It’s a notion that it is not an easy job for filmmakers to make their audience laugh. However, they are a tougher nut to crack when it comes to genuinely scaring the hell out of them.
We are not merely talking about cheap scares relying on blaring sound effects or clever use of VFX. On the contrary, we have shortlisted for you a collection of five must-watch pure, atmospheric horror films.
You can watch these movies on Amazon Prime Video streaming platform.
We suggest that you watch these five movies alone in a dark room with your headphones on, for maximum effect. So, here we go:
1. The Conjuring (2013)
If there is one film that had a similar hair-raising effect, that is somewhat comparable to William Friedkin’s 1973 film ‘The Exorcist’, it’s arguably this James Wan’s horror flick.
James Wan had previously given us horror films such as ‘Saw’ and ‘Insidious’ but ‘The Conjuring’ is arguably his best work until now.
The film follows two paranormal investigators (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) in their efforts to save a family from the evil presence that has engulfed their house. This film is the reason why we love horror films so much.
2. Orphan (2009)
Another film in this list starring the brilliant actress Vera Farmiga, ‘Orphan’ revolves around a grieving couple who have lost their baby.
Things go from bad to worse when they decide to adopt a seemingly innocent 9-year-old prudent but peculiar orphan named ‘Esther’ (brilliantly played by Isabelle Fuhrman).
This chilling film is a tutorial on how psychological-horror-thrillers should be made. A must-watch for everyone irrespective of the genre. Not for the weak hearted though. Please watch it while it’s still there.
3. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
One of the earlier films to effectively deploy the found-footage filmmaking technique, ‘The Blair Witch Project’ follows three students who venture into a forest to make a documentary on the Blair Witch legend, but never came back.
A year later, their spine-chilling camera footage was found, showing the audience how they disappeared.
The film, although well executed, was slightly ahead of its time. The more recent ‘Paranormal Activity’ film franchise also effectively used a similar found-footage concept, which frightened us to the core.
4. Tumbbad (2018)
The only Hindi film in this list and it truly deserves to be so. ‘Tumbbad’, a period horror set in the 1920s, is essentially a simple tale of greed, beautifully disguised as an unadulterated horror film.
A technical marvel, the film follows the story of Vinayak Rao (played by Sohum Shah) and his unending desire for the seemingly inexhaustible gold stored beneath a ramshackle castle. However, to earn a few gold coins, every time Vinayak must confront an intimidating entity named ‘Hastar’.
The visually opulent film had rightly won three Filmfare Awards for Cinematography, Production design, and Sound design. The film has reinvented the horror genre for Indian cinema. Even Hollywood filmmakers should learn from the film’s uncomplicated yet compelling storytelling.
5. Don’t Breathe (2016)
This film is written and directed by Fede Alvarez, who made his directorial debut with another horror film ‘Evil Dead’ (2013). ‘Don’t Breathe’ starring Stephen Lang is a different league of horror.
It’s about three thieves who break inside the house of a blind man. They get more than what they bargained for, when they learn about the blind man’s vicious intentions. Try watching it. You’ll not regret the experience.
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