2024 included many high budget successes plus several well reviewed indie titles with critical failures interspersed throughout demonstrating the wide range of filmmaking. Some dark films explored the nature of the human psyche pushing psychological and atmospheric horrors as noted within this years offerings. This exploration of darkness spanned across a plethora of movie genres from satirical body horror films psychological thrillers and even sci-fi dystopias providing much needed analysis and creative discussion during this year's unique movie viewing experiences. This list examines what constitutes “dark” films.
Religious Fanaticism Explored In 'Immaculate' Where Divine Providence And Abuse Collide
Immaculate is one of 2024's darkest psychological horror movies . It stars Cecilia who is a devout evangelical. After a close brush with death Cecilia joins a remote convent and becomes inexplicably pregnant with her virginity intact. Sydney Sweeney plays Cecilia in Sony’s film which had a unique backing process that allowed for her creative liberties. The movie Immaculate features scheming nuns and her distorted sense of reality where the lines between religion and abuse begin to blur placing her in a hell of her own making. Immaculate capitalizes on strong and sometimes scary atmosphere using jump scares only as elements but focusing on narrative more prominently.
'Heretic' Examines the Terrors Of Hypocrisy In a Mind-Bending Test Of Faith
In Heretic directed by Scott Beck and Brian Woods explores questions about religious hypocrisy following Mormon missionaries Sisters Barnes played by Sophie Thatcher and Paxton portrayed by Chloe East who find themselves at the wrong home where they meet a Mr Reed. Hugh Grant known for his Rom-Com performances creates an unsettling character in his villainous role as Mr Reed showcasing his talent. Much of this movie relies heavily on dialogue building suspense rather than gore allowing for a unique viewing experience. Hugh Grant has shown significant performance changes in recent years highlighting his potential within the role he occupies here. This movie is thought provoking and sinister providing audiences an entirely new angle for film experiences.
The Chilling Allure of 'Longlegs' Where Mystery Surrounds Nightmarish Serial Killer Design
The psychological horror Longlegs starred Maika Monroe as FBI Agent Lee Harker tasked to investigate ritual murders done by the sinister Nicolas Cage’s Longlegs. Director Osgood Perkins also created a creepy unsettling atmosphere before the movie released which many agree is a unique experience. Longlegs is shown as having nightmare fuel design. He was specifically designed after botched plastic surgeries demonstrating specific efforts taken by the costume team that is outside of most normal horror character archetypes. Cage has become highly recognizable as an actor with strong performances throughout his entire career and will further provide shock value within this film.
'Stopmotion' Presents Relentless Descent Into Madness Through Unique Horror and Innovative Cinematography
Stopmotion is Robert Morgan's feature debut which is one of the more original and disturbing movies to be released in 2024. It stars Aisling Franciosi as Ella a woman who is obsessed with completing a movie her animator mother could not finish and has recently suffered a coma inducing stroke . Moving to new apartment a little girl makes her change gears as they now begin making this new stop-motion film together pushing her to insanity. Stopmotion builds on an already-creepy visual style to present the narrative adding several levels of discomfort unlike anything in previous years . Stopmotion shows how innovative filmmaking continues to make important contributions to cinema despite production limitations.
'Handling the Undead' Provides Heartbreaking Look Into Returning Loved Ones' Liminal State
Handling the Undead created by Thea Hvistendahls explored the topic of the dead returning not as zombies however but as listless bodies from John Ajvide Lindqvist’s Novel and many say has tones and elements similar to "Be Right Back" from Black Mirror. In Handling the Undead those previously deceased individuals keep some previous life memories which leads loved ones needing to reconcile feelings with those returns . Instead of graphic gore the horror within this film comes more from how the return affects each character on a personal level forcing existential questions about life. Many question how death should be viewed plus the true results of tampering with this very specific life process.
'Dune: Part Two' Explores the Dark Consequences of Power As A Reluctant Messiah Transforms
Dune: Part Two a sequel to Dune: Part One created a notably darker narrative tone with Paul Atreides' complicated messiah storyline that was different for many than originally expected. Paul’s dark aspects grow stronger through the movie. He becomes a ready but somewhat unwilling leader using nuclear war to get back at his enemies eventually assuming the Emperor role following his triumph against past rulers and other houses. Director Denis Villeneuve showed more of the characters inner struggles with complex thematic explorations than in prior film from the Dune universe. Zendaya's Chani forces viewers to think of how Paul’s decisions affect all others. Paul’s quick climb to power with inevitable outcomes casts a grim tone for this blockbuster which is also amplified by a powerful Hans Zimmer soundtrack and strong camera choices from the Villeneuve.
'The Brutalist' Presents Unsettling Look At How Progress Often Erodes Humanity Through Obsessive Dedication
The Brutalist tells László Toth’s post Holocaust experiences when he goes to America as an architect who has obsessions with his art in post world war America. Adrien Brody plays László who shows an unrelenting desire to succeed which ultimately leads to his exploitation and eventual dehumanization with him not caring as long as he can complete his next project. The film doesn't create easy solutions highlighting complexities of ambition and ethics of life during wartime situations and their impact on life moving forward. Post world war 2 realities also showcase exploitation and dehumanization as it unfolds creating more impact to overall messaging that is portrayed.
'Nosferatu' Presents Uncompromisingly Dark Vision Of Gothic Horror
Robert Eggers the director of The Witch The Lighthouse and The Northman provides his take on classic vampire mythos and period piece detail through his adaptation of 1922 film with Nosferatu and brings a dark and completely unsettling cinematic experience with his unique creative process that is specific and recognizable in his production history. Lily Rose Depp Nicolas Hoult Bill Skarsgård plus Aaron Taylor Johnson star as various key characters that provide story. Many noted that despite unique stylistic vision, Nosferatu may divide movie fans to an extent during viewing showing some limitations.
'Civil War' Provides Terrifyingly Nuanced View of Ideological Breakdown Through Journalism
Alex Garland's Civil War focuses on war journalists during a second United States civil war including characters such as Lee played by Kirsten Dunst and Joel portrayed by Wagner Moura. The near future film is set within the current climate and looks at division across the country as an overarching theme where violence and authoritarian regimes abound with many people feeling as if hope may be lost during this near-future reality. The moral ambiguities presented during the film showcase many characters doing anything to get their goals done despite casualties that will likely occur highlighting loss of empathy and common ground among individuals with ideologies constantly in conflict.
'Exhuma' Hauntingly Presents The Human Psyche and Repercussions For Disturbing Ancestral Remains
Jang Jae-hyun’s South Korean film Exhuma focuses on guilt via the concept of a team of shamans who exhume ancestral remains after a request by a family who were haunted by malevolent entities as this choice brings many bad things to those doing the digging and further to the lives of those affected. It tells a story by atmospheric visuals in this modern horror story highlighting Korean history that was also directly influenced by Japan’s colonization. The main theme for the film focuses on the cost of decisions related to cultural folklore all while delivering many uniquely scary monster creations as the story unfolds which many movie fans enjoy during modern viewing experiences.
'The Substance' Provides Satirical Exploration of Ageism Misogyny and Body Horror
The Substance stars Demi Moore who plays an aging Hollywood star named Elisabeth Sparkle abusing a special black market drug to create a younger version of herself named Sue portrayed by Margaret Qualley as this begins Elisabeth’s struggle for dominance of that single shared consciousness and body which then extends to contempt that forms between their new identities. Director Coralie Fargeat uses elements of satire to criticize ageism and sexism during this specific movie viewing experience using themes often found during similar viewing experience . This production explores deeply into the struggles of being a woman growing old in a world which focuses on externalized and often unrealistic beauty standards also showcasing an aging population struggles throughout a modern culture often obsessed with youth. The Substance features Denis Quaid playing a misogynistic film director further adding a layer of critique against male domination of culture.
Top Horror Movies From Rotten Tomatoes of 2024 Reveal Unique Horror Visions And More
Several horror movies initially lauded by critics throughout 2024 missed out on recent top 10 list however four titles are still considered top of line and were chosen for presentation in this section of the report . Damien Leone's Terrifier 3 and even other top rated movies missed the top 10 ratings from Rotten Tomatoes most recent data. Tyler Gillett’s and Matt Bettinelli Olpin’s Abigail placed number 10 is a horror story that revisits the Universal Monster Universe. Speaking No Evil a movie with strong cast and story placed on a tier at number 10 also. Osgood Perkin’s Longlegs rated number eight showcases Nicolas Cage within a satanic tale and finally the Naomi Scott starring Smile 2 landed as a solid entry at number 7 on their most recent horror rankings . Many noted unique characteristics that elevate each story for modern day fans of genre.
Robert Eggers's Nosferatu remake is now rated sixth while Hugh Grant has been seen during some screenings as the antagonist of Heretic coming in at number 5 with many fans noting the strong talent of all actors in the title. Demi Moore starred The Substance placed on same level with Heretic in ranking of 5. Strange Darling Oddity and finally Late Night with the Devil occupy the top three ranking demonstrating a strong horror line up that provided new and relevant storytelling techniques . Many of these horror films demonstrate how the unique genre often allows creative approaches and new styles.
Gore Highlights of the Year Include Graphic Content And Blood Soaked Spectacles
2024 included a host of gory movies where blood and visceral imagery reigned supreme within most offerings providing many with strong and notable elements. Alien Romulus has a chest burster scene and the main theme in The Substance which focuses on Monstro Elisasue are cited here as stand out gory moments for a year. There was noted scenes from Longlegs and even Under Paris provided equally horrific viewing for audiences this year. Many cite films with stronger themes often included very realistic gory sequences that push boundaries as they challenge what it means to see violence on screen during production process of modern era.
The "Triathlon Massacre" in Under Paris saw a shark massacre dozens of swimmers during a triathlon highlighting brutal imagery for some movie audiences with Lilith the Shark showing all the gore possible for viewing. In a Violent Nature focused more specifically on serial killer action with various gory sequences like the "Aurora's Death" scene where Johnny murders Aurora with a brutal and very complex series of graphic stabbings and dissections that some argue is one of the most unique kills in film. The "Longlegs face Smash" shows Dale smashing his own face on the interrogation table highlighting the true gore potential with many commenting upon graphic sequences on social media. Navarro's chest burster in Alien: Romulus shows gore and terror through advanced special effects in its execution and The Substance and final form with "Monstro Elisasue" on stage features extreme visual presentation all as a form of social commentary for a gore filled culmination for many audiences throughout different cinematic presentations this year.