This year has seen a remarkable surge in horror film-making, with innovative narratives and chilling themes resonating with audiences just as Halloween approaches, reports BritPanorama.
The horror genre continues to unsettle and provoke thought, often carrying deeper emotional and political undertones. This year, the capacity for horror to leave viewers both scared and intrigued has spurred a variety of films showcasing unique storytelling and artistic expression.
Among the most notable films is Weapons, where director Zach Creggar explores the unsettling disappearance of an entire class of primary school children in a small-town America, leading to a witch hunt directed at a baffled teacher, played by Julia Garner. The film presents a series of timelines featuring various perspectives, ultimately revealing a disturbing supernatural truth amidst moments of genuine terror, characterized by its villain Gladys and shocking visuals.
Weapons
This year, The Ugly Stepsister by Emilie Blichfeldt takes on the Cinderella tale through a bleak, feminist lens, where the ugly stepsister Elvira contends with the cruel expectations of beauty from her stepmother and society. The film employs body horror to critique the lengths women may go to for acceptance and esteem, set in the harsh realities of 19th-century norms. This film highlights the grim history surrounding body image and the disturbing consequences of societal pressure.
The Ugly Stepsister
Together, featuring Alison Brie and Dave Franco, combines elements of body horror with themes of codependency in a relationship marked by escalating tension, ultimately exposing both physical and emotional entanglement. This unsettling exploration of intimacy and manipulation provides a sharp critique of modern relationships.
Together
Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan, is a hybrid of blues flick and vampire thriller that delves into historical racism in the Deep South. The film’s poignant narrative reveals the struggles of musicians facing social injustice while highlighting the resilience of the Black community through music as a means of resistance, further enriching the horror landscape this year.
Sinners
The film Companion by Drew Hancock explores the intersection of technology and abusive relationships. Through the lens of a “companion” robot, the narrative critiques societal perspectives on love and control, presenting a dystopian reflection of intimacy rife with foreboding implications about modern relationships and technology.
Companion
The anthology series V/H/S/ Halloween shifts towards the thematic exploration of childhood innocence and the macabre, examining Halloween folklore through a horror lens that juxtaposes the lighthearted with the disturbing, further exemplifying the varied landscape of horror cinema this year.
V/H/S/ Halloween
Finally, Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Frankenstein encapsulates classic cinematic horror, beautifully blending tradition with modernity. By reviving Mary Shelley’s narrative, del Toro paints a hauntingly captivating picture that highlights the struggles of humanity intertwined with monstrous elements, appealing to both new and seasoned horror fans alike.
Frankenstein
The horror genre in 2025 continues to reflect cultural anxieties while pushing the boundaries of storytelling, offering audiences diverse and thought-provoking experiences.
