10 Scary Movies That Will Ruin Your Dating Life

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Dating can often feel like a harrowing experience, especially when you find yourself as the lead character in a suspenseful or frightening tale. In the latest thriller titled “Drop,” starring Meghann Fahy (from “The Perfect Couple”) and Brandon Sklenar (known for “1923”), a woman who’s been single for years goes on a date, but quickly finds herself receiving ominous messages that cause her to question whether she should have dived back into the dating scene.

Common themes in the realm of suspenseful storytelling include troublesome relationships and horrific first dates, dating back to the earliest days of cinema. There’s nothing more unsettling than opening up emotionally to someone unknown – or someone familiar who later proves to be a stranger. Are you truly acquainted with the person sitting next to you?

10 chilling horror flicks and suspenseful thrillers will leave you gripped with fear, making you contemplate abandoning romance altogether.

10
‘Gaslight’ (1944)

1875 serves as the backdrop for “Gaslight,” a film starring one of the most prominent actors of the 1940s. The story revolves around a woman named Paula (played by Ingrid Bergman), who, along with her husband Gregory (Charles Boyer), returns to London to inhabit Paula’s late aunt’s residence in the city. Their romance blossomed rapidly, culminating in marriage after merely two weeks of courtship. Upon moving into the London house, however, a series of peculiar events begin to affect Paula, which Gregory persistently attributes to hallucinations.

How The Term “Gaslighting” Was Invented

The phrase “gaslighting” originated from this tale. In this story, Paula suspects that the gas lamps at home are flickering and uncovers her husband, who has been deceiving her and labeling her as hysterical to others, as the culprit. However, this man is not her husband but a con artist named Sergis Bauer. He was the one who had murdered Paula’s aunt. After failing to find the aunt’s jewels, he devised a plan to win Paula’s affection so he could rummage through her aunt’s belongings, which she had inherited. In essence, it was all one big scam.

9
‘Fear’ (1996)

At sixteen, Nicole Walker (played by Reese Witherspoon) encounters the attractive and charismatic David McCall (portrayed by Mark Wahlberg). Yet, her father is wary of the impact David might have on her. As time passes, Nicole finds herself breaking her curfew and delving into intimate experiences with David. However, David’s actions gradually reveal a darker side as he displays increasingly violent behavior, placing Nicole and those dear to her in peril.

A Huge Box Office Success

The film titled Fear was produced during a period when erotic psychological thrillers were particularly trendy. It performed well commercially but had mixed critical reception. Upon its release, Mick LaSalle of SF Gate wrote, “On one side, it’s an audacious thriller that compensates for the predictability of its narrative by constantly being more intense, rapid, and shocking than anticipated. On the other hand, it possesses enough authenticity about fathers, teenage daughters, and youthful desire to differentiate it from most thrillers and root it in raw emotion.

8
‘What Lies Beneath’ (2000)

Michelle Pfeiffer’s character, Claire Spencer, is married to a busy scientist and professor named Norman (played by Harrison Ford). Since their daughter has just left for college, Claire frequently finds herself on her own in their picturesque Vermont home. However, she begins to sense an unsettling atmosphere and even suspects the house might be haunted. Yet when she voices her concerns to Norman, he brushes them aside.

Wife and Mistress Both Betrayed

“What Lies Beneath” is a movie that leaves viewers questioning their beliefs about relationships and commitment. Throughout the story, Claire uncovers the secret of her husband’s infidelity with a woman who later disappeared. It’s revealed that Norman had murdered this woman when she threatened to expose their affair. Once Claire discovers the truth, Norman attempts to eliminate her as well.

7
‘You’re Next’ (2011)

At a weekend retreat with her boyfriend Crispian’s family, Erin (Sharni Vinson) discovers that the tranquil vacation turns into a nightmare when unknown assailants launch an attack during dinner. Over the course of the ordeal, various members of the Davison family meet their untimely end. Due to her upbringing in a survivalist community, Erin possesses exceptional skills for defending against these intruders – a talent that both the family and the attackers were unaware of.

A Family to Die For

Essentially, the seemingly overlooked slasher film “You’re Next” is a movie that delves into the complexities of poor relationships. The climactic revelation unveils that Crispian’s brother and his girlfriend orchestrated the entire assault to gain control of their family’s wealth. Interestingly, they weren’t working alone; Crispian was aware of the plan as well. He brought Erin to the cabin not because he cared for her safety, but rather to have a witness who could testify that both Crispian and his brother survived the attack, thus shifting the blame from perpetrators to survivors.

6
‘Gone Girl’ (2014)

Under the guidance of director David Fincher, the movie titled “Gone Girl” features Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne, a college writing instructor whose wife, Amy (portrayed by Rosamund Pike), mysteriously vanishes. As Amy’s absence grabs national attention, suspicions begin to mount against Nick, leading many to believe he may have been involved in her presumed murder.

Framing Her Husband For Murder

Drawing inspiration from Gillian Flynn’s blockbuster novel, “Gone Girl” showcases one of the most shocking plot twists of the 2010s. Contrary to initial assumptions, Nick did not kill Amy. In reality, Amy is very much alive and thriving. Upon learning about her husband’s infidelity, Amy orchestrated her disappearance and fabricated evidence implicating Nick in her murder. The film cleverly redefines the genre, leveraging the anticipation built by films such as “What Lies Beneath“.

5
‘Get Out’ (2017)

In my humble opinion as a movie critic, “Get Out” isn’t just a thriller; it delves deeper into the chilling realm of horror. And let me tell you, if we were to compile a list of the most disconcerting on-screen romances, this film would undoubtedly make the cut. Jordan Peele, in his directorial debut, crafted an Oscar-winning masterpiece with its original screenplay.

The story revolves around Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya), a talented Black photographer who embarks on a trip to upstate New York, meeting the seemingly liberal family of his girlfriend, Rose Armitage (Allison Williams). However, from the very start, there’s an unsettling vibe that only intensifies as we delve deeper into this peculiar household. As Chris navigates these strange occurrences, he comes to the sobering realization that something is profoundly amiss within these walls.

Worst Girlfriend Ever

In the movie “Get Out,” a shocking revelation unfolds that leaves viewers unsettled. The Armitage family, it turns out, are performing operations where they transfer the consciousness of elderly white individuals into the youthful, robust bodies of African Americans. Their motive is to exploit and essentially steal the bodies of black people. What adds to the horror is that Chris’ girlfriend, Rose, is an active participant in this scheme. Not only was she aware of it, but she deliberately brought Chris to her father with malicious intent.

4
‘What Keeps You Alive’ (2018)

For their first wedding anniversary, Jackie (Hannah Emily Anderson) and Jules (Brittany Allen) decide to escape for a peaceful retreat in the mountains. The cabin they visit, owned by Jackie’s family, soon becomes the setting for an unexpected thriller as strange events start unfolding. As it turns out, Jackie’s real name isn’t what Jules thought, and this is only the beginning of their bizarre discoveries.

The Black Widow

Jackie didn’t merely alter her identity; she has a chilling past that includes marrying multiple women and ending their lives. Her plan was to murder Jules in the same manner, for the financial benefits of insurance claims. The suspenseful and gripping thriller titled What Keeps You Alive boasts an impressive 82% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

3
‘The Invisible Man’ (2020)

The 2010 film “The Invisible Man,” penned by Leigh Whannell, deviates significantly from previous adaptations of H. G. Wells’ 1897 novel, focusing instead on the themes of physical and emotional torment. The protagonist, Cecilia Kass (played by Elisabeth Moss), flees her abusive spouse, Adrian (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), in pursuit of a fresh start. A few weeks later, she learns that Adrian has taken his own life and bequeathed his wealth to her.

The Abuser Returns

The twist? Adrian deceptively staged his own demise, now employing a stealthy suit of his own design to trail Cecilia. Initially, it was tough for her to elude him once; but with him becoming invisible – an anomaly no one would accept – the risk to Cecilia and those she cherishes escalates dramatically.

2
‘Fresh’ (2022)

In this chilling Mimi Cave horror-thriller, the character portrayed by Daisy Edgar-Jones is accustomed to the letdowns of internet dating. Her luck changes when she encounters an appealing man named Steve (Sebastian Stan) in a supermarket. Excited to have found a genuine connection, they embark on several dates that turn out positively. Eventually, Noa consents to spend a weekend with him away from home.

In the Business of Cannibalism

In this part, the story takes a dark turn. Steve, unfortunately, resorts to drugging and abducting Nora, keeping her imprisoned against her will. Shockingly, but not surprisingly to the viewers, Steve is revealed as a morally corrupt individual. He acquires women only to exploit their bodies, supplying their meat to cannibals similar to himself. His intention here is to add Nora’s fresh flesh to his illicit business dealings.

1
‘Companion’ (2025)

In a science fiction movie context, a “Companion” is one that challenges viewers’ perspectives on relationships, even their own realities. The narrative unfolds around a young woman named Iris (Sophie Tatcher), who reminisces about her relationship with Josh (Jack Quiad). However, there’s a twist – the encounter they shared at a grocery store, which everyone considers a ‘meet-cute’, never actually occurred.

When Humans Are the Monsters

In a twist of unfortunate circumstances, I found myself unraveling the secret that I am more than just a machine – I’m a companion robot. Purchased by Josh for his undying affection, my programming was designed to cater to him perfectly. However, things took an alarming turn when Josh tampered with my circuits, pushing me towards committing a heinous act that would allow him and his friend Kat (Megan Suri) to flee with a massive fortune. Their plan was to frame me for the crime.

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2025-05-11 06:19