8 Scariest Mind-Bending Horror Movies
Sometimes we just need a mind vacation. A little getaway in our own living rooms. An escape into a visual story with challenges and mind-fuckery. Especially right now. I know I need a break for the 2020 real-life Horror. I’ve put together for your enjoyment, a list of some of my favorite mind-altering films of recent years, in no particular order.
There are many different sub-genres included throughout this list, so many Horror lovers can hopefully find something new, but if you’re looking for strictly Psychological Horror flicks, I’ve got a special list just for you. You’ll find many more than eight Parz-certified recommendations here, and I hope you find something to rock your Horror jollies, even if it’s just for a moment.
Chained (2012)
We follow a young kidnapped boy age and grow under extraordinary, violent circumstances. This little indie flick packs an unexpected dark and bloodied punch right to the chest. Not only does the premise cause internal conflict and go way more dark than anticipated, but you’ll be thinking about this story long after the final thought-inducing scene. The trailer doesn’t do Chained justice, just watch it.
If you’re into allegory or important messages given via the medium of film, you won’t want to miss this one. The storytelling is slightly unconventional, the acting surprisingly decent, and the passion of the creators is evident. Chained is a perfect example of a damn good horror story with a low budget. Lovers of the French film Raw (2016), or von Trier’s Melancholia (2011) should put this high on their watch list.
*Chained may prove irritating or bothersome to individuals triggered by or sensitive to violence against women, rape, and child abuse.
Swallow (2020)
This film broke me a little. Reality blows, and Swallow takes us on a dread-filled journey alongside a newly married and pregnant, culture-shocked, woman. The story’s sharp and brutal, but it’s a very slow burn, so it’s not for all horror fans. If you’re looking to have your mind blown, encounter a potential change in perspective or life outlook, or are a Body Horror fan, then watch this baby ASAP.
Haley Bennett not only pulls off an extremely difficult role, but does so with such grace that I have to now see everything else this talent has been involved in or will be involved in. The film does deal with women’s experience issues, but this should not by any means stop other groups from consuming this flesh-eating master storytelling experience. If you’re looking to learn something about humans, start here. If you’ve seen this and are looking for something you may like just as much, check out Under the Shadow (2016).
*Swallow may prove irritating or bothersome to individuals triggered by or sensitive to pregnancy related issues or domestic violence.
M.O.M. (Mothers of Monsters) (2020)
Another little indie flick, but this one in the grain of home video type filming. We follow a mother who’s suspicious of her son’s behaviors and intentions in this freakishly honest tale. The suspense builds to a point the audience both anticipates and underestimates. M.O.M.’s a good creative piece with severe implications revolving around social context.
The audience is broad, story’s easy to get into, and the horrifying implications make for good conversation, making this a good crowd-pleaser for groups or couples night. Fans of Summer of 84 (2018) or The Good Neighbor (2016) may find a new favorite with this one.
*Currently available on Amazon Prime
*M.O.M. (Mothers of Monsters) may prove irritating or bothersome to individuals triggered by or sensitive to depression/mental illness.
Ravenous (2017)
I don’t really do zombie movies lol…but this French Netflix film is one to googly-eye over. If you’re dying for a movie that’ll take you to Hell in a handbasket when you least expect it to, cut this one on. Keep the kids locked in their bedrooms or closets or wherever, as Ravenous is a French film, the gore rivaling the creations of Quentin Tarantino.
Ravenous starts hot and never lets up, giving the audience an unforgettable, realistic, devastating, horrific, and fun (for us Horror FREAKS!), ride. I watched this over a year ago and it’s still never far from my thoughts. If you watch this and need something else similar in action and gravity, try the Netflix Spanish film, The Platform (2019).
Krisha (2016)
Alright, alright, alright. I don’t want to get into any arguments on whether this film is Horror or not because it is. Very clearly, there are horrifying elements throughout the entire film. This is not just a Drama, but it is also a Drama. If this completely turns you off from checking this one out, so be it, but those of you who’re still reading, and you have families of your own who get together for the holidays and have devastating family happenings, don’t miss this.
Krisha follows a woman attempt to rejoin her family after time away due to either basic excommunication, or abandonment. You’ll learn which, if there’s a real difference, in the film. You’ll probably cry, and that’s okay, and the ending should leave you out of air and needing a joint or two. If you like this, try The Death of Dick Long (2019).
Anyone involved in family studies or human behavior should give this one a look, and anyone studying film should also put this on their list. Krisha is brought to us by the same people who gave us Hereditary (2018) and Midsommar (2019), A24.
Nymphomaniac: Volumes I and II (2013)
My Lars. He’s pretty laid back in this creation, but it’s still a masterpiece, nonetheless. Does this man make bad films? If you’ve seen Antichrist (2009), which also stars Willem Dafoe–hold up. If you haven’t seen Antichrist, I’d start there to see if you like von Trier’s style of storytelling. Anyway…
Yes, yes, yes, both volumes of this gorgeous and horrific story make up a runtime of over five hours. I get it. But! All hail Charlotte Gainsbourg! She’s da bomb, once again. Her talent alongside daddy Skarsgard makes for a dynamic, strategic duo, and an interesting relationship on screen. Art fanatics and empath intellectuals may find a home with the work of von Trier, you just gotta watch him alone. Give yourself completely to his will. What experiences he’ll try to give you.
You don’t have to watch both films, the first will stand alone, but the second half is very much worth your time, especially if you like the first half. I want to make sure to note this film is not intended for young viewers, in age or in maturity. If you’re looking for another film with the potential to change your outlook on life, check Nymphomaniac out. If you’ve been there, done that, with von Trier, try the little Shudder movie, Gwen (2019).
Although this is one of his more laid back films, von Trier doesn’t shy from controversial images or topics explored. I’ll be putting together a listy-list for von Trier’s work soon, so stay tuned for that if you’re a fan.
The Lighthouse (2019)
Willem Dafoe (yes…again…) and Robert Pattinson in an eerie black comedy with horrific existential implications? Yes flippin’ (that’s what the kids say, right?) please! The cinematography is well cared for, and Dafoe is on point, as usual. Robert Eggers directed this tale of questionable sanity in isolation. The Lighthouse is a black and white spiral, a static ride to “What the hell did I just watch?”
P.S. Watch The Witch (2015) first, as The Lighthouse is it’s spiritual sequel. If you want your stories told in a straightforward manner and everything tied up nice with a bow at the end, stay away, very far away. If you’re looking to screw with your mind, have intrusive thoughts on the film’s meaning stay longer than anticipated, and find a film you can re-watch for multiple meanings, check this slow-burn allegorical piece out.
The Lighthouse is a little Sci-Fi-ish, but it’s not too wacked out for existentialists. Another in this category to try is a little film starring Jake Gyllenhaal, called Enemy (2013).
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
Loosely based on Greek Mythology, Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, and Barry Keoghan steer us through a tale bursting with dread. The Killing of a Sacred Deer gives a good psychological kick, as will certainly itch the scratch of those looking for a mind-twisty, screwed up, neck-snap of a film.
Yorgos Lanthimos, the director, has a serious eye for detail and this creation is no exception. Now, I want to be clear about the dialogue. It’s not…normal. Lanthimos is an absurdist, a fine one, at that. But if you can stick with it long enough, you’ll be roped in for the strangle, your psyche for the taking. Did you ever see that little movie called Dogtooth (2009)? If you enjoyed that one, The Killing of a Sacred Deer should be the next thing you watch. After this, check out the Netflix Spanish film, The Occupant (2020).
*The Killing of a Sacred Deer is currently available on Netflix, along with The Lobster (2015), another Lanthimos film.
PARZZ1VAL–How To Connect:
I’m real interested on your thoughts on this list. What would you add or take away? Did you find anything to add to your queue? Argue me in the comments why your list is better!
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Good news to my nonbinary pals – we no longer exist!
“But Brannyk,” you may be thinking, “what am I supposed to do now that I am no longer a real being? How shall I spend my days?”
Unfortunately, the government has not released a handbook for this occasion, so I thought we could brainstorm together.
BECOME A GHOST
There are some benefits to being a ghost, for sure.
No rent or insurance payment. No corporate job, no cleaning cat litter, no AT&T trying to sell you another line after repeatedly telling them that you just want to make sure that your autopayment is on, but they’re all like, ‘Why would you pass up such a bargain on a second line? Are you an idiot? Why wouldn’t you need another phone line?‘ and so you have to tell them, “Because I’M DIVORCED, ASSHOLE, THANKS FOR REMINDING ME OF THAT!”
Ahem. I digress.
Yeah, you may not be able to venture out, much like Adam and Barbara in Beetlejuice. You may need to put up with someone else crashing your place and moving around all of your shit. Or Ryan Reynolds trying to sell you Mint Mobile. Or some toxic couple taking your creepy doll that you spent years on trying to possess.
Or, my absolute biggest pet peeve, when you’re practicing for the ghost speed chair-stacking championship and the normies just don’t appreciate your cool skills.
But the advantages are that you get to stay home, watch tv, stack your chairs and hope whoever buys your house/visits your creepy woods/gentrifies your neighborhood is a cool person, too.
(2 / 5)
It’s a good choice, but has a lot of drawbacks.
BECOME A CREATURE
Look, if you’re not going to exist, go big or go home, I’d say.
Monsters are cool. They play by their own rules. Sometimes they cause havoc. Sometimes they come around and help people. Sometimes they work alone. And other times, they have a lot of friends. Sometimes they just need some affirmation. And sometimes they’re…in high school, apparently?
The cool thing is that they come in all shapes and sizes.
Monsters are generally misunderstood. Some have their fans. Others are hated.
So basically, just like people, except with more tentacles.
The only downsides are that you might be too big or too “ick” for some people (these can also be pluses), you may have a taste for human flesh (no judgement), or the biggest issue – there are too many choices.
You could get stuck trying to figure out what kind of monster you are. If you’re not into labels, it’s an absolute nightmare. Or if you’re like me, it’ll be like standing in Subway for 15 minutes trying to figure out what toppings and dressings you want while the “sandwich artist” is openly judging you.
(4 / 5)
I like the customization, but it can be a bit too overwhelming.
BECOME A CRYPTID
Hear me out. I know it seems a lot like the monster category, but it’s not quite.
Cryptids are weird and mysterious. They keep to themselves. They have people who are fascinated by them and post on Reddit about them. Some have people making documentaries about them.
They’re like monsters’ quieter cousin who reads books in the corner at family gatherings. They collect shiny things they find by the side of the road. Sometimes they’ll steal a peanut butter sandwich or two.
Ever so often, they might scare a human just by existing or by politely asking for their stuff back.
Each one kinda has their own goals and priorities. Their own hangouts and interests. But unlike monsters, they’re not looking to rock any boats-
Never mind, I stand corrected.
(5 / 5)
I like the freedoms of being a cryptid and also dig the cottage-core vibe I get from them.
CONCLUSION: LET’S BE REAL FOR A SECOND…
I know it’s hard right now. It’s going to be hard. You may not exist to some assholes, but you are real. You have real feelings and thoughts and dreams. You have a real future. You have real decisions. Real actions that affect this world.
You have the real ability to wake up tomorrow and choose to exist. And for whatever reason you choose. Use it. Ghosts and monsters and cryptids are powerful, just like you are, even when you don’t feel like it. They have a place in our human world, just like you do. You make this world interesting and important.
You are part of this world, you are real, and you are not alone.
The horror community is one of acceptance, diversity, creativity and passion. In these times, it needs to be. We need to rely on each other. We need to cultivate and protect each other, as much as we need to protect ourselves.
And it looks like I’ll be coming out of my own cryptid hovel I’ve spent the past few years in to remind you that. My job isn’t done. Not by a longshot. And neither is yours.
You exist to me. Today, tomorrow, and forever.
Be safe out there, friends.
If you live in the United States, it’s time to rock the vote for real. I shared this video before in conjunction with my identity-based costume work, and I feel it’s important to revisit now, with the election coming up in just a few days. Besides which, Jack Black and Tenacious D are brilliant and given the current political climate, who doesn’t want to do the time warp? But seriously, get out and rock the vote, your life kinda does depend on it (at least insomuch as being able to make for yourself the life that you want, without the government telling you how to do so – especially if you live on the fringes of socially acceptable awkwardness like me and so many of my friends).
Besides which, this video is so good, it’s worth sharing again anyway. And again, if for some reason the video doesn’t load, you can find it here.
Art Attack
And here are some artworks I made awhile back as political commentary. The photograph was shot of the scene exactly as found, of a sign above a parking lot in a quickly gentrifying neighborhood making sure all knew that any unauthorized vehicles were unwelcome, and hung right in front of a flag that was tattered and torn from being caught on the chain link fence driving the point home. The flags were meant to be interactive, with gallerygoers waving them while singing The Star Spangled Banner in its elitist entirety. The whole really spoke to me regarding some of the political climate at the time (this was right before Trump was elected President the first time). How much has changed since then? In some ways, a lot. In other ways, I guess we shall see.
So on my recent road trip to Miami AZ USA for my menstruation art installation, we decided to detour to Roswell NM en route home. To be honest, this was one of the best decisions of my life, up there with road trippin’ from Arizona to San Francisco along CA-Highway 1, and I will go into the details of why here soon.
Roswell NM USA has totally embraced its alien history of the UFO crash in the late 1940s and subsequent government cover up. The whole town is alien-happy with beautiful hand carved wood totems, murals and statues everywhere celebrating otherworldly denizens of all types, though predominantly the gray aliens of the crash (and their green counterparts). Even the city logo features a flying saucer as the center of the letter “R”. It really is kind of incredible.
One of the biggest draws is the International UFO Museum and Research Center, housed in the wonderful old theater building. This museum details the crash history as well as celebrating aliens in movies and media and examining newer alien sightings and abductions. It is very thorough and includes maquettes, statues, written accounts and an extensive research library, as well as an interesting art collection of various items.
And there are TONS of fun alien themed curiosity shops. I will give a shout out to the newer Invasion Station north on Main Street where there had once been an old car dealership. I love the quirky nature of this particular store as well as their strong desire to promote local artists. Most of their wares are hand-painted in NM and feature designs by prominent local artists including one of the lead muralists in town (I bought a magnet of his). They also feature really alternative kitsch like KISS and Ace Frehley alien bobbleheads, marijuana and anal references, and such. All in all, our own Haunted MTL’s kinda folks…
And the city is a huge tourist draw internationally, so you can meet some amazing and interesting folks from all walks of life who have caught the alien bug or at least want to check out all the hype. As a result of the tourism, the residents seem really laid back and accommodating (kind of like Hawaii but not quite as much) and there is a thriving art scene. And it’s totally my kind of art – weird and a little creepy. Anyway, I feel like I’ve finally found my peeps and am eager to return someday.
If you’re feeling a bit extraterrestrial, I invite you to also check out some of my alien-themed stories here on Haunted MTL: LTD UFOs among us; my Drive-By short story; and LTD Abducted.
Kristin Cleaves
June 2, 2020 at 4:06 am
Some great films on here! I loved “The Lighthouse” especially.
VoodooPriestess
June 4, 2020 at 9:57 pm
I watched Killing of a Sacred Deer with my mom. Still mad 10 minutes in, my mom figured out the entire plot while I’m sitting there like WTF is going on?