The type of escapism provided by horror films is one of the main reasons for their popularity. You can easily divert your attention away from your own issues and concentrate on the problems of another character. The thrill of solving complex mysteries in order to survive a serious threat is the perfect adrenaline rush, and survival horror is like icing on the cake.
The iconic Saw franchise is one of the first names that come to mind when we think of survival horror. In this splatter series, John Kramer, a maniacal serial killer, traps his victims rather than killing them right away.
We’ve all been scarred and entertained by the violent survival games we’ve seen in movies like Saw. The attention to detail is incredible, and the twisted traps have pushed our imagination to its extremes.
In a typical Saw film, a group of strangers is brought together to serve as pawns in a game of death. Fans have responded well to the formula, making it one of the most popular horror franchises. There have been nine Saw movies so far, with a tenth in the works. We’ve put together a list of movies that have the same tense, gory mood as Saw in this video.
Cube (1997)
Six complete strangers from different walks of life find themselves in a strange situation when they are trapped in a maze of cube-shaped rooms. Some unknown force seems to have brought them together, but nobody has a clue as to how they got there. Alderson is mysteriously killed and the others, Quentin, Leaven, Holloway, Worth, and Rennes realize that the rooms contain concealed threats that can kill them all.
The goal is to move through the proper rooms without triggering any sensors, as not all of them had traps. They discover that the traps are triggered by powers of prime numbers during their exploration and plot their escape appropriately.
Internal conflict, on the other hand, rises, making it more difficult to collaborate. Furthermore, the chambers vary locations, making it incredibly difficult to locate the escape path. Who will make it out alive in the maze house?
A movie low on budget doesn’t have to be low on quality and Cube is a perfect example of that. Although it is all about the thrill and suspense, the film dives deep into human psychology and how the instinctive urges drive us into chaos at times. Once you watch it, you will be left shaken after witnessing the ugly side of human nature.
The premise is fairly simple with six people trapped in the maze, but the complexity lies in the psychological battles. Towards the end, the mathematical calculations become a bit too tricky, but the tension never dies down. We enjoyed the story’s overall sense of claustrophobia and creepiness, which kept us guessing throughout. A large portion of Cube was shot with a handheld camera, and the entire filming process took only 20 days.
The budget only allowed for one cube in the sets, but the designers skillfully used gel panels to vary the colours to make it appear as if there were dozens. Although there are apparent similarities in terms of subject with Saw, this picture is unique in every way.
CIRCLE (2015)
A group of fifty strangers is incarcerated in an unusual chamber. They have no recollection of how they arrived, but they are horrified to learn that one of them will die every two minutes. The deaths are caused by an electric impulse generated by a source within, and the attacks appear to be random at first.
They soon discover a definite pattern for selecting the next victim. Essentially, the people choose the next person to be slain by voting on it. Who will be the final survivor, and what will happen if there is only one survivor remaining in the chamber?
Besides being an impeccable horror thriller, Circle is a hard-hitting drama on humanity and human psychology in times of the worst crisis. The power struggle for survival is intriguing and a lot of times you will find yourself in a moral dilemma.
This film is directed by Aaron Hann and Mario Miscione, the same duo who previously worked on the flick The Vault. Circle starts off with a bang and there is hardly any introduction to the characters.
It is only when there are only a few remaining that we learn more about these individuals. The dialogue is well-written and most of the cast are believable and act like any other person would in such a crisis.
The rushed finale could have been avoided, and the film would have benefited from a little more explanation. These shortcomings, however, pale in comparison to the otherwise fantastic tale. The sociological observation, the victims confined in a cramped location, and the threat of death hanging over their heads will undoubtedly bring to mind Saw.
Battle Royale (2000)
A gang of 42 ninth-grade kids is forced by law to engage in a lethal battle royale in a Japanese society where everything appears to be going wrong. They’re shipped to an island with explosive collars around their necks.
They must battle each other until only one person remains alive; if they do not follow the rules, they will be executed. Some of the kids are willing participants in this deadly game, while others simply wish to leave the island peacefully. You’ll have to watch this nail-biting drama to find out what happens next and who survives.
Battle Royale is based on a popular novel by KoushunTakami, which has attracted a fair bit of controversy in Japan. It was a massive commercial success in the country, and even today it ranks among its top ten highest-grossing films.
To have a good understanding of the movie, it is best that you have some idea about the Japanese culture and their obsession with the youth. The protagonists here are merely children, and yet their acts will leave you shell-shocked.
The story is full with dark comedy, and the violence, which has been termed “cartoonish” by some, has a lot of shock value. The sequence in the Lighthouse pushes the limits of extremity, and the film contains many more morbidly gruesome fatalities.
The dialogue may come out as a little cheesy, but that is hardly a drawback when the plot is so compelling. The cast consists of real teenagers who did an excellent job portraying such scary characters. Overall, Battle Royale is a must-see for everyone who respects Japanese cinema’s greatness and distinctiveness.
Escape Room (2019)
Six persons from diverse backgrounds have been asked to compete in an escape room challenge with a prize pool of $100,000. When they come at the office to accept it, they are locked in and realise the riddle has already started.
They get out of one room just to end up in another. Some rooms begin to heat up, while others experience a dramatic drop in temperature. The time is running out, and they must find a method to stay alive. To find a route out of the deadly maze, they must delve deep into their lives and pick up the tiniest of clues.
This movie clearly draws influence from the likes of Cube and Saw as it creates a similar ambiance of terror. It is an enjoyable little thriller that tries to stir your mind over shocking you with violence and gore.
The focus is clearly on the puzzles that come up one after another and the fast-paced narrative will keep your eyes glued to the screen. The movie picks up steam from the very first scene where you see a character being crushed by the walls closing in. The characters are not one dimensional dummies and the visual appeal of the flick is very impressive.
The riddles and chambers have a unique notion that I enjoyed. Our only quibble is with the climax, which borders on the absurd! The revelation at the end was a little too much to take, but Escape Room is a promising film that will undoubtedly be interesting to watch.
13 Sins (2014)
Elliot Brindle is a debt-ridden salesman. He had hoped for a promotion that would allow him to marry his pregnant girlfriend, but his unethical boss fired him. He also has to look after his crippled brother, and the situation becomes even more complicated when his estranged father decides to move in with him.
He receives a mysterious phone call from a stranger inviting him to participate in a game when he is at his wit’s end. Elliot will be required to execute thirteen tasks in exchange for a substantial sum of money. He accepts the challenge because he is desperate for it.
The tasks start off slow and easy, and after each completion, he finds the cash deposited in his account. However, soon the jobs become deadlier and grisly in nature. He realizes that he is merely a pawn who is trapped in this devious game by some unknown masterminds. Is there an escape for Elliot from the thirteen sins?
13 Sins is a remake of the 2006 film titled 13 Beloved, and it is a brave effort by the director Daniel Stamm. The interesting premise had us sold, and we loved the intelligent plot that holds the movie together. It is almost like Elliot is a blind servant who is committing atrocities which are actually planned by someone else.
The build-up to the story, the introduction of crisis in the protagonist, and the deeply sketched characters make things very interesting. Mark Webber steals the show as the protagonist and the other members of the cast are well suited in their respective roles. Ron Perlman deserves a mention for his unique performance, and it is said that he did not watch the original movie so that it did not influence his acting.
With some engaging action sequences and nasty dark humour, 13 Sins has its moments. The film’s bleak subject is made all the more gloomy when the plot throws you a couple curveballs about the morally heinous depths to which some individuals can go in desperation. You’ll be continuously questioning yourself, at the end of it, how far you’d go for a large sum of money! The film didn’t do well at the box office, but we’ll never know why.
The Belko Experiment (2016)
For the eighty Americans who work at Belko Corp, it’s simply another day at the workplace. The office building is a high-rise in Colombia, and the employees discover to their dismay that they are imprisoned inside in what appears to be some kind of bizarre social experiment.
A voice on the intercom gives them explicit orders, stating that two of the workers must be killed within thirty minutes. Only the strongest can live in this terrible situation, so friends become foes and new alliances are formed. Employees are required to participate in this dangerous game or they will be killed immediately.
Yes, the concept is too familiar for those who have enjoyed movies like Saw and Battle Royale. However, the lack of originality doesn’t seem to affect the quality of this impeccable storytelling.
The screenplay was written by James Gunn, who was also supposed to be the director but he backed out eventually citing his apprehension on spending so much time directing such a violent movie.
The content never runs dry and it is either breathtaking action or intriguing dark humor to keep you interested. The politics between the groups, the alliances getting made and broken, and the sudden deaths are all too familiar, but some things never get boring!
Technically, the film succeeds admirably, with some magnificent photography creating the ideal claustrophobic, crisis-filled environment. The lighting is fantastic, and we especially enjoyed the neon action scene! The climax left a lot to be desired, but the film is definitely worth seeing once. If you appreciate movies like Battle Royale, this will be like an old cake with a new cover for you.
Exam (2009)
A total of eight candidates have been chosen for the final interview with a reputable company. An invigilator leads them into a windowless chamber, offers them each a sheet, and gives them eighty minutes to answer the question. The gimmick is that there are no questions on the paper at all!
There are three regulations that must be followed by the candidates. For starters, they are unable to communicate with the invigilator or the armed guard. They are not permitted to leave the room before the time limit has expired, nor are they permitted to squander the piece of paper that has been given to them.
When one of the candidates begins to scribble on the paper, she is taken from the room for tampering with it. The others figure out that they are allowed to talk to each other, but that hardly solves the problem. In fact, it creates some more trouble as the clock is ticking and tensions start increasing. How far can they go to secure the ultimate job!
It takes quality content to make a movie interesting, especially when the entire narrative takes place in a single room! This low-budget gem does that successfully and plays with the psychology of the viewer. The production values are surprisingly polished and the tense atmosphere can be quite unnerving for horror noobs.
The direction by Stuart Hazeldine is simply flawless and he ties up the bits and pieces of the plot to be an engaging watch. The unknown cast does not disappoint, with Luke Mably standing out in particular. The character development is fascinating, and the film explores what people might do in stressful and perplexing situations.
Even maintaining the same location throughout, the film’s modest budget does little to detract from its aesthetic appeal. You’ll be fascinated by the ambiance as the candidates try everything they can to figure out the question, which is getting worse by the minute.
Some people complain about Exam being boring, but we strongly recommend it simply for the innovative plotline that bypasses any major loopholes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbivC9ztGOE
You’re Next (2011)
To commemorate their wedding anniversary, Paul and Aubrey Davison invite their four children and their partners to a get-together. It’s an excuse to fill in the gaps that have grown through time, but the family has more pressing issues to cope with.
Some crossbow-wielding assailants in animal masks appear to be attacking them as the celebrations begin in their weekend mansion. In these tough times, the only way for the family to endure the threat is to keep together! However, who are the perpetrators and what is their motivation?
Often we start watching a movie without expecting anything special, but the end result surprises us completely! You’re Next is one such movie, and the smart script combined with the direction by Adam Wingard is exemplary.
The makers sidestep the usual clichés that we find in such movies, and the perfect pacing makes things very interesting for the viewers. The victims here are not a group of dumb teenagers, so they put up a fight against the assassins who aren’t invincible either. Overall, it adds a realistic touch to the narrative that makes the execution meaningful.
Moments of black humour have been strategically placed throughout, and the story’s twists will keep your attention. The use of a hand-held camera to heighten the tension in the scene was fantastic, and the set was the right abandoned house.
All the blood and brutality will satisfy the gorehounds, and some of the action moments will deliver a much-needed adrenaline rush. Wait until the finish because the climax will knock you out.
Identity (2003)
Because they are stuck in a hazardous thunderstorm, a group of people congregate at a cheap motel in Nevada. These are people from various walks of life who simply happened to be in the area at the same time and sought refuge in the motel. They are unable to depart since the roads have been washed out.
Things quickly deteriorate when an unknown assailant begins murdering them one by one. The dead count begins to increase, and the survivors have no idea who is responsible for the murders! Maybe they didn’t just happen to end up at the motel by chance.
Identity has a thought-provoking story, largely due to the unusual premise. This isn’t some random B-horror movie, and right from the opening sequence, you will be hooked on to the exciting narrative. The cast delivers the goods and the likes of John Cusack and Jake Busey simply steal the show.
For use, this is a psychological thriller of the highest order, and the ‘survive or die’ situation is a recipe for a suspense-filled atmosphere. The twist alone is enough to go and watch the movie because we haven’t seen such a twist in a very long time. In fact, to keep it a secret, the makers filmed multiple endings to confuse those who could leak out the real one.
If we must pick a problem with Identity, we would have to point a finger at the poorly-written lines that stick out like a sore thumb in some scenes.
Vile (2011)
When a group of four friends provide a ride to a hitchhiking woman, they make the worst mistake of their lives. They are drugged by her, and when they awaken, they are in a house with another group of six people.
They are startled to notice something hooked to their necks, and a cheerful woman informs them through television that they all have vials implanted at the base of their skulls. These must be filled with a specific type of brain fluid that is produced when a person is in excruciating pain.
Freedom comes at a price and they must inflict serious pain on each other if they want to escape from this madness. As time ticks away, the task tests their bonds because they have to work together to survive.
The story is rather simple, and for the fans of Saw, it is hardly anything new. What is special about Vile is the way they spice the same old plot with some disturbing torture scenes.
Although the film is as heinous as its title suggests, it pales in comparison to Saw. We would have preferred if the filmmakers had spent more time developing the characters rather than turning them into generic horror movie victims.
Another drawback of the movie is the writing because the bizarre concept is a bit too hard to believe at times. A major loophole lay in the concept itself. The brain fluids required were dopamine, adrenaline, and oxytocin, all of which are also released during sex!
So, instead of torturing each other to fill up the vial, they could have simply fooled around with each other and escaped unhurt! Maybe having two writers for the movie wasn’t the smartest idea and caused creative conflicts.
Overall, Vile is far from perfect, but it does have the elements to keep you engaged throughout.
Truth or Dare (2012)
A bunch of young British teenagers are having a good time at a party where they are playing a game called Truth or Dare. However, as one of the young people is picked on by the others, the game quickly becomes out of hand. They are invited to a party by the guy who was mocked after a few months, and when the others arrive at his parents’ home, they are brought to a cabin further up the road.
As a deranged killer wants vengeance for his brother’s death, the remote cottage appears to be the ideal location for vengeance. Will they be able to withstand the homicidal spree of the man who is hell-bent on killing them all?
When we first watched this movie, we were expecting the same old cliché-ridden teen-scream slasher. We were pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be much more substantial than that. With a typical Saw-style premise, Truth or Darescores high thanks to a rather inventive script.
The characters are well-drawn and the acting performances complement the narrative. You will constantly be left wondering what happens next, and that is the beauty of this engaging thriller. The ending will surprise you, and some of the scenes will stick with you long after you’ve finished viewing. The violence is unrelenting, but it never becomes disgusting.
The story culminates in an amazing climax after a very great build-up. It will remind you of slasher films from the 1980s, but with a much more profound story. You’ll have a great time with this surprising film as long as you don’t mind all the repeated horror.