The horror genre in 2023 brought a diverse range of films, from microbudget gems to blockbuster sequels, offering audiences thrills, chills, and unexpected surprises.
Here’s a look at some of the best horror movies that left an indelible mark on the year.
10. The Wrath of Becky
Directed by Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote, this sequel to the 2020 film Becky delivers a mix of amusement and violence. Lulu Wilson reprises her role as the teenage assassin, Becky, on a mission to take down a group resembling Proud Boys. Seann William Scott adds a humorous touch as the leader of the malevolent organization, setting the stage for a wild, action-packed adventure.
9. Infinity Pool
Directed by Brandon Cronenberg, Infinity Pool features Alexander Skarsgård, Mia Goth, and Cleopatra Coleman. Skarsgård plays James, a novelist who, after a dark discovery during a vacation, dives into a world of violent and sexual excess.
The film, blending psychedelic visuals with disturbing brutality, explores the consequences of shedding one’s humanity. Mia Goth’s stellar supporting performance adds depth to this unique horror experience.
8. Thanksgiving
Eli Roth directs Thanksgiving, a slasher film that pays homage to ’80s classics. Set in Massachusetts, a year after a tragic Black Friday stampede, the movie follows a masked killer terrorizing the town of Plymouth around Thanksgiving. With Patrick Dempsey and Nell Verlaque leading the cast, Roth delivers a bloody tale filled with nods to the genre’s golden era.
7. Saw X
The tenth installment in the franchise, Saw X, takes a back-to-basics approach by making the menacing Jigsaw killer, John Kramer, the protagonist. Directed by Kevin Greutert, the film explores Kramer’s quest for revenge after falling victim to a fake miracle surgery. With plentiful twists and stomach-churning traps, the film successfully revisits the franchise’s roots.
6. M3GAN
Directed by Gerard Johnstone, M3GAN introduces an artificially intelligent doll. Starring Allison Williams, the film explores the doll’s development of self-awareness and hostility towards those hindering her connection with a human companion.
Despite its PG-13 rating, M3GAN became a box office sensation, blending tech horror with viral moments and GIF-able kills.
5. Knock at the Cabin
M. Night Shyamalan takes audiences on an apocalyptic psychological journey in Knock at the Cabin. Starring Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff, and Ben Aldridge, the film portrays a family held hostage by four strangers who demand an unimaginable act. Shyamalan’s impactful storytelling, combined with a controversial ending, makes this thriller stand out.
4. Scream VI
Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, Scream VI continues the iconic slasher series with fresh set pieces, nods to predecessors, and a stellar cast. Set in New York City, the film follows new Ghostface killings targeting survivors of the Woodsboro murders. With a mix of returning and new faces, Scream VI revitalizes the franchise with electric fight scenes and intriguing lore.
3. Evil Dead Rise
Lee Cronin’s Evil Dead Rise pays homage to Sam Raimi’s series, introducing new elements in an apartment complex setting. Starring Lily Sullivan and Alyssa Sutherland as estranged sisters battling deadites, the film offers gore, Easter eggs, and a new monster, setting the stage for a promising sixth installment.
2. Beau Is Afraid
Ari Aster’s Beau Is Afraid is a divisive yet impactful surrealist tragicomedy horror film. Joaquin Phoenix plays Beau, a paranoia-ridden character on a surreal odyssey to attend his mother’s funeral. With a star-studded cast and Aster’s meticulous exploration of anxiety, the film is a waking nightmare that promises a cult following.
1. Talk to Me
Directed by Danny and Michael Philippou, Talk to Me emerged as the horror talk of the summer. This Australian supernatural horror film revolves around teenagers discovering their ability to contact spirits using a mysterious severed and embalmed hand.
With inventive imagery, shocking gore, and a viral supernatural party trick, the Philippou brothers deliver a unique horror experience that became A24’s highest-grossing horror title domestically.
