In case the news or… hell, just going on social media wasn’t enough to scare you in 2020, there were a number of great horror films to drive up that anxiety even further.
American review-aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes have released a list of their best horror movies from 2020, and we’ve drawn it up below, complete with trailers and our thoughts on those we happen to have reviewed. It’s a varied line-up of horror, crossing genres from the sci-fi, to the comedic, to even the stop-motion animated.
How many have you seen?
10. RELIC (RT score: 91%)
RT’s Critics Consensus:
Relic ratchets up its slowly building tension in an expertly crafted atmosphere of dread, adding up to an outstanding feature debut for director/co-writer Natalie Erika James.
9. THE INVISIBLE MAN (RT score: 91%)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2Qhzz5g2b0&feature=emb_title&ab_channel=ScreenRealm
[Aussie writer/director] Leigh Whannell has delivered a tour-de-force in suspense, marking The Invisible Man as something of a masterclass thriller. […] He weaves his story without any reliance on obviously expensive special effects, allowing the tension and atmosphere to carry the load. The result is a precisely crafted demonstration of dexterity and finesse, culminating in completely taught and rousing dramatic horror.
RT’s Critics Consensus:
Smart, well-acted, and above all scary, The Invisible Man proves that sometimes, the classic source material for a fresh reboot can be hiding in plain sight.
8. POSSESSOR (RT score: 93%)
RT’s Critics Consensus:
Further refining his provocative vision, writer-director Brandon Cronenberg uses Possessor’s potentially over-the-top premise as a delivery mechanism for stylishly disturbing thrills.
7. IMPETIGORE (RT score: 95%)
The movie works better in its mysterious and scene-setting first half. […] Still, Impetigore is certainly enjoyable and it makes a refreshing, interesting change to see the folk horror genre interpreted from an Indonesian perspective. Horror fiends and fans of supernatural horror, in particular, will want to check it out.
RT’s Critics Consensus:
Impetigore uses its folk horror setting as the brutally effective backdrop for a supernatural story that sinks its hooks into the viewer and refuses to let go.
6. THE MORTUARY COLLECTION (RT score: 95%)
RT’s Critics Consensus:
The rare anthology that maintains a consistently high level of quality, The Mortuary Collection is a must-see undertaking for horror fans.
5. THE WOLF HOUSE (RT score: 96%)
RT’s Critics Consensus:
Surreal, unsettling, and finally haunting, The Wolf House is a stunning outpouring of creativity whose striking visuals queasily complement its disturbing story.
4. LA LLORONA (RT score: 97%)
Although La Llorona’s framing is supernatural, the real horror it addresses is humankind’s unlimited capacity for cruelty. […] La Llorona is a thought provoking ghost story that uses its paranormal edge to educate us on a real life horror whose impact has far from diminished.
RT’s Critics Consensus:
La Llorona puts a fresh spin on the familiar legend by blending the supernatural and the political to resolutely chilling effect.
3. EXTRA ORDINARY (RT score: 98%)
RT’s Critics Consensus:
A horror/rom-com hybrid that somehow manages to blend its ingredients without losing their flavor, Extra Ordinary more than lives up to its title.
2. HOST (RT score: 100%)
Running to a very brisk fifty-six minutes, Host manages to take the confines of the pandemic lockdown and turn what might appear to be problems, to its advantage. The Zoom conference concept works perfectly for a film of this style, using Zoom’s features to create scares and enforce a time limit on the proceedings.
RT’s Critics Consensus:
Lean, suspenseful, and scary, Host uses its timely premise to deliver a nastily effective treat for horror enthusiasts.
1. HIS HOUSE (RT score: 100%)
His House is a harrowing watch at times, but it’s great to see a horror movie using the genre to tackle an important subject matter. The result is a unique take on the haunted house concept, and an intelligent and thought provoking ghost story.Â
RT’s Critics Consensus:
Featuring genuine scares through every corridor, His House is a terrifying look at the specters of the refugee experience and a stunning feature debut for Remi Weekes.
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