Horror film with oppressive, psychological and sometimes philosophical atmospheres – HBO (Courtesy)
Within horror, there are so many sub-genres that it might be nearly impossible to name them here. However, there is one in particular that is quite interesting, intriguing and even little explored, and it is “high horror”, ie horror films with oppressive and psychological atmospheres that explore the limits of what can be done with this art.
A cure for well-being
When we refer to a atmospheric and psychological horror film we mean it’s a story that focuses more on setting and making the viewer feel a certain way. “A Cure for Wellness”, directed by Gore Verbinski, starring Mia Goth and Dane DeHaan, is about a remote spa in the Swiss Alps that guests never leave. Available on HBO Max.
hereditary
What many might say is the masterpiece of the category, it is’hereditary’, one of the best psychological horror movies, released in 2018 and directed by Ari Aster. Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro and Gabriel Byrne are the protagonists of this story of a family cursed by a cult to which it seems that the death of the grandmother is related. Available on HBO Max.
Owner
Master David Cronenberg’s son Brandon directs this 2020 sci-fi horror film. “Possessor” stars Andrea Riseborough, Christopher Abbott, Sean Bean and others, and is about a killer who uses implant technology to control bodies of other people. Available on HBO Max.
The Babadook
In this case, the horror film directed by Jennifer Kent is a clear example that focusing not only on the scary can give a great story of the genre. 2014’s The Babadook stars Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman, a mother and son haunted by a strange figure from the pages of a children’s storybook.
witch
Another great example that when you work on atmosphere and cinematography, you get ‘witch’, one of the best horror movies of recent years. Released in 2015, starring Anya Taylor-Joy, it is about a family that was banished to the edge of a forest where a terrifying old witch is said to live. Available on Lionsgate +, Claro, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.
The brilliant
And for those who claim that these examples don’t exist in classic horror movies, you just have to see “The Shining”, directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Jack Nicholson with Shelley Duval. This is Jack Torrance, who together with his family takes care of the Overlook Hotel during a dense winter, and where the past of the building begins to affect the mental health of the protagonist. Available on HBO Max.
Source: Nacion Flix
Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
