Best Horror Films Of 2012
My favourite horror movies *released* in 2012 - films made in 2012 but released in 2013 appear on the 'Best Horror Movies Of 2013' list.
I've given every film on this list at least a 6/10, so I recommend them all.
The list in in a vague order, starting with the better ones.
Honourable mentions :
Chernobyl Diaries, The Pact, House At The End Of The Street, The Conspiracy, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Static.
I've given every film on this list at least a 6/10, so I recommend them all.
The list in in a vague order, starting with the better ones.
Honourable mentions :
Chernobyl Diaries, The Pact, House At The End Of The Street, The Conspiracy, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Static.
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- DirectorJames WatkinsStarsDaniel RadcliffeJanet McTeerCiarán HindsA young solicitor travels to a remote village where he discovers that the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals.It was hard for me to adjust to Daniel Radcliffe as an adult lead, once I did this film ticked all the boxes for me. Some people prefer the original 1989 adaption, but I'm not sure why, I thought this version was superior in every way.
This film is all about the atmosphere, so prepare for some creepy goodness! - DirectorBen WheatleyStarsAlice LoweKenneth HadleySteve OramChris wants to show girlfriend Tina his world, but events soon conspire against the couple and their dream caravan holiday takes a very wrong turn.While not a horror film in the traditional sense, this extremely dark, absurdist comedy about a misfit couple on a murder spree in the English countryside is too good to pass up.
In a strange sort of way it's a bit like a very British 'Natural Born Killers' - no glitz or glamour, just a small camper van and that slightly odd British sense of humour. It won't be for everyone, but you should at least give it a go. - DirectorBrandon CronenbergStarsCaleb Landry JonesLisa BerrySarah GadonIn a blackly satirical near future, a thriving industry sells celebrity illnesses to their obsessed fans. Employee Syd March's attempts to exploit the system backfire when they involve him in a potentially deadly mystery.If you splice David Cronenburg with David Lynch you get this creepy little gem! Very well made, and very unsettling. One for body horror fans.
- DirectorMatt Bettinelli-OlpinDavid BrucknerTyler GillettStarsCalvin Lee ReederLane HughesAdam WingardWhen a group of misfits are hired by an unknown third party to burglarize a desolate house and acquire a rare VHS tape, they discover more found footage than they bargained for.A really good horror anthology. Unlike most anthologies, all the segments here are strong and are all tied together in quite an ingenious way. Very good.
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsWinona RyderCatherine O'HaraMartin ShortWhen a boy's beloved dog passes away suddenly, he attempts to bring the animal back to life through a powerful science experiment.It may be a "family" film but it's too good to leave off a list like this. The hyper-stylised visuals, ernest homage to old horror movies and a genuinely touching story make this a must-see for anyone, especially those with even a passing interest in the horror genre.
- DirectorChris ButlerSam FellStarsKodi Smit-McPheeAnna KendrickChristopher Mintz-PlasseA misunderstood boy takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.Another great "family" film centred around paying homage to old horror movies! I think I prefer Frankenweenie a little bit more, but they're both really good.
- DirectorPeter StricklandStarsToby JonesAntonio MancinoGuido AdorniA sound engineer's work for an Italian horror studio becomes a terrifying case of life imitating art.Interesting horror / drama that pays homage to Italian Giallo films. Toby Jones is great in the lead role. Won't be for everyone but it's different.
- DirectorOle BornedalStarsNatasha CalisJeffrey Dean MorganKyra SedgwickA young girl buys an antique box at a yard sale, unaware that inside the collectible lives a malicious ancient spirit. The girl's father teams with his ex-wife to find a way to end the curse upon their child.One of the better studio-funded horror films of recent years. I'd put this up there with The Conjuring and Oculus in terms of quality. While the premise of a young girl being possessed is nothing new, the execution is excellent and it throws enough new ideas in the mix to freshen up the genre.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsNoomi RapaceLogan Marshall-GreenMichael FassbenderFollowing clues to the origin of mankind, a team finds a structure on a distant moon, but they soon realize they are not alone.Yeah, it's pretentious to the point of being nonsensical at times, but it has some great moments. I actually quite liked it, although perhaps not as an Alien film. Despite the odd head-scratch or face-palm at the characters actions / decisions, it's very well made.
I recommend finding the 'Giftbarer' fan edit if you can, it makes a lot more sense than the theatrical cut. - DirectorJennifer LynchStarsVincent D'OnofrioEamon FarrenEvan BirdA young man held prisoner by a cab-driving serial killer must make a life or death choice between following in his captor's footsteps or breaking free.A very solid serial-killer flick with some psychological elements. Well made and well acted, if a little unrealistic for a film that seems to take itself so seriously - generic serial killer guy who looks exactly how you'd imagine a serial killer to look, who lives in an equally generic, dark, creepy, dirty, serial killer house. Shame, could have been much better if they dropped the horror tropes. Still good tho!
- DirectorCraig ZobelStarsAnn DowdDreama WalkerPat HealyA normal Friday service at a fast food restaurant becomes interrupted by a police officer who claims an employee stole from a customer, but something more sinister is going on.Well made film with a fresh premise and a very solid execution. More thriller than horror, but don't let that put you off, the situation the lead character is put in is terrifying and it comes across very well.
The movie is pretty straightforward so there's not much to say aside from that it's highly deserving of a watch if you're in the mood for a very good thriller! - DirectorCiarán FoyStarsAneurin BarnardJames CosmoWunmi MosakuAn agoraphobic father teams up with a renegade priest to save his daughter from the clutches of a gang of twisted feral children who committed an act of violence against his family years earlier.Has it's flaws but the atmosphere is excellent, quite unsettling. Really ramps up towards the end.
- DirectorBarry LevinsonStarsWill RogersKristen ConnollyKether DonohueChaos breaks out in a small Maryland town after an ecological disaster occurs.A found-footage zombie film with a larger than average budget. There's nothing here that will rock your world, but it's a well made film that's worth a look - especially if you like found-footage horror.
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsJohnny DeppMichelle PfeifferEva GreenAn imprisoned vampire, Barnabas Collins, is set free and returns to his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need of his protection.Enjoyable, if slightly flawed, comedy-horror from Tim Burton. It feels a bit like a few TV episodes edited into a feature by a fan, and I guess it is, in a way! Flaws aside, it's pretty funny and I've watched it a few times since its release.
- DirectorMakinovStarsEbon Moss-BachrachVinessa ShawDaniel Giménez CachoA couple take a vacation to a remote island - their last holiday together before they become parents. Soon after their arrival, they notice that no adults seem to be present - an observation that quickly presents a nightmarish reality.A "reimagining" of the 1976 film 'Who Can Kill A Child?' - I've not seen the original, but I hear it's very good and its fans didn't care for this new version - hence the low IMDB score. If you've not seen the original then give this a go.
The premise is great and the film provides enough tension to keep you interested throughout. - DirectorJohn PoliquinStarsRichard HarmonShawn C. PhillipsJennica FultonA film student who is obsessed with the movie Grave Encounters sets out with his friends to visit the psychiatric hospital depicted in the original film.Not in the same league as the first film, but this is still a cut above most found-footage horror movies. Make sure you watch the first Grave Encounters before seeing this, as this is a direct follow up. If you don't like found-footage films, however, you're not going to get much out of this.
- DirectorConor McMahonStarsRoss NobleTommy KnightEoghan McQuinnA clown comes back from the dead to haunt those who took his life during a fatal party mishap.Pretty entertaining British comedy-horror. It's not Shaun of the Dead but it has its moments.
- DirectorPascal LaugierStarsJessica BielJodelle FerlandWilliam B. DavisWhen her child goes missing, a mother looks to unravel the legend of the Tall Man, an entity who allegedly abducts children.Solid mystery-horror. It doesn't have anything to do with Slender Man, so look elsewhere if you were hoping for some creepypasta shenanigans. Fairly engaging mystery flick with some horror elements. Not bad, check it out.
- DirectorFranck KhalfounStarsElijah WoodNora ArnezederAmerica OlivoAs he helps a young artist with her upcoming exhibition, the owner of a mannequin shop's deadly, suppressed desires come to the surface.Decent, but slightly underwhelming remake of the 80's cult classic. It does try hard to be different from most horror films, and somewhat faithful to the original, but it feels like it misses the mark a little. Elijah Wood is great and the film has some memorable moments, but it's not a slam dunk.
- DirectorDavid Guy LevyStarsBrittany SnowJune SquibbJeffrey CombsDesperate to help her ailing brother, a young woman unknowingly agrees to compete in a deadly game of "Would You Rather," hosted by a sadistic aristocrat.Another "deadly game" meets "social experiment" kinda film - a group of strangers trapped in a room / house competing to stay alive - there's quite a few of these films now and luckily this is one of the more watchable ones, but it's far from the best. Thumbs up for Jeffery Combs!
- DirectorRyan WhitakerStarsSteven StraitKarolina WydraMadison LintzWhen two bus crash survivors awake to discover that they are the only people left in their town, they work together to unravel the truth behind the strange events.A great premise but with a pretty tame execution. If you don't mind PG-13 horror with soppy characters this may be worth a look.