2024 has surprised us not only with twists in reality but also with a leap forward in the horror genre. If you’re looking for cinematic experiences that can make your heart race and your imagination conjure nightmares, this list is for you. We’ve picked six of the most impressive horror films of the past year, offering something for everyone—from dark classics to innovative experiments.
Omen: The First Omen – When Darkness Begins in Rome
Country: USA. Director: Arkasha Stevenson
The story takes us to Rome in 1971. A young American woman, Margaret, prepares to take her vows as a nun while getting acquainted with the customs of the convent and its residents, including the enigmatic Carlita. Both women are plagued by sinister visions, and with each passing day, they sink deeper into an unsettling atmosphere. The film serves as a prequel to the well-known Omen, reminding us that evil has its roots, often where we least expect them.
Read also: Going All In: Nolan’s Upcoming Movie Is a Bold Experiment Even by His Standards
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice – Tim Burton Plays with the Dead Again
Country: USA. Director: Tim Burton
Thirty-six years have passed, and the Deetz family finds themselves back in Winter River. Encounters with old acquaintances are inevitable, including the spectacular return of Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice. Winona Ryder also reprises her role as Lydia Deetz. But this time, Lydia’s daughter, Astrid, joins the macabre carnival, potentially changing the rules of the game between the living and the dead.
Omen: Immaculate – When Piety Turns into a Nightmare
Country: USA. Director: Michael Mohan
Cecilia, in search of peace and spirituality, takes a job at a monastery in a quiet Italian village. But she soon realizes that the idyllic setting is a deceptive facade. Beneath the veil of piety lie secrets that could drive even the strongest soul to madness. Sydney Sweeney, star of The Handmaid’s Tale and Euphoria, gives a brilliant performance as a heroine who must confront horror face-to-face.
Nosferatu – Ancient Evil Awakens in the Shadows
Country: USA, Czech Republic. Director: Robert Eggers
Young Ellen, praying for deliverance from her torment, encounters a monstrous creature that sends her into a fit of terror. Years later, in 1838, Ellen lives in Wisborg, Germany, with her husband, real estate agent Thomas Hutter. Thomas agrees to sell an estate in Wisborg to the eccentric and reclusive Count Orlok, unaware that this deal is part of a secret occult pact between Orlok and his employer, a certain Mr. Knock.
A Quiet Place: Day One – An Apocalypse That’s Felt, Not Heard
Country: USA. Director: Michael Sarnoski
On Manhattan, a puppet show ends in the most unexpected way: an invasion of alien monsters begins. These creatures are blind but possess an acute sense of hearing. Sam, a hospice patient, takes a desperate step: instead of hiding, she sets off to get pizza in her native Harlem. There, her loyal cat meets a law student grappling with existential dread.
