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by Symbeline on September 24th, 2009
Psychological horror/thrillers might be good. Jaccob's Ladder has one of the most intelligent and unique stories ever, but you gotta pay attention. I'll throw The Lost Highway and Eraserhead in there too.
The first Saw movies aren't that bad, you gotta give em credit for making the story a lot more centered and plot twisty than most horror, but granted, near the end it's just ridiculous.
Other good ones are Romero's old zombie movies-yes, the gore and violence is the star, but the stories offer metaphors and insights on human behaviour, which is very interesting.
Plenty of good ghost movies too, A Haunting in Connecticut, Dorothy Mills or The Others may not be "thinking movies", but the plots are worth checking out. They're quite elaborate.
by Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE! on September 24th, 2009
It doesn't get much better than "THE SHINING", with Jack Nicholson!
by Anonymous on September 24th, 2009
I agree with a lot of what chixie said, however I have to point out that Hitchcock was NOT a horror film director. He only made 2 horror (Psycho and The Birds, which are both great) movies and the rest were suspense/thriller. He is a GREAT man, you should really check out his work (if you haven't already). Creepshow was pretty good and some were advanced for the 80's imho.
I enjoy Japanese films because they really know how to crawl under your skin, and some are not very gory. I saw Chakushin Ari (One Missed Call in the US) most recently. You may find them slow paced but at least they're not like Hollywood's horror which likes to throw blood and sex all over the place.
I must also second Rosemary's Baby. Let me think.... there are just so many good horror films out there, it's hard to think about it. How about Silent Hill? A bit nasty in some parts but I think it's worth a watch. Try The Shining and Invasion of the Body Snatchers too!
by Anonymous on September 24th, 2009
The Ring is great.
The first Saw and The Descent are also very thought-provoking despite the gore.
You should check out Audition by Takashi Miike. That fucked up director makes really fucked up films. It wasn't that gory, but really really strange.
by Sage Chexie at your service on September 24th, 2009
japanese horror films might be good too. they are more creepy than slashy. like the japanese versions of ring or ju-on. i think asian films in general use more film technique and storytelling to scare you than gore. (though there are a lot of mindless violence horror, not all are like that). I think they like to "mess with your mind" more and try to think of creative ways to give you heebie jeebies.
Older black and white classic horror films might also be good. The standard then was to 'show less to tell more.' Stuff like Hitchcock films and the original Night of the Living Dead are worth checking out, I think. A lot of the "horrifying things" happened offscreen. Because of social standards then, again, they were forced to rely on story telling, sound, and cinematography to cause tension.
M Shymalan I think also tries to use more technique to tell suspenseful stories, but I think his other films since 'the 6th sense' have not done as well.
If you want to really be scared, you can also opt to watch some documentaries about health care, global warming, and the like. haaaah!
by justchattin on October 3rd, 2009
thanks KiloWattKid. I too find torture scenes distasteful. I would say stick to mystery/suspense films, (except ratings and descriptions can be very misleading, depending to where you live,) And I don't think you have to stop watching "Horror" films based on what the current mainstream is. If you look back at the genre, it often didn't include torture/mutilation, etc., some were just scary!
by Basil_Fawlty on October 3rd, 2009
I may have mentioned this film on another thread, but "The Brotherhood of Satan" reveals the secret behind the mysterious goings-on gradually, giving the viewer a chance to put the pieces together. It features a great performance by Strother Martin in the ritual scenes, and as an extra special bonus there is the gorgeous, leggy Ahna Capri.
by Anonymous T on September 24th, 2009
I don't believe horror movies
are supposed to be mysterious
or require any thought.
They are supposed to abuse
Your natural, primitive fear
mechanisms that You can't
control even if You suspect
what's about to happen.
(unless You're habituated
already to this thing)
.
If You're looking for mysterious
and requiring thought, go with
thrillers.
by Normal guy on September 24th, 2009
It's been out for a few years but I enjoyed 'The Skeleton Key'. I felt it was along the lines of the old Alfred Hitchcock thriller. I wish an Alfred Hitchcock would come along today.
by RubyReds on September 24th, 2009
The Unborn, Last house on the Left. 2 I can think of now.
by - MojoThunder - on September 24th, 2009
i REALLY enjoyed the first RING ... The Grudge ... i don't mind the "torture porn" flicks, but they aren't scary or horror in my opinion bc i know its all fake ... just so over the top, it TOTALLY takes you out of the moment ... if you can find it, watch "The Secret of M Night Shymalan"
by Jadey - Vive la difference on September 24th, 2009
Slasher films are crap! I suggeest you check out some Korean horror films. They are a cut above any of those which come out of Hollywood. Hollywood just is not great at horror.
Try R-Point, that's quite a popular one.. But there are lots. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-Horror
by Basil_Fawlty on September 24th, 2009
The first three Omen movies. And BTW, in the first film, am I the only one who thought that Billie Whitelaw was much sexier than Lee Remick? How could Gregory Peck stay faithful to his wife with that nanny around?
by Gamaur on September 23rd, 2009
Rosemary's Baby!!!
by guirion on September 23rd, 2009
The very first saw movie was actually quite thought provoking.The franchise quickly went downhill though.
by WelbyQuentin on June 12th, 2010
" Let the Right One In " [ a Swedish film ]
In Nightmare on Elm Street, why does Freddy alays appear in Nancy's old house?
by KATTALNUVA on January 17th, 2012
| 1 person likes this
greenglowingholebasementwhichisaportaltohellthenhavea partyguest start2diethen3girlsonesthedevilandshehasapenisandthe other 2 are herminons
by moevon2007 on January 23rd, 2012
| 1 person likes this
I really like The Shining and Hellraiser. What is your favorite Horror movie?
by Technus the Ghost Master of Technology on January 5th, 2012
| 2 people like this
How many Friday the 13th movies? And what are all of their names.
by lila_35 on January 9th, 2012
| 1 person likes this
Has anybody seen the movie 11 11 11? Did anybody else find it confusing?? If not, please explain it to me. Thanks.
by roxiemichelle on January 14th, 2012
| 1 person likes this
You're reading I've always hated horror films but I noticed I just despise the torture/horror, like Saw and Hostel. What are good horror movies that are mysterious or require thought?
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