8 Best Mind-Bending Horror Movies Like Vivarium

Few movies resemble the eerie and thought-provoking horror flick, Vivarium (2019), directed by Lorcan Finnegan. Movies with similar traits often evoke the same unsettling, disorienting, and gradually creepy feelings that this film does. Notably underrated in the sci-fi genre of 2020, Vivarium features Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots as the young couple, Gemma and Tom, who’ve recently relocated to a new neighborhood called “Yonder.” In this place, every house is identical, and all roads lead them back to their starting point.

Initially living a peculiar and solitary life, things take an alarming turn when a mysterious child arrives in a box at their doorstep. This child develops abnormally, causing Gemma and Tom to question if they can ever break free from this perpetual nightmare. Even after the movie Vivarium concludes, the haunting sensation of psychological terror lingers, leaving you pondering the film’s meaning and the unknown. For those still craving mind-bending horror, there are several films similar to Vivarium.

8. Old (2021)

M. Night Shyamalan

Despite some less successful films in his career since the early 2000s, M. Night Shyamalan’s distinctive ideas and adaptations remain so captivatingly unusual that they compel viewing, even when the film’s conclusion might not meet expectations. The movie “Old” is an adaptation from the Swiss graphic novel, “The Sandcastle,” by Pierre Oscar Lévy. It unfolds on a puzzling beach where strangers – families and couples – find themselves gathering.

On the sandy shores, they gradually come to realize that they can’t leave this place, and time seems to move at an accelerated pace here. It makes everyone experience strange effects, such as rapid puberty, instant injury healing, and sudden hypocalcemia. There’s a fair share of gruesome body horror in the movie Old, but what truly resonates is the frightening dilemma of having to make crucial life decisions when time is running out.

7. The Endless (2017)

Justin Benson And Aaron Moorhead

In a unique twist for the horror genre, “The Endless” offers a somewhat optimistic finale. This film focuses on brothers Justin Benson and Aaron Smith, portrayed by their real-life namesakes. The brothers receive an old videotape from Camp Arcadia, a summer camp they vaguely remember from their childhood, yet can’t recall specific details about. Growing dissatisfied with their mundane lives, the siblings decide to revisit Camp Arcadia and discover what has transpired there since they last saw it.

In their exploration, they discover that no one at Camp Arcadia seems to have aged since they departed, and they encounter numerous strange occurrences that are both captivating and terrifying. Over time, the duo come to understand that a mysterious force is manipulating the lives of the camp’s inhabitants, leaving them with a choice: relinquish their resolve or return to a challenging life that, while difficult, remains undeniably their own.

6. Triangle (2009)

Christopher Smith

Triangle

In the psychological horror movie ‘Triangle’, Melissa George plays Jess, who embarks on a boat trip with companions. During their voyage, they encounter a fierce storm that pushes them towards an apparently deserted ocean liner. Initially assuming they’re alone, the group becomes increasingly suspicious of being watched. As events unfold, Jess comes to understand that she and her friends are stuck in a time loop, and if she wants to rescue her son, she must perform some horrific acts.

The various elements of the movie ‘Triangle’ require some time to align, but when they do, a somewhat coherent narrative unfolds – this is more straightforward than many other mind-twisting horror films. With elements of slasher, survival horror, and time travel science fiction, ‘Triangle’ appeals to viewers who enjoy scrutinizing every scene for hints and clues.

5. Men (2022)

Alex Garland

In the realm of filmmaking, Alex Garland’s third project following “Ex Machina” and “Annihilation,” titled “Men,” continues the themes of identity and mourning that were central in his previous works. However, “Men” ventures into a more dreamlike territory, with an ending that leaves viewers pondering its meaning even more than its predecessors. In this film, Jessie Buckley portrays Harper Marlowe, a woman who seeks solace in a remote village after experiencing a traumatic event involving her emotionally abusive spouse and decides to take a vacation there.

In this story, Harper meets various male neighbors, each of whom oddly resembles Rory Kinnear. These men exhibit increasingly hostile behavior, ranging from rude to cruel to dangerous. However, it remains unclear whether they are all the same individual or if they truly possess the same face. The sense of fear Harper experiences is intense and pervasive. The final scene involving body horror leaves a lasting impression.

4. Coherence (2013)

James Ward Byrkit

In essence, “Coherence” is a mind-bending horror movie filled with unexpected twists and confounding plot elements that are only gradually revealed towards the end of the film. The story unfolds as eight friends gather for a dinner party under the passing of a comet, which leads to a power outage. When the lights return, they discover something peculiar is amiss. It doesn’t take long before they come to the realization that their reality has been fractured into several parallel dimensions.

Intriguingly enigmatic, the causes leading to the division of reality remain unexplored, yet this lack of clarity doesn’t detract from the film’s appeal. Coherence captivates audiences by portraying plausible events surrounding concepts that are almost incomprehensible. Self-interest dominates over fear, as each character is drawn to the notion of a superior universe.

3. Existenz (1999)

David Cronenberg

An underrated David Cronenberg film, “Existenz” (1999), stands out as an exceptional mind-twisting horror experience in the realm of cinema. This science fiction horror is set in the year 2030 where biotechnology has superseded electronics, and virtual reality games have become a dominant part of life, essentially replacing our everyday experiences. The protagonist, Allegra Geller, portrayed by Jennifer Jason Leigh, is a renowned game designer who finds herself under threat from rival game companies and a resistance movement that despises the diminishing importance of real life.

In “Existenz,” Allegra and her protector, Ted Pikul (portrayed by Jude Law), venture deeper into digital realms, where they encounter layer upon layer of virtual worlds. As they emerge from this experience, it becomes challenging for both them and viewers to distinguish between what’s genuine and what’s simulated. The movie shares some elements of body horror reminiscent of Cronenberg’s work, but its true terror lies in the thought-provoking queries about reality and personal autonomy.

2. Mother! (2017)

Darren Aronofsky

As a film aficionado, I must say that Darren Aronofsky’s seventh cinematic masterpiece, “Mother!“, stands out as one of his most dreamlike creations, an accomplishment given the surreal nature of his previous works. The movie begins mid-action, with Him (Javier Bardem) inserting a crystal into the remains of a charred house, which transforms miraculously into a serene, idyllic abode. In this setting, mother (Jennifer Lawrence) finds herself, surprisingly not disoriented as one might expect. And then, things take a wild turn.

Whether it’s an interpretation of the Bible, a metaphor for mankind’s relationship with the Earth, or something entirely different, “Mother!” delights in leaving many questions unanswered.

The symbolism is frequently blatant to the point that any allusion is hard to overlook, resulting in a strikingly straightforward portrayal of the appalling manner in which humans have mistreated each other and the world they inhabit over centuries. Mother! offers a rich viewing experience, revealing fresh insights with repeated viewings, but regardless of how many times you watch it, the sounds of people mourning and perishing will never become easy to hear.

1. The Stepford Wives (1975)

Bryan Forbes

In 1975, the movie “The Stepford Wives” marked its debut, based on Ira Levin’s 1972 novel with the same title. The book leans more towards satire, while the film emphasizes the chilling aspects of horror. Katharine Ross portrays Joanna Eberhart, a young mother and an aspiring photographer, who relocates with her family to Stepford, Connecticut. Upon arrival, Joanna notices that the other wives in the neighborhood exhibit an unnaturally submissive behavior towards their husbands, almost completely losing their individual identities.

As a devoted admirer, I find myself at a loss for words when attempting to discuss “The Stepford Wives” without giving away its secrets. Yet, its title has become so omnipresent that it’s challenging to keep the suspense alive. However, the stereotype associated with the film falls short of encapsulating its true essence. The movie offers more unexpected twists and turns than one might anticipate from a classic horror piece, leaving the audience both disturbed and intrigued.

The profound questions it raises about autonomy, obedience, and conformity are disquieting yet strikingly resonant with our current societal norms. The themes echo those found in the riveting film “Vivarium“.

2025-05-02 16:11