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Unconventional Horror Films That Will Keep You On the Edge of Your Seat

By jillene / 02 Jul 2021 (Friday)

The horror genre is easily stereotyped and doesn’t always get the appreciation it deserves. Most viewers often degrade and see it as lowbrow cinema that relies heavily on violence and cheap jump scares. While it's understandably hard to make an original film these days (especially horror!), some directors have stepped up to the plate and delivered very good content these past few years that introduces viewers to the genre in a different light.

Here are some horror films that break the conventional mold:

Annihilation

12 months after Lena’s husband, Kane disappeared, she remains dispirited. She nonchalantly rejects her co-worker’s invitation to his barbecue so she could paint her and Kane’s bedroom. After reminiscing with old photo albums, she sobs but stops to occupy herself with painting. At this point, Kane suddenly returns but he is wildly different – cold and indifferent, and then almost immediately he falls ill and is faced with multiple organ failures. Lena, a cellular biologist determined to find out the mysterious cause, took a plunge and embarked on the same expedition Kane did to ‘The Shimmer’. Find out what is behind this anomalous zone struck by an alien invasion!

Directed by Alex Garland, starring Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson and Oscar Isaac.

Where to watch: Netflix

Us

Director Jordan Peele designed for viewers to undergo sheer terror and feel unnerved at almost every point in this movie. Adelaide and her family go on a vacation but they are met with a savage twist. Traumatised by her trip to Santa Cruz Boardwalk as a little girl where she had a menacing encounter with her doppelgänger, Adelaide’s biggest nightmare materialised. Late into the evening, a family of four ambushed Adelaide’s family at their house. What follows is a series of uncanny and relentless struggle between them and their doppelgängers. If you want to get your heart pumping but also don’t want to do cardio, just put this film on and you’re all set.

Starring Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Anna Diop, and Tim Heidecker.

Where to watch: Netflix

Invisible Man

Have you ever had a creepy stalker ex-boyfriend? Not relatable? That's okay, though I am pretty sure we've all come across (too many) articles of that sort. BUT I'm willing to bet that no one has ever had an INVISIBLE creepy stalker ex-boyfriend..

Cecelia Kass finally escaped the hostage of her abusive partner, Adrian Griffin, and fortunately or unfortunately, he allegedly committed suicide shortly after. However, in the multiple unusual and timely turn of events, Cecelia starts to realise that Adrian had figured out a way to become invisible just to torture her. Watch to witness the battle of manipulation between Cecelia and the unhinged invisible man.

Directed by Leigh Whannell, starring Elisabeth Moss, Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid and Oliver Jackson-Cohen.

Where to watch: HBO GO

#Alive

This might be the first person I’ve seen, trying to hashtag his way out of a zombie apocalypse. His name is Oh Joon-woo and his entire neighbourhood is infested by infected flesh-eating people. Every movement he makes is with caution to avoid being detected or heard. Joon-woo, trapped alone in his apartment, gets creative with his survival techniques.

Directed by Cho Il-hyung, starring Yoo-Ah-in, Park Shin-hye, Lee Hyun-wook and Jin So-yeon.

Where to watch: Netflix

Oxygen

A woman wakes up in a cryogenic pod that is malfunctioning. She enters a flurry of emotions – first utters of confusion, then panic as she realises the pod is running low on oxygen. With severe memory fog (she couldn’t even remember her name, much less operate this elaborate system!), she works together with an highly intelligent A.I. called MILO in her attempt to survive the pod.

Directed by Alexandre Aja, starring Mélanie Laurent, Mathieu Amalric and Malik Zidi.

Where to watch: Netflix

Have you seen any of these films? Let us know in the comments below!

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Unconventional Horror Films That Will Keep You On the Edge of Your Seat

Annihilation

Us

Invisible Man

#Alive

Oxygen