Under the Radar Horror Movies — The Midwood Argus

*The Craft’s* horror feels surreal and threatening. (Columbia Pictures)

By JADA PRIMUS

The scene is Christmas Eve, 1896, Paris, and the first horror movie ever made, “The House of the Devil,” has just been released. Directed by Georges Méliès, the film depicts a mime sketch detailing an encounter with the devil.

Nearly 130 years later, horror has grown to be one of the largest movie genres, with hits such as It and The Sixth Sense grossing over $600 million each. But despite the popularity of the genre, many fantastic horror movies have managed to slip by the general public unnoticed.

As Above So Below, directed by John Erick Dowdle, is the perfect example. Released in 2014, the film tells the story of Scarlett Marlowe, played by Perdita Weeks, who is a young alchemist trying to continue her late father's work by finding the legendary philosopher's stone in France’s catacombs.

While venturing into the underground, it is revealed that Scarlett, her cameraman Benji, and partner George are actually descending through the eight layers of hell described in the Inferno by Dante Alighieri, encountering traps and murderous creatures along the way.

Featuring a first-person point of view that mimics the found footage of a documentary, the film creates a sense of claustrophobia and authenticity that not only surpasses other movies of its type but also creates an ever-present feeling of panic. As the characters creep through the cramped caves, the viewers' anxiety and fear only builds alongside them.

On a much different but still highly entertaining note, The Craft, released in 1996 and directed by Andrew Fleming, is a supernatural slasher horror movie that follows four Los Angeles high school girls — Nancy (Fairuza Balk), Sarah (Robin Tunney), Bonnie (Neve Campbell), and Rochelle (Rachel True) — who discover the powers of witchcraft. The girls’ troubled backgrounds, coupled with their newfound powers, result in mayhem, death, torment, deception, suicide, and eventually complete turmoil when the all-powerful deity Manon steps in.

At first glance, The Craft seems like just another 90s teen horror movie along the lines of more popular counterparts such as Scream and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. However, the film's uniquely well fleshed-out characters give it some novelty. Nancy is an outcast who lives in a trailer park with her drunken stepfather and mother. Her troubled past, coupled with her unfavorable life, creates a desire for power within her so powerful that it leads to her eventual ruin.

On top of its well-developed characters, The Craft also hits its mark when it comes to special effects. For a movie filmed in the 90s, its scenes of people levitating mid-air and shapeshifting are seamless, making it a mystery as to why the movie isn't more highly recognized.

No horror list would be complete without a zombie movie. With constant new releases and renowned classics like World War Z and Dawn of the Dead, it's hard to make a remarkable new zombie flick. But Train to Busan, a South Korean film released in 2016 and directed by Yeon Sang-ho, manages to feel original. Following businessman Seok-Woo, played by Gong Yoo, and his young daughter Soo-Ann, the characters must face a zombie apocalypse while on a train to visit Soo-Ann’s mother.

*Train to Busan* (Next Entertainment World)

The film sets itself apart from the large pool of zombie movies mainly through its setting. The majority of the movie takes place on a train, which produces a feeling of claustrophobia and crampedness that is only amplified by the savage zombies that wait behind every train cart door.

Alongside this, the movie's compelling, gruesome action scenes take place at every turn and never feel predictable or familiar. Perhaps one of the most iconic scenes features quick-paced shots and camera cuts that follow characters Yong-Guk, Seok-Woo, and Sang-Hwa as they are chased by dozens of zombies while attempting to jump onto a moving train.

For something on the other side of the spectrum, try Robert Eggers’ The Lighthouse, released in 2019 — a slow-paced horror movie that follows two lighthouse keepers, Thomas Howard, played by Robert Pattinson, and Thomas Wake, played by Willem Dafoe. Set in the 1890s, the two lighthouse keepers are constantly bickering when a storm hits their remote island and leaves them stranded for months.

Unlike typical horror movies, The Lighthouse does not feature any jumpscares or psychotic demons but instead uses its slow narrative and cinematography to create a feeling of uneasiness.

Filmed completely in black and white with limited cast and scenery, The Lighthouse reads as a fable told between sailors warning of the dangers of isolation as the two Thomases slowly lose their sanity during their stay on the island.

Finally, and perhaps most disturbing of all, is Kevin Smith’s 2014 film Tusk. The film follows podcast host Wallace Bryton, played by Justin Long, who travels to Canada and finds an advertisement from retired sailor Howard Howe offering a free room in his mansion with the guarantee of hearing interesting stories.

During his stay, Howard tells Wallace stories of his past, including a troubling tale of an encounter with a walrus named Mr. Tusk. When Wallace awakens, strapped to a chair, ignorant of what is to come, it is revealed that Howard is not the person Wallace thought he was. Howard reveals a plan to recreate his previous encounter with Mr. Tusk, while Wallace’s fellow podcast host Teddy and girlfriend Ally search for him.

Tusk's remarkable horror is a symptom of its deeply disturbing plotline: the situation is so unsettling and bizarre it forces you to consider how the idea for the movie was even conceived.

Inciting genuine fear in an audience that is completely aware they are watching a scripted movie is a difficult venture, at which most fail. However, once in a while the right director, cast, and script come together to create something exceptional. So please go check out these under-the-radar horror gems so they can finally get the appreciation they deserve.