Strange Darling is a slick, stylish thriller that follows a protagonist simply referred to as “The Woman” after a twisted one-night stand turns her life upside down, and she stumbles headfirst into a murderer’s bloodthirsty killing spree. It’s a fascinatingly gritty but surprisingly light film that uses horror tropes to create a story that’s constantly subverting expectations — and it drags the audience along for the ride whether they like it or not. Most notably, Strange Darling has a unique non-linear structure that keeps the audience guessing about the story’s chronology.
The ending of Strange Darling is an extremely memorable one, bringing together all corners of the narrative for a killer twist that even the most keen-eyed viewers would struggle to guess. While the film’s ambition can often get ahead of itself, and the writing is a little on-the-nose, Strange Darling still deserves recognition for its bold storytelling and huge narrative swings. It’s clearly inspired by plenty of other horror movies and even more lighthearted films that don’t fit neatly into the genre. However, it’s overwhelmingly original all the same.
10 Halloween (1978)
Directed By John Carpenter
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9/10 Halloween (1978) RHorrorThriller
Halloween is a horror film released in 1978 that centers on the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois, as a masked serial killer terrorizes it. Over a decade after the brutal murder of Judith Myers by her brother, Michael, Michael escapes from the local Sanitarium to continue his silent killing spree- with teenage Laurie Strode being his new potential victim.
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*Availability in US Director John Carpenter Release Date October 27, 1978 Studio(s) Falcon International Productions Distributor(s) Aquarius Releasing Writers John Carpenter , Debra Hill Cast Donald Pleasence , Jamie Lee Curtis , Tony Moran , Nancy Kyes , P.J. Soles , Kyle Richards , Charles Cyphers Runtime 91 Minutes Sequel(s) Halloween II , Halloween III: Season of the Witch , Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers , Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers , Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers , Halloween H20: 20 Years Later , Halloween: Resurrection , Halloween (2007) , Rob Zombie’s Halloween II , Halloween (2018) , Halloween Kills , Halloween Ends Budget $300,000 Expand
John Carpenter’s original Halloween is one of the most obvious sources of inspiration for Strange Darling. While the details of the stories are completely different, the general premise of a powerful young woman fighting against a dangerous killer is something that was essentially mastered in the 1978 horror classic. The way that Strange Darling uses high tension and atmospheric filmmaking to keep the audience on the edge of their seats is something Carpenter was an expert at, and the two films have these trademarks in common.
Related Is the twist in Strange Darling predictable?
Strange Darling is taking the world by storm with incredible reviews from both critics and audiences. This indie horror movie is being praised for its uniqueness and twist reveal that seems to come out of nowhere. Having seen this movie multiple times, I can confidently say that I do not think it is predictable at all. In an effort to remain spoiler free, I will simply say that due to the fact that the film does not play out in order, but rather jumps around in time, it keeps things pretty under wraps – so that audiences will have to pick their jaws up off the floor once all is revealed.
It’s hard to think of a single horror movie that isn’t inspired by Halloween, but J.T. Mollner’s Strange Darling wears its homages to Carpenter’s work as a badge of honor. From the eerie music to the fierce performances, the two projects have much in common. Needless to say, Halloween is a must-watch for anybody who finds themselves captivated by Strange Darling.
9 Promising Young Woman (2020)
Directed By Emerald Fennell
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8/10 6.7/10 Promising Young Woman RCrimeThrillerDrama
Starring Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman follows Cassie, a college dropout intent on getting revenge for the unprosecuted rape of her deceased best friend, Nina. As she becomes deeper involved in tormenting those she sees as complicit in Nina’s rape and subsequent suicide, Cassie begins to travel down a more dangerous path than she realizes. Bo Burnham, Alison Brie, Jennifer Coolidge, Laverne Cox, and Connie Britton also star.
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*Availability in US Director Emerald Fennell Release Date December 25, 2020 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Focus Features , Universal Pictures Writers Emerald Fennell Cast Jennifer Coolidge , Clancy Brown , Angela Zhou , Alison Brie , Sam Richardson , laverne cox , Christopher Mintz-Plasse , Carey Mulligan , Casey Adams , Bo Burnham , Connie Britton , Molly Shannon , Steve Monroe Runtime 113 minutes Budget $10 million Expand
Although Promising Young Woman isn’t strictly a horror movie, Emerald Fennell’s story deals with countless topical and frightening themes — but it presents them in a bubble-wrapped story about love and romance. It’s stylistically very different from Strange Darling but thematically similar. Both films are about female empowerment and the predatory behavior that women often face from men, even if they explore these ideas very differently.
Both films have strong female leads that carry the story forward and are used as a vehicle for social commentary. Willa Fitzgerald’s performance in Strange Darling may not win the awards that Carey Mulligan’s did in Promising Young Woman, but it’s still incredibly strong and makes the film work on a fundamental level.
8 Trick ‘R Treat (2007)
Directed By Michael Dougherty
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Trick ‘r Treat RHorrorComedy
Trick ‘r Treat, directed by Michael Dougherty, is a horror anthology film featuring four interwoven stories set on Halloween night. The narratives explore a high school principal’s hidden life as a serial killer, a college student’s romantic encounter, a teenagers’ prank, and a reclusive old man’s unexpected visitor.
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*Availability in US Director Michael Dougherty Release Date November 27, 2015 Writers Michael Dougherty Cast Brian Cox , Quinn Lord , Anna Paquin , Dylan Baker , Leslie Bibb , Tahmoh Penikett , Rochelle Aytes , Britt McKillip , Moneca Delain , Lauren Lee Smith , Brett Kelly , Jean-Luc Bilodeau , Alberto Ghisi , James Willson , Christine Willes , Isabelle Deluce , Samm Todd , Connor Christopher Levins , Laura Mennell , Ty Hill , Matthew Kevin Anderson , Barbara Kottmeier , Derek McIver , Catherine Barroll , Caroline Redekopp , Patrick Gilmore , Troy Everett Character(s) Mr. Kreeg , Sam / Peeping Tommy , Laurie , Steven , Emma , Henry , Maria , Macy , Janet , Danielle , Charlie , Schrader , Chip , Alex , Mrs. Henderson , Sara , Rhonda , Billy , Allie , Nathan , Clerk , Centaur Girl , Centaur Guy , Mother , Reporter , Bud The Cameraman , Bud’s Assistant Runtime 1hr 22 Expand
While Trick ‘r Treat is more of an all-out comedy at points, the film has a similar aesthetic style to Strange Darling, and it displays a similar method of storytelling that isn’t common in the horror genre. The narrative follows an ensemble group of characters whose lives intersect on a fateful Halloween night as they’re haunted by the same dark troubles and challenges. And although Trick ‘r Treat often adopts a stylish flair, it deals with some very mature and disturbing themes.
These are two horror movies that don’t always make their true horrors obvious, but that somehow makes them even more effective.
Strange Darling is similar in its outwardly bright and pulpy aesthetic, which is a total contrast to the frightening and gruesome truth of the story that’s hidden beneath the surface. These are two horror movies that don’t always make their true horrors obvious, but that somehow makes them even more effective. Trick ‘r Treat 2 has also been confirmed, so now is the perfect time to revisit the original.
7 The Strangers (2008)
Directed By Bryan Bertino
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8/10 8.5/10 The Strangers RHorrorMysteryThriller
The first film in the horror series, The Strangers, follows an unsuspecting couple on vacation who find themselves at the mercy of a group of murderers who seek to physically and psychologically torture them. After a series of unfortunate events that lead the couple to commit an accidental crime, they find themselves fighting for survival against three masked intruders that chose to attack them “because they were home.”
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*Availability in US Director Bryan Bertino Release Date May 30, 2008 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Bryan Bertino Cast Scott Speedman , Laura Margolis , Gemma Ward , Kip Weeks , Liv Tyler , Glenn Howerton Runtime 86 minutes Sequel(s) The Strangers: Prey at Night Budget $9 million Expand
The Strangers is a formative entry in the home invasion subgenre. It’s about as frightening as these stories can get, taking the universal fear of danger lurking in the shadows of our homes, then infusing as much terror into the concept as possible. The entire story takes place over one night, with a newlywed couple finding themselves the victims of a targeted home invasion by a group of masked killers. It’s very simple and much more linear than Strange Darling, but it’s terrifying all the same.
The Strangers strikes fear in the audience in a very similar way to Strange Darling: by toying with the innate horror of being watched, chased, and hunted. It’s a natural fear that we’ve developed as humans, and both movies know exactly how to take advantage of it. Like Mollner’s film, The Strangers is also inspired by true stories to give it an extra layer of terrifying authenticity.
6 Till Death (2021)
Directed By Scott Dale
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Till Death RHorrorThriller Where to Watch
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*Availability in US Director S.K. Dale Release Date July 2, 2021 Writers Jason Carvey Cast Eoin Macken , Jack Roth , Callan Mulvey , Aml Ameen , Megan Fox Runtime 88 minutes
Megan Fox’s Till Death went somewhat under the radar when it was released in 2021, but the film actually deserves a lot more attention. It follows a woman named Emma who wakes up handcuffed to her dead husband. She has no way of separating herself from his body, which becomes a problem when two assassins turn up to finish the job. It’s a very tight and suspenseful thriller that barely runs for 90 minutes. However, it uses every scene effectively to build tension and horror.
Just like Strange Darling, Till Death is propelled by its powerful lead performance and the unspoken tension between Fox’s character and those looking to bring her down. It’s a very clever cat-and-mouse game with some intelligent plot devices and thrilling set pieces that make it a non-stop adrenaline rush from start to finish.
5 Better Watch Out (2016)
Directed By Chris Peckover
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Better Watch Out RComedyHolidayHorrorThriller
Better Watch Out is a comedy horror-thriller by director Chris Peckover. Teenage Ashley starts a routine babysitting shift on Christmas Eve with twelve-year-old Luke, but the awkward evening shifts into terror when an unknown assailant besieges the two. Unfortunately for Ashley, things aren’t as they seem – and they’re about to go from bad to worse.
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*Availability in US Director Chris Peckover Release Date October 6, 2017 Studio(s) Storm Vision Entertainment , Best Medicine Productions Distributor(s) Well Go USA Entertainment Writers Zack Kahn , Chris Peckover Cast Olivia DeJonge , Levi Miller , Ed Oxenbould , Aleks Mikic , Dacre Montgomery , Patrick Warburton , Virginia Madsen Runtime 89 Minutes Budget $3 Million Expand
On the surface, Better Watch Out looks like the latest in a long, unfulfilling line of studio horror-comedies that use the festive season as an atypical setting for the frights to ensue. However, thanks to Chris Peckover’s excellent direction and the unpredictable storytelling, the film breaks out of those constraints and forges its own bloody, innovative path. The narrative centers around a young babysitter who finds herself the target of a home invasion while she’s supposed to be looking after a preteen boy.
Better Watch Out ranks among the best Christmas horror movies in recent memory, and much of that comes down to Olivia DeJonge’s captivating lead performance and the simplicity of the story. It’s nowhere near as complex or twisty as Strange Darling, but the films have a similar style and cater to the same audience.
4 You’re Next (2011)
Directed By Adam Wingard
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8/10 6/10 You’re Next RHorrorThriller
When Erin accompanies her boyfriend Crispin to his estranged family’s reunion, things quickly turn horrific when she and the other family members are attacked one by one, in brutal fashion, by assailants wearing the masks of a lamb, a fox, and a tiger.
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*Availability in US Director Adam Wingard Studio(s) Lionsgate Distributor(s) Lionsgate Writers Simon Barrett Cast Sharni Vinson , Nicholas Tucci , Wendy Glenn , AJ Bowen , Joe Swanberg , Barbara Crampton , Amy Seimetz , Ti West Runtime 94minutes Budget $1 million Expand
Though Adam Wingard later became known for his work on the Godzilla vs. Kong sequels, the filmmaker got his start in low-budget indie horror — and You’re Next is a perfect example of that. The film tells the story of a couple who invite their parents to an elaborate party at their estate. Things quickly turn sour when the party is attacked by masked killers with a bloody agenda. It’s intense, it’s violent, and most of all, it’s impossible to look away from.
Neither film relies too heavily on jumpscares or cheap thrills, but rather they build tension through slow, gradual foreshadowing that culminates in an explosive finale and plenty of unexpected twists.
While You’re Next is grittier and more macabre than Strange Darling, the two films have a lot in common regarding their specific methods of frightening the audience. Neither relies too heavily on jump scares or cheap thrills. Instead, they build tension through slow, gradual foreshadowing that culminates in an explosive finale and plenty of unexpected twists.
3 The Evil Dead (1981)
Directed By Sam Raimi
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8/10 The Evil Dead RHorror
The Evil Dead is a horror movie from 1981 starring Bruce Campbell and directed by Sam Raimi. The film follows Ash Williams, who after visiting a cabin in the woods, is tormented by deadites and must fight for his life after his friends are possessed. The Evil Dead not only started a long-running horror franchise, but it is also the film responsible for putting both Raimi and Campbell on the map as a director and actor, respectively.
Director Sam Raimi Release Date September 10, 1981 Studio(s) New Line Cinema Distributor(s) New Line Cinema Writers Sam Raimi Cast Bruce Campbell , Ellen Sandweiss , Richard DeManincor , Betsy Baker , Theresa Tilly , Philip A. Gillis Runtime 85 minutes Franchise(s) Evil Dead Sequel(s) Evil Dead 2 , Army of Darkness , Evil Dead Rise Budget $375,000 Expand
Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead is a cult classic among horror enthusiasts, and that’s for good reason. It’s an extremely bold and audacious piece of filmmaking that never shies away from going off the rails. It takes viewers to places they never could’ve expected. Strange Darling displays a similar spirit, always trying to break free of horror conventions and using supernatural elements to blur the boundary between fact and fiction.
While Evil Dead II is often considered the best in the series, there’s a certain grittiness to the first movie that will resonate with those who enjoy Strange Darling. It’s less absurd and outlandish than its sequel, which arguably makes it even scarier because the viewer is never sure exactly what they’re supposed to feel. It’s an unnerving watch, and Raimi does a great job of getting under the audience’s skin.
2 Splinter (2008)
Directed By Toby Wilkins
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Splinter RSci-FiCrimeHorror
Splinter is a horror thriller directed by Toby Wilkins, featuring a young couple who are taken hostage by an escaped convict and his girlfriend. As they seek refuge in an abandoned gas station, they are besieged by a parasitic creature that turns its victims into deadly hosts. The film explores themes of survival and trust under extreme duress. Starring Shea Whigham, Jill Wagner, and Paulo Costanzo.
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*Availability in US Director Toby Wilkins Release Date October 31, 2008 Writers Ian Shorr , Kai Barry , Toby Wilkins Cast Shea Whigham , Jill Wagner , Paulo Costanzo , Charles Baker , Rachel Kerbs , Laurel Whitsett Runtime 82 Minutes
Splinter tells the story of a young couple who find themselves trapped in a gas station with an escaped convict, forced to work together in order to protect themselves from a deadly virus that turns its victims into zombie-like creatures. While the narrative doesn’t share many similarities with Strange Darling, the films adopt very similar styles in their character work and the cinematic techniques they employ to adhere to genre conventions.
There are long, atmospheric shots and extended sections of dialogue in both films that help establish the importance of these characters before things really go off the rails. That helps the audience connect with these stories that could otherwise seem unrelatable. The introspective characters and the complex dynamics between them elevate both projects beyond their core concepts, forging horror movies that are much more than mindless bloodbaths.
1 The Final Girls (2015)
Directed By Todd Strauss-Schulson
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9/10 The Final Girls (2015) PG-13
Three years after the death of her actress sister, Amanda, Max Cartwright and her friends find themselves trapped in a bizarre time loop after attending a screening of Amanda’s cult classic film. Transported into the movie world, they must navigate the slasher flick’s deadly tropes to survive and find a way back home.
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*Availability in US Director Todd Strauss-Schulson Release Date October 9, 2015 Distributor(s) Stage 6 Films Writers M.A. Fortin , Joshua John Miller Cast Taissa Farmiga , Alexander Ludwig , Malin Akerman , Adam Levine , Thomas MIddleditch , Alia Shawkat , Nina Dobrev Runtime 91 Mins Expand
Much more of a comedy than its competitors, The Final Girls is a non-stop slasher that follows a young girl grieving the death of her mother. She ends up magically transported into a movie where the pair reunite again. However, the movie presents dangers and challenges that the protagonist doesn’t have to face in her normal life. It’s a unique concept for a film, but Strauss-Schulson’s filmmaking talent allows him to pull it off.
Both
The Final Girls
and
Strange Darling
are extremely bold projects that never display fear of breaking free of what’s typically expected from the horror genre.
Both The Final Girls and Strange Darling are extremely bold projects that never display fear of breaking free of what’s typically expected from the horror genre. They push boundaries and provide audiences with unique viewing experiences, going above and beyond the bones of these fascinating stories.
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6/10 7/10 Strange Darling RHorrorThrillerRomance
A twisted one-night stand spirals into a deadly game of cat and mouse when a relentless predator chases an injured woman through the Oregon wilderness.
Director JT Mollner Release Date August 23, 2024 Writers JT Mollner Cast Willa Fitzgerald , Kyle Gallner , Jason Patric , Giovanni Ribisi , Ed Begley Jr. , Barbara Hershey , Steven Michael Quezada , Madisen Beaty , Denise Grayson , Eugenia Kuzmina , Bianca A. Santos , Sheri Foster , Duke Mollner , Andrew John Segal , Robert Craighead , Evan Peterson Runtime 96 Minutes Expand