Unusual horror films that scare us not with monsters and jump scares (10 photos)

Horror films are not nearly as superficial as many viewers think. There are many varieties and subgenres, for example: body horror, psychological horror, folk horror, splatter, mockumentary horror, slasher, teen horror and even comedy. In this case, we will look at something new, namely post-horror or, as it is also called, “new wave horror.” This term appeared relatively recently, and was noted in an article by The Guardian journalist Steve Rose. In such films, monsters and maniacs with chainsaws do not run after the heroes, zombies do not hunt for brains, and there are practically no scenes with dismemberment and jump scares. In this case, the actions will unfold quite slowly, and the emphasis will be placed not on the problem from outside, but on the internal psychological problems of the characters. The feeling of fear and hopelessness is achieved using much more complex and artistic techniques. If you love such films, then here is a selection of atypical horror films from the category of “new wave horror”.

Solstice (2019)





Students go to a Swedish community for a solstice celebration in order to learn local customs, but become victims of those very customs. It would seem like a banal slasher film where students are captured by sectarians, but no. Unlike the usual horror films, all the action on the screen takes place in daylight, with a complete absence of shadows and any darkness, and among happily smiling people.

The film masterfully plays with the emotions and moral compass of some viewers. Is what community members do really evil?

Get Away (2017)



The plot begins with the main character planning to meet the parents of his beloved. Racial prejudice can be an obstacle to networking. But the girl’s family keeps much more terrifying secrets, which cannot be called simply “prejudices” or “stereotypes.”

Witch (2015)





A very dark and ominous tale that is definitely not worth watching for children. A colonist family is expelled from the Puritan community for violating the laws of the church. And the family moves to live on a secluded farm near the forest. But soon their youngest child disappears, and the reason for this is not wild animals at all.

Lighthouse (2019)



Two lighthouse keepers keep watch on a deserted island. Alcohol may be to blame, it may be the tense relationship between the two caretakers, but some kind of devilry begins to happen on the island. The film is based on the true stories of lighthouse keepers who went mad or went missing.

Reincarnation (2018)



The death of an old woman sets off a chain of terrifying events that ultimately reveal the truth about a terrible family curse. According to director and screenwriter Ari Aster, this is not a horror film, but "a tragedy that turns into a nightmare."

It Comes at Night (2017)



Do you suffer from claustrophobia? Perhaps after this film you will start. Amid a global pandemic, two families try to survive in a cramped home.

It (2014)



The original title of the film is “It Follows,” and should not be confused with Stephen King’s “It.” The plot begins with the main character having a sexual relationship with her new boyfriend, after which the girl begins to be tormented by strange visions and an overwhelming feeling that someone or something is watching her. The idea for the film was based on the recurring dreams in the youth of the film's screenwriter and director, David Robert Mitchell.

The Babadook (2014)



A withdrawn and quiet boy fights an imaginary monster he learned about from a children's book. But the monsters inside us sooner or later come out, so the boy and his mother will have to defeat the monster not in imagination, but in reality.

Lamb (2021)



The appearance of an unusual child brings meaning to life into the boring life of a couple of farmers. Only now the child is a hybrid of a human and a lamb. A film critic from Rolling Stone wrote about the film: "This is the sweetest, most touching nightmare you'll ever experience."

Visit (2015)



M. Night Shyamalan is one of the most controversial directors, but he really knows how to create a tense, mysterious atmosphere. The film begins with the children being sent to stay with their grandparents for the weekend. But gradually both children and parents begin to understand that something is wrong with their grandparents.