A Glean movie guide
Modern Horror Essentials
Prepare to be unsettled.
The most gripping and acclaimed horror films released in the last five years.
Handpicked for this guide
The movie list
- 01
Barbarian
A masterclass in tension that constantly subverts expectations from the very first scene.
In town for a job interview, a young woman arrives at her Airbnb late at night only to find that it has been mistakenly double-booked and a strange man is already staying there. Against her better judgement, she decides to stay the night anyway.
- 02
Talk to Me
This fresh take on possession delivers visceral scares and a haunting, modern atmosphere.
When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces.
- 03
Longlegs
A deeply atmospheric serial killer procedural that leans heavily into occult dread.
FBI Agent Lee Harker is a gifted new recruit assigned to the unsolved case of an elusive serial killer. As the case takes complex turns, unearthing evidence of the occult, Harker discovers a personal connection to the merciless killer and must race against time to stop him before he claims the lives of another innocent family.
- 04
The Black Phone
A gripping supernatural thriller that balances genuine terror with a compelling survival story.
Finney Blake, a shy but clever 13-year-old boy, is abducted by a sadistic killer and trapped in a soundproof basement where screaming is of little use. When a disconnected phone on the wall begins to ring, Finney discovers that he can hear the voices of the killer’s previous victims. And they are dead set on making sure that what happened to them doesn’t happen to Finney.
- 05
Late Night with the Devil
A brilliantly executed found-footage film that captures the chaotic energy of a live broadcast gone wrong.
A live broadcast of a late-night talk show in 1977 goes horribly wrong, unleashing evil into the nation's living rooms.
- 06
Pearl
A vibrant, technicolor descent into madness anchored by a powerhouse lead performance.
Trapped on her family’s isolated farm, Pearl must tend to her ailing father under the bitter and overbearing watch of her devout mother. Lusting for a glamorous life like she’s seen in the movies, Pearl’s ambitions, temptations, and repressions collide.
- 07
Smile
A relentless psychological horror film that turns a simple expression into a source of pure dread.
After witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, Dr. Rose Cotter starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can't explain.
- 08
The Menu
A sharp, satirical thriller that serves up equal parts dark humor and genuine unease.
A young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.
- 09
M3GAN
A campy, modern take on the killer-doll subgenre that is as fun as it is creepy.
A brilliant toy company roboticist uses artificial intelligence to develop M3GAN, a life-like doll programmed to emotionally bond with her newly orphaned niece. But when the doll's programming works too well, she becomes overprotective of her new friend with terrifying results.