10 More Spine-Chilling Horrors
Hereditary is a slow-burn, dread-inducing horror with more than a few stand-out elements. It’s well known for being one of the best horrors to be released in recent memory.
For those who have finished watching this and are looking for alternate picks, we’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top choices for what to watch next. As usual, let us know your thoughts about our picks in the comments below!
Midsommar (2019)
Dani, a woman struggling with the recent loss of her family, joins her boyfriend and his friends on a trip to a remote Swedish village. When they get there though, the paradise soon unveils disturbing pagan rituals as the group becomes increasingly involved in the villagers’ activities.
Both films are directed by Ari Aster and share a focus on grief and loss, family drama, and psychological horror. If you liked Hereditary, there’s a very good chance you’ll love Midsommar. They also both utilize disturbing and shocking imagery and have a slow, creeping sense of dread.
Don’t Look Now (1973)
After the accidental drowning of their daughter, John and Laura Baxter move to Venice. However, John begins to have psychic visions, while Laura meets two sisters, one of whom claims to be clairvoyant and insists their daughter is trying to contact them.
Both films deal with the aftermath of a family tragedy and the psychological toll it takes on the characters. They employ supernatural elements as a backdrop for exploring intense grief and unravelling familial relationships.
The Wailing (2016)
In a small Korean village, a series of violent and mysterious incidents coincide with the arrival of a strange Japanese man. A local policeman investigates, and the horror escalates, which ultimately tears at the fabric of the community.
Both films mix psychological horror with supernatural elements and focus on a family’s descent into horror. They create a deep, unsettling atmosphere and are marked by intense, emotional storytelling.
The Invisible Man (2020)
Cecilia, a woman trapped in an abusive relationship, learns that her ex has apparently committed suicide and left her a large portion of his fortune. Great! Only… not really. She suspects his death is a hoax and believes that he is stalking her invisibly. As a result, paranoia is racketed up to 100 in this tense thriller.
Both movies explore themes of mental health and the protagonist’s sanity coming into focus. They use horror to explore personal and familial trauma, generating suspense through psychological terror rather than traditional horror elements.
The Lodge (2019)
Following the death of their mother, two children are left with their future stepmother, Grace, in a remote winter cabin. Ominous events begin to unfold though as Grace’s dark past emerges and paranoia takes hold.
The two movies delve deeply into family trauma and the psychological horror that arises from it. They focus on the deterioration of a family unit and employ a slow burn narrative that culminates in shocking and tragic outcomes.
The Babadook (2014)
A widow and her son are haunted by a dark and malevolent presence, seemingly stemming from a sinister children’s book titled ‘The Babadook.’ As the creature becomes increasingly aggressive, the mother and son’s bond is tested.
Both films center around a strained mother/child relationship and delve into themes of mental health and grief. The two movies also use a supernatural entity as a metaphor for emotional pain and family trauma.
The Witch (2015)
Set in 1630’s New England, The Witch revolves around a Puritan family encountering forces of evil in the woods beyond their farm. To make matters worse, strange and unsettling things begin happening once their newborn son mysteriously vanishes.
Much like Hereditary, The Witch is an atmospheric horror that centers on a family in crisis. It employs supernatural elements that are tied to dark, historical practices, and are meticulously crafted to deliver slowly building, unnerving terror.
The Dark and The Wicked (2020)
On a secluded farm, a man slowly dies. His family gathers to mourn but soon a darkness grows, marked by waking nightmares and a growing sense that something evil is taking over the family.
Both films delve deeply into family trauma and grief. They both feature a family grappling with a dark and supernatural force that seems closely tied to their lineage and past.
Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
After moving into a new apartment with her husband, Rosemary begins to suspect that her neighbors are part of a satanic cult and have sinister designs on her unborn child.
Both films focus on relationships and are deeply steeped in paranoia and suspicion. They share themes of a dark cult influence, and both protagonists are women gaslighted by those around them.
Relic (2020)
When an elderly mother disappears, her daughter and granddaughter return to their family home. Soon after she reappears, they begin to discover a sinister presence haunting the house and taking control of her.
These two movies use horror to explore themes of family and inherited trauma. They deal with the psychological stress of caring for a family member and the terror that familial bonds can create, presenting horror as a metaphor for mental and emotional decline.
There we have it, our list of best movies that are similar to Hereditary. What do you think about our picks? Did one of your favourites make the list? Let us know in the comments below!