My Top 5 picks for the best horror movies

The Babadook

"The Babadook" is a 2014 Australian psychological horror film directed by Jennifer Kent. The film centers around a single mother, Amelia (played by Essie Davis), and her son Samuel (played by Noah Wiseman), who are plagued by a monster from a children's book called "The Babadook" that mysteriously appears in their home.

As the story progresses, Amelia and Samuel become increasingly isolated and tormented by the Babadook's presence. The film explores themes of grief, loss, and the strain that single parenthood can have on a family. The Babadook itself has become a cultural icon, with its distinctive appearance and eerie presence capturing the imaginations of horror fans around the world.

Overall, "The Babadook" has been praised for its haunting atmosphere, strong performances, and nuanced exploration of psychological trauma. It has become a modern horror classic and is often cited as one of the best horror films of the 2010s.

Get Out

"Get Out" is a 2017 American horror film written and directed by Jordan Peele. The film follows Chris (played by Daniel Kaluuya), a young Black man who visits the family of his white girlfriend, Rose (played by Allison Williams), for a weekend getaway.

As Chris spends more time with Rose's family and their predominantly white friends, he begins to feel increasingly uncomfortable and realizes that something sinister may be at play. The film uses horror and suspense to explore issues of race and racism, with a satirical edge that comments on contemporary society.

"Get Out" was critically acclaimed and became a box office success, grossing over $250 million worldwide. It won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, making Peele the first Black screenwriter to win the award. The film has been praised for its subversive take on the horror genre, as well as its commentary on race and the black experience in America. It has become a cultural phenomenon and a seminal work in modern horror cinema.

The Conjuring

"The Conjuring" is a 2013 American supernatural horror film directed by James Wan and written by Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes. The film is based on the true story of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), who were called to investigate a haunted farmhouse in Rhode Island in the 1970s.

The film follows the Warrens as they try to help a family who is being terrorized by a malevolent entity. As they investigate the farmhouse, they uncover dark secrets about the property's past and the evil that lurks within it. The film uses classic horror tropes, such as jump scares and creepy sound effects, to create a tense and eerie atmosphere.

"The Conjuring" was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $319 million worldwide. It has since spawned a franchise, with several sequels and spin-offs, including "Annabelle" and "The Nun." The film has been praised for its effective scares, strong performances, and atmospheric direction. It has become a modern horror classic and is often cited as one of the best horror films of the 2010s.

Hereditary

"Hereditary" is a 2018 American supernatural horror film written and directed by Ari Aster. The film follows the Graham family, who experience a series of traumatic events after the death of their secretive grandmother. The family begins to unravel as they uncover dark secrets about their family's history and are tormented by supernatural forces.

The film explores themes of grief, trauma, and mental illness, as well as the breakdown of family dynamics under extreme pressure. "Hereditary" features standout performances from Toni Collette, who plays the matriarch of the family, as well as Alex Wolff and Milly Shapiro as her children. The film also features haunting visuals and a tense, unsettling atmosphere that builds to a shocking and disturbing finale.

"Hereditary" received critical acclaim and was praised for its unique take on the horror genre, as well as its emotional depth and psychological complexity. The film was a box office success, grossing over $79 million worldwide. It has since become a cult favorite and is often cited as one of the best horror films of the 2010s.

A Quiet Place

"A Quiet Place" is a 2018 American horror film directed by John Krasinski, who also co-wrote the screenplay and starred in the film alongside Emily Blunt. The film is set in a post-apocalyptic world where the human population has been decimated by blind, sound-sensitive monsters that hunt by sound.

The film follows a family who must live in complete silence to avoid being hunted by the monsters. They communicate through sign language and must be extremely cautious in their daily lives. The film uses silence as a key element to create tension and suspense, with minimal dialogue and a focus on sound design.

"A Quiet Place" was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $340 million worldwide. It was praised for its originality, strong performances, and effective use of silence and sound. A sequel, "A Quiet Place Part II," was released in 2021 and was also well-received by audiences and critics.