A Glean movie guide
Modern Horror That Actually Scares
Proceed with caution.
A curated selection of the most effective, dread-inducing films from the last decade.
Handpicked for this guide
The movie list
- 01
Sinister
Frequently cited as one of the scariest modern films, it masterfully uses high-impact jump scares.
True-crime writer Ellison Oswalt is in a slump; he hasn't had a best seller in more than 10 years and is becoming increasingly desperate for a hit. So, when he discovers the existence of a snuff film showing the deaths of a family, he vows to solve the mystery. He moves his own family into the victims' home and gets to work. However, when old film footage and other clues hint at the presence of a supernatural force, Ellison learns that living in the house may be fatal.
- 02
Hereditary
A masterclass in psychological dread that explores family trauma through deeply disturbing imagery.
When the matriarch of the Graham family passes away, her daughter begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about her ancestry.
- 03
Barbarian
This unpredictable thriller keeps you on edge with constant tension and shocking plot shifts.
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.
- 04
It Follows
A unique, relentless premise creates a persistent sense of anxiety that lingers long after the film ends.
A young woman is followed by an unknown supernatural force after a sexual encounter.
- 05
The Conjuring
A benchmark for modern supernatural horror that executes the classic haunted house structure perfectly.
Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most terrifying case of their lives.
- 06
Talk to Me
A fresh, high-intensity take on possession tropes that relies on visceral practical effects.
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.
- 07
The Witch
An authentic period setting builds a slow-burning, suffocating sense of isolation and dread.
In 1630, a farmer relocates his family to a remote plot of land on the edge of a forest where strange, unsettling things happen. With suspicion and paranoia mounting, each family member's faith, loyalty and love are tested in shocking ways.
- 08
The Autopsy of Jane Doe
This claustrophobic mystery uses a single location to steadily ramp up the supernatural tension.
Father and son coroners receive a mysterious unidentified corpse with no apparent cause of death. As they attempt to examine the "Jane Doe," they discover increasingly bizarre clues that hold the key to her terrifying secrets.