Films About Fear
“The Babadook”, 2014
Director: Jennifer Kent
This Australian psychological horror film, directed by Jennifer Kent, portrays the story of a widow and her son who are haunted by a sinister presence that has emerged from a mysterious book. It metaphorically explores the themes of grief and fear of the unknown.
Starring: Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Hayley McElhinney, Daniel Henshall, Ben Winspear, Barbara West, Chloe Hurn, Jacquy Phillips, Bridget Walters, Annie Batten;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: horror, drama;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 93 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “The Babadook” on the website imdb.com
“Psycho”, 1960
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece is a psychological thriller that presents the fear of the unknown and the terror of being watched. The film's infamous shower scene has become emblematic of cinematic suspense and fear.
Starring: Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Janet Leigh, Martin Balsam, John McIntire, Simon Oakland, Frank Albertson, Patricia Hitchcock, Vaughn Taylor;
Production year: 1960;
Genre: thriller, horror, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,5;
More information about the film “Psycho” on the website imdb.com
“Alien”, 1979
Director: Ridley Scott
Directed by Ridley Scott, this sci-fi horror film taps into the fear of the unknown and claustrophobia, as the crew of a space cargo ship encounters a deadly extraterrestrial being lurking on board.
Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Ian Holm, John Hurt, Harry Dean Stanton, Veronica Cartwright, Yaphet Kotto, Bolaji Badejo, Helen Horton, Eddie Powell;
Production year: 1979;
Genre: horror, science fiction, thriller;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 116 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,5;
More information about the film “Alien” on the website imdb.com
“Rosemary's Baby”, 1968
Director: Roman Polanski
A psychological horror film by Roman Polanski that explores paranoia, the fear of conspiracy, and the terror of one's own body being used against their will, as a young pregnant woman suspects an evil cult desires her baby for their rituals.
Starring: Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer, Maurice Evans, Ralph Bellamy, Victoria Vetri, Patsy Kelly, Elisha Cook Jr., Emmaline Henry;
Production year: 1968;
Genre: horror, drama, detective, thriller;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 137 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “Rosemary's Baby” on the website imdb.com
“It”, 2017
Director: Andres Muschietti
Based on Stephen King's novel, this supernatural horror film confronts the fears of childhood, including bullying, parental neglect, and the terror of the titular shapeshifting entity that preys on the children of Derry, Maine.
Starring: Jaeden Martell, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Chosen Jacobs, Jack Dylan Grazer, Wyatt Oleff, Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hamilton, Jake Sim;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: horror, fantasy, drama, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 135 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “It” on the website imdb.com
“Hereditary”, 2018
Director: Ari Aster
Directed by Ari Aster, this horror film delves into the fear of inheriting one's family's darkest secrets and the terror of losing control over oneself and one's loved ones, leading to unimaginable horrors.
Starring: Toni Collette, Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Ann Dowd, Mallory Bechtel, Christy Summerhays, Morgan Lund, Jake Brown, Harrison Nell;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: horror, drama, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 127 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
“A Quiet Place”, 2018
Director: John Krasinski
Directed by John Krasinski, this horror-thriller explores the fear of silence and the relentless terror of being hunted by creatures that attack at the slightest sound, forcing a family to live in silence.
Starring: Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Cade Woodward, Leon Russom, Rhoda Pell;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: horror, science fiction, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 90 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “A Quiet Place” on the website imdb.com
“The Exorcist”, 1973
Director: William Friedkin
A classic horror film directed by William Friedkin that tackles spiritual fear, demonic possession, and the desperation of a mother trying to save her daughter through exorcism, leading to a profound confrontation with pure evil.
Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair, Lee J. Cobb, Jason Miller, Kitty Winn, Jack MacGowran, Reverend William O'Malley, Barton Heyman, Peter Masterson;
Production year: 1973;
Genre: horror;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 122 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “The Exorcist” on the website imdb.com
These films, through their exploration of fear, not only entertain but also provoke thought, compel introspection, and offer various lenses through which we can understand and confront our deepest fears.
In conclusion, films about fear transcend traditional genre boundaries to confront audiences with the reality of their own anxieties and phobias. By blending elements of horror, thriller, suspense, and even drama, these films serve as mirrors that reflect our deepest insecurities back at us. Whether it's through the claustrophobic confines of a haunted house, the estranging isolation of space, or the eerie quiet of a post-apocalyptic world, movies about fear challenge us to confront our own vulnerability and question what truly terrifies us. As much as they entertain, these films provide a cathartic pathway for viewers to engage with and perhaps overcome the fears that haunt them in their everyday lives.
