As I often say, if animated films and documentary films tend to get their own categories when it comes to end of the year lists, I will always make an argument that horror should too. It is, after all, one of my favorite genres (see Josh Larson’s book Fear Not: A Christian Appreciation of Horror for a great breakown of how to appreicate horror from a Christian perspective, and join The Fear of God community/pocdast for some great discussions on the intersection of faith and fear). So how did 2023 fare on the horror front? I think I might make the case that it is not as strong as previous years. But where it shines, it shines, from the little films to the big hitters, there’s lots of love still to go around. Here are my highlights:
TOP 12 HORROR FILMS OF 2023
1. EMILY
The tag line for this film is, “the imagination behind Wuthering Heights”. It follows the life and story of Emily Bronte as she lives the inspiration for the book. The complex characters here really come to life in a visceral way, taking a lyrical approach to the different tensions the cut through fabric of their shared life and struggle. It is here that we find the different forces fighting for Bronte’s allegiance- community/family and individualism, liberty and Tradition, different kinds of intellectualism, love and hurt, morality and hedonism, faith and doubt, the artist and the educated. It ultimately presents a persistent sense of dysfunction that all boils over into a genuine sense of horror. And It is here, both in the story and in the visuals, that this film weaves those horror notes into some genuine conventions and employment of the genre in some unexpected ways.
2. GODLESS: THE EASTFIELD EXORCISM
Feels like your run of the mill exorcism film going in, but this one was a real gut punch. It finds a way to turn a spotlight on the potential abuses of religion and faith while retaining a level of respect for it. This isn’t about tearing down belief in God, but about wrestling with the tension this creates when it binds itself to the real oppression that does exist in the world at large. This is where religion is contextualized into our lives and experiences, and this is the tension we carry as we navigate a reality where faith and potential oppression coexist.
3. SKINAMARINK
Jury is out on whether one can legitimately call this a film. Its more of an experience, and it will either work or it won’t, depending on how you experience it. Best case scenario- late at night, in complete darkness and silence, no distractions, and with a crowd that’s willing to give themselves over to the exercise. The film’s essential intent is to reach into your psyche and tap into those childhood memories, those buried fears that perhaps you’ve left well behind. This film wants to make you relive them again, and then to ruminate on how they speak to your adult state of mind. A kind of therapy if you will, and full disclosure- this really did a number on me to that end.
4. A HAUNTING IN VENICE
As the third entry into Branagh’s Hercule Poirot saga, Venice is by and large my favorite of the bunch. It’s the most emotionally aware, it is bursting with thematic intrigue, and it’s the most vulnerable and personal of the three, delving deeper into the persona of Poirot and what drives him towards mystery. It is also the one that experiments with the horror genre, which gives it that added edge. Overall, I loved the mystery of the first (Orient), the setting of the second (Nile), and the story of the third. Taken together they work as a cohesive whole, with Venice functioning as a satisfying conclusion (or perhaps not) regarding the horror behind the mystery.
5. DREAM SCENARIO
The relatively recent, although by now well entrenched, Nic Cage renaissance has found the iconic actor willing to give himself over to varied roles and projects, each with their own level of necessary insanity in tow. There is little doubt this has helped make the man into a true cult following of the best kind, with the “anything goes” approach representing his legitimate claim on the concept of a modern artist. That he has managed to do this with the late stage of his career is one of the great mysteries of the universe. Gratitude abounds though, as it gives us projects like Mandy and Pig, and now his most recent title Dream Sequence. This honestly might be one of his best yet. The way he manages something so off the wall while blending in elements of fun, seriousness, tension and sincerity is really quite remarkable. It allows the film to build out a genuine thematic interest, and most importantly to feel relatable to real world experiences. One of the best of the year for sure.
6. TALK TO ME
Arguably the most familiar original horror title of 2023, and the one that fits the bill most succinctly and definitively. This is straight forward formula, but it is formula that works, and even then it is formula that provides the set up for what is perhaps its more noted element- its story. Its got scares, jump scares, intrigue, suspense, and it gives this all some genuine substance by probing and weighing in on the whole spirit-fresh dualism idea.
7. THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER
A controversial and divisive film, but one that I think deserved a fairer shake, especially given some of the disparity between the embrace by general audiences and the less than affectionate critical response. It has some issues, mostly in an uneven second half, but the first half is strong enough to carry the film through those slight missteps, and proves especially effective at carving its own path through the iconic franchises familiar story. It would be impossible for this to replicate the first film, but it finds a way to connect to it while subtly developing its own charcter and style, and that’s something I appreciated quite a bit. And, at its most fundamental level, I simply connected to the story it was telling and the questions it was asking, leaving me with no reservations about championing this film.
8. KNOCK AT THE CABIN
Another controversial title. As M. Night’s latest, this also proves to be one of his more commercial efforts to date. On the level of construction, the technicals here are quite strong. On a story level, and on a thematic level, mileage might vary. For my money, I loved what Night does with the apocalyptic genre, especially where it connects to interpretive discussions of Revelation. Here the commentary is functioning on multiple levels, constructing and reconstructing accepted norms in a way that puts us face to face with some problematic readings of the infamous biblical letter and the end times theology that has developedd from this. It is challenging, sometimes uncomfortable, but also tantalizing and necessary in a world where apocalyptic fears continue to abound and have a grip on wide portions of American Christianity.
9. THE LAST VOYAGE OF DEMETER
Proved to be so much better than I expected, establishing itself as a genuine horror thriller with equal parts sea faring adventure and old world charm. Loved the way it brings in the spiritual crisis, melding it with history and legend while creating some real emotionally heft.
10. THE POPES EXORCIST
If Russell Crowe driving a moped in Italy doesn’t hook you, the genuine campiness of the whole thing should. And hey, don’t look now, but this thing just might be more intelligent than it has any right to be. Make no mistake, this is Russell Crowe’s world, and we are along for the ride. It is guaranteed to be entertaining, and it makes no apologies for tabling some big and important questions along the way.
11. NO ONE WILL SAVE YOU
This one quietly entered the scene, slipping onto Disney+ with little to no advertising or fanfare. Who knew it would be one of the best sci-fi horror films to release in 2023. It is straightforward, to the point, concise, and uses that brief run time to accomplish quite a bit. The design of the film is great, and the execution is extremely effective. It all leads up to a compelling finale that uses its twist to say something of substance. A well rounded horror film on all levels.
12. INFLUENCER
Might not seem like this would amount to much, but underneath the surface level premise, which follows a social media influencer on a solo trip to Thailand (what could possibly go wrong), is a smartly written horror-thriller.
THE OUTLIERS
EVIL DEAD RISE
It is relatively void of any thematic interest, and for that matter a story, but as a well constructed horror sequence this is pretty dang effective.
COBWEB
It’s a bit uneven, but it’s a fascinating film to unpack as a debut. There is a ton to appreciate on a technical level, and it is abounding with potential and a creative imagination. It left me really excited to see where this emergent voice goes next.
The Stories of my Life 