Top 10 Abstract Horror Films to Watch

Essential Insights

Abstract horror films instill dread through eerie settings while delving into profound psychological issues.
Titles like Babadook and Under The Skin feature symbolic beings that mirror complex emotional battles.
With themes of entrapment in The Lighthouse to the surreal imagery in House, abstract horror presents groundbreaking and creative experiences.

This genre of abstract horror distinguishes itself by eliciting fear not through conventional monsters or startling moments but rather through deeply disquieting atmospheres and a focus on surreal, psychological, and existential narratives. Films that belong to this genre often lean into the perplexing, leaving spectators pondering and unsettled long after the film ends.

Ranging from eerie childhood fears to spirals of madness induced by isolation, such films highlight horror in its most creative and innovative forms. By utilizing symbolic imagery, peculiar environments, and open-ended narratives, they provide some of the most profound experiences in the horror genre, often encouraging viewers to reflect on the underlying messages.

1 Skinamark

Confronting Childhood Fears

Release Date: July 25, 2022
Director: Kyle Edward Ball
Runtime: 100 minutes

Skinamarink is a Canadian experimental horror film that delves into the unsettling fears and imaginative realms of childhood, serving as an example of extremely abstract cinema.

This polarizing film employs unconventional camera angles and prolonged takes of mundane spaces to cultivate a dreamlike, surreal experience that alienates viewers from reality. Following the disappearance of their parents, two children are left within a home devoid of windows and doors, effectively trapping them with an unknown entity.

2 It Follows

An Unrelenting Pursuit

Release Date: March 27, 2015
Director: David Robert Mitchell
Runtime: 100 minutes

Undoubtedly the scariest representation of an STD, this enigmatic entity relentlessly pursues its victims across an odd landscape filled with disorienting anachronisms that amplify the narrative’s eerie tone and create a disorienting atmosphere. Its ambiguous storytelling and haunting scenery have solidified its place as a modern masterpiece of abstract horror.

3 The Babadook

A Disturbing Children’s Tale

Release Date: November 28, 2014
Director: Jennifer Kent
Runtime: 94 minutes

The Babadook, based on Kent’s short film titled Monster, this Australian psychological horror tale revolves around a single mother mourning the loss of her spouse and the troubled relationship with her child, represented through an unsettling figure from a children’s storybook. The film provides not merely conventional frights but dives into the profound themes of grief, sorrow, and suppressed feelings by using the titular Babadook as a personification of these emotions.

This creature—vague and often obscured—mirrors the protagonist’s internal struggles, stalking her as both an actual and figurative entity. The film’s ambiguous nature invites varied interpretations, transforming it into an exploration of unresolved fears rather than just a conventional horror narrative.

4 Under The Skin

Behind the Facade

Release Date: March 14, 2014
Director: Jonathan Glazer
Runtime: 108 minutes

Under the Skin is based on Michel Faber’s novel and stars Scarlett Johansson as an alien taking human form to lure men in Scotland to their demise.

This film showcases the extraterrestrial’s detached view of humanity, lacking empathy or understanding, thus offering a profound commentary on human nature. The sparse dialogue, haunting cinematography, and pervasive isolation amplify the sense of dread, making this sci-fi horror an atmospheric exploration of existential fear.

5 House

A Surrealist Horror Experience

Release Date: July 30, 1977
Director: Nobuhiko Obayashi
Runtime: 88 minutes

House stands out as one of Japan’s oddest horror offerings, merging horror elements, surrealism, and a unique sense of camp in a way that transcends typical categorization. The narrative follows a schoolgirl and her friends visiting her aunt’s isolated home, where they encounter supernatural phenomena that defy logic.

From a musical piano that consumes individuals to a malevolent cat, House fully embraces absurdity, and its vibrant, chaotic visuals create a disorienting sensation in every scene. This peculiar imagery and unpredictability contributes to a surreal yet haunting atmosphere, establishing it as a singular experience in abstract horror.

A Satirical Feast

Release Date: September 10, 2022
Director: Mark Mylod
Runtime: 107 minutes

Featuring standout performances, particularly by Anya Taylor-Joy, The Menu presents a chilling satire on class distinctions and privilege as it follows affluent patrons dining at an exclusive restaurant situated on a remote island.

As the evening progresses, the chef’s intentions darken, forcing guests to face their hidden secrets and deepest impulses. The film merges horror with dark comedy, ingeniously critiquing consumerism and elitism while intertwining fine dining with an encroaching sense of dread, escalating with each course to enhance the film’s abstract tone.

7 The Lighthouse

Blurred Perceptions

Release Date: October 18, 2019
Director: Robert Eggers
Runtime: 109 minutes

In The Lighthouse, Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson portray lighthouse keepers in the 19th century, gradually losing their sanity amid isolation and the formidable storms surrounding them.

The stark black-and-white visuals combined with the square aspect ratio forge a suffocating atmosphere that amplifies the psychological terror. With visions of mermaids and ominous birds disrupting their solitude, the film challenges the boundary between reality and illusion, creating an unsettling critique of isolation and human vulnerability that resonates beyond the closing scene.

8 Midsummer

Dread Under Bright Sunlight

Release Date: July 3, 2019
Director: Ari Aster
Runtime: 148 minutes

Featuring Florence Pugh, Midsommar follows a group of friends attending a midsummer festival at a remote commune in Sweden, initially appearing as a festive gathering but gradually revealing darker undertones. The film sets itself apart from typical horror by unfolding in broad daylight amidst blooming flowers, presenting disturbing rituals against a serene landscape.

Interwoven themes of loss, trauma, and manipulation provide a thought-provoking exploration of cultural contrasts and existential anxiety.

9 The Killing Of A Sacred Deer

A Tale of Guilt

Release Date: October 20, 2017
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Runtime: 121 minutes

The Killing of a Sacred Deer presents a tension-filled narrative about guilt, revenge, and moral intricacies. The life of a surgeon spirals into chaos when a boy he has taken under his wing begins to invoke a curse that brings turmoil to his family.

Renowned for his stark and deadpan approach, Yorgos Lanthimos imbues this tale with disconcerting precision where peculiar dialogue and a haunting score foster an unnerving, clinical feeling. The chilling horror resonates long after viewing, prompting contemplation on fate, justice, and the weight of past actions.

10 Beau Is Afraid (2023)

Dealing with Maternal Influence

Release Date: April 1, 2023
Director: Ari Aster
Runtime: 179 minutes

Beau Is Afraid delves into the protagonist’s paranoia and fears as he embarks on a journey to visit his mother. Ari Aster’s surreal narrative interweaves themes of generational trauma, marrying dark humor with bizarrely unsettling events that blur the lines of reality.

This chaotic narrative explores guilt, fear, and maternal influence as it navigates through an introspective odyssey.

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