Summary
FromMoonlighttoEverything, Everywhere, All At Once,the independent studio A24 knows how to spot unique and thought-provoking films. Several movies released by the company over the last decade have received numerous accolades and high praise from audiences and critics alike.
RELATED:Overrated A24 Horror MoviesWhile A24 specializes in pumping out Oscar-worthy titles year after year, the indie titan is perhaps best known for its array of first-rate horror movies. These films go beyond the average gorefest, instead opting for the exploration of the darkest depths of the human psyche. Of course, there’s still plenty of gore, too. There are many horror titles under A24’s umbrella, but these 10 are the best of the best.
A Ghost Story (2017)
A Ghost Storystars Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara as a young couple on the brink. When Affleck’s character (called simply C) dies suddenly, his girlfriend M is left behind to grieve. C becomes a ghost, bedsheet and all, as he desperately attempts to find his way to the other side.
The story is minimalist, with very little blood or gore to be found. Instead, the horror comes from the psychological distress of both C and the viewer, especially his frantic attempts to remove a note from a plastered-up wall. An intense skin-crawling experience,A Ghost Storyis undeniably one of the spookiest of the genre.
A Ghost Storyis currently available to rent or buy onPrime Video.
Green Room (2015)
The slasher horrorGreen Roomis a prime example of how humanity can be the worst monster of all. A group of bandmates mistakenly end up booking a gig at a skinhead bar in rural Oregon. They go through with the gig anyway, only to find themselves fighting for their lives against a brutal hate group headed by the bar’s owner, played by Patrick Stewart.
Just the thought of Patrick Stewart as a neo-Nazi is horrible enough, but the actor’s chilling performance proves that it can be so much worse than imagined. As the young musicians fight for survival, the savageness of the supremacist killers is enough to makeGreen Roomone of A24’s terrifying titles.
Green Roomis available onMaxand can be rented or bought onPrime Video.
Saint Maud (2019)
Saint MaudstarsLord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’sMorfydd Clarkas Maud, a traumatized woman who turns to zealous faith to cope. While nursing a terminal patient, Amanda, Maud makes it her personal mission to “save” Amanda’s soul. Her endeavor is thwarted by people mocking her for her faith, which leads Maud to extreme religious fervor and less-than-godly deeds.
RELATED:Best Horror Villains Not Motivated By RevengeThe film balances expertly between sympathy for Maud and horror for her actions. The most bone-chilling scene comes when Maud’s self-immolation changes from spiritual ecstasy to the very harsh reality of burning alive. The horror genre is filled with holier-than-thou villains, and Maud is near the top of the list.
Saint Maudcan be streamed onPrime VideoandMGM Plus.
Midsommar (2019)
Midsommarredefined the folk horror genre and made Florence Pugh a household name. While grieving from a personal loss, Dani and her friends decide to vacation at a Swedish commune, where things are not as peaceful as they seem.
The film is made even more unsettling by its pastoral setting, as vicious acts of brutality are committed under bright blue skies.Midsommar’s ending is infinitely disquieting, as Dani’s wails of grief turn into a satisfied smile.Midsommarwas one of the first breakout films to put A24 on the map, and for good reason.
Midsommaris available to purchase or rent onPrime Video.
The Lighthouse (2019)
The Lighthouseis an acclaimed psychological horror starring Willem Defoe and Robert Pattinson as two men forced to live together when they are marooned in a lighthouse during the 1890s. As time stretches and rescue seems unlikely, madness threatens to claim them both.
The Lighthousehas a building tension throughout that keeps its audience on edge,culminating in a climax that seems inevitable but is still unsettling. The haunting performances of the actors alone make this one of A24’s best.
The Lighthouseis available to stream onParamount Plusand it can be rented or bought onPrime Video.
The Witch (2015)
The Witchis a folk horror movie that fully encapsulates the genre. Anya Taylor-Joy is Thomasin, the eldest daughter of a Puritan family. When a chain of terrible events starts to occur, Thomasin is blamed and accused of witchcraft by her mother. Though Thomasin is innocent, there is a darkness that beckons from deep in the forest.
Brimming with an eerie atmosphere and disturbing visuals,The Witchis a gothic horror that truly haunts the audience. Black Phillip’s offer to Thomasin at the film’s climax is somehow both horrific and seductive as he offers her to “live deliciously.”The Witchmaintains a haunting presence on the list of A24’s best horror films.
The Witchcan be streamed onMaxand rented or bought onPrime Video.
Hereditary (2018)
The bone-chillingHereditarystars Toni Collete in one of her most lauded performances as Annie, a wife and mother dealing with severe grief and trauma. As the truth of Annie’s family history is revealed, she learns that a demonic presence is out to claim her and her family for its own.
RELATED:Horror Movies To Watch If You Like HereditaryHereditaryhas some disturbing visuals that are sure to haunt viewers for a lifetime. Whether it’s the sight of Charlie’s decapitation or Annie’s demise via piano wire, the filmmakers used truly horrifying means to leave its audience in shock, making this film one of A24’s most memorable.
Fans can watchHereditaryonMaxand buy or rent it onPrime Video.
Pearl (2022)
Pearlis the prequel toX,with Mia Goth reprising her role as the homicidal Pearl. As a young woman, Pearl is trapped in an unhappy life and dreams of a more glamorous future. Her obsession becomes murderous as she takes out her circumstances on her controlling family.
Pearl’s desperation and emotional instability lead her to some truly horrid actions. Scenes like Pearl lying next to her dead mother and a disturbing sex act with a scarecrow make her one of A24’s modern movie legends.
Pearlcan be streamed on Hulu withShowtimeand rented or bought onPrime Video.
X (2022)
The bloody slasher filmXis a tribute to genre horror akin toThe Texas Chainsaw MassacreandThe Shining.A group of filmmakers finds an old farmhouse to be the perfect location for their adult film, but they get more than they bargained for when they meet Pearl, a disturbed elderly woman, and her husband, Howard.
Pearl is one nasty customer, and her need to kill stemming from her unfulfilled fantasies makes her all the more frightening. Terrifying scenes like Lauren’s fingers being mutilated and Pearl dancing around R.J.’s corpse have become legendary, puttingXnearly at the top of the list.
Xis streaming onParamount Plusand is available to rent or buy onPrime Video.
