A horror film’s connection with an Oscar nomination is similar to my relationship with my ex — I deserved her, but it never worked out! On a more serious note, it is amazing how many deserving horror films have been overlooked by the Academy Awards!
The Silence of the Lambs is the first horror film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture in all these years — and it is more of a serial murderer thriller than a horror film! Several awards have been given out for best makeup and costume designs, best sound effects, best art direction and cinematography, and other categories.
The horror genre, on the other hand, has yet to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. There have been a number of great horror classics that deserved to be recognized on the so-called highest platform for global cinema, and it is regrettable that the Oscars handled these films like a naive stepmother.
We present you some of the lesser-known horror films in this video that had something intriguing about their material. These films deserved Oscar nominations for their outstanding actor performances, moving stories, and unique style. These horror films may have been overlooked by the Academy Awards, but they might be a vital addition to your watchlist for eerie movie evenings!
THE WAILING (2016)
Goksung is a sleepy rural hamlet in the mountainous regions of South Korea, but the peaceful life of the people is disturbed by a sudden catastrophe. There are some grisly and bizarre murders that do not seem to have any rational explanation, and these are coupled with a deadly disease, which is also of unexplained origins.
A police officer named Jong-Goo starts to investigate the murders, and his partner reveals the rumors that are doing the rounds. According to the locals, a Japanese stranger has recently appeared in the region and this man lives in a secluded house in the mountains.
The local community slowly starts to believe that this stranger is the root behind all evil and he has brought some dark force along with him. The police officer sets off to investigate, but the strange findings in the secluded house confuse him even further. When his own daughter starts showing signs of the deadly infection, it is high time to find out the real demon behind the whole thing!
This intense slow-burning slice of Korean horror gets under your skin, and you have to watch it twice to understand certain parts. The symbolism in the narrative is on point, and this old-fashioned piece of atmospheric horror will leave you stunned.
The story is premised in a rural setting, and the police force seems to be struggling to make sense of the weird deaths in the region. The plot is shrouded in mystery, and you will witness a two-and-a-half-hour of sustained horror that involves everything from possession to rituals and curses. The story is essentially about good and evil in the world, but it is not a simple one to comprehend.
It takes you through a journey of prejudice, and a portrayal of the world that reacts a certain way to an outside influence. It depicts the worst traits of society, and also what society is capable of. Some of the extended rituals might test your patience, but it will be worth the wait. There are some gory moments, but nothing too much out of line.
The scary moments actually come from the turn of events, and the suspense is kept alive till the very end. This movie is another example of the powerhouse that the South Korean film industry is becoming, and it certainly deserved some important awards and nominations to certify its brilliance.
THE PLATFORM (2019)
Welcome to the Vertical Self-Management Center, aka The Pit! This is a strange, tower-style facility that has numerous floors, and this facility serves as a prison as well as a test of the skill of individuals in a futuristic dystopian world. The trick, however, lies in the food source of the Pit. Food gets delivered via a platform that travels from the top to the bottom, and people in lower levels have to survive on the leftovers of the people in the levels above them.
Every month, people are randomly reassigned to a new level, and Goreng volunteered to spend six months in the facility for a diploma. His cellmate is Trimagasi, and he is serving a year-long sentence for manslaughter.
The endless nightmare begins when Goreng is assigned to a floor way below the point where even the leftovers reach. But what goes down must also go up! The pain of hunger changes equations, and being trapped in the facility opens up some dark doors to human psychology! Will Goreng survive the ordeal?
Not all horror films require demons and ghosts to terrorize you. The Platform, for instance, scares the life out of individuals simply because it portrays humanity at its worst. The narrative explores the worst possible conditions to survive, and the human psychology that turns demonic in such extreme conditions. This movie is bound to remind you of Cube, and the story is no less intriguing.
With a very simple plot, The Platform strikes hard, and for its entire runtime, it retains an extraordinarily suspenseful ambiance. Yes, the narrative also appeals to those with a philosophical bend of mind because it explores the concepts of over-consumerism and altruism to a good effect. The acting performances are noteworthy, and even watching a dubbed version did not ruin the experience.
Things get real sickly at times, and people who are easily offended or disturbed should avoid the experience altogether. There is a generous dose of gore, and the effects are so realistic that things get on your nerves at times. If you can brave through these, you have a classic on your hands, and while the Oscar committee might give such concepts a cold shoulder, you really shouldn’t!
Session 9 (2001)
Gordon is the owner of a small asbestos abatement company, and he takes up the project of removing the asbestos from an abandoned mental institution, which has been closed since 1985. He and his partner Phil are only given a week to get the job done, and they hire some more workers to finish the task. Mike, Hank, and Jeff join them for the work, and after a while, Mike stumbles upon a sealed box tagged as Evidence.
He opens the box to find nine taped sessions of one of the patients named Mary Hobbes admitted to the mental institution. She was suffering from multiple personality disorder, and the three personalities she portrayed were the princess, Billy, and Simon.
However, his personality of Simon is somewhat mysterious and does not appear until the 9th session. The evil side of Simon takes a dark turn when Hank mysteriously goes missing after finding some ancient silver coins. Is there something paranormal lurking around the facility?
We could tell you that Session 9 is a creepy psychological horror film that tests your sanity, but that wouldn’t be explaining half the horrors of the movie. This film is so unusual that the degree of originality of the concept cannot be questioned. It sets things up nicely with a spooky atmosphere, and the director Brad Anderson takes his sweet time to develop the story.
He doesn’t emphasize cheap scares and focuses on the overall mood and tension in the narrative. His cause is helped by some excellent acting by the likes of Peter Mullan, David Caruso, Josh Lucas, and others. The characters are sketched out vividly, and each one of the main characters harbors a dangerous secret.
After some time, the dark spell of the terrible past of the facility catches up, and things take a turn for the worse. Some unethical and violent methods were adopted in the facility back in the day, and the scars are still leftover. Watch out for the terrifying climax because you are sure to lose sleep for a few nights!
Audition (1999)
Shigeharu Aoyama is a lonely Japanese widower, who raises his son alone after the death of his wife. When his son is a teenager, he wants his father to remarry, and Aoyama meets his friend Yoshikawa who happens to be a film producer.
Since Aoyama has difficulty approaching women, his producer friend organizes a screen test for girls to be overseen by him. Eventually, Aoyama starts to fancy a beautiful woman named Asami Yamakazi. He starts to date her and falls head over heels in love with her. However, he is completely unaware of the fact that Asami has some dark secrets that will open a can of worms bad enough to ruin his life! The first few impressions can always go horribly wrong!
After the movie was released, the Audition was being screened at a reputed Film Festival, and it had a record number of walkouts. People dubbed the director Takashi Mikee as a sick fellow, and the twisted turn of events did not go down well with everyone. However, the movie does have its admirers and the list includes veteran director Quentin Tarantino!
If you look past the disturbing aspect of the movie, you are all set to witness one of the creepiest narratives ever. The characters are well developed and the acting performances, especially by Eihi Shiina as Asami, are unforgettable. We loved the sudden change in the tone, and when the drama turns sideways, things take an unexpected turn.
The moment you start smiling about an adorable love story, it shocks the living hell out of you! Honestly speaking, we are not really surprised that such a storyline was not picked by the Oscar committee. It had far too many issues that made this a rejection, but the sheer thrill and suspense in the narrative will send shivers down your spine! The story is made to look so realistic that it is like a nightmare coming true, and you will think twice before going on blind dates after this!
Suspiria (1977)
Suzy Bannion is an ambitious American ballet student, and she travels all the way to Germany to perfect her ballet skills. When she arrives at a distinguished Dance Academy in the pouring rain, she is refused admission, but she watches a young lady fleeing the school. The next morning Suzy returns to the institution, and she is finally let in. However, she is shocked to learn that the young lady she saw yesterday has been found dead.
After admission to this reputed dance academy, things take a turn for the worse for Suzy. She falls sick, and she is put on a special diet that tests her capabilities further. Besides, some more grisly murders take place around her, and it is soon revealed that the academy is basically a front for something far more sinister! Is there a way for Suzy to get out of this mess?
Dario Argento is one of Italy’s finest directors and Suspiria is considered by many to be one of his finest works! That in itself speaks volumes about the movie, and it might seem shocking at first sight because of the poor production values. Despite such shortcomings, the movie is visually stunning, and even the visual style is terrifying.
The film squashes the notion that big bucks are required for big ideas, and even with a meager budget the director works his magic around the creepy storyline. His use of the technique is admirable, and the basic plot is often outwitted by the flair with which key moments play out. Suspiria builds a surreal world, where nothing is what it seems like, and there are some horrific images that will permanently scar you.
There are some gruesome moments scattered throughout the movie, and the murders are often too violent for the faint-hearted. The climax was despised by many, but we were stunned by the final reveal. It may be fair to say that this is the closest a horror movie came to opera or ballet, and this film redefined 70s horror in many ways. The Oscar committee might not have acknowledged Dario Argento’s masterpiece, but you certainly will!
Event Horizon (1997)
It is the year 2047 and space travel is now a piece of cake! However, things do go wrong once in a blue moon, and Event Horizon is one such spaceship that was lost a long time ago. After its mysterious disappearance with all its crew members aboard, it reappears after seven years. A rescue mission is organized quickly and dispatched, but it is far from a routine rescue act!
The team soon finds out that the ship has something on board – something that is not exactly here with friendly intentions. With time, they discover the real truth behind the disappearance of the Event Horizon, and the terrifying secrets make their survival questionable! What is the unspeakable evil that shrouds Event Horizon, and how will the rescuers get out alive?
Paul W.S. Anderson is not a stranger to horror and violence, but the director brings the best of both worlds in his film Event Horizon. The plot starts off as just another space horror story, but the narrative evolves into something remarkably innovative. The atmosphere all through the movie is incredibly dark, and the story explores the past journey of Event Horizon and unveils the secrets.
The story is powered by some strong performances by Sam Neill, Laurence Fishburne, Joely Richardson, and Kathleen Quinlan. Another major positive of this movie is the outstanding special effect that impresses with a beautiful opening sequence among other things. The film reportedly turned out so graphically violent that both the test audiences and the studio wanted things to be toned down.
Paul Anderson was not prepared for a proper re-edit and he ended up chopping out a bit too much. We would have loved to see the uncut version of the movie, but unfortunately, the VHS tape containing the full thing is still not available. Even with the handicap, Event Horizon is a dark and brave movie that deserves to be applauded, and space horror fans will find this to be a fascinating experience.
The Eye (2002)
An eighteen-year-old girl has been blind since the age of two, and now, a cornea transplant offers her the hope of getting her eyesight back. The operation is successful, and much to her delight, she is able to see again.
However, her delighted stage is rather short-lived, and it does not take her long to realize that she has developed the ability to see dead people. The problem is that not all of these ghosts are friendly, and she has to find a way to deal with the hostile ones.
The young lady decides to get to the root of the issue, and starts to find out more about the origins of her cornea because the only recent change in her life was her eyesight! Will the source of her cornea solve the mystery of her unexplained visions?
Transplants gone awry might not be an innovative concept in itself, but The Eye certainly adds their creative touch to the story. People often draw similarities with the all-time classic Sixth Sense, but the changes are stark and for all to see. Asian horror flicks always find a way to come up with the creepiest of concepts, and The Eye is just an addition to this legacy.
The writing is brilliant, and the use of special effects has been expertly handled. The narrative might feel slow at times, but the adrenaline rush is maintained through a well-balanced plot. The characters are well-rounded and there is an emotional appeal around this movie that is tough to ignore.
There are plenty of terrifying moments, and even without too much gore, the story does enough to spook you. The film does get pretty violent towards the end, and while the violence might not be too graphical, the intensity of things might be off-putting for some. In short, the goal is to follow the gentle pace of the movie, and you will be rewarded with a unique, thought-provoking horror film.
Don’t Look Now (1973)
John and Laura Baxter are grieving the recent death of their daughter, and they head to Venice to deal with the trauma. John finds peace in his restoration work of an old chapel, and Laura has to resort to pills to deal with the untimely death of her child. Meanwhile, the town is troubled by an endless murderous spree, where victims are found brutally killed by a mysterious assailant.
John and Laura come across two elderly sisters, one of whom claims to be a psychic. She claims to be in touch with the spirit of their deceased daughter, and she claims that their dead daughter has issued a warning for John from beyond. Initially, John does not buy into this idea, but when he has a vision of his daughter walking in the streets, he has second thoughts! But what if the warning is actually true? What if he is actually in grave danger, and the unexpected threat is lurking around the corner!
We were almost tempted to give away the climactic twist in the story, but that would be unfair to those who want to enjoy the experience of watching the movie for the first time. All we can say is that this horror film is truly effective after all these decades, and it is so breathtakingly beautiful that you forget the exact time period.
The cast is a powerhouse of talent, and Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie perform out of their skin to essay the challenging roles. Don’t Look Now proves that slow and steady wins the race, and it eventually boils down to something so exciting that you will not be able to take your eyes off the screen.
The fans who claim that the movie has one of the most terrifying endings in horror history are not exactly exaggerating! Credit is due to the director Nicholas Roeg for maintaining a constant uneasy feeling throughout the narrative and his depiction of the city of Venice suits the requirements of the plot perfectly.
Without the abundance of CGI or other gimmicks, the movie leaves an impact that many modern films would be proud to recreate! The efforts went unnoticed at the Oscar events, but don’t let it go unnoticed by you if you are a true horror fan!
Hereditary (2018)
Annie seems to be like a regular woman with a normal family, but things change quickly after the death of her elderly mother. Annie, her disturbed daughter Charlie, and her teenage son Peter start experiencing some strange visions that do not have rational explanations. Annie’s mother was like the matriarch of the family, and her death slowly unwraps the secrets of the family origins.
Their dark ancestry has some roots that are bound to throw their lives off-balance, and this dark presence slowly robs Annie of her free will. It promises her glorious rewards in return for some crucial sacrifices, and the only hope for Annie before she loses her mind completely is her husband Steve! Will the family be able to shake off the hereditary evils, or will they fall prey to its vicious hunger?
The title is a giveaway for some of the crucial parts of the story, but the movie still turns out to be a well-performed horror thriller. The arresting concept of the film immediately grabs your attention, and it is understandable why Hereditary is so highly rated among the fans. Visually, every frame in the movie is well-made, and the dream-like, often nightmarish photography is haunting, to say the least.
Equally spooky is the musical score, and all these aspects combine to gift you an atmospherically rich experience. One of the great assets of the narrative is the crisp writing, and it keeps the cheesy, corny stuff a long-distance away.
There are some compelling characters in the movie and the likes of Toni Collette and Gabriel Byrne put up a brave front in the acting department. If we must pick a flaw, it has to be the ending that feels somewhat rushed, but overall, it is a movie that makes great use of the established formulas and creates a masterpiece!
The Lighthouse (2019)
Manning a lighthouse in extreme conditions can be quite testing and it can take a toll on an average human mind. The Lighthouse is premised on a deserted New England island in the 1890s. This movie takes you into this unexplored territory, where Ephraim Winslow arrives as a lighthouse keeper to assist his supervisor Thomas Wake.
They have no one else for company, and their subconscious issues soon become too big to contain. Besides, Winslow is haunted by some mysterious visions, and in this isolation, he starts to lose his mind. Is it his psychological issues or is there something supernatural on this remote island! When the crisis reaches its peak, the men must face the worst and try to maintain their sanity.
While we rate The Lighthouse very highly and think of this as a modern horror classic, we also acknowledge the fact that this movie will be disliked by many. What we can assure you of is the fact that the ones who appreciate this film will remember the viewing experience for a very long time! To begin with, the setting of the narrative is quite interesting and the idea of manning a remote lighthouse in the late 19th century is haunting in itself.
Secondly, once the story picks up, things go in completely unexpected directions. For instance, the amount of insanity and crazy might get a bit too much to handle for the viewer at times. This film is more like a large puzzle that has different pieces that come together and make it perfect. The acting is simply terrific, and both Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe have lived up to expectations.
The claustrophobic sets are perfectly set by the director Robert Eggar, and he also scores nicely when it comes to the designs in the movie. It was nominated for Oscar for the Best Achievement in Cinematography, but the final results did not go its way. However, it has roped in a bunch of other prestigious awards, and watching the movie carefully will let you know why critics have appreciated this uncanny horror flick so much!
The Others (2001)
The story is premised in 1945, and a woman named Grace retires to a mansion with her two children. She lost her husband in the war, but she still has hopes of him returning miraculously someday. Meanwhile, she has to handle two photosensitive children, who must be kept away from sunlight at all times.
Thus, the curtains of the mansion are drawn at all times, and Grace raises her daughter Anne and son Nicholas with strict discipline and religious principles. Grace hires a strange housekeeper named Mrs. Bertha Mills, a maid Lydia, and a gardener Mr. Edmund, and things start to go haywire all of a sudden.
Anne claims that a boy named Viktor is present in the mansion, and more unexplained events disrupt their daily lives. However, the climactic moments of the movie reveal the real secret, and it is one that turns the story on its head and blows your mind!
Movies like The Others do not come often, and when they do the horror fans preserve such classics for times to come. Nicole Kidman has been impressed with some memorable performances in her career, but this has to be one of her best ones. Even the child actors have done brilliantly, and the enchanting writing makes quick work of the plot.
The narrative does start off slowly, and you will feel for the problems faced by a single mother struggling to raise her children. It will soon lead to the point, where you start wondering how strange, things are in the mansion, and it culminates in a revelation that just leaves you in shock.
People often compare this movie with The Shining, but we feel that calling it a copy is grossly unfair. The story explores the nuances of family bonding and the subtle hints that come throughout the narrative. Despite winning the Saturn Award for multiple titles, the movie was snubbed by the Oscar, but you should certainly try out this gem of a horror flick.
The Shining (1980)
Jack Torrance is an aspiring writer, but he is suffering from persistent writer’s block. In order to take some time off the hustles of the world, he takes up a job as the off-season caretaker in the secluded Overlook Hotel in Colorado. During the harsh winter months, the hotel shuts down, but someone must stay back for maintenance. Jack persuades his wife Wendy to accompany him along with their child Danny, who has a rare psychic gift called the Shining.
This warns him about the dangers about to come, and this is the gift that can save his life in crisis! With time, Jack starts losing his mind and the unforgiving environment of the surroundings and the isolation seems to do great damage. It could also be some paranormal presence in the hotel that possessed him, and eventually, he turns into a murderous wreck. Now, Danny and his mother must find a way to escape from this maniac!
“I don’t want to hurt you, I just want to bash your brains”! For us, this movie is symbolized by this iconic moment, where Jack Nicholson lunges at the poor lady with his baseball bat in his deranged state! This movie is a culmination of legends from both worlds as Jack Nicholson meets the legendary director Stanley Kubrick, and the story is one that will go down as one of the finest in horror history.
Even the child actor Danny Lloyd was outstanding as the heroic kid, and Shelley Duvall played her part to perfection. The movie plays with the concept of fear of the unknown and unseen, and we hardly ever see the evil entity in the hotel apart from its manifestation in Jack. Kubrick creates this claustrophobic ambiance of fear that sinks into the audience with time, and the twists and turns keep coming to keep things spicy.
The climax is a memorable one, and it does take one of the greatest actors of all time to pull off such a challenging role! It is shocking that such a classic was never even considered for nomination at the Oscars, but The Shining is one of those movies that you preserve for future generations!
There are many other noteworthy movies that did not make the list, and we would love to know your recommendations on such underrated Oscar-snubbed horror flicks in the comments section.