Top 10 Horror Films of the Decade (So Far..)

And here we are readers, the final installment in my series of posts about the top 10 horror films per decade, and what a journey it's been. We've seen the golden age and the atomic age, the rise and decline of gothic horror, the slasher boom and the zombie craze, almost 100 years of scares. Now we find ourselves at the present and although we're only 6 years into the decade it's fair to say there has been a wide number of original and entertaining horror films released within those years. I'm going to get straight to it so here is my pick for the top 10 horror films of the decade so far, also be warned as there may be spoilers.

10. Starry Eyes (2014)

Hollywood is often portrayed as a magical place where dreams come true, but in this dark psychological horror from Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer we get a glimpse at the more horrific side of Hollywood and the extents some will go to achieve their dreams. The plot involves aspiring actress Sarah (Alex Essoe) as she auditions for a film called Silver Scream and how the casting agents and producers push her to every limit, breaking her both physically and emotionally. Now when I say this film is dark I mean it is pitch black, it's an incredibly bleak film with an immense atmosphere of dream all the way through. Alex Essoe's performance as Sarah is both difficult and captivating to watch as she slowly undergoes her gruesome transformation while struggling with both her friends and her mental illness. It's a bit like if Lucio Fulci directed Black Swan. It's certainly a slow burner, Sarah's decline into madness is a gradual one but by the time the film reaches its bloody farce of a climax it's evident how much she's changed. Although there are very little laughs in Starry Eyes it is very much a satirical piece of cinema, highlighting the bad treatment experienced by many young people entering the film industry, sort of like Mulholland Drive meets The Shining. Bursting with atmosphere and cathartic violence, Starry Eyes  is a nightmarish insight into the dark underbelly of Hollywood and the people who run it.

9. Insidious (2011)

Director James Wan made quite an impact in the noughties with horror films such as Saw and Dead Silence, but with the new decade creeping in Wan managed to top those films with an entirely new experience in horror: Insidious. The film begins with the Lambert family experiencing a number of supernatural events upon arriving in their new home, after they decide to leave however, things only turn worse and it is soon revealed that demons are after their comatose son. The film initially comes off like any other supernatural horror film, new house, mysterious hauntings, but this doesn't last long as Wan toys with the conventions of the genre making for an entirely unpredictable experience. For example, the family move out of their supposedly haunted home immediately instead of staying there like some nutcase, Wan knows what we're expecting and counters that in the best ways possible. The jump scares are plentiful but never come across as cheap, they are unexpected yet effective and are balanced out with a fine atmosphere of suspense. The acting is very convincing, particularly from the two leads Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson who play the parents, they feel like real people and not your usual horror movie parents. Above everything else however, this is undoubtedly the best use of a song in a horror film ever and Tiny Tim's 'Tiptoe Through The Tulips' really helped in making this film a lot more disturbing. A fresh film for a fresh decade, Insidious marked the beginning of a new age of supernatural horror.

8. You're Next (2011)

Home invasion movies can often be more terrifying than any other genre, they're something we could all relate to, something that's real and that could possibly happen. You're Next is the perfect example of home invasion done right. Focusing on Erin (Sharni Vinson) as she accompanies her boyfriend to his family reunion, the film sees the unsuspecting family get picked off one by one by a mysterious group of intruders wearing animal masks. It's not exactly something that hasn't been done before, but You're Next executes (heh) the idea perfectly and has this underlying sense of hilarity beneath all of its tension which makes it all the more enjoyable to watch. It's relentless but has a few laughs in there to ease the tension much like films such as Scream. The film has some pretty clever kills with razor wire and crossbows being some of the weapons of choice, it's safe to say that every death in this film is as satisfying as the last and it leaves viewers waiting patiently to see how the next victim will be taken out. It's got a pretty decent plot twist that keeps the story interesting while providing motivation for the antagonists, this is only expanded upon as the film nears its twisted climax and makes for a much more enthralling horror film. By the time You're Next reaches it's devilishly funny ending you'll only be left wanting more, it's definitely up there with some of the best slashers of the modern age and it's protagonist now stands among the ranks of horror cinema's other badass heroines such as Ellen Ripley and Laurie Strode. 

7. Evil Dead (2013)

Normally I'm not too fond of remakes, 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' as they say. However there is one remake that I really feel does it's original justice and that is Fede Alvarez' remake of Sam Raimi's classic horror The Evil Dead. It's not a direct remake, there is no new Ash Williams (and there never will be), these are an entirely new group of people entering the cabin and are this time led by recovering addict Mia (Jane Levy). The premise is essentially the same, five friends go to the cabin for a break only to awaken an evil entity by reading the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis. One thing I like about this is that it gives its characters more depth and motivation, especially Mia. This is not just some random vacation to the cabin, it is an intervention for Mia in hope that it will help her face her addiction and confront it, unfortunately it's an entirely different type of demon she confronts. It also keeps with that violent tone of the original, using a blend of practical effects and minimal CGI this film is a farce of violence and gore right from the get go and contains everything from burning to decapitation and of course, chainsaw action. One criticism would be that it took away any sort of humour that was present in the original Evil Dead trilogy, this is a much darker version with no one liners or cartoonish monsters but it works all the same. A departure from the original trilogy but in the best way possible, Evil Dead is a worthy remake that lives up to its predecessors and manages to add a new layer of depth to the story of the cabin.

6. The Conjuring (2013)

Another supernatural horror film from James Wan only this time instead of toying with the tropes of the genre he harks back to some of its greatest films such as The Exorcist in this stylish 70's throwback, The Conjuring. Based on real life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga respectively) the film sees them investigate mysterious happenings at an old farm house in Rhode Island in order to save the family living there. Now there is a lot about this film that seems familiar as it does hark back to the supernatural horrors of the 70's, but Wan uses his talent for conjuring (pun intended) up effective scares to make this a thoroughly frightening and atmospheric film. Using imagery, sounds and the lack thereof, Wan presents some pretty horrifying scares that never feel too forced. One bit in particular sees some sort of demon woman sitting on top of a wardrobe and I distinctly remember everybody in the cinema screaming their lungs out, including me. Yes James Wan takes inspiration from a lot of earlier films in The Conjuring while adding his own unique flare. Once again the characters seem real and believable, from the Warrens themselves to the Perron family, we genuinely fear for these people. Aside from the main plot, there is a subplot that involves the possessed doll Annabelle based on one of the Warren's real life artefacts, it's a pretty creepy doll and at the time I hoped little Annabelle would get her own film, but she did and it was shit. The Conjuring is a perfect blend of old and new, combining tropes and conventions from earlier films with James Wan's unique talent for scaring people.

5. Deathgasm (2015)

Horror and heavy metal often find themselves being linked together, the likes of Slipknot and Rob Zombie often incorporate horrific themes into their music and performances. However, this little kiwi splatter flick is about as metal as horror films get. The film focuses on young metal head Brodie (Milo Cawthorne) as he and his band accidentally unleash a horde of violent demons when they play a cursed piece of music, they then go about defeating the creatures and saving their small town. Like many splatter films from New Zealand, Deathgasm is completely outlandish and violent with plenty of humour to even things out, the best example of how this works in this particular film is a scene which involves one of the characters fighting a demon using a sex toy. It sounds pretty bizarre but that's only a mere fraction of what Deathgasm holds, its packed with violence and gore reminiscent of an early Peter Jackson film yet its style  makes it a completely original piece, from the clothes to the music this is Braindead gone metal. The characters are pretty likeable, well Brodie anyway, his 'best friend' Zakk (James Blake) is that arsehole with a penchant for music snobbery, we all know one. Along with these are good girl turned metal head Medina (Kimberley Crossman) and the comedic but rather underused duo of Dion (Sam Berkley) and Giles (Daniel Cresswell) who really did deserve more screentime. It's no artistic masterpiece but it doesn't try to be, it's aware of what type of film it is and it takes great pride in that, Deathgasm is sheer entertainment packed to the brim with extreme violence and pounding metal music.

4. It Follows (2015)

As we have seen, the 80's was a great period for horror films which is why it makes sense that many modern horrors make reference to that glorious decade, one of these being It Follows. Set against the backdrop of a gloomy Detroit, the film sees high school student Jay (Maika Monroe) after a sexual encounter with a boy after which she becomes pursued by a mysterious, shapeshifting entity that follows its victims and ultimately kills them. It's a pretty original story that brings something fresh to the genre, a new terror that we haven't seen before which helps add a sense of mystery and unpredictability to the plot. A figure that can take on any shape it wishes in order to follow its victim is truly the stuff of nightmares. Stylistically however, this is an obvious 80's throwback executed perfectly in a very John Carpenter-esque style. From the synth heavy soundtrack to the simple yet effective cinematography, this feels very much like a Carpenter film and has a similar atmosphere to films like Halloween. It is suspense heavy, every waking moment of the film is packed with tension as the mysterious entity gradually gets closer and closer to our protagonist and there is a sheer sense of dread throughout. Thematically it is also very 80's horror with the entity being a metaphor for STI's, a common trope for many horror films is that sex=bad and It Follows continues that trend. Highly original in its premise but stylistically very familiar, It Follows takes everything great about 80's horror and uses it to create a tense and atmospheric cautionary tale of sorts.

3. The Babadook (2014)

Another completely original take on the genre, this slow burning psychological horror has gained immense acclaim since its release and rightly so as it is incredibly scary. The Babadook involves single mother Amelia (Essie Davis) as she struggles with her hyperactive son Samuel (Noah Wiseman) who is convinced that they are being stalked by the Babadook, a terrifying monster from a children's book. Generally horror films these days rely heavily on either extreme gore or intense jumpscares, The Babadook relies on neither and instead writer/director Jennifer Kent presents a slow burning horror that utilises atmosphere and its performances to make for an utterly frightening piece of cinema. Davis is phenomenal as Amelia, she makes Jack Torrance look tame in comparison as she slowly begins to lose her grasp on reality, meanwhile Wiseman gives an equally strong performance as her son Samuel and the two share an excellent onscreen chemistry. The eponymous creature itself doesn't make many appearances, he subtly crops up now and again in his trench coat and top hat making his presence felt without being too explicit. It gives a feeling of constant peril and that there is truly no escape from the Babadook. One of the most nailbiting scenes involves Amelia hiding under her sheets from the creature as he scuttles up to the ceiling, it's difficult to watch for even the most experienced horror fans. The film exhibits how sometimes less is more, in this case using a more subtle villain who brings with him this incredibly terrifying atmosphere whenever they're onscreen, it's a risky approach in horror but in this case it works perfectly.

2. The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

Films like Scream popularised meta-horror, but this 2012 horror comedy is about as meta as you can get. It essentially has two storylines, one is the age old story of a group of teens heading to a remote cabin in the woods only to be terrorised by vicious redneck zombies. The other is set in a facility beneath the cabin where the employees behind the zombie attack attempt to use it as a means to gain sacrifices for an ancient deity. It's a clever take on the classic cabin in the woods story that is packed full of references and homages to the horror genre itself. The facility beneath the cabin holds a number of nightmarish creatures that pay homage to earlier films, from a grotesque merman to a very cenobitey looking bloke with a saw in his head, there are countless references and parodies to be found within the film. The script is clever and is penned by both Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard of Buffy fame, it combines moments of sheer terror with some of the wittiest dialogue in horror cinema, stoner Marty (Fran Kranz) and the duo of Hadley and Sitterson (Bradley Whitford and Richard Jenkins respectively) deliver some of the most memorable lines of the film. There is never a moment where this feels boring, there is always something happening and always questions to be answered, be they in the cabin or within the facility below, it will have you hooked from start to finish. It is a film for the horror fans but its unique sense of humour will appeal to those not too clued in to the genre as well, making it something accessible to many. The Cabin in the Woods is Whedon and Goddard's show of appreciation for the horror genre and is probably the best homage to horror cinema within horror cinema.

1. The Witch (2016)

The most recent film on this list and, in my opinion, the scariest, The Witch follows a family of 17th century New Englander's as they become the targets of what they believe to be is a witch who lives in the woods and the paranoia that ensues. The Witch, like the aforementioned The Babadook is a much subtler type of horror film that doesn't rely on hardcore violence or jumpscares, instead this film utilises its editing, its gloomy cinematography and its eerie soundtrack by Mark Korven to create a highly unsettling atmosphere. It's a film that can create scares without anything explicitly scary happening. Along with being a horror film it is also a period piece and writer/director Robert Eggers does a great job of presenting this through the clothes and the dialogue. It is an extremely tense film, very reminiscent of films like The Thing, packed full of paranoia that slowly builds up to a cathartic climax. It is a bit of a slow burner but if you can find the time and patience for the old-timey dialogue then you won't be disappointed. The Witch is without a doubt the most unsettling film that I have ever seen, from its chilling score to its disturbing imagery, the film will stay with you for long after the credits have stopped rolling. An excellent debut from Robert Eggers and in my opinion, the best horror film of the decade so far.

Well there you have it, that series of posts has come to an end. You can have a look at the rest of my blog if you're interested in reading more, until next time.