28 Mindbending Horror Movies like Midsommar
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30 Mindbending Horror Movies like Midsommar
If you're a fan of Ari Aster's work, then you know that he's not afraid to explore the darker side of human nature. In his debut film, Hereditary, Aster delved into the legacy of mental illness and grief. In his follow-up, Midsommar, he took a more light-hearted approach, exploring the effects of cults and toxic relationships. However, both films share a deft balance of horror and humor, and a willingness to experiment with genre conventions. If you're looking for more films like Midsommar, here are a few recommendations.
28. The Wailing (2016)
The Wailing is a 2016 South Korean folk horror film that will keep you on the edge of your seat. When a mysterious illness starts spreading through a small village, the residents start to point fingers at a stranger who recently moved into the area. As the death toll rises and panic sets in, a young police officer must race to find the cause of the disease before it claims any more lives. The Wailing is a masterfully crafted thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. Although it may not be for the faint of heart, fans of movies like Midsommar will appreciate its dark and twisted sense of humor.
27. The Hole in the Ground (2019)
The Hole in the Ground is a 2019 horror film that tells the story of a mother who is convinced that her son has been replaced by an imposter. The movie starts with Sarah (played by ) moving to a rural town with her son, Chris (played by James Quinn Markey). Soon after they arrive, Chris disappears while playing in the woods near their home.
Sarah frantically searches for him and eventually finds him walking back to the house, but she is convinced that he is not her real son. The rest of the film follows Sarah as she tries to uncover the truth about what happened to Chris. The Hole in the Ground is an effective horror movie that uses suspense and tension to keep viewers engaged. The acting is strong, and the film's setting adds to the eerie atmosphere.
26. The Witch (2015)
The Witch is a perfect example of slow-burn horror at its finest. Following a family who is forced to confront their fears after they're banished from their community. It tells the story of a young girl who is accused of being a witch by her Puritan community. The film follows the girl as she tries to escape her fate and save her family from the evil that is taking over their farm.
The Witch is a well-crafted and atmospheric film that is sure to leave audiences feeling uneasy. The film's slow pacing and eerie soundtrack create a sense of dread that is palpable, and the cast does an excellent job of conveying the characters' paranoia and fear. The Witch is as much about paranoia and isolation as it is about witches. The Witch is a masterfully executed horror film that is sure to send chills down your spine.
25. The Babadook (2014)
The Babadook is a 2014 Australian psychological horror film directed by Jennifer Kent in her directorial debut. The film stars Essie Davis as Amelia, a mother struggling to cope with the death of her husband and the disturbed behavior of her son Samuel (Noah Wiseman). When a sinister children's book called The Babadook mysteriously appears in their home, Amelia finds herself and her son terrorized by an unseen presence.
The Babadook is a deeply unsettling film that masterfully combines elements of psychological horror and domestic drama. Davis gives a powerful performance as a grieving mother slowly losing her grip on reality, and Wiseman is equally impressive as her troubled son. The film's stylish production design and eerie atmosphere add to the sense of mounting dread, making The Babadook one of the most effective horror films in recent memory.
24. Goodnight Mommy
Goodnight Mommy is a deeply unsettling film that will leave you reeling. The story follows twin brothers who become increasingly suspicious of their mother after she returns from cosmetic surgery with a bandaged face. As they begin to unravel the truth behind her mysterious behavior, the situation quickly escalates into something much more sinister.
The film expertly builds tension, crafting an atmosphere of unease that is palpable from the very beginning. However, it is the shocking finale that will truly leave viewers traumatized. Goodnight Mommy is a masterfully executed horror film that is sure to send chills down your spine.
23. The Ritual (2017)
The Ritual is a 2017 horror movie that has been gaining a lot of popularity lately. The movie follows a group of college friends who take a trip to the Scottish Highlands, only to find themselves being hunted by an ancient evil. While The Ritual may not be as graphic as Midsommar, it still manages to be just as suspenseful and scary. If you're looking for a good horror movie to watch, I would recommend checking out The Ritual.
22. The Wicker Man (1973)
The Wicker Man is a 1973 British horror film directed by Robin Hardy. The film stars Edward Woodward as Sergeant Neil Howie, a devout Christian who travels to the remote Scottish island of Summerisle in search of a missing girl. There, he discovers that the island's residents are pagans that are a part of a pagan cult that practice strange rituals and believe in ancient gods.
As Howie tries to uncover the truth about the girl's disappearance, he finds himself caught up in the islanders' dark world. The Wicker Man is widely considered to be one of the best British horror films ever made, and its eerie atmosphere and creepy characters have left a lasting impression on many viewers. If you're looking for a truly chilling film to watch this Halloween, look no further than The Wicker Man.
21. The Village (2004)
M. Night Shyamalan's The Village is a 2004 thriller set in a mysterious, isolated community in Pennsylvania. The residents of the village live in fear of attack from monsters that dwell in the surrounding forest, and they have made a pact with these creatures not to venture outside the village boundaries. When one villager, Ivy (Bryce Dallas Howard), is injured by one of the monsters, her husband, Lucius (Joaquin Phoenix), sets out into the forest to find help.
As Lucius becomes more aware of the secrets that the village is hiding, he discovers that the monsters may not be as dangerous as the villagers believe them to be. The Village is a fascinating exploration of fear, paranoia, and mistrust, and it features strong performances from its cast.
20. The Wind (2018)
The Wind is a 2018 horror film that received a lot of buzz back in its day. The movie follows Lizzy, a woman who moves to the American West in the 1800s. Lizzy is quickly beset by strange occurrences, and she begins to suspect that a supernatural force is at work. The Wind is an atmospheric and creepy movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The acting is top-notch, and the filmmaking is beautiful to look at. If you're a fan of horror movies, then you need to check out The Wind.
19. The Wailing (2016)
The Wailing is a 2016 horror film that tells the story of a small town plagued by a series of mysterious deaths. While the police are baffled by the case, a stranger arrives in town and quickly becomes the prime suspect. However, as the body count rises, it becomes clear that something far more sinister is at work.
The Wailing is an expertly crafted film that blends suspense, mystery, and horror to create an unforgettable experience. The acting is superb, the cinematography is gorgeous, and the plot is twisty and unpredictable. In short, The Wailing is one of the best horror films of the past decade, and it is not to be missed.
18. The Believers (1987)
The Believers is a 1987 American psychological horror film directed by John Schlesinger. The film stars Martin Sheen, Robert Sedgwick, and Julia Roberts in her film debut. The plot follows Cal McIver (Sheen), a New York City architect whose wife dies in a car accident. Grief-stricken and struggling to cope, Cal becomes involved with a strange cult that worships an African deity known as Obatala.
The Believers was met with mixed reviews from critics but has since gained a cult following. Sheen's performance in particular was singled out for praise, with many calling it one of the best of his career. The Believers is an unsettling and atmospheric film that explores the dark side of religious belief.
17. The Hallow (2015)
The Hallow is a 2015 Irish horror film directed by Corin Hardy. The film follows a family who moves to a remote farmhouse in the Irish countryside and discovers that the land is haunted by supernatural creatures. The Hallow is an atmospheric and creepy film that does a good job of building tension. The creature design is excellent, and the movie features some truly harrowing moments. Overall, The Hallow is a solid horror film that is worth watching.
16. Pyewacket (2017)
Pyewacket is a 2017 Canadian horror film directed by Adam MacDonald. The film stars Nicole Muñoz as a teenager who, after the death of her father, attempts to summon a demon named Pyewacket to exact revenge. Although the film received mixed reviews, I found it to be an enjoyable watch. The acting was solid, and the atmosphere was suitably eerie. Furthermore, the film's slow build-up helped to ratchet up the tension, making the payoff all the more satisfying. Overall, I would recommend Pyewacket to fans of slower-paced horror films.
15. The Medium (2021)
The Medium is a 2021 horror film directed by Simon Verhoeven and starring Olga Kurylenko. The film follows a mother who starts to see ghosts after the death of her son. As she begins to investigate the haunting, she discovers that her son's spirit is trying to communicate with her. The Medium is a slow-burn film that relies more on atmosphere and suspense than jump scares. While the ending is a bit abrupt, the journey there is an enjoyable one. If you're a fan of atmospheric horror films, then I recommend giving The Medium a watch.
14. A Field in England (2013)
A Field in England is a 2013 British historical psychological horror film directed by Ben Wheatley and starring Reece Shearsmith, Julian Barratt, Michael Smiley, Ryan Pope, and Richard Glover. The film is set during the English Civil War and follows a group of soldiers who desert the Parliamentary army and are subsequently captured by a group of Royalist soldiers.
While attempting to escape, the soldiers stumble upon a field in which a local farmer has unearthed a treasure. However, the treasure is guarded by a malevolent force that soon pits the two groups of soldiers against each other. A Field in England is a unique and atmospheric film that blends elements of horror, comedy, and historical drama.
13. The Other Lamb (2019)
The Other Lamb is a 2019 psychological horror film directed by Malgorzata Szumowska and starring Raffey Cassidy, Michiel Huisman, and Denise Gough. The film follows a young girl who is raised in a cult of women led by a man known only as "The Shepherd." When the girl begins to question Shepherd's teachings, she starts to realize that the cult may not be as perfect as it seems.
The Other Lamb is a visually stunning film that features some excellent performances, but its slow pacing and oddball premise may not be for everyone. Nonetheless, it's an intriguing and original film that is sure to leave viewers thinking long after the credits have rolled.
12. The Silence (2019)
The Silence is a 2019 horror film directed by John R. Leonetti, based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Tim Lebbon. The film stars Kiernan Shipka, Stanley Tucci, and Miranda Otto. The plot follows a family who must take refuge in a bomb shelter to avoid being killed by creatures that hunt by sound.
The Silence is a well-crafted horror film that is sure to send chills down your spine. The performances by Kiernan Shipka and Stanley Tucci are top-notch, and the creature design is eerie and effective. The scares are well-executed, and the film builds to a satisfying conclusion. However, some viewers may find the film's slow pace to be a bit off-putting. Overall, The Silence is a solid horror flick that is worth checking out.
11. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
The Blair Witch Project is a 1999 American-found footage horror film directed by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez. The plot follows three student filmmakers—Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, and Joshua Leonard—who hike in the Black Hills near Burkittsville, Maryland in 1994 to film a documentary about the fabled Blair Witch. The three disappear, and their equipment is discovered a year later; the footage reveals their terror and final moments.
The movie was a box office success, grossing $248 million worldwide against an estimated budget of $60,000, making it one of the most profitable independent films of all time. Despite its low budget, critics praised the film for its innovative approach and clever marketing campaign. The film has become a cult classic, spawning numerous video games, novels, comic books, and other merchandise. A sequel, Blair Witch (2016), was released to mixed reviews.
The Blair Witch Project was inspired by the folklore surrounding the legend of the Blair Witch. In 1785, Ellicott City carpenter Griggs Landon claimed to have seen strange symbols carved into trees in the Black Hills that he could not identify.
10. The Crucible (1996)
The Crucible is a 1996 film based on the play of the same name by Arthur Miller. The film starred Daniel Day-Lewis as John Proctor, Winona Ryder as Abigail Williams, and Joaquin Phoenix as Reverend Parris. The film was directed by Nicholas Hytner and written by Arthur Miller. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won two Golden Globes. It is widely considered to be one of the best films of the 1990s.
The movie is set in the Puritan town of Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. The town is plagued by witch trials, and when a group of girls is caught dancing in the forest, they accuse others of witchcraft to avoid punishment. As the trials progress, more and more people are accused, and the town descends into chaos. John Proctor is caught in the middle, torn between protecting his wife and true love, Elizabeth, and confessing to witchcraft himself to save her. The Crucible is an intense, harrowing film that explores the dark side of human nature. The performances are uniformly excellent, and the film is beautifully shot
9. Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Sleepy Hollow is one of those movies that's so bad it's good. It's a campy, over-the-top horror flick with plenty of gore and a healthy dose of humor. The story, based on the Washington Irving tale, follows police detective Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) as he investigates a series of gruesome murders in the small town of Sleepy Hollow.
He soon discovers that the killer is none other than the Headless Horseman, a legendary creature that has been brought back to life by a magical force. With the help of local schoolteacher Katrina Van Tassel (Christina Ricci), Crane must find a way to stop the Horseman before he claims more victims. Sleepy Hollow is cheesy fun from start to finish, and it's worth watching just for Depp's outrageous performance.
8. A cure for wellness (2016)
A Cure for Wellness is a 2016 American psychological horror film directed by Gore Verbinski and written by Justin Haythe. The film stars Dane DeHaan, Jason Isaacs, and Mia Goth. The plot follows an ambitious executive who is sent to retrieve his company's CEO from a remote, mysterious "wellness center" in the Swiss Alps but soon realizes that the center goes beyond grief and mental health and has a more sinister purpose than he anticipated.
Verbinski's direction and Haythe's screenplay are both creepy and atmospheric, and the film is further bolstered by strong performances from DeHaan, Isaacs, and Goth. With its eerie visuals and slow-building sense of dread, A Cure for Wellness is a disturbing and deeply unsettling film that is sure to leave viewers feeling unnerved long after the credits have rolled.
7. Apostle (2018)
Apostle is a brilliantly crafted horror film that uses its unique setting to create a truly unsettling atmosphere. The story follows a man who travels to a remote island to rescue his sister from a satanic cult. However, as he begins to investigate the cult's activities, he realizes that there is much more going on than meets the eye. The film is tense and terrifying, with some truly shocking moments. Evans has once again proved himself to be a master of the horror genre, and I can't wait to see what he does next.
6. The Lodge (2019)
The movie follows a family who moves into a remote cabin in the woods, only to find that they are not alone. The Lodge quickly becomes a claustrophobic and terrifying place, as the family realizes that they are being stalked by an unknown entity. The acting is excellent, and the movie is truly suspenseful. However, it is the ending that makes The Lodge worth watching. Without giving too much away, the ending is both surprising and thought-provoking. It will leave you wondering long after the credits have rolled.
5. Mother! (2017)
Darren Aronofsky's "Mother!" is an eerie, atmospheric thriller that will keep audiences guessing until the very end. The film follows a young woman (played by Jennifer Lawrence) who is married to a successful writer (played by Javier Bardem). However, their idyllic life is interrupted when Bardem's character invites two strangers (Ed Harris and Michelle Pfeiffer) into their homes.
From there, the film descends into madness, as Lawrence's character becomes increasingly paranoid about the motives of her guests. Aronofsky masterfully builds tension throughout the film, culminating in a shocking climax that will leave audiences breathless. "Mother!" is a disturbing and unforgettable film that is sure to provoke strong reactions. Love it or hate it, you won't be able to forget "Mother!" any time soon.
4. The children of the corn (1984)
The children of corn is a horror novel by Stephen King, first published in 1984. The novel is set in the fictional town of Gatlin, Nebraska, where the population of children has been mysteriously killed off by a plant-like creature known as He Who Walks Behind the Rows. The novel follows a group of adults as they try to escape from Gatlin, and from the creature that is stalking them.
Although it is not one of King's best-known novels, The children of corn have remained popular with fans of horror fiction. In recent years, it has been adapted into a graphic novel and a feature film. The children of the corn is a chilling tale that is sure to send a shiver down your spine.
3. Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Rosemary's Baby is a 1968 American psychological horror film directed by Roman Polanski, based on the bestselling novel by Ira Levin. The story follows newlyweds Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse, who move into an apartment in New York City's Dakota complex. Shortly after moving in, Rosemary becomes pregnant and starts to experience strange visions and events.
She slowly comes to believe that her child is being conceived as part of a Satanic ritual. The film stars Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, and Ralph Bellamy. It was released to great critical acclaim and was a huge box office success. Today, it is considered one of the greatest horror films ever made.
1. Hereditary (2018)
Hereditary is a 2018 folk horror film written and directed by Ari Aster. The film follows a family who is grieving the death of their matriarch and soon finds themselves terrorized by an evil force that may be connected to her. Hereditary is a slow-burn thriller that builds to a truly horrific climax and features some of the most nightmarish images you're likely to see on screen.
The film has been praised for its rigorous storytelling, its performances, and its willingness to explore the darkest recesses of human nature. If you're looking for a horror movie that will stay with you long after you've seen it, Hereditary is worth a watch.
Final thoughts about our list of movies like Midsommar
So there you have it, our list of movies like Midsommar. If you're in the mood for a dark and twisted tale of love and loss, then these films are worth checking out. From the eerie atmosphere of The Wicker Man to the unsettling strangeness of The Village, there's something for everyone. And if you're still not sure what to watch, why not give Midsommar another try? After all, it's always nice to revisit a classic.
