveable show host and a naive narcissist. That heavy 70s drip over some perfectly tacky dialogue has truly sold me, and you can’t talk me out of it.
Want to know what Xero thought of Trap? Then check out her review here!
