2010s NecronomiList: Top 10 Horror Films of the Decade

The 2010s will be remembered as a turning point in horror. The term "elevated horror" has irritated horror fans for decades for the condescending way it implies most horror films' low quality. It's worth noting, however, that this decade witnessed a significant number of thought-provoking, metaphor-laden, social commentary-laced horror films. Here are my Top 10 for the decade. You may realize most of these films are in the later part of the decade and that I have a tendency to favor the atmospheric, A24 type horror films that made this decade so revolutionary. Believe me, not including many amazing films MURDERED me.

Make sure to comment with movies that should or should not have been on the list.

Here we go.

10. Annihilation (2018)

This sci-fi horror dragged the audience through one nightmare scenario after another from a bear-like creature who mimics its victims fatal cries to a garish evil wall anus that would give the xenomorph cocoons a run for their money. These five ladies are kickass and textured with thoughtful flaws and layers. Their surreal journey through a quarantined zone known as "the Shimmer" is as beautiful as it is terrifying with mutations that have altered wildlife and eventually, our heroes. Also, I too would go through great lengths for my husband if he was Oscar Isaac. 

9. The Witch (2015)

If I hadn't rewatched this movie, it wouldn't have made the list. I, like many other movie patrons, was left with mixed feelings after seeing the VVitch (I know it's actually spelled with a W, but I enjoy being snarky and pronouncing it Vi-Vitch after it was promoted with the two Vs). I  felt like the ending was unwarranted and random. On the rewatch, however, I realized that the movie gives you every hint you need along the way. This film decimated any romanticizing of puritan pilgrims that could have possibly given you warm feelings on Thanksgiving. The small family (solid performances all around) tortures each other more than any forest witches could after their father's outspoken criticism leaves them banished from their village. The hopelessness makes for a difficult, but rewarding viewing experience. Plus, the cacophony of screaming chaos that is this score is worth the watch alone.

8. Cabin in the Woods (2011)

Despite a few exceptions (The Others and The Descent to name a few), horror movies post-Scream and pre-Babadook sucked. We have Scream inspired slasher ripoffs and torture porn. People who hate horror are probably thinking of films from this dark age. So when Joss Whedon wrote a screenplay that was part a call for films to get-their-shit-together, part love letter, it was perfect timing. Audiences were tired of horror punishing dumb kids for partying and having sex. If they didn't like the teen horror films, they had the grimy, bloody flesh-ripping of the Saw and Hostel franchises where the gore existed for shock value alone. Whedon wrote a satire that called out these tropes with fictional corporations that are charged with creating these horror scenarios or facing the wrath of angry gods, paralleling Hollywood scrambling to appease perceived audience expectations. I have no concrete evidence for this theory, but I like to believe Cabin's please to improve the genre was heard and helped inspire the quality horror films we have now. 

7. Midsommar (2019)

Everyone get your flower crowns and a shot of haeulcenigenic mud water. The costumes and set alone in this movie create a wonderfully immersive experience and Ari Aster has proven once again that he is a master at creating an unsettling atmosphere. From the movie's promotion, it seems like it wouldn't cover any ground that Wicker Man didn't accomplish. That is a grave misconception. The story deals with high tragedy (also becoming an Aster trademark), a painfully relatable collapse of a relationship, and a Swedish cult that give you mixed feelings on your own views of death and community. I saw this movie twice in theaters and awkward, uncomfortable laughter has never been more appropriate.

6. A Quiet Place (2018)

This film had simple ingredients: an intriguing concept, high stakes, well-developed characters, and lots of heart. It manages to lead audiences on a tense journey with very little dialogue or exposition, proving that audiences don't need a bunch of details that bog down the energy of the story (see The Conjuring franchise). Emily Blunt gives an insanely dedicated performance that won her a Screen Actor's Guild Award. Also, anyone who grew up in a small midwest town knows that grain silos are the scariest things this world has to offer and this movie shows why.

5. Train to Busan (2016)

I thought that the zombie genre could no longer surprise or engage me, but this stellar South Korean film taught me otherwise. A train is such a thrilling setting for a zombie outbreak as it travels through different stages of development and passengers debate if they are safer on or off the locomotive. The gore and violence is intense, but the movie is surprisingly heart-warming. Watching these characters develop their abilities to care for others was far more intriguing than the undead genre's tendency to focus on the darkness of humanity. The themes of community and helping others left me near tears and "resurrected" (sorry) my love of zombie films.

4. The Babadook (2014)

If you are reading this from the beginning of this post, I imagine you saw this one coming. I may amend this statement in the future (I do what I want), but I think this movie was a major pioneer of the atmospheric, metaphor-heavy trend. Obviously, parallels to real life issues have been a staple of horror since its inception, but it's worth noting the metaphor-intensive trend to which the top 4 movies on this list ascribe. Babadook is known for its intense portrayal of grief and depression as a widow copes with the challenges of single parenting a rambunctious son. The grief takes on the literal form of a spooky creature that begins with a macabre pop-up book (that I imagine only Tim Burton would give his children) and develops into a disturbingly lo-fi monster. I think this movie has unfairly gotten a reputation for the metaphor removing the scary elements, but it's important to remember that on the surface level, the Babadook is a creepy creature whose fear-inducing qualities should not be underestimated. Also, he's a gay icon, so if you don't like this movie, you're homophobic. 

3. Us (2019)

This movie does not get the credit it deserves. Yes, it is the lesser of Jordan Peele's two films in which he's been writer/director. But COME ON! This movie has powerhouse performances and I will never discontinue my tantrum about Lupita Nyong'o's Oscar snub. Her physical and vocal dedication to both of her roles is a masterclass in the contrast of naturalistic and stylized acting. The entire central cast gives intense dual performances with their deadly doubles, special shout out to Elisabeth Moss's hilariously-white supporting role paired with her psychotic face slashing. The metaphor is heavy handed, but forces the audience to reckon with their own privilege and utter disregard for the lives that our fellow humans lead. Peele makes us ask, would we be so dismissive of others if they looked exactly like us, our friends, and our children? In addition to the compelling societal message, it's fucking scary. The doubles or the "tethered" move in awkward, disjointed way that seems overly direct and aggressive. The synchronized dance/stabbing at the film's climax is an editing marvel. Yes, there's some plot holes, but I don't care. This movie excelled in a way that few others did over the decade. 

2. Hereditary (2018)

I left this movie in a daze. A friend asked me what I thought via text and I took awhile to determine the perfect word: Harrowing. It means acutely distressing. As I mentioned when describing Aster's Midsommar, he has become a master of high tragedy. It's fitting that the character Peter is studying Greek tragedy in class as the extremity of senseless loss and regret harkens back to the horrible pain of Greek drama. The overwhelming amount of grief this family faces before anything supernatural is revealed is enough to leave you frozen in fear. As the title suggests, this film plays with the anguish and trauma that families can pass from generation to generation. As A Quiet Place and Train to Busan focused on the resilience and power of family and community, Hereditary focuses on the toxicity of the nuclear family, how we are forced into units despite the hurt we can cause each other. Alex Wolff gives a performance that ripped me to shreds. Ann Dowd dazzled me with her misleading, overtly suspicious normalcy. Toni Collette...I will never get over her keening cries on the floor and her contorting stalking on the ceiling. Her Oscar snub is one for the history books. This movie needs its own post and will get one some day.

1. Get Out (2017)

Cause duh. This wasn't just my favorite horror movie of the decade, it was my favorite film of any kind this decade. It made shit-loads of money, had nearly unanimous critical praise, and managed to win an Oscar for original screenplay, a rare feat for horror films. This film not only deserves its hype, but surpasses any expectations. Jordan Peele has raised the bar of how a horror movie can be equally hilarious and horrifying. His satire on racism within the liberal, white community is filled with uncomfortable laughter and loads of terror. Daniel Kaluuya's journey from paranoia to powerful resistance demonstrates an insane amount of talent. Allison Williams delivers a dynamic performance, one that causes you to look for a pillow in which to scream. Betty Gabriel leaves you disturbed and devastated with little screen time. The scares in this film frequently parody horror tropes while simultaneously allowing the audience to laugh at themselves for falling for such obvious jump scares. The story deals with a protagonist which makes all the right decisions, but the system is stacked against him (which I imagine is the point). It's too early for film scholars to fully absorb the mastery of Peele's craft and the path he has paved for future horror films. I truly believe that decades from now, we will still be equaling this film to horror landmarks like Psycho and The Exorcist. This may seem excessively cheesy, but I am thankful to be alive and able to experience the beginning of Jordan Peele's film career. 

That's all folks! Comment with movies you thought should or shouldn't be here!