3 Modern Cosmic Horror Movies (for existential dread)
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- Опубліковано 5 лис 2024
- Top 3 Modern Cosmic Horror (for existential dread) List: Summaries & Recommendations
Looking for Modern Cosmic Horror? Want to feel Existential Dread?
-This list includes horror movies that make use of cosmic/Lovecraftian/eldritch horror (released since the year 2020)
-Sub-genres represented on the list include: cosmic horror, body horror, psychological horror, and a hint of found footage
The List:
-History of the Occult (2020)
-Masking Threshold (2021)
-The Beach House (2020)
Descriptions of How Each Film Fits the Cosmic Horror Criteria (SPOILERS):
…
*History of the Occult
Cosmic Horror: contains common cosmic horror elements including cults & secret societies as well as a powerful and otherworldly entity (in this case we learn of its existence but only see a single tentacle), as well as the theme that what we consider reality is only a thin skin over a more terrible reality
*Masking Threshold
Cosmic Horror: if you believe the narrator’s illness is real, then this film fits the common cosmic horror trope of there being a reality just beyond our perception… the knowledge of which is enough to drive us mad; i.e. forbidden knowledge of the universe has the power to drive us insane
*The Beach House
Cosmic Horror: contains a cosmic horror setup best known from The Color Out of Space - the sudden appearance of an unknown (either alien or primordial) material appearing in our world and beginning to altar the humans that come into contact with it
I appreciate seeing a list that doesn't include the same 5 recommendations as every other list out there, well done.
Agreed! I even suggested to Watch Mojo they do a top 10 most used watch mojo clips 😅
i clicked on the vid expecting the same. I was pleasantly surprised.
I just clicked for her 😈
Yeah, that's pretty good. I can't say that I've watched any of these movies, but I'm starting with the Beach House today.
You probably spend your entire life online, watching similar videos.
If you haven't seen it yet, Glorious from 2022 is a great cosmic horror movie. (And its got J.K. Simmons!) "After a breakup, Wes ends up at a remote rest stop. He finds himself locked inside the bathroom with a mysterious figure speaking from an adjacent stall. Soon Wes realizes he is involved in a situation more terrible than he could imagine." It's on Tubi, too!
Ohh, seconded. Great tongue-in-cheek but very decent horror. For more bathroom horror, I'd also recommend "Stalled" (2013) and for a good take on ghost-hunting streamers try Deadstream (2022). When the comedy complements the bizarre situation without taking it any less seriously you're in for a good time.
That was a cracking film🤘🏾
Great movie. The wat they keep you guessing exactly what he’s being asked to do is the best damn part.
It’s a fun one location movie.
Good pull. I never remember the name of it, and have to look up his IMDB when I think of it.
It’s not exactly Cosmic Horror, but Oddity has a great vibe.
It’s on Shudder.
I gotta say as someone who loves horror movies and is a huge cosmic horror fan. I'm genuinely impressed you managed to recommend 3 I have never even heard of! Can't wait to check them all out!
The Void and Color out of Space are my favorite cosmic horror movies still.
Color Out Of Space is one of my favorite HP Lovecraft's stories. The movie from 2019 is very underwhelming though. Matter of fact, I prefer the German mostly black and white version from 2010.
@@Urizen777 I wouldn't say it's perfect at all, but I liked the 2019 one a lot. It actually kinda hit all the story beats (and I'll admit I'm a bit of a sucker for Nicholas Cage carrying on). The setting I'd obviously like to see in the proper time. In that regard I'd agree the German film is closer to the source. I'd love to see what the German film could've done with a larger budget.
the Void is one of the best cosmic horrors i've seen
I was bout to type this exact comment, amazing movies
@@Urizen777 hard disagree
Aniara. One of if not the best cosmic horror movie I've seen. Nothing graphic, nothing gory, no aliens, but a great existential sci fi movie
this one is new to me and I'm genuinely excited by how cerebral it seems even at a quick glance
@@ShadowOnTheStairs I'm excited about your list too, seems like a fun ride.
I have one more recommendation for you : Midnight Sun. It's a Twilight Zone episode (the original one, not the remake). Incredibly simple but still horrifying imo.
After watching Aniara, I laid on my bed & stared at the ceiling for an hour to process LOL. It's an emotional tornado 😭
Aniara is amazing. And very haunting. It was a really strong experience.
Also a 1960s opera.
The Empty Man - the best cosmic horror movie of recent years
A big part of the existential dread for me on this one was that it was filmed in my hometown.
It goes places.
This one grabbed me by surprise too although it could have been a little shorter.
Terrible movie
Empty man is good but it’s also the one that everybody recommends. Great opening scene
Just finished History of The Occult (2020) it was such a delightful movie, definitely a new favorite, I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the recommendations, I've been itching for some cosmic horror media lately. Looking forward to your videos.
The Void is fantastic! Highly recommended
Second that. It's a love letter to John Carpenter, Clive Barker and H.P. Lovecraft
Add me to the Void fans. A movie that knows what it's target audience is looking towards.
Hell yea
this one seems to be a fan favorite - thanks for the recommendation! it's now at the top of my personal must-watch list
Yeah, the void is fantastic. The practical effects are top notch
I totally agree about the beach house. Deserves a lot more love.
In the Mouth of Madness, Jacob's Ladder and The Thing
"Do you read Sutter Kane?"
@@corkscrewfoley 🤣 "Well I think your book SUCKS"
In the Mouth of Madness is probably the most Lovecraft-like non-Lovecraft movie. Plenty of references and many stories were a clear inspiration. Matter of fact, it is much better than any of Stuart Gordon's Lovecraft adaptations.
@@Urizen777 I agree although I absolutely love Stuart Gordon's classics for their dark humor element and b-movie cheesiness. With a bigger budget and better cast, I am sure Castle Freak and Dagon would have been absolute bangers.
@@joesmith8288 Yeah, they have their charm. And I actually quite like "Dagon" (albeit it is more of a "The Shadow Over Innsmouth" adaptation).
"Streaming on x y z"
Girl I'm pirating
I won't tell lol
Tubi is free with ads, has a pretty damn good catalog too.
Site recommendation? The one I used finally shut down about a year ago.
@@Calladim fmovies or goku(.)sx
@@Calladimgive reddit's r/piracy a Google. Someone makes a post every month or so and people give good lists. Plus they have a megathread for that sort of thing updated all the time.
Like a couple others have commented, super cool that I'm constantly looking at cosmic horror/lovecraftian lists and this is the first time I've never heard of any on the list :) starting with beach house right now! Which also happens to be the name of my favorite band
I liked "The Void" but that was made before 2020.
The Void is my all time favorite next to Hellraiser 2
The void was pre 2020? I need to see it.
@@bennyblanco14 Hellraiser 2 over the original? I'm not sure I've heard that before! That's cool
I loved The Endless from 2017. The Void is also great. As is Color Out Of Space.
Out of your recommendations I saw The Beach House. I liked it a lot.
I loved Color Out of Space. My partner thought it was crazy, he wasn't a fan. It's definitely a very specific taste.
Color out of Space looks wild.
Fuck yeah, Color Out Of Space
agreed on Color Out of Space and want to watch The Endless - glad you're a fellow The Beach House fan :)
@@ShadowOnTheStairs The Endless is great, as is Resolution. Frankly Moorhead and Benson haven't missed yet.
"The last winter" is great. A wink to "the thing" but more subtle.
I stumbled upon Beach House without knowing what it would be about at all and it was so good! Great recommendations!
Never even heard a rumor of these films. Nice! Films like these need curators like you. Keep up the great work.
Lots of people have voiced praise for how under the radar these recs are, but i think something thats gone unsung is the fact that you provided recs that are fairly easily accessible through Tubi. Incredible work, love the way you talked aboit them, instant sub.
THE EMPTY MAN.
Thank you for the recommendations! Looking forward to more in the future!
Thank you so much for recommending History Of The Occult. It's a little gem of a cosmic horror film that I very much enjoyed, and I wouldn't have ever even heard of it if it wasn't for your channel.
Thanks for bringing up Masking Threshold! I was blown away by the feeling of dread, powerlessness, and the madness such feelings conjure. The Edgar Allen Poe reference is really spot on, too! Also yes on the cringe and gross factors in The Beach House. I sat down to watch it while eating seafood...hands covered in crab guts...
Glad to see someone covering some true gems that don’t get the attention they deserve. Loving this channel 🙌
Cold Skin, Spring, yellow brick road, and the emptyman are some movies that gives me the feeling that things are way weirder than humanity wants to believe.
adding Cold Skin to my watchlist - thanks! I loved the movie Harbinger which was made by the same director as Yellow Brick Road, so that one is also going on the list. all good recs!
Spring is genuinely one of my all-time favorite films. It’s utterly unique.
@@ShadowOnTheStairs have you seen the hallow? It’s not cosmic horror per se but it deals with the fae and is practical effects gold.
Cold Skin is based in a novel of the same name. Higly recommended, better than the movie.
@@Quaremfilms thanks for the heads up, I’ve slowly been building my library of fantasy and sci-fi books
This channel is super underrated, I think you'll be blowing up soon. These are great recommendations and I've been going back to watch all your old videos after finding this.
I'll add a few to this list: "The Endless", "The Void" and "The Lighthouse", though these are all very well-known at this point.
The Color Out of Space is the best I've seen so far
Thanks for recommending History of the Occult! I'm now hungry for a rewatch and video essays about it. (There aren't enough!) But I'm def following your channel now
Nobody has mentioned “Daniel Isn’t Real” yet. Really great cosmic horror movie
Thanks for this video! I was looking for new movies to watch, and thank you to your community for more suggestions in the comments.
Would love to see your opinions on Arkham Horror the Card Game one day!
Love the straight forward reviews without spoilers. You've got a new subscriber!
I'm curious what you thought of Lovely, Dark, & Deep as it has proven to be divisive.
History of the Occult was my favorite watch this year, so far. Masking Threshold is new to me, will watch it later tonight. I adored Beach House when I saw it a couple years ago. Excellent list!
Big fan of Kristen Stewart’s two recent scary movies, Underwater and Personal Shopper. Underwater, action packed with some cosmic horror thrown-in
I actually really liked Underwater. Some really clever and creepy stuff in there. And that ending was epic!
Underwater was well-made in many ways, but was such an aggressive ripoff of Alien (1979). There's homage, and there's simply lifting a tonne of elements from a better film, and this was the latter.
I wasn't expecting much from Underwater, but hoo boy that is a hell of a movie if you have thalassophobia, which I do. I just wish TJ Miller wasn't in it, he plays the same annoying comic relief guy in everything he's in.
@@Corvus7159 True. I won't spoil anything for those who haven't seen it, but Miller's role isn't overwhelming, imo. He's a little annoying, but doesn't get in the way of the overall film.
I'm from Argentina and I didn't even know about that first movie, thanks for the recommendation I'm going to check it out. I just subscribed!
I'm sure you've already seen them, but I recommend Demián Rugna's When Evil Lurks and Terrified...
Terrific & original list! Funnily enough I watched The Beach House last year. Enjoyed it but didn’t find it particularly memorable though I’m glad to hear some click with it. Side note: I’m extremely happy more film buffs are starting to appreciate TUBI! It may not always be current but it is full of absolute gems & is particularly good at giving play to a lot of internationally made indie movies
I’m going to turn in my recommendation for the film Coherence (2013). It might be slightly more towards just being weird horror than cosmic but I still find it to be a fantastic watch. That one is about a dinner party that goes awry due to the effects of a major comet passing by the Earth. It definitely has a similar horror to The Beach House in regards to awkward social situations that make your skin crawl but doesn’t lean into the body horror aspect of that film.
Also recommend Resolution (2012). That film has slowly been gaining popularity but still in the indie niche. It’s about a dude who sequesters his addict friend in a shack in the woods to help detox him. It sounds & starts out simply but definitely goes places & leads to a great ending IMO
The Lovely, Dark, and Deep is great as well! :)
I just subscribed for your presentation of original horror that I haven’t heard anywhere else. Thank you. I’m so glad there was not annihilation and event horizon like on every other list.
Instantly subscribed.
There's a film I've been mentioning to horror enthusiasts for a few years now that none seem to know about. It doesn't quite fit your present category in that it's pre-2000, and is more in the existential horror sub-genre than the truly cosmic, but those two can blur into one another sometimes. It's a German "art" film called
💀💜Nekromantik 2.
As you no-doubt infer, it's technically a sequel - and in fact it begins where its predecessor ended - but you don't need to know about the first one (which I wouldn't bother with), as #2 is otherwise self-contained.
No spoilers. All I will say is that my first feeling after seeing it was stunned anger at the filmmakers for drawing me in so easily only to wreak multifaceted violence deep in my psyche. Lurking below that surface was the most profound sense I'd ever had of the fragile membrane between life and death: not in some abstract intellectual or even poetic sense, but in the immediate visceral experience as I raised my meat-encaged self out of the seat to trudge, dazed and reflective, up the aisle and out of the theater into the cool night air, freighted equally with promise, menace, and cosmic indifference.
I’m so glad the algorithm of the great old ones gifted me with your channel.
Totally earned my Sub! I am only familiar with one of those films but never seen any, so I'm excited for the weekend.
I’m really liking this channel so far. Really insightful commentary and unique recommendations. Much appreciated!
Just curious if you (or any commenters here even) have seen The Outwaters (2023)? I saw a screening of it last year and thought it had heavy Cosmic Horror vibes.
I don’t want to say too much as not to spoil anything but it’s very well made with extraordinary visuals and sound design, it’s just a really quite a unique experience.
I must also add that it’s a bit of a divisive film in that I think people could really hate it or really love it after they’ve see it, as I myself don’t really love it entirely (there are some things that happen in it that makes me think that having seen it once is more than enough, u know?) so I can’t recommend people see it like it’s a fun time, (it’s not) but I think it’s a very well executed film that really made me feel existential dread.
I’m really curious if anyone here has seen it and what they thought.
The Outwaters did seem to garner either a love or hate reaction from most viewers (with many leaning towards hate), but personally I was so glad I watched it. Like you said, it was a unique experience! Whether a film becomes a favorite or not, it always feels worthwhile to see something different.
Finally, someone who gets real original recommendations. Personnaly I truly enjoyed Glorious. But I would love to see an adaptions of The House on the Borderland or The Night Land from William Hope Hodgson (an author who certainly inspired Lovecraft).
I’m really glad the algorithm fed this video to me. Subscribed!
Existential dread? I was genuinely disturbed by Midsommar, trying to unpack the intent of the filmmakers, the characters, the cult, for DAYS afterwards; the cult in particular is not a safe place, yet choosing it over the isolation of the bickering outsiders was such a bizarre-yet-understandable choice thanks to the storytelling of the film. Real world cults like Waco's group from the 90s, or the Heaven's Gate mass suicide, or even world religions which have many smaller "movements" in them ranging from the genuinely positive communities to the toxic extremist abusive ones - these made the film all too real for me.
Great video, thanks for sharing it!
I watched Masking threshold because of you and I need to thank you. Right now it's one of my favorite films of all time. I felt really scared and affected by the protagonist situation and I loved the visuals, the psychological aspect and the implicit cosmic dread. Excelente experiencia.
One of my new favourite channels instantly! Cheers and keep it up :)
The Void for sure as mentioned in the comments. Panos Cosmatos' episode on Cabinet of Curiosities was probably the highlight of that series for me. Underwater is kind of slept on.
I started Underwater late at night once but was already too tired to finish it - maybe I'll give it another go :) Definitely want to try the Panos Cosmatos episode you recommended - thanks!
History of the Occult is a cool little gem. I found it an absolutely fascinating film. These are all really great recommendations and I look forward to checking out Masking Threshold!
It predates your line for modern cosmic horror, but Coherence from the mid-twenty-teens is a great little watch. Great concept, though the horror for me was mostly of the human variety.
Oh babby, YT did good suggesting a new horrortube channel! Can't wait to check these films out.
I haven't heard of any of these! Thank you for such articulate recommendations, subscribed!
Finally films that I have never heard of. Highly recommend YellowBrickRoad. Perfect blend of folk and cosmic horror.
YellowBrickRoad scared the crap out of me 😅
That was short, condensed and precise. Thank you very much for these original recommendations!
Just watched The Beach House because of this recommendation video and i was positively surprised. Looking forward to watch the other two as well. Thank you very much :)
thank you for the recommendation for History of the Occult. i will give the others a shot
First time catching your channel. Haven't seen a single recommendation and couldn't be more interested after your review. Thank you. Instant follow
This is such an interesting list! Thank you so much! Subscribed.
Subscribed! I love the lighting and background of your set. It’s a nice balance and mood
Picnic at Hanging Rock, the '78 Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Mist in black and white.
History of the Occult looks interesting. Haven't seen The Beach House either but "what's more terrifying the ocean or space?" I vote ocean.
Regarding Picnic at Hanging Rock, are you referring to the 1975 movie or the newer series? I haven't seen either yet.
@@jawnsushi 1975 film. Haven't seen the series.
Just watched Picnic at Hanging Rock 1978 - and wow! What a gem. Beautiful, subtle and eerie. Thanks for the rec!
Coming back to say History of Occult was great! Loved it!
yay! glad you watched and liked it! :)
@@ShadowOnTheStairs Thanks for the recommendation!
I just came from another channel that recommended the usual 10 best. Some were new to me but most were already on my list. Thanks for recommending 3 films totally new to me.
I've only seen Beach House, but thanks for the other two. Cosmic horror films are difficult to find sometimes. I've found a kinda odd sub-genre that I really enjoy that isn't officially observed. I call it "horror-romance" and point at films like Spring, Possession, as example. I guess certain versions of Dracula also qualify as horror-romance but it's not really a commonly searched term. Some cosmic horror also goes into that direction so I'm always on the look out. Nice list btw ^_^
I absolutely love Stuart Gordon and John Carpenter's Lovecraftian movies
Color Out of Space & The Whisperer in Darkness are exceptional. As are any Stuart Gordon flick, notably Dagon & Dreams in the Witchhouse.
Wow, a new channel with relevant recommendations.. I will risk a subsription. :) (Mentioning Colour out of space really nailed the decision).
First off, thanks for recommending obscure movies! Second, the beach house is such a good and underrated film. Lastly, if you havnt seen it yet, watch the trailer for Ash. A cosmic horror film coming next year. The trailer blew me away and I’m incredibly excited for it.
Like many people are saying, really nice seeing a list of new and not as well known movies. Already had The Beach House in my watchlist, but added the other 2. And subscribed to your channel!
I love your videos. Short, to the point, makes me excited to watch the movies. Keep up the good work!
Great list. I haven't seen that first one...so definitely gonna have to go check that one out.
just watched Beyond the Black Rainbow recently
and i can say that it was an experience that i will likely never forget
great list , will be checking out all 3
Great video, really liked that you tried to dig up some gems, and not just the classic few that get mentioned every time.
Just saw history of the occult and really enjoyed it! Sure not abperfect movie but really refreshing and creepy at times!
Thank you for recommending three films I haven't heard of! One film I saw recently that qualifies as Cosmic Horror was "The Endless". It's quite good.
One could argue Annihilation has elements of cosmic horror
You must have a short attention span. She said these are 2020's movies.
Annihilation is definitely cosmic horror. There's no need for an argument there
Great movie and book. Leaning more into the "Cosmic" and away from the "Horror", but yeah. There's some scares in there, to be sure, but it's much more psychological and introspective than dread inducing. If I was forced to pick a single genre for Annihilation, I'd choose Sci-fi over horror (although it is really both)
@@jarlwhiterun7478 No need to be an ass about it.
@@jarlwhiterun7478wind your neck in.
The Void, Resolution(2012) and The Endless.
Oh made after 2020, missed that one...
Great recommendations that are less common. Also good job reviewing with giving a good idea what to expect without spoiling anything.
My friend and I love finding good Lovecraftian horror movies to watch, but the list of good ones seems so small sometimes when trying to research what's out there. HUGE props to you for providing not just one or two, but THREE movies I'd never heard of. You're clearly deeper into the weeds than I am and I'm thankful you've chosen to share what you've found online. Much appreciated, and subbed!
so glad you found some new recs from my video :) don't know if I'm any deeper in the weeds than anyone else truly lol - I'm just a horror fan who enjoys searching out films and wants to share what I find. thanks for the sub!
Honeymoon (2014) A great one I have to watch every now and then
Excellent suggestion🤘🏾
Very cool suggestions! Im so excited to try these out 😊
I know many will not think that this suggestion qualifies as "Cosmic Horror," but it is one of the best examples I have seen of both fear of the unknown and entities beyond human comprehension. And that would be the 2022 movie Skinamarink. Many may not like the unorthodox approach at story-telling, but it is hands down the best example of fear of the unknown I have ever seen. The movie will take advantage of the audiences own fear of the unknown to create an experience unlike any other. With the fear of the unknown and an entity we are incapable of fully understanding or comprehending it forces the audience to use their imagination to fill in the blanks.
If you have not seen it, I highly recommend it to anyone who likes this type of horror.
Great list! just binged all of those movies because of this list and I loved a history of the occult. masking threshold was way more disturbing than I expected.
Yay! A worthy horror channel. So happy to subscribe!
Great channel for special film recommendations, congratulations lady
Any thoughts on "Wrong Turn 2"? Just curious based on the copy of Wrong Turn displayed there behind you
Also good stuff here
A new horror movie channel? Subbed.
Wow some recommends in the cosmic horror genre I’ve not heard of for once (I stumbled across Beach House but the other two are new to me).
Must admit I skipped your breakdowns for fear of spoilies - will return when I’ve watched them! Thanks ☺️
I haven't heard of any of these, but they all sound really good, thank you!!
I think this is still just doing the festival circuit (I saw it during its SlamDance run) but The Complex Forms (2023] was a great quietly atmospheric film that could be cosmic horror depending on what you think of the forces behind everything. I thought it was fantastic.
I'll add it my watchlist and keep my eyes out for when it's available - thanks for the recommendation!
Color Out of Space is 2019!! But it's sooo peak. 😭
Great list!! been looking for some good cosmic horror stuff, and I've heard of none of these!!
These are all new to me. Give The Block Island Sound a shot.
Great Video. Great Picks.
Always up for cosmic and existential horror movies. Appreciate the recommendations.
Interesting recommendations. I will check them out and a good concise video. Appreciate you.
Checking these out, what a unique horror rec channel! It's really hard to find horror i haven't seen at this point but you pick weird ones. Thank you! And your outfit is really cute!
Thank you for the suggestions! Cant wait to check them out!!
Suitable Flesh is also great for some Lovecraftian goodness.
Great list, and I love Dagon, really great story - always looking for similar movies with that relentless feeling of dread, weird mutations/madness as a result of worshipping strange gods and the fear of whats really in the deep dark cold abyss 😀
Cosmic horror is not my fave subgenre....but i so appreciate it that you gave me 2 movies that I've never even heard of. Awesome job❤
Great list! I'd only heard of The Beach House (which I love), so I'll check these out. You might like The Crescent (2017) and The Banshee Chapter (2013).
Cheers for this list - I've only seen the beach house which I quite liked but you had me at "black and white argentinian film"
Oh yeah, I saw Beach House! Almost forgot about that one. Felt a bit like Color Out of Space, but with water, especially the trippy night scenes. Oh and the rack focuses on the almost imperceptibly thin strands of "water" were truly unnerving. That said, the way it plays out was kind of a strange choice. Not really my favorite in the cosmic horror genre, but enjoyable.
Nice! I enjoyed this video. Now subscribed