I Saw 18 Horror Movies In 2024. 5 Were Great And 3 Failed To Thrill Me

As a die-hard horror enthusiast who has spent countless nights huddled under blankets while watching the scariest movies known to mankind, I must say that this year has been quite a rollercoaster for me! There have been some truly terrifying experiences, but also some disappointments that left me questioning my sanity for even giving them a chance.

The horror genre has been thriving for years now, to the delight of fans like myself. Some of the best horror movies have been released during the current renaissance, while we’re still able to look forward to upcoming horror movies. I personally saw 18 horror movies In 2024, and while 5 were great, 3 failed to thrill me.

2024 saw an array of spine-tingling horror releases throughout the entire year, not just during spooky season. These ranged from movies that graced the big screen to those exclusively available on Peacock or other streaming platforms. Here are my personal picks for the best and worst of 2024’s horror offerings.

High: Alien: Romulus

As a die-hard fan of the Alien series, I must admit that the franchise has had its ups and downs throughout the years. However, director Fede Álvarez managed to bring it back to its original brilliance with Alien: Romulus. This film was an extraordinary cinematic journey for me, and it was made even more immersive through 4DX screenings in select locations, truly enhancing my overall experience.

Between the initial and second installments of the series, the story of “Romulus” unfolds, focusing on a band of space colonists. In their quest to salvage resources from the USCSS Nostromo, they find themselves in perilous situations. The tension escalates dramatically once they breach the station, with numerous frightening encounters, among which is an unprecedented Alien species, dubbed “The Offspring,” making its terrifying debut on the records. So, let’s move forward and witness the continuation of this thrilling saga!

Low: Night Swim

It’s likely we should have anticipated this lull in the film’s success much earlier, well before the release of Night Swim. Given that the central theme revolves around a family persistently swimming in their haunted pool despite numerous eerie occurrences, it seemed more fitting for a short production. Extending this concept into a full-length theatrical release proved to be a greater challenge than initially expected.

In my opinion, the idea behind the movie “Night Swim” was challenging to grasp, and unfortunately, the way it was put into practice didn’t live up to expectations for me. Throughout its 98 minutes, I failed to feel scared at all. It seems that many critics shared similar views, as the response to “Night Swim” was quite harsh.

High: Longlegs

Longlegs has undeniably been one of the most virally popular horror flicks of 2024. The chilling portrayal of Nicolas Cage’s title character, which remains deeply unsettling yet instantly memorable, continues to inspire memes even today. Remarkably, this unforgettable performance was delivered with a surprisingly limited amount of screen time in the film itself.

Under the direction and penmanship of Osgood Perkins, the film titled Longlegs delves into the pursuit of FBI agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe), who is hot on the trail of the notorious serial killer. The narrative blends elements of reality and supernatural, offering a chilling and lingering experience that seems poised to leave an enduring mark in the horror genre.

Low: Salem’s Lot

Over the years, numerous Stephen King movies have emerged based on the writer’s extensive collection of chilling books. Among them is “Salem’s Lot,” which unfortunately didn’t live up to my expectations in its adaptation. Despite my fondness for bloodsucking tales, I found myself somewhat disappointed with this particular vampire project.

Initially, this film appeared to be a grand slam based on its impressive cast and Gary Dauberman as director, who has previously worked on successful horror films like “Annabelle: Creation” and “IT”. However, for me personally, the movie fell short in terms of emotional resonance and could have benefited from additional thrilling moments.

High: Smile 2

This one took me way too long to see, but it was totally worth the wait. While I missed it’s theatrical run, I was able to watch Smile 2 with my Paramount+ subscription, and I think it’s one of those rare cases where a sequel ends up surpassing the original. And I really liked the OG Smile.

Instead of centering on an ordinary individual, the sequel shifts its focus onto pop star Skye Riley (portrayed by Naomi Scott). With her high-profile career keeping her surrounded by people at all times, the curse’s demonic presence is able to torment her relentlessly, gradually driving her insane. The movie offers numerous heart-pounding scares, and Scott’s acting prowess is nothing short of remarkable – not to mention her musical performances.

Low: Tarot

As a horror enthusiast, I must confess that among the first horrors released in 2024, “Tarot” didn’t quite live up to my expectations. Directed and written by the imaginative duo Spenser Cohen and Anna Halberg, this film follows a band of students who unwisely delve into a Tarot deck, only to find themselves entangled in a web of dreadful events. However, it fell short compared to other genre standouts from that year.

In the cast of Tarot, you had some powerful performers, including recognizable figures such as Jacob Batalon, best known for his role in Spider-Man, and Avantika, who made a name for herself in Mean Girls. TopMob’s review of Tarot went as far as to label the horror film “predictable,” and it appears that the movie’s script was its main flaw according to many critics. At least the genre has room for improvement after this film.

High: Abigail

It’s not essential for every horror movie to be genuinely terrifying. In fact, incorporating humor can enhance the experience, as demonstrated by directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett in their work on Abigail. This approach is part of the reason why their previous projects such as Ready or Not and the recent Scream films have been so popular.

Abigail carries forward this tradition, featuring Scream actress Melissa Barrera as the lead character. The narrative unfolds around a band of kidnappers who are assigned to watch over a young girl for one night. However, it swiftly transpires that she is not just an ordinary child but a bloodthirsty vampire. The storyline offers ample frights, along with lines that will undoubtedly become viral sensations, such as when Kathryn Newton’s character mistakes garlic for onions.

High: Trap

In my opinion, M. Night Shyamalan’s films often receive criticism, but I personally admire his innovative and twist-driven style. Consequently, I entered Trap with high expectations, and the production exceeded them. Similar to Abigail, this movie incorporates a fair amount of humor, and it might just be the funniest film Shyamalan has ever created.

Although some viewers feared that the plot twist in “Trap” was given away in the trailer, the film’s events stretched far beyond Lady Raven’s concert. Josh Hartnett delivers a remarkable performance, seamlessly transitioning between portraying a ruthless killer and an apparently innocent father. Personally, I’m eager to see M. Night Shyamalan incorporate more humor into his horror productions in the future.

2024-12-18 23:08