Fresh, a wacky horror film anchored by exceptional performances from Sebastian Stan and Daisy Edgar-Jones, arrived on streaming recently and reminded audiences just how good an independent horror film can be. The film, which portrays the horrors of modern dating in a unique and horrifying way, is brimming with dark comedy, social commentaries, and Stan's wicked dance moves.
Fans and critics both greatly enjoyed Fresh, and it's prompted a conversation about other independent horror films that managed to make such an impression on us. These include films that feature a cultish midsummer celebration, an adult film shoot that descends into a bloodbath, and a sexually transmitted haunting. In the world of indie horror, viewers are in for a wild ride.
Ari Aster — 'Hereditary' (2018)
Despite having only written and directed two films in his relatively short career, Ari Aster has already established himself as a master of horror. His first feature-length film, Hereditary, told the story of a grieving family haunted by tragic, unthinkable events. Hereditary is the perfect mix of nerve-wrenching suspense and gruesome body horror, setting a new standard for modern horror films.
The strength of the script and the clarity of Aster's vision helped him recruit an incredible cast, including Toni Collette, Gabriel Byrne, and Alex Wolff. Aster's unique style has already impressed some of the biggest names in Hollywood, as Academy Award winner Joaquin Phoenix is set to star in the director's upcoming film Disappointment Blvd.
David Robert Mitchell — 'It Follows' (2014)
Fresh is not the only recent horror film renowned for perfectly capturing the frightening struggles of modern dating. It Follows, David Robert Mitchell's striking and heavily stylized film, follows Jay (Maika Monroe), a young woman who is followed by an unstoppable supernatural entity after a sexual encounter. Combining the tension and terror of a supernatural story with the relevant and important theme of sexually transmitted diseases created a unique viewing experience for the audience.
Not only were they made to root for Jay and her quest for survival, but they were also encouraged to consider the safety of their own sexual activity. Unsurprisingly, It Follows is adored by fans and critics alike, which must have helped Mitchell find himself at the reigns of his first studio movie.
Jordan Peele — 'Get Out' (2017)
Prior to his groundbreaking, delightfully entertaining directorial debut, Jordan Peele was mostly known for his hilarious performances as one-half of the iconic duo, Key and Peele. His reputation changed completely when Get Out arrived in cinemas and captivated all who saw it.
Anchored by a phenomenal performance from Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out follows a young African-American man who grows increasingly suspicious of his White girlfriend's family and friends while spending the weekend with them. Jordan Peele won an Academy Award for the screenplay, and the film grossed over two hundred and fifty million dollars from a budget of just under five million, proving just how beloved Get Out is.
Ti West — 'X' (2022)
Currently showing in cinemas, director/writer Ti West's X has proved to be an absolute blast for critics and audiences alike. Featuring a stellar cast containing the likes of Jenna Ortega, Kid Cudi, and Brittany Snow, the film is set in 1979 when a young group of filmmakers set out to make an adult film in small-town Texas.
However, when their unusual, elderly hosts catch them in the act, the filmmakers find themselves in a fight for their lives. To make things even more exciting, director Ti West has already reunited with star Mia Goth to shoot a prequel film, Pearl, set for release later this year. Here's hoping the prequel lives up to the insanely high standards set by X.
Ari Aster — 'Midsommar' (2019)
For anybody who hasn't yet seen Midsommar, Ari Aster's traumatically unsettling follow-up to Hereditary, do not let the bright color palette fool you; it is very much a horror film. Set in seemingly idyllic countryside, Midsommar follows Dani (Florence Pugh), a young woman who travels to a Swedish midsummer festival with her boyfriend and his friends.
What seems like a perfect getaway soon transforms into a violent, twisted, and soul-crushing competition overseen by a pagan cult. At her scintillating best in the role, Pugh handles Dani's transformation from a grief-ridden girl to a strong, free woman who has found a new home. We'd recommend watching this one with the lights on, though, just to be safe.
Robert Eggers — 'The Witch'
After being expelled from his pilgrim community, William (Ralph Ineson) and his Puritan family are forced to move to a small house on the edge of a dark, dark forest. Several unexpected and unexplained disasters soon begin to haunt the family, who are slowly torn apart by witchcraft, black magic, and possession.
The Witch is significant for several reasons. The film first introduced audiences to Anya Taylor-Joy and her remarkable talent. The film also introduced writer and director Robert Eggers to the world, and his stake has never been higher as we move closer to the release of his upcoming film, The Northman.
Jeremy Saulnier — 'Green Room' (2015)
Before watching Green Room, it seemed impossible to consider the always lovely Patrick Stewart ever striking fear into an audience. After watching the film, we learned otherwise. Stewart plays Darby, a Nazi skinhead club owner who takes offense to the punk rock band who performed in his club.
Darcy and his gang of like-minded warriors are despicably evil, but it is thoroughly enjoyable to see Stewart strut his stuff in such unfamiliar territory. Green Room boasts an incredible cast, too, including the late Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, and Joe Cole, to name just a few. If you like your horror films gory and relentlessly suspenseful, Green Room is a must-see.
Daniel Myrick And Eduardo Sanchez — 'The Blair Witch Project' (1999)
The Blair Witch Project is one of the most successful independent films ever made, earning just shy of $250 million at the global box office from a budget of just $60,000. This works out at a ratio of one dollar spent for every $10,931 made. Audiences flocked to cinemas to uncover the mystery of the missing film students who'd vanished after traveling into the Maryland forest to film a documentary on the local Blair Witch legend.
The film utilized a clever marketing campaign to suggest the footage was real and that the characters within the film really were missing. The film is a master at slowly building suspense, managing to keep audiences on the edge of their seats throughout. This is a film that everyone should see at least once, and the person in charge of its marketing campaign hopefully got a sizeable raise.