7 underrated A24 horror movies you probably haven't seen

A24, the company behind award-winning and critically acclaimed films such as Everything Everywhere All At Once, Moonlight, Lady Bird, and Uncut Gems, just to name a few, has been around since 2012, distributing and producing some of the most talked-about indie films of the last decade-plus. Horror fans like myself have been attracted to A24 for their experimental and thought-provoking horror movies, covering chilling topics like AI robots, neo-Nazi skinheads, haunted families, and pagan cults. If I see the A24 logo attached to any upcoming film in the genre, chances are I'm going to watch it.

And while A24 horror movies have taken the genre by storm with now-iconic films and undeniable influences on filmmakers to come, there are many that have gone under the radar. Hardcore A24 fans have probably seen them all, but if you're a casual fan and want to check out other horror movies they've put out, you've come to the right place! These seven are definitely not talked about enough.

Lamb

Premiering in 2021, folk horror movie Lamb takes place in Iceland, following a married couple living an isolated life running a farm. Unable to have children of their own, they're shocked to discover that one of their sheep has given birth to some sort of lamb-human creature. The wife, María (played by the wonderful Noomi Rapace) immediately wants to care for it as if it's their own baby, and her husband Ingvar (Hilmir Snær Guðnason) feels the same. As time goes on, however, they take their parenting love a little too far, and this lamb isn't exactly what they think it is.

Directed by Valdimar Jóhannsson, Lamb is a slow burn that'll leave you satisfied by the end, featuring suspense, strong performances, and a unique plot you've probably never seen before. The movie does a great job of creating a sense of dread that lives with you throughout the full runtime.

WHERE TO WATCH: Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video for $3.99, YouTube for $3.99, Google Play Movies for $3.99, Apple TV for $3.99, Fandango at Home for $3.99

Men

Let me be real for a second. I feel like I'm missing something when it comes to the 2022 movie Men because I thoroughly enjoyed it and was surprised by some of the negative reviews. Is it ironic that a movie about how men are literal monsters is written and directed by a man? Maybe, but I still think writer-director Alex Garland creates an ambitious film that, for the most part, really works. Men stars the very talented Jessie Buckley, a recent widower who goes on a trip to the English countryside alone. Strange occurrences begin happening when she gets there, and we discover that the small town is inhabited by creepy men who all have the same face.

Men is an atmospheric film that doesn't let you forget this town is not right, connecting its grim tone to the main character Harper's personal grief. There are a few moments in the back half of the movie that are downright shocking, plus, I have to admit that it gave me nightmares. As someone who doesn't scare easily, that's a win in my book!

WHERE TO WATCH: Available to stream on Max, Paramount Plus, Hulu with the Showtime-add on

High Life

The 2018 sci-fi horror film High Life received positive reviews from critics, but general audiences had difficulty making sense of it. (Just look at the Rotten Tomatoes scores, for example). I understand why some might not like this movie; it's a very, very slow burn and you really need to pay attention to catch all of the subtleties. Personally, that's the kind of movie I'm into, but if you're looking for non-stop action, maybe skip High Life.

High Life is directed by award-winning French director Claire Denis, following a group of prisoners who, while waiting on death row, are sent on a mission to space. Their mission is to investigate a black hole under the leadership of a scientist (played by Juliette Binoche) who uses them to conduct experiments of her own. The movie also stars Robert Pattinson, Mia Goth, André Benjamin (André 3000), House of the Dragon's breakout Ewan Mitchell, and other talented actors, making for a stellar cast. The movie builds up suspense well and is a thoroughly chilling watch.

WHERE TO WATCH: Streaming on Max, Hulu with the Max add-on, Amazon Prime Video with the Max add-on, YouTube with the Max add-on

Under the Skin

Impressed with the Oscar-winning 2023 film The Zone of Interest? Then we'd highly recommend checking out one of director Jonathan Glazer's earlier works, the 2013 movie Under the Skin. Loosely based on the 2000 novel of the same name by Michel Faber, the sci-fi horror film follows an alien-like woman who preys on men. There's a lot of ambiguity in the film, but it grabs you right away with its atmospheric scenes, creepy score, and strong performance from Scarlett Johansson.

If you're like me and enjoy challenging films that leave a lot of questions on the table, you'd probably enjoy Glazer as a filmmaker. Under the Skin is a quintessential look at his style, which creates a sense of extreme dread — but also total absorption — even when you aren't quite sure what's going on. There are few movies like this one.

WHERE TO WATCH: Streaming on Max, Hulu with the Max add-on, Amazon Prime Video with the Max add-on, YouTube with the Max add-on

Saint Maud

Love actress Morfydd Clark in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power? Before she put on the elf ears to play Galadriel, she starred in the 2019 film Saint Maud, marking Rose Glass' directorial feature debut. Another slow burn (can you tell I love those?) this psychological horror movie deals with themes of religion, shame, and compulsion. It follows a Catholic nurse named Katie who lives in a small English town. Caring for patients with terminal illnesses, Katie becomes obsessed with saving one of her patients' souls through her devout religion and goes to great lengths to make it happen.

Katie's faith pushes her to madness after she decides she's been rejected by God, making for a terribly disturbing third act. The movie is dark, unsettling, and unique.

WHERE TO WATCH: Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, MGM+, YouTube with the MGM+ add-on, Sling TV with the MGM+ add-on

The Blackcoat's Daughter

Another A24 horror film I'm sure has gone under the radar for many is 2013's The Blackcoat's Daughter, written and directed by Oz Perkins. Ahead of the release of his highly anticipated horror movie Longlegs this month, we'd definitely recommend checking out some of his earlier works. This one features three different timelines, intertwining the stories of students at a Catholic boarding school who are left behind during a break and a young woman who gets to know a man who picks her up after she escapes a mental hospital.

The Blackcoat's Daughter stars Emma Roberts, Kieran Shipka, and Lucy Boynton, making for a strong cast of familiar faces. The movie is a creepy look at young women's experiences told through ambitious storytelling, and it's a shame it never got a wide release in theaters.

WHERE TO WATCH: Streaming on Hulu with the Cinemax add-on, YouTube with the Cinemax add-on

Life After Beth

The only horror-comedy on this list is Life After Beth, a 2014 movie written and directed by Jeff Baena and starring one of my favorites, Aubrey Plaza. Only getting a limited release in theaters and receiving mediocre reviews, it's not surprising if this one hasn't been on your radar. But if you're ever in the mood for a strange, hilarious, and all-around entertaining horror-comedy, I can't recommend it enough. I was late to this movie and only watched it last year when I was doing a Plaza marathon, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

Life After Beth follows a high schooler named Zach (Dane DeHaan) who mourns his girlfriend Beth (Plaza) after she suffers a venomous snake bite and dies. But soon after, he's shocked to discover that she's resurrected, mysteriously back alive and acting like nothing's happened. That said, she's not the same Beth that Zach knows; this Beth is erratic, aggressive, and even frightening. As Zach struggles with what to do, more and more of those who have passed away in town begin emerging from their graves. It's absolute chaos, and absolutely amusing.

WHERE TO WATCH: Streaming on Max, Hulu with the Cinemax add-on, YouTube with the Cinemax add-on, Amazon Prime Video with the Cinemax add-on

There's nothing quite like a strange horror movie, and A24 sure has a lot of those. What will you be watching this weekend?

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