10 Best Horror Films of 2023
10: M3gan
Many critics have dubbed January a month where horror theatrical releases go to die, and while critics have said this even with blatant evidence of this not being at all true with films like From Dusk Till Dawn, Mama, Split, and Cloverfield all being worthy box office competitor to have released in January. None the less January gets a bad rep in the horror game, which made M3gans success even sweeter as Blumhouse's campy robot doll romp grossed 181 million dollars at the box office on a 12 million dollar budget. The film also garnered itself a cult following with its fun marketing campaigns and younger generations of horror fans packing the theaters. M3gan was overall a really fun sci-fi horror with a great cast and future horror icon at its center.
The film was such a success that a sequel is slated for a 2025 release. Can lighting strike twice?
9: Talk To Me
A24 promised a thrilling never before seen take on the wickedly overplayed supernatural possession genre and they delivered. The YouTube duo behind the indie horror hit stuck the landing with an original concept for an otherwise oversaturated genre with a fantastic performance from Sophie Wilde.
The film follows a group of teens using a haunted severed hand and its powers of possession as a party trick, however when one becomes more and more addicted to the drug like intoxication of letting go to the other side, a nightmare begins to ensue. Again, the idea is nothing short of original and makes for some great moments. Its clear from the script this was a passion project and its not surprising that a company like A24 was ready to pick this up after its glowing reception at festivals.
The performances, editing and strong script made this film a well-deserved spot in a lot of peoples 'best of 2023' lists, including this one. The film was confirmed to be getting a sequel that I'll be anxiously waiting for.
8: Saw X
John Kramers return to the big screen was a smash hit at the box office, while it is the third lowest box office in the franchise history, it still racked up 100.8 million dollars and showed a renewed interest in the franchise after a less than warm reception given to Spiral: From The Book of Saw in 2021. None the less the film exceeded my personal expectations, the 10th entry in the Saw franchise really is better than it had any right to be. Tobin Bell returns to his iconic character without missing a beat, same goes for Shawnee Smith reprising her role as Jigsaws most iconic assistant Amanda Young. The franchise takes new territory as the film takes place in Mexico, with a whole new ensemble of very deserving victims.
I was pleased to see the violent gore that the SAW franchise is known for wasn't watered down in the slightest, with decapitated heads and self-inflicted brain surgery being on the menu. Director Kevin Greutert and writer Josh Stolberg helmed a fierce entry in an iconic franchise, and brought forth the best Saw film since the original.
7: Five Nights at Freddy’s
The long awaited adaptation of the iconic horror game of the same name, Five Nights at Freddy's was personally my most anticipated film of the year. Having played the games throughout my middle school and high school years and followed production since a movie deal was announced back in 2015 when Warner Bros still had the rights, I was first in line for a ticket. The film was a smash hit at the box office scaring up Over 295 million dollars at the box office, making it not only the biggest opening weekend for a horror film 2023 (held earlier this year by Scream VI) but also the highest grossing horror film of the year. To add onto the films accolades, it also set a record for the biggest opening weekend for a Blumhouse movie and became the biggest opening weekend for a horror film directed by a woman.
Personally I adored the film. It prides itself on its campy and fun nature (like many of the other films produced by Blumhouse) and doesn't take itself too seriously. Many horror fans took issue with this, but I felt the film perfectly adapted the overly convoluted plotlines of the games and kept the campy horror atmosphere found within the games (once you look past the dead children aspects). The films casting is 10/10 with Josh Hutchenson (Hunger Games, Zathura) leading the charge with Elizabeth Lail (You, Countdown) with the young and talented Piper Rubio and the iconic scream king Matthew Lillard (Scream, 13 Ghosts, Scooby Doo).
With the films strong box office numbers and the confirmation from Lillard that he is contracted into three movie as the films titular villain William Afton, I'm expecting official news of a sequel to come in the new year. If you want to hear more of my thoughts on the film you can check out my in depth review on 1428elm.com here.
6: Thanksgiving
What started off as a mocking trailer spoofing low budget holiday themed slasher flicks in the vein of April Fools Day and Halloween, Thanksgiving after 14 years became a real movie. Helmed by horror icon Eli Roth known for Hostel, Cabin Fever and The Green Inferno, Thanksgiving is a simple blood and guts slasher flick… and that’s ok.
In a nutshell that’s really what I enjoyed the most about it, it doesn't re-invent the wheel or mix in some wild genre twist simply because it doesn't need to. Now don't get me wrong, I love genre bending horror flicks but I truly adore the simplicity of Thanksgiving. The film follows a group of high schoolers one year after a brutal Black Friday accident, now finding themselves hunted by a violent individual dressed as a Pilgrim.
The ensemble cast does a great job riding the tightrope between likeable character douchey teens you're waiting to see get killed, a staple in the subgenre of slasher. The kills are fun, creative and brutal. Between the pure simplicity of the plot and gnarly bits of blood and gore, Thanksgiving made for a fun watch.
5: Where the Devil Roams
Where the Devil Roams is a film I've been itching to talk about ever since catching it at Fantastic Fest earlier this year. The film follows a family going on a cross country murder spree while performing at various carnivals as a traveeling family circus act, all while using dark magic to do their tricks. It's the latest film from Wonder Wheel Productions responsible for other indie hits like Hellbender and Knuckle Jack.
The film is a visual feast, utilizing it's set pieces, props and costumes for all their worth in creating a stunning gothic hellscape. The performances are all well done, but the murderous trio of Toby Poser, Zelda Adams and John Adams are all top tier. This film is one that I feel all indie horror filmmaker must watch, the heights this film reaches with its indie resources is nothing short of impressive.
4: Evil Dead Rise
The latest installment in one of the most iconic franchises from the depts of 80s horror hell was a sight to behold. Evil Dead Rise follows a family in a broken down high rise apartment during a storm, after an excerpt from the haunted Necronomicon is read all hell breaks loose.
The film oozes the same ferocity and mean edge that the original Evil Dead helmed, including all the blood, guts and glorious decapitations. The creative visuals spawned from director Lee Cronin don't disappoint as it had even veteran gore fans squirming.
The evil possessed mother Ellie played by Alyssa Sutherland commands your eyes to the bloody goodness of her performance. The children of said possessed Danny, Bridget and Kassie played by Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols and Nell Fisher respectively all give a terrified and hellish performance. The films protagonist Beth, played by Lily Sullivan is a troubled guitar technician visiting her estranged sister. Sullivan and Sutherland play off each other extremely well and the duology of their personalities when facing the evil threat is one of my favorite aspects of the film.
Overall, the revival of the mean spirited classic Raimi flick proves that the dead can rise again for this was the first film in the Evil Dead franchise in 10 years. Hopefully, there are more on the way.
3: Scream VI
In the sixth installment of the iconic slasher franchise Scream, the series reached new heights as it became the highest grossing entry in the 27 years the franchise has been going, and it was certainly deserved. The film took the story out of smalltown Woodsboro, California and into New York City, while this isn’t the first time entry in the franchise to leave the location of the original behind and break new ground, the setting of New York is all new battle ground for Ghostface. The films utilization of the big apple certainly doesn't go unnoticed, with horrifying scenes taking place in bodegas, subways and cramped apartments.
The film follows most of the same cast as Scream (2022), or what's left of them as they attempt to have a normal college life in New York and leave the past behind them. The plot works as a fun call back to Scream 2 (1997) and the ensemble cast is just as enjoyable as last time. Some fresh meat to the franchise included Devyn Nekoda (Backstage) , Dermot Mulroney (Insidious: Chapter 3), Tony Revolory (Spider-Man: Homecoming).
While the films killer reveal lacked ambition, and some characters definitely escaped what should have been certain death, Scream VI has a cunning rage that slashes through the screen and makes for a serviceable entry in one of my favorite franchises.
2: V/H/S/85
Another fantastic premiere at Fantastic Fest 2023 I caught was that of V/H/S/85, and I cannot be anymore thankful I did. The surreal, scary and badass indie horror anthology is back for it's 6th installment with V/H/S/85, this time with an all star cast of writers and directors. Each segment is a unique vision of 1985 horror with violent killers, gnarly gore, catastrophic events, and paranormal prowling all on the menu. The constrained filmmaking, the indie budget and short runtimes of each segment allowed the filmmakers to get creative, and they do just that.
There's so much in V/H/S/85 to talk about that I can’t properly do it justice in this short blurb, so I’d highly recommend watching the madness for yourself on Shudder and possibly checking out my full review on 1428Elm.com here.
1: Skinamarink
For anyone whose been following me and keeping up with my socials, this really shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. Skinamarink is an indie horror film and the feature debut of Kyle Edward Ball, known for his YouTube channel Bitesized Nightmares where he posted short films depicting nightmares his audience described to him. One of these shorts titled Heck served as the proof of concept for Skinamarink. The film follows two children home alone with all the doors and windows mysteriously gone, and something nightmarish lurking in the house with them.
The film uses unconventional cinematography and sound design to encase the audience in a fever dream childhood nightmare. A majority of shots are lit by the soft blue glow of the old television in the living room, and with the two children helpless to whatever dark force is oppressing them Skinamarink the film drowns you in the hopeless feeling of being in a horrific dream you cannot wake up from.
Ball shot the film over the course of seven days in his childhood home on a budget of 15k, a true indie film to the bone. It takes cues from the style of various analog horror pieces and is truly a film like nothing else I've ever seen. I was so enthralled with the film I did an interview with Ball on my podcast, that you can watch and listen to now on YouTube and Spotify. The use of its modest budget and ability to have me jumping at nothing, looking deep into the static to see if something really is there earned it its spot at number one. If you want to hear more about the film, feel free to check out my in depth review on 1428elm.com here.
If you're looking for something abstract and painfully nightmarish, turn off all the lights and throw on Skinamarink.
