As a visionary modern horror filmmaker, Mike Flanagan’s views on the genre are well worth listening to. Through his work in both film and TV, Flanagan has used horror to explore personal and emotional stories. Films like Gerald’s Game, Doctor Sleep, and shows like The Haunting of Bly Manor have wonderful intersection and character work, while never losing sight of what makes the genre great, and providing the audience with genuine scares. However, beyond being scary on their own terms, Flanagan’s projects invariably demonstrate his respect for the broader genre and reveal several major influences.
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Flanagan has a love for all types of horror, from ghosts to vampires, and everything in between. The director has consistently shown appreciation for all kinds of things that go bump in the night, both in his own films and through the kinds of movies he recommends. In external interviews and on his own social channels, Flanagan has shared his appreciation for all kinds of horror films with a wide variety of subjects and tones. These are some of the best films Flanagan has talked fondly about, and they make excellent viewing for the Halloween season.
15 Oddity (2024)
Dir. Damian Mc Carthy
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8/10 8/10 Oddity R
Director Damien Mc Carthy Release Date July 19, 2024 Cast Gwilym Lee , Carolyn Bracken , Tadhg Murphy , Caroline Metnon , Steve Wall , Johnny French , Joe Rooney , Josuha Campbell Runtime 98 Minutes
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Described by Flanagan as “engrossing” and “terrifying“, Oddity is an Irish horror movie that gives a fresh flavor to many of the genre’s staple ingredients. Centering on a blind medium and a horrifying wooden mannequin, the film also incorporates mystery elements into its sinister story, as Carolyn Bracken’s character tries to unearth the truth behind her sister’s murder.
A modest financial hit, Oddity has been hailed by critics. Flanagan himself has previously been effusive in his praise for Mc Carthy’s 2020 release Caveat, and called Oddity a “worthy follow-up“. He went on to recommend the movie on his Letterboxd profile, declaring, “This one gets under the skin.”
14 Lake Mungo (2008)
Dir. Joel Anderson
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Lake Mungo RHorrorDramaMystery
Director Joel Anderson Release Date January 29, 2010 Cast Rosie Traynor , David Pledger , Martin Sharpe , Talia Zucker , Tania Lentini , Cameron Strachan , Judith Roberts , Robin Cuming
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In a 2020 interview with Rotten Tomatoes, Flanagan shared some of his favorite overlooked horror films, and one of the movies he was most passionate about was 2008’s Lake Mungo. Written and directed by Australian filmmaker Joel Anderson, Lake Mungo is a fake documentary about a family dealing with the loss of their daughter, and the terrifying ghostly matters that come with that.
Lake Mungo
made just $29,000 at the box office.
Like much of Flanagan’s work, Lake Mungo blends horror with melodrama, and Flanagan praised the film, saying he “wasn’t ready for just how impactful the tragedy would be“. Despite its limited success at the box office, Lake Mungo enjoyed critical acclaim – achieving an impressive 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
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13 Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017)
Dir. Issa Lopez
Another overlooked horror film that Flanagan wanted to shine some light on was Issa Lopez’s 2017 film, Tigers Are Not Afraid. This Mexican fairy tale seamlessly blends genres to tell the story of a young urban girl after her mother goes missing and she must fend for herself. Much of Tigers Are Not Afraid plays like a gritty crime film, but it has some of the most bone-chilling sequences in a modern horror film, while also including some magical realism.
After
Tigers Are Not Afraid
, Lopez went on to helm
True Detective: Night Country
.
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Flanagan has shared his love for this movie several times and calls Lopez “an auteur to watch“. Critics almost uniformly praised Tigers Are Not Afraid, resulting in a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score. Particular praise was reserved for the young cast, whose youth provides a stark and unsettling contrast with the movie’s mature themes.
12 Prince Of Darkness (1987)
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Prince of Darkness (1987) R Director John Carpenter Release Date October 23, 1987 Cast Donald Pleasence , Lisa Blount , Jameson Parker , Victor Wong , Dennis Dun , Susan Blanchard , Anne Marie Howard , Ann Yen Runtime 102 Minutes
John Carpenter is one of the masters of horror and almost every filmmaker working in the genre today is in some way indebted to him. Flanagan has been very open about his love for the director and while talking about Oculus in an interview with ThatShelf, Flanagan cited Prince of Darkness as inspiration for the film’s visuals.
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Prince of Darkness is one of Carpenter’s most underappreciated works, and its mix of science and religion makes it one of the director’s best horror films. The middle chapter in the “Apocalypse trilogy”, sandwiched between The Thing and In the Mouth of Madness, Prince of Darkness is worth seeking out – especially for anyone with a passion for unconventional horror storytelling.
11 The First Omen (2024)
Dir. Arkasha Stevenson
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8/10 8.5/10 The First Omen RHorror
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*Availability in US Director Arkasha Stevenson Cast Nell Tiger Free , Tawfeek Barhom , Sonia Braga , Ralph Ineson , Bill Nighy Runtime 119 Minutes
While the Omen franchise hasn’t always been critically adored, the 2024 prequel The First Omen proved that there’s still plenty of life in the series. Like the original and its many follow-ups, the movie explores ideas of religion and the nature of evil. However, what makes the movie really stand out is its bold exploration of motherhood and feminity.
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Set before the 1976 movie, the story concerns how Damien came to be born in the first place, following an elaborate conspiracy between unexpected parties. Flanagan was particularly impressed with the film’s bold approach, calling it an “absolute knockout debut feature” from director Arkasha Stevenson on Letterboxd.
10 Let The Right One In (2008)
Dir. Tomas Alfredson
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10/10 Let the Right One In R
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*Availability in US Director Tomas Alfredson Release Date December 12, 2008 Cast Lina Leandersson , Karin Bergquist , Kåre Hedebrant , Henrik Dahl , Per Ragnar Runtime 114 minutes
Not to be confused with Matt Reeves’ American remake, Let Me In, Flanagan has called this Swedish film one of his favorite vampire movies. However, Let the Right One In isn’t just a vampire movie – it is also a touching story of childhood and romance. While the American remake is a solid horror movie in its own right, the original is the far superior version and much more in line with Flanagan’s style and taste.
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…
Let the Right One In
blends moments of cold beauty with brutal violence – a juxtaposition that retains the power to startle 16 years after its release.
Directed by Tomas Alfredson, who would go on to helm the equally acclaimed Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy in 2011, Let the Right One In blends moments of cold beauty with brutal violence – a juxtaposition that retains the power to startle 16 years after its release. While the remake is effective on its own terms, it can’t beat the original.
9 Exhuma (2024)
Dir. Jang Jae-hyun
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Exhuma
Director Jang Jae-hyun Release Date February 22, 2024 Cast Choi Min-sik , Kim Go-eun , Yoo Hae-jin , Lee Do-Hyun , and Kim Sun-young Runtime 134 Minutes
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A compelling combination of supernatural mystery, folklore, and bizarre occult elements, Exhuma ranks as one of 2024’s most original horror releases. Directed by Jang Jae-hyun, the film follows a rag-tag team tasked with relocating the grave of a wealthy businessman’s deceased ancestor. What follows is predictably horrific.
Featuring an effective blend of many disparate genre elements, Exhuma could have come across as chaotic and confusing. However, director Jang Jae-hyun successfully manages to bring everything together, resulting in a story that’s as engrossing as it is scary. Writing on Letterboxd, Flanagan praised Exhuma‘s “smart writing, good performances, and…terrific effects.“
8 A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (2014)
Dir. Ana Lily Amirpour
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A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night HorrorRomanceThriller
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*Availability in US Director Ana Lily Amirpour Release Date January 19, 2014 Cast Sheila Vand , Arash Marandi , Marshall Manesh , Mozhan Marnò , Dominic Rains , Rome Shadanloo Runtime 107 minutes
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Flanagan described this Persian language vampire film as “impossible to categorize and utterly unique“. By taking the classic elements of vampire lore and twisting them into a bold feminist take, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night became one of the most critically praised horror films of the 2010s. A decade on from its release, it’s easy to see why.
Shot in stunning black and white photography, Ana Lily Amirpour’s film is dark, twisted, and entirely original. Much of the movie’s effectiveness stems from its societal commentary, in which the vampire becomes a vengeful vigilante as well as sinister creature of the night. It’s a fascinating cocktail that contributes to A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night‘s inimitable atmosphere.
7 The Vanishing (A.K.A. Spoorloos – 1988)
Dir. George Sluizer
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The Vanishing
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*Availability in US Director George Sluizer Release Date October 27, 1988 Cast Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu , Gene Bervoets , Johanna ter Steege , Gwen Eckhaus , Pierre Forget Runtime 107 Minutes
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Despite not being a traditional horror movie – more akin to dark crime thrillers like Se7en or The Silence of the Lambs – The Vanishing remains a terrifying cinematic experience. The film follows two protagonists: Rex, a man desperately searching for his missing girlfriend; and Raymond, the man who kidnapped her.
The Vanishing depicts a tense cat-and-mouse game, making much of its story psychological rather than straightforwardly horrific. However, what marks it out as an unequivocal horror movie is its nightmarish ending, which remains almost unbearably terrifying. Remade in 1993 for an American audience, the original remains unsurpassed, with Flanagan stating on Letterboxd that “you find yourself gazing into an abyss of human evil.“
6 Thirst (2009)
Dir. Park Chan-wook
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Thirst R
Director Park Chan-wook Release Date April 30, 2009 Cast Song Kang-ho , Kim Ok-bin , Kim Hae-sook , Shin Ha-kyun Runtime 134 Minutes
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Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook is known for his graphic violence and ability to build tension, but he is not so much a horror director. Films like Oldboy and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance may have horrific moments, but they are more thrillers in the vein of Hitchcock than conventional horror. However, in 2009, Park finally dipped his toe into the world of horror with the vampire film Thirst.
Not only has Flanagan called this one of his favorite vampire movies, but he specifically praised the performance of Song Kang-ho as a priest turned vampire who finds himself falling in love. Like many of the best vampire movies, Thirst incorporates romanticism into its story – a combination that has proven effective time and again.
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5 Nosferatu The Vampyre (1979)
Dir. Werner Herzog
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Nosferatu The Vampyre (1979) PG
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*Availability in US Director Werner Herzog Release Date January 17, 1979 Cast Klaus Kinski , Isabelle Adjani , Bruno Ganz , Roland Topor , Walter Ladengast Runtime 107 Minutes
A massive fan of the monster, Flanagan has plenty of recommendations when it comes to vampire movies, but his absolute favorite is the 1979 version of Nosferatu. While the director has also spoken about his affection for the original silent film from 1922, the Werner Herzog remake takes the top spot for him.
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Starring Klaus Kinski as the titular monster, this film also adapts the story of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but with the oddness and visual flair that should be expected from Herzog. Once again blending the gothic horror with lustful romance, Nosferatu The Vampyre is a highlight of the subgenre.
4 The Babadook (2014)
Dir. Jennifer Kent
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8/10 6.8/10 The Babadook R
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*Availability in US Director Jennifer Kent Release Date November 28, 2014 Cast Essie Davis , Noah Wiseman , Hayley McElhinney , Daniel Henshall , Barbara West , Ben Winspear , Cathy Adamek , Craig Behenna , Hachi , Tim Purcell , Chloe Hurn , Jacquy Phillips , Bridget Walters , Adam Morgan , Pippa Wanganeen , Peta Shannon , Michelle Nightingale , Tony Mack , Carmel Johnson , Michael Gilmour , Craig McArdle , Terence Crawford , Tiffany Lyndall-Knight , Lucy Hong , Sophie Riggs , John Maurice , Stephen Sheehan , Alicia Zorkovic , Lotte Crawford , Chris Roberts , Annie Batten Runtime 94 Minutes Expand
Widely regarded as one of the great modern horror movies, The Babadook is a masterpiece in trauma and terror. Directed by Jennifer Kent, the movie follows a mother and son who begin to be haunted by a sinister supernatural entity. However, it quickly becomes clear that the truth is much more complicated.
In 2024, Flanagan hosted an event alongside Kent, rewatching the movie on its tenth anniversary. He declared it “a surreal and wonderful way to experience this seminal piece of work” – highlighting his recognition of The Babadook‘s enduring influence on the genre.
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3 The Invitation (2015)
Dir. Karyn Kusama
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10/10 The Invitation Not RatedHorrorMysteryThrillerDrama
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*Availability in US Director Karyn Kusama Cast Logan Marshall-Green , Emayatzy Corinealdi , Michael Huisman , Tammy Blanchard , Aiden Lovekamp , Michelle Krusiec , Lindsay Burdge , John Carroll Lynch Runtime 100 minutes
While Flanagan has a passion for monsters and fantastical horror, he also cherishes smaller, more subtle horror. Such is the case with Karyn Kusama’s The Invitation. The film first presents itself as a drama about a dinner party, but as the film unfolds, it becomes more and more clear that there is something deeply haunting at the center of it all.
[A] powerful sense of implication and paranoia runs throughout the film, making
The Invitation
one of the best examples of a horror-mystery from the 2010s.
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This is a film best enjoyed knowing nothing going into it, and Flanagan exalted the final shot of the film as “the shot itself is innocuous; it’s what it means that will haunt you“. This powerful sense of implication and paranoia runs throughout the film, making The Invitation one of the best examples of a horror-mystery from the 2010s.
2 In The Mouth Of Madness (1994)
Dir. John Carpenter
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8.9/10 In the Mouth of Madness R
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*Availability in US Director John Carpenter Release Date February 3, 1995 Cast Jurgen Prochnow , Julie Carmen , David Warner , Sam Neill , John Glover Runtime 95 minutes Budget $8 million
The influence of John Carpenter can be felt throughout all of Mike Flanagan’s work. While movies like Halloween and The Thing have been praised for decades, In the Mouth of Madness has only recently been reclaimed as one of the horror master’s best. While the movie remains more divisive than many of Flanagan’s recommendations, it’s easy to see why he rates it so highly.
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The film is about a Stephen King-like author, whose novels tend to drive people to the brink of madness, and an insurance investigator, played by Sam Neil, who must investigate the author’s disappearance. Combining the ideas of Lovecraft, Stephen King, and Carpenter’s signature nihilism, In the Mouth of Madness is as scary as it is a blast and one that has rightfully found its audience.
1 Possession (1981)
Dir. Andrzej Żuławski
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6/10 Possession R
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*Availability in US Director Andrzej Zulawski Release Date May 25, 1981 Writers Andrzej Zulawski Cast Isabelle Adjani , Sam Neill , Heinz Bennent Runtime 124 Minutes
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Andrzej Żuławski’s 1981 horror classic was only discovered by Mike Flanagan relatively recently, but it became an instant favorite for the director, and for good reason. Possession is one of the greatest horror films of all time and one that has been massively influential on the genre, yet it remains utterly unique.
Isabelle Adjani delivers one of the best performances, not just in a horror, but in any modern film. It is a fearless and brutal portrayal of psychological breakdown that carries the entire movie. Thanks to Adjani and an equally arresting performance from Sam Neil, Possession is haunting, heartbreaking, and darkly funny, making it a perfect watch for the fall season.
Sources: Rotten Tomatoes, Thatshelf
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