It is fair to say that 2022 has been a stellar year for horror. From well-established franchises to indies and everything in between, we have had something for everyone.
While it was difficult to whittle it down, here (in no particular order) are 10 essential horrors of 2022.
Pearl is a tonally different film to X, so those going in expecting more slasher shenanigans may be left disappointed. Having said this, Pearl is a far more well-rounded story with Goth at her absolute best. Every time she is on screen she commands every frame, in a performance, you won’t forget anytime soon.
Pearl may be Ti West’s masterpiece and certainly leaves this reviewer hopeful for the X sequel MaXXXine, which will see Goth once again take the lead.
Scream (2022) – words from David Dent
Scream’s juxtaposition between old and young make this really interesting (the more seasoned cast are all terrific): and the co-directors gradual build-up of tension, punctuated by the now familiar jump scares (nobody can open a fridge without it being threatening), keeps it lively and tense.
It’s got an 18 cert too; no cutaways from the kills here.
Ghostface is back and in bloody style!
At a brisk 95 minutes, Bodies Bodies Bodies is a rollicking good time, really showing the vapid nature of twenty-somethings, obsessed with social media and in some cases just doing things for the clout rather than for anything meaningful.
The comedy is also razor sharp, with some fantastic social commentary plus it isn’t afraid to get gory. Make no mistake about it, there will be blood.
Bodies Bodies Bodies is a fantastic time and continues A24’s hot streak of horror in 2022.
What is refreshing about The Black Phone, is how it wears its supernatural strands on its sleeve. It would be so easy to make this a straight-up procedural, find the killer investigation movie, but it goes firmly beyond this.
Setting it in the 70s is a smart move as it takes away the obvious technological tropes that could have derailed some of the plot.
The Black Phone delivers on its hype and gave us the first five-star horror film of the year.
If you are coming into this expecting a shot-for-shot reboot, think again Bruckner’s Hellraiser is a completely different animal.
We follow Riley, a recovering addict living with her brother and his partner, who stumbles upon the mysterious lament configuration box which holds the key to both pain and pleasure.
The runtime of 2 hours may cause some gripes but Bruckner is clearly world-building here and there is plenty of indications that if audiences respond we will definitely see more of these cenobites in the future.
We may have been waiting for decades but finally we have a new Hellraiser film to be proud of.
While plenty of horror films promise, terror and distress, usually the hype is not wholly justified; especially in the social media age.
I think I’m fairly confident in saying that Speak No Evil is worth the hype.
While plenty of horror films promise, terror and distress, usually the hype is not wholly justified; especially in the social media age.
I think I’m fairly confident in saying that Speak No Evil is worth the hype. Disturbing and engrossing stuff.
This could have been a straightforward serial killer drama, but Piggy is so much more complex than that, creating this connection between the protagonist and antagonist.
It is packed with haunting imagery and an intense sense of dread, even when our killer is on the periphery he has the audience and the small town in the palm of his hand.
Wholly original and clever with a razor-sharp script coupled with a stellar performance from Laura Galan as Sara.
The Passenger is a such a hybrid, being a road movie, body horror plus taking inspiration from films such as The Thing and Demons.
It is also knows how absurd its narrative is and leans into it with a razor sharp and at times, hilarious script.
Once the plot hits the accelerator you won’t be given a moment to catch your breath until its rather downbeat ending.
Mean Spirited, in some ways is like the most annoying vloggers, but in this case they are documenting a reunion of two childhood friends.
This is the follow-up to the hugely enjoyable Mass Hysteria from director Jeff Ryan, who effortlessly manages to mix horror and comedy.
Mean Spirited also has plenty of twists and turns and odd, blink and you’ll miss moments that only hit the mark in found footage films.
Mean Spirited is definitely one spirit that doesn’t need exorcising.
Prolific genre director Joe Begos is back, and he’s bringing a killer robotic Santa Claus with him.
Begos borrows from films like The Terminator but also employs traits from action horrors such as the Maniac Cop series. There are plenty of gory practical effects and fantastic stunt work going on here too.
The best thing to report is that Christmas Bloody Christmas also has franchise potential, I mean who doesn’t want more robotic killer Santa movies?
What were your first horror films of 2022? Let us know in the comments.
Bloody Flicks 