Harsh Vardhan
For years, we have been quenching our thirst for manufactured horror and gore with the genre of slasher movies. Our filmmakers and writers are generous enough to flood us with gore and horror at various degrees of tolerance levels. Besides providing entertainment at the cost of our fear factor, slasher movies also function as an escape route to evade similar real-life situations. From the beginning, it hasn’t been for the feeble hearts. Slasher movies are always in demand for their thrilling horror and chilling settings. Netflix addresses this need and has curated an impressive list of slasher movies. The list includes teen horror movies, 90s slasher movies, and modern and classic slasher films.
17. Scream (2022)
Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, ‘Scream’ is the fourth installment of the titular slasher film franchise. A sequel to ‘Scream 4,’ the film shows the return of Ghostface, who targets a bunch of teenagers in Woodsboro, the same place where the killer carried out a massacre 25 years ago, as shown in ‘Scream’ (1996). ‘Scream’ does justice to the popular franchise with the way it handles the horror tropes and takes viewers on a nostalgic stroll down the streets of Woodsboro. Starring Neve Campbell, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, and Melissa Barrera, the film is appreciated for its fun quotient, which is the whole twisted point of a slasher drama. You can watch the film here.
16. A Classic Horror Story (2021)
In this compelling Italian horror film, five travelers survive an accident only to discover that their old-school R.V. is not on the road but in the middle of a seemingly inescapable forest. There is also a wooden house nearby inside which there is a picture of the trio of brothers, Osso, Mastrosso, and Carcagnosso, who are the founders of a cult whose current masked members intend on sacrificing them. Legend has it that the brothers promised to save a village from starvation but demanded sacrifices in return. Now, it is time for the travelers to play the sacrificial roles. ‘A Classic Horror Story’ is truly gory, involving scenes of eyes being gorged out, tongues being cut with knives and other forms of torture that precede the sacrifices. Directed by Roberto De Feo and Paolo Strippoli, the film stars Matilda Lutz, Francesco Russo, Peppino Mazzotta, William Merrick, and Yuliia Sobol, all of whom play the travelers. You can watch the film here.
15. The Conference (2023)
A pure old-fashioned slasher, ‘The Conference’ (‘Konferensen’) shows what it aims to show effectively. Directed by Patrik Eklund, the Swedish movie is based on Mats Strandberg’s book of the same name. We have an obnoxious group of municipal workers who have gathered at a house for a conference regarding a new mall. The meeting is also supposed to serve as a team-building effort. But everything goes haywire when a masked killer starts killing them one by one. And the fun is that the movie will make you hate the workers so that it can rationalize having them killed, each differently and brutally. The movie stars Katia Winter, Adam Lundgren, Maria Sid, Marie Agerhäll, Christoffer Nordenrot, Lola Zackow, and Claes Hartelius. You can watch it here.
14. Girls with Balls (2018)
A French horror comedy directed by Olivier Afonso, this one follows a female basketball team, the Falcons (played by Manon Azem, Dany Verissimo, Camille Razat, and Camille Razat), that is suffering from a cold war, which often takes the form of a physical one, among its players. On their way back from a match, they get lost and decide to spend the night at a reclusive hotel. They are lucky to have found a place to rest for the night in the woods but not so fortunate because the hotel is run by a group of degenerates who love to hunt, and now they have found their new targets. Will this new game bring the Falcons together? To find out, you can watch this movie here.
13. Halloween (2018)
‘Halloween’ serves as the sequel to ‘Halloween’ (1978), disregarding all the films of the titular franchise in the middle. Jamie Lee Curtis reprises her role as Laurie Strode, who was targeted by psychopathic killer Michael Myers (James Jude Courtney) in the original film and was the only survivor. In this one, Myers escapes during a prison transfer and returns to wreak havoc in Haddonfield. As the bodies start piling up, throwing the neighborhood into bloody disarray, Laurie prepares for the ultimate showdown. This time, she is prepared to take on the murderous maniac, or is she? Directed by David Gordon Green, the film does a good job of maintaining the thrill that the franchise is famous/notorious for, and accompanied by Jamie Lee Curtis’ great performance, offers an authentic ‘Halloween’ experience. You can watch the film here.
12. Coming Home in the Dark (2021)
‘Coming Home in the Dark’ is a gripping thriller that unfolds as a family’s peaceful outing takes a sinister turn when they encounter two mysterious drifters. Directed by James Ashcroft, the film follows Alan (Erik Thomson), a teacher, and his family (wife (Miriama McDowell) and two sons), who are captured by two drifters, Mandrake (Daniel Gillies) and Tubs (Matthias Luafutu), who then take them on a violent-filled ride that is horrific, to say the least. However, the treatment that the teacher and his family receive is connected to his past. The movie skillfully navigates the psychological and physical terror, keeping viewers on edge, making ‘Coming Home in the Dark’ a compelling addition to the thriller and slasher genres. You can stream it here.
11. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)
Based on the characters developed by Kim Henkel and Tobe Hooper, ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ is the ninth installment in the franchise and is a prequel to the 1974 film of the same name. The slasher movie follows Melody (Sarah Yarkin), Dante (Jacob Latimore), Lila (Elsie Fisher), and Ruth (Nell Hudson) as they try to breathe a new life into the Texas town of Harlow by helping develop a heavily gentrified area. Nearly five decades have passed since the killing spree that shocked everyone, and the young entrepreneurs are hopeful for a better tomorrow. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the worse, and all their hopes are dashed when they encounter the legendary killer Leatherface, who is just as ruthless as he used to be 50 years ago during the killing spree of 1973. You can watch it here.
10. Killer Book Club (2023)
In Carlos Alonso Ojea’s Netflix film ‘Killer Book Club,’ a gripping narrative unfolds as a close-knit group of friends (played by Veki Velilla, Álvaro Mel, Ane Rot, and Priscilla Delgado), united by their shared passion for horror, faces a deadly trial. Triggered by a fatal accident stemming from a costume prank and veiled by a sworn oath, their eerie past attracts the attention of a malevolent clown. As a mysterious author emerges, wielding their blood-soaked history as a weapon, the group is thrust into jeopardy. With each chapter of a macabre novel spelling doom for one, suspicion breeds discord, leading to a campus battle for survival. Amidst distrust, anyone could be the next victim or the sinister orchestrator behind it all. You can watch the movie here.
9. Fear Street: Part Two – 1978 (2021)
In ‘Fear Street: Part Two – 1978,’ the horror saga unfolds further as it transports viewers back to the cursed town of Shadyside. Directed by Leigh Janiak, this installment delves into the sinister events of 1978, revealing the origins of the malevolent force plaguing the town. The narrative centers around the summer camp massacre, where two sisters, played by Sadie Sink and Emily Rudd, confront the murderous legacy that threatens to consume them. With a mix of nostalgic 70s aesthetics, compelling characters, and relentless suspense, the film expertly blends slasher tropes with a gripping storyline, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats as the haunting mystery deepens. You can stream the movie here.
8. Nobody Sleeps in the Woods Tonight 2 (2021)
Directed by Bartosz M. Kowalski, ‘Nobody Sleeps in the Woods Tonight Part 2’ continues the chilling narrative of its predecessor, a Polish supernatural horror slasher film. The plot unfolds when the sole survivor of a gruesome massacre experiences a harrowing incident, compelling an apprehensive rookie cop to confront his fears and prevent the escalation of further carnage. As suspense and horror intertwine, the film promises a gripping continuation of the nightmarish tale, delving into the psychological and supernatural elements that made the first installment an unsettling and intense experience. The film’s cast includes Zofia Wichlacz, Julia Wieniawa, Mateusz Wieclawek, Michal Zbroja, and Andrzej Grabowski. You can watch the movie here.
7. There’s Someone Inside Your House (2021)
Makani Young (Sydney Park) is an ordinary young adult who moves from Hawaii to a seemingly peaceful small town in Nebraska to live with her grandmother. She soon makes a few friends at her new school, but when the time for graduation comes closer, a killer determined to ruin the lives of innocent students like her begins to terrorize them one by one. The masked murderer soon targets Makani’s classmates, and it becomes painfully clear that no one will be safe if they fail to reveal the identity of their assailant. Based on Stephanie Perkins’s novel of the same name, ‘There’s Someone Inside Your House’ is, therefore, a great watch for fans of slasher horror movies as it keeps viewers on the edge of their seats from the start to the very end. You can watch the movie here.
6. The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020)
‘The Babysitter: Killer Queen’ successfully carves its niche as a standout slasher film with its perfect blend of horror and humor. Directed by McG, the sequel to ‘The Babysitter’ brings back the devilishly entertaining characters for another round of gory mayhem. Starring Emily Alyn Lind, Judah Lewis, Samara Weaving, Bella Thorne, and Jenna Ortega, the film excels in delivering inventive and over-the-top kills, maintaining a thrilling pace throughout. The witty dialogue and charismatic performances, especially from Judah Lewis and Samara Weaving, enhance the movie’s appeal. With a mix of nostalgia, clever writing, and a high body count, ‘The Babysitter: Killer Queen’ earns its stripes as a satisfying and enjoyable addition to the slasher genre. You can watch it here.
5. Fear Street Part One: 1994 (2021)
With violent crimes being a regular part of Shadyside’s day-to-day life, it has started getting referred to as the murder capital of the world. But when an unmotivated massacre occurs, the details of the incident appear foreign even to people who have lived there for decades. As evil forces set their eyes on causing even more death and destruction, a group of teenagers determined to protect their beloved town from more violence decides to unravel the dark mystery behind the curse that is responsible for the centuries-old history of bloodshed and supernatural incidents. ‘Fear Street Part One: 1994’ is inspired by R. L. Stine’s book series of the same name, and it stars Kiana Madeira, Olivia Scott Welch, and Benjamin Flores Jr. You can stream the movie here.
4. Fear Street: Part Three – 1666 (2021)
‘Fear Street: Part Three – 1666’ delves deep into the roots of the Fear Street curse, transporting viewers to the sinister year of 1666. Directed by Leigh Janiak, the film unravels the dark history behind Shadyside’s malevolent force. As the narrative unfolds in a period setting, it expertly blends historical horror with the slasher genre’s quintessential elements. The movie intricately weaves a tale of witch trials, betrayal, and supernatural horror while still delivering the visceral thrills associated with the slasher genre. You can watch the movie here.
3. Gerald’s Game (2017)
‘Gerald’s Game‘ starts on a relaxed and refreshing note when Carla Gugino’s Jessie sets on a romantic weekend retreat with her husband, Gerald, played by Bruce Greenwood. But what begins as an erotic sex game turns out into a claustrophobic nightmare when Gerald drops dead, leaving Jessie handcuffed to the bed. She sinks deep into a world of visions, faces, sounds, the darkest of secrets, and unfathomable horror in the remote lake house, with his lifeless, cold body lying beside her. Based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name, ‘Gerald’s Game’ is a compelling piece of gore and sexual fantasies, heightened with an extra dose of horror. You can watch the film here.
2. Thanksgiving (2023)
A love letter to slasherphiles, ‘Thanksgiving’ is based on a trailer for Eli Roth’s double feature ‘Grindhouse’ (2007). The events of the film take place in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and follow a Thanksgiving-themed psychopathic ax-wielding killer who starts killing people, seemingly targeting those involved in a riot that occurred the same time (Thanksgiving) a year earlier. While the cops search for the killer, we see the latter’s myriad ways of torturing and killing his victims, which are brutal but garnished with a spoonful of dark humor. With a straightforward plot offering what it is expected to offer, ‘Thanksgiving’ does a worthy job as a slasher drama. It is directed by Roth and stars Patrick Dempsey (‘Grey’s Anatomy’), Addison Rae (‘He’s All That’), Nell Verlaque, and Jalen Thomas Brooks, among others. You can watch the movie here.
1. Nobody Sleeps in the Woods Tonight (2020)
Directed and co-written by Bartosz M. Kowalski, ‘Nobody Sleeps in the Woods Tonight’ is a Polish supernatural horror slasher film that stars Julia Wieniawa-Narkiewicz, Michał Lupa, and Wiktoria Gąsiewska. The movie revolves around a group of technology-addict teenagers who decide to go to a rehabilitation camp in the forest, hoping that it will have a positive impact on their lives. Unfortunately, their trip turns out to be a test of friendship and courage as a devious force hell-bent on taking their lives decides to go after them. You can watch the movie here.
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