Today the genre "horror" is the most popular in both domestic and foreign film distribution. Which can be easily explained from the point of view of practical psychology: the adrenaline generated by watching such films helps relieve stress and distract from oppressive problems. Isn't this what a modern person needs? The British newspaper "Guardian" has compiled a rating of the 10 most terrifying horror films, taking into account the opinions of readers and authoritative film critics.
We have also selected for you the scariest horror movies in the world 21st century.
10. Peeping Tom
This film tells the story of how the childhood dreams of a young man were embodied in the worst nightmare. For others. As an assistant cameraman, the main character (Boehm) always cherished the idea that one day he would occupy his own niche in the art of directing. In the end, the "art" was to stab women with a camera tripod and shoot this truly terrifying act.
9. Vampire: The Dream of Alain Gray
"Vampire" is an exciting, bone-chilling journey into the world of dreams, mysterious and dangerous. The film begins with a lonely traveler stopping at an old castle, where nightmares and visions begin to haunt him. The film was released at a time in the development of cinema, when sound appeared in it, so it was originally conceived as dumb. But despite some qualitative flaws, this horror is immensely atmospheric and is able to tickle the nerves of the modern viewer.
8. Let me in
At the center of events is the twelve-year-old Oscar, who is the object of ridicule and bullying. He has no friends either at school or outside her. All this boy dreams of is revenge. One night he meets a girl named Eli. Friendship develops between two teenagers, and then something more. Eli's thirst for love is accompanied by ... a thirst for blood.
7. Nosferatu - a symphony of horror
The film was based on the famous novel by Bram Stoker, and moreover, it was the first film adaptation, which became the "source" of all films about Dracula. By the way, according to general data, more than a hundred films about Dracula were shot. Therefore, retelling the plot of this horror is an absolutely waste of time. To the unambiguous advantages of the film, critics include the competent play in black and white tones and the composition of the frame.
6. The Exorcist
Another "starting point" movie in the horror genre. The film was released in 1973 and has garnered nearly every possible award. Of course, against the background of modern films on the subject of "Obsession", it will look rather dull. But we must not forget that it was from him that all subsequent ideas were gleaned. The plot revolves around the obsession of the daughter of a famous actress. Not a single psychotherapist has been able to make an accurate diagnosis. But one day a specially invited priest realizes that something otherworldly has taken possession of the girl's soul.
5. Shine
Perhaps the most famous horror film based on Stephen King. This is the very case when time does not affect perception in any way.The film's gothic palette, specific musical accompaniment, strong psychological techniques - all this completely plunges the viewer into darkness woven from a criminal nightmare. The film begins quite nicely: the main character comes with his family to an old hotel to work there as a caretaker. But something terrifying that once happened within the walls of this building drives the main character crazy.
4. Wicker man
On the island of Summerland, which is located near Scotland, police sergeant Gobi arrives in order to investigate the disappearance of a local girl. However, local residents are not at all happy with his investigation and with himself, sometimes it even develops into hostility. At first, all residents denied that the girl that the inspector showed them in the photograph had ever lived on this island. When it turns out that the girl was still there, everyone sharply "remembers" that yes, she lived, but died six months ago. However, when Gobi opens the girl's grave, there is a rabbit carcass. In a remake filmed in the USA in 2006, Nicolas Cage played the main role (the wicker man), but the film received extremely negative reviews from film critics and fans.
3. Now don't look
The film "Don't Look Now" is very specific both in the methods of shooting and in the content. The spouses Laura and John have a daughter dying under mysterious circumstances. In an effort to escape from their own grief, as well as with the goal of at least somehow “patching up” their marriage, they move to live in Venice. But the cold and gloomy Venice not only did not solve their problems, but only brought nightmarish mysteries and new suffering into their lives.
2. Rosemary's baby
Rosemary's Baby is the first Hollywood cinematic work of the famous director Roman Polanski, based on the novel of the same name by Ira Levin. It is worth noting that the author of the book himself will later call this film the best film adaptation ever filmed from a literary work. The main characters are a young couple, Guy and Rosemary, who have moved to a new place of residence. They soon meet their neighbors, eccentric but rather pleasant people. But when Rosemary finds out that she is pregnant, all the joy is overshadowed by the strange events happening around them.
1. Psycho
This "old school" horror hits with its style. The catchy black and white tones kept the painting from becoming outdated, at least visually. And so, the plot is quite predictable, and the scenes are banal. But nevertheless, throughout the viewing, the film still keeps the viewer in suspense. The film tells about what the escape from problems and the search for an easy life through "easy" money can lead to.
If we take into consideration the rating of a randomly come across a film, it can be noted that the assessments of viewers and film critics qualitatively differ. And this pattern is observed in almost every motion picture. No wonder: when evaluating a film, film critics give points for directorial, camera work and other subtleties, while ordinary people are guided by only one criterion - "scary / not scary." And they have every right to do so.