Indie production companies like A24 have made strides in the film and television industry. A24 is one of the most successful indie production companies in recent years. Their films have been cemented as some of the best in the last decade. A24’s horror catalog, in particular, isn’t to be underestimated, and more than a few films can or will be viewed as classics. It all depends on what qualifies, right?
A24 horror tends to lean more towards arthouse, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Some films have more impact than others, whether popular or not. Now, I haven’t seen every single A24 horror movie, and if any of your favorites are missing from this list, I apologize. The following films are just what I consider to be the best from what I’ve seen.
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The X Trilogy
Director: Ti West
Writer(s): Ti West and Mia Goth (only for Pearl)
Synopsis: The X trilogy from A24 focuses on aspiring pornstar Maxine Minx (Mia Goth), and farm girl turned serial killer Pearl (Mia Goth).
Ti West really knocked it out of the park with the X trilogy, and Mia Goth shines in every film in the trilogy. Naturally, someone’s favorite will depend on their taste. X is set in the ’70s and takes a lot of inspiration from Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), Pearl is set in 1918 and is a character study of Pearl, and Maxxxine is set in the ’80s and follows Maxine years after the events of the first film. All three films do something entirely different, and X will appeal to horror fans looking for a throwback slasher. Meanwhile, Pearl and Maxine have acquired taste in horror films due to their experimental natures. Overall, it’s a trilogy that’s worth binge-watching.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Kanopy, AppleTV+, and Amazon Video.
Bodies Bodies Bodies
Director: Halina Reijn
Writer: Kristen Roupenian and Sarah DeLappe
Synopsis: A dysfunctional group of friends tries to ride out a storm by playing a murder mystery game, and very quickly, things go awry.
Capturing a generation like Gen Z accurately isn’t an easy feat. However, Bodies Bodies Bodies does it accurately and in a way that provides a lot of humor as well as commentary. The cast of Bodies Bodies Bodies works perfectly off one another. It’s queer and incredibly neon and bold in the set design. Naturally, Bodies Bodies Bodies won’t appeal to everyone and if you don’t like dark humor, it might be best to pass on it. But give it a whirl if you love horror films with a twist. Just don’t play the same game as the characters unless you have a solid friend group.
Where to watch: Fubo TV, Max, AppleTV+, Paramount+, Spectrum, and Amazon Video.
Talk to Me
Director: Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou
Writer(s): Danny Philippou, Bill Hinzman, and Daley Pearson
Synopsis: When a group of teens plays around with a severed embalmed hand, they experience the consequences of voluntary possession.
Concepts of grief aren’t fresh for horror; in fact, it’s been done quite a bit in the genre. But Talk to Me does uniquely with a hand that allows people to be momentarily possessed by spirits. Talk to Me‘s main character is Mia (Sophie Wilde), and she’s very flawed, but that helps drive the film. Allowing Black characters to be complex like their white counterparts is crucial in representation. And Mia is a refreshing character in that respect. There aren’t many stereotypical scares like supernatural horror tends to do. Plus, Talk to Me being set in Australia lends to how possession stories don’t need to occur in American suburbs.
Where to watch: Fubo TV, Max, AppleTV+, Paramount+, Spectrum, Fandango, and Amazon Video.
Men
Director: Alex Garland
Writer: Alex Garland
Synopsis: A widow’s vacation to the countryside turns sinister when she’s harassed by the men in a Cotson village.
Sometimes, when horror is too on the nose, it doesn’t consistently deliver a good story. Regarding Men, the story will either resonate with its viewers or won’t. Exploring gender and the violence that cishet men have inflicted upon women for centuries in such a blatant way is uncomfortable. And it should be. Men achieves its goals of being a body and folk horror film with social commentary surrounding gender. Its ending is not to be spoiled, and it’s a see-it-to-believe ending.
Where to watch: Fubo TV, Max, AppleTV+, Plex, Spectrum, Fandango, and Amazon Video.
Saint Maud
Director: Rose Glass
Writer: Rose Glass
Synopsis: A religious at-home nurse named Maud (Morfydd Clark) is hired by an eccentric woman who is terminally ill. Instead of simply doing her job, Maud goes further and tries to save her soul.
Psychological horror isn’t an effortlessly appealing subgenre, but Saint Maud is the perfect type of psychological horror film. Maud is an unreliable narrator, and nearly everything she experiences throughout the film is a product of her mental health issues. Instead of Saint Maud being about possession and demons, the true horror is the trauma Maud has experienced. The ending of Saint Maud is tremendously disturbing and hammers home the film’s message. Christian-based religious fanaticism and trauma are often heavily linked. And Maud affects everyone around her by projecting the issues she has within herself onto others. It’s compelling but mildly exhausting, and I recommend at least a one-time watch.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Fubo TV, AppleTV+, MGM+, and Amazon Video.
Hereditary
Director: Ari Aster
Writer: Ari Aster
Synopsis: A grieving family is plagued by disturbing events that lead to a horrifying conclusion about their family’s history.
People have been talking about Hereditary since 2018 and there’s no questioning why. Not only is the film phenomenally acted and directed, but more than a few scenes should have earned Toni Colette, in particular, an award. Going into Hereditary with no expectations or spoilers is a wise choice for a first-time viewer. But for repeat watchers, you already know the time you’re in for, and that’s a bleak ride. It earns its spot as one of Ari Aster’s best films. Not to mention one of A24’s as well.
Where to watch: Kanopy, Apple TV+, Amazon Video, and Fandango.
The Blackcoat’s Daughter
Director: Oz Perkins
Writer: Oz Perkins
Synopsis: During the wintertime, a young woman travels to a religious prep school with an evil presence.
Before there was Longlegs, Oz Perkins gave us another bleak voyage by way of The Blackcoat’s Daughter. The film is a perfect blend of psychological and supernatural. As well as a well-executed dive into loneliness and extremely bleak circumstances. The Blackcoat’s Daughter has virtually no moments of reprieve from the story. And it’s the type of horror film that offers you no promises that everything will be okay. The performances from Emma Roberts, Kiernan Shipka, and Boynton are great. And the ending is the perfect kind of gut punch. I guarantee you’ll be nervous, uncomfortable, and scared while watching The Blackcoat’s Daughter.
Where to watch: Kanopy, Apple TV+, Amazon Video, and Fandango.
The Witch
Director: Robert Eggers
Writer: Robert Eggers
Synopsis: When a Puritan family is exiled to the middle of nowhere, they soon realize they’re not alone, and a sinister presence is in the nearby woods.
Period pieces aren’t always the most exciting, but The Witch makes use of even the more quiet moments in the film. When there’s a presence that you’re unable to control and are potentially enticed by, things can go epically wrong in a horror film. The Witch isn’t entirely subtle about its feminist messaging, and Anya Taylor-Joy does a fantastic job at making us understand why she wants more for her life. Throughout The Witch, there’s imagery that you will never forget about. And the final minutes will stick with you because of how hypnotic they are. If you’re looking for creepy imagery and a cute black goat, this film is for you.
Where to watch: Prime Video, AppleTV+, Kanopy, and Amazon Video.
