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10 Highbrow Horror Films You Should See Instead of ‘Texas Chainsaw 3D’

By Emily Temple on
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The Host

No, not the upcoming adaptation of that Stephenie Meyer book. We’re talking about the feverish 2006 South Korean New Wave monster movie, directed by Bong Joon-ho, which manages to be both a satisfying horror film and a incisive piece of political commentary. Plus, it’s one of Quentin Tarantino’s favorite movies.

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David LynchHorror FilmsIngmar BergmanLars Von TrierQuentin Tarantino
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Michael Zunenshine 5 pts

Better Bergman's HOUR OF THE WOLF than THE VIRGIN SPRING for art/horror.

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hpmendoza 5 pts

If you like THE VIRGIN SPRING, check out:

PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK

-another psychosexual horror film (with a supernatural bent!) from Peter Weir.

 

If you like THE EXORCIST, try:

ROSEMARY'S BABY

-to see the other side of the devil in a household setting. A demonic thriller that was one of the films to usher in the "Decade Under the Influence".

 

And if you like ERASERHEAD and EYES WITHOUT A FACE, check out:

CARNIVAL OF SOULS

-This black-and-white 1962 independent film from Herk Harvey is atmospheric and haunting and is known to be one of the films that influenced the work of David Lynch (ERASERHEAD). Check out the Criterion DVD to see the director's cut!

 

 

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Isoruku 5 pts

Hi. I agree that "Virgin Spring" doesn't quite fit the "horror" genre. It's a frightening exploration of man's dark heart - with the spontaneous emergence of the spring at the site of the new church being the film's only divergence from realism.  But I'd like to suggest two other candidates for your list: "The Shout," Jerzy Skolimowski's creepy 1978 film about a man with a supernatural gift that can kill. And "The Wicker Man" - an incredibly disquieting film about a hapless constable (played by Edward Woodward) who investigates a girl's disappearance on a remote Scottish island. (The original is vastly superior to the unnecessary and clumsy 2006 Hollywood remake.) 

 

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whoopitman 5 pts

The original Dutch version of The Vanishing. This film disturbed me so much and remained burned in my conscience for weeks after I saw it. I cried hard at the ending. A quiet little horror possessing unrelentling cruelty.

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ChuckWinters 5 pts

List worthy: "The Hunger", stylish vampire film with David Bowie and Susan Sarandon.

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brianjheck 5 pts

"Audition" was the most terrifying and uncomfortable experience I've ever had in a theater. I've never had to shield my eyes from the screen before, but this one really got to me.

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TomDougherty 5 pts

I propose the addition of...The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The original is still one of the most unsettling and intense horror movies ever. It is unbelievable that it holds up so well. A true classic. And ANYONE going to see the new one has no excuse to not see the original first.

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mattsg88 9 pts

"Let Me In" is just as good, if not better than "Let the Right One In." The kid actors are much stronger, more interesting. And each book takes one element of the book to focus on and runs with, so they're more thematically similar than deliberately similar. Both stand on their own feet and conflating them is a sign of a failure of the critic. 

 

I remember Alfredsson made a big deal the Americans remade that movie, but then he went and remade "Tinker Tailor Solider Spy" so....

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Brainforest2 5 pts

High Tension (French, 2003) was unnerving from start to finish and a movie that's stuck with me ever since the first viewing. Stylish and gory but not just gratituous torture porn. Check it out- you won be sorry.

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