We might have a couple of titles at the beginning of this month, when it will be removed and added. Fortunately, The Rental, which is starring Alison Brie, is out, but it's certainly worth a watch, along with other notable mentions such as: Black comedy horror The Trip (2021), psychological thriller Coming Home in the Dark (2021), Mike Flanagan's Hush (2016), the Fear Street Trilogy (2021), supernatural Western The Wind (2018), and Spanish supernatural horror Veronica (2017).
Scroll down for the most popular horror films currently on Netflix. Note that some of them are absolutely dark and should be avoided with prudence.
Under the Shadow (2016)
This fantastic psychological horror subtly doubles as an allegory for larger social themes, such as oppression. Set in Tehran, during a series of air strikes known as the War of the Cities, it follows a mother and daughter haunted by a mysterious evil. Under The Shadow, which follows a mother and daughter as a result of the conflict.
1922 (2017)
This horror drama based on the novella 1922 is a slow-burn with a fantastic performance. Thomas Jane, who you'll also know from Boogie Nights and 2004's The Punisher, gives one of his career best performances as the ever proud Wilfred James, a farmer who makes the entirely wise decision to murder his wife with the help of their teenage son. The consequences are harrowing on multiple levels (if you don't like rats, you'll lose them after this).
Cam (2018)
This emotional horror is partly derived from Isa Mazzei's experiences as a camgirl (or webcam model) but Cam is no documentary, following Alice Ackerman, a young camgirl who one day discovers an exact replica of herself has taken over her show. This unique thriller, flashing red with the threat of technology, is an excellent feature to hit play on.
(2020) Vampires vs. the Bronx
Vampires vs. the Bronx is a unique comedy-horror in more ways than one. Set in the New York area of the Bronx, Miguel Martinez is a big-hearted kid who is threatening to take on his local bodega. But, new clothing stores are threatening to eat up people and their properties. A fresh, entertaining twist on the genre
Calibre (2018)
This tense thriller based in the Scottish Highlands is far from an idyllic getaway. Prepare for a full-on nerve-wringing nightmare that their protagonists are debating. Vaughn and Marcus embark on a weekend hunting trip, but after a night of drinking, they discover themselves experiencing something they never could have imagined. Calibre takes on a slick, devastating set of drama. Let the whole force of this one wallop you.
It's Following (2014)
The sophisticated horror film that quietly doubles as an allegory for STDs. It Follows trains its lens on a dangerous individual who runs on the periphery constantly, continuing to pursue its prey at a slow, zombie-like pace. Our heroine, Jay (played by modern Scream Queen Maika Monroe) is trapped at the center of this anxiety pool, confronted with a terrifying stalker. A modern classic, with a cracking John Carpenter-inspired original score.
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Berlin Syndrome (2017)
Cate Shortland was a leading actress in fantastic indie films, including The Berlin Syndrome. Teresa Palmer plays Clare Havel, a young Australian who goes backpacking in Berlin, only to encounter a man who holds her captive in his apartment. A cat-and-mouse confrontation ensues. Though The Berlin Syndrome is remarkably slow-paced at times in its confined setting, it is sure to deliver a gripping thriller.
Raw (2016)
Julia Ducournau, a vegetarian in her first year of veterinary school, draws attention to peer pressure, consumes raw meat, and experiences a rash everywhere in her body. The film explores identity in a viscerally powerful and symbolic manner, and is a must-see from Netflix's indie bench.
His House (2020)
A horror that strikes... close to home. Observing its supernatural abilities through a terrifying human story, His House follows Bol and Rial, a refugee couple from Sudan, who struggle to adapt to their new life in an English town. Don't expect straightforward jump scares -- His House plays into the past's psychological traits, adding even more corridors of torment. A heartbreaking, powerful piece.
The Exorcist (1973)
Haven't seen what's widely regarded as the best horror film of all time? 1973's The Exorcist stars Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil, a well-off actress who finds her daughter possessed by a democratic entity. Who they'll call? A couple of Catholic priests to conduct an exorcism. The Exorcist was so effective it became the first horror film to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.
The Platform (2019)
The Platform, a Spanish sci-fi thriller set on a platform that delivers food to individuals on one of its many levels, is devoured as the platform lowers down the levels. Social commentary echoes throughout this dystopian thriller, which takes horrifying, sometimes horrifying turns all the way to the bottom.
The Nightingale (2018)
A warning: The Nightingale depicts extreme graphic scenes of violence and rape. Always follow this harrowing narrative and you'll discover a vast treasure of history rarely seen on screen. Jennifer Kent, who directed The Babadook, is a force to be reckoned with.
Creep, ed.
If you want more evidence that the Duplass brothers are actually evil, here's an easy sell. Patrick Brice (also the director and producer) responds to a Craigslist advertisement for Josef (Mark Duplass), who wants to make a film for his supposed unborn child. I often enjoy horror films that rely on performances to unnerve you, because they're quite difficult to pull off. And I have to give it to Mark Duplass. He's incredibly creepy.
Gerald's Game (2017)
Mike Flanagan brought us this deft adaptation of Gerald's Game, a Stephen King novel, which takes place at an isolated lake house in Alabama. When Jessie comes back to bed with no one to help her escape, it becomes a matter of survival and escape. Another chapter of Flanagan's heartfelt delight.
Call for a Walk (2020)
The Call will air in 2020, with a time travel thriller swirling around, yep, and a phone call. It rings until the end of the moment, along with a wild cat-and-mouse chase that alters the past and the present make it a must-watch.
