When it comes to horror, A24 has mastered the art of unsettling and mind-bending terror. Known for their ability to make and/or distribute films that go beyond typical horror conventions, A24 has redefined the genre by focusing on slow-burn tension, psychological unease, and deep emotional distress. But that doesn't mean the company doesn't have its fair share of slashers.
While they are known for their more cerebral horrors, A24 has also delivered intense, gut-wrenching slashers that bring raw, unrelenting violence to the forefront. But do you have what it takes to endure six of A24’s most disturbing and heart-pounding horror films back-to-back? I'm just letting you know that these movies are not for the faint of heart. From relentless slashers to psychologically twisted horrors, these films will test your mental and emotional limits. You've been warned!
X (2022)
- Where to watch: Max
X is one of the bloodiest and most brutal horror films to hit the screen, and you'll be left deeply disturbed by the shocking and gruesome ways in which the characters meet their end. The slasher follows a cast and crew who, while filming an adult film on a rural Texas farm, find themselves trapped in a nightmare as the elderly couple who own the farm harbor a dark secret. It becomes a fight for survival as the couple begins picking them off one by one, with each death more horrific than the last.
The Lighthouse (2019)
- Where to watch: Max
Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson lead this psychological horror film as two lighthouse keepers isolated on a remote outpost in the late 19th century. Amidst the harsh conditions and solitude, their fragile sanity begins to crack, causing their strained relationship to disintegrate. The older keeper grows more unhinged, while the younger one starts to slip further from reality. Overall, The Lighthouse is a creepy, intense film that grips you from the start and never lets go.
Lamb (2021)
- Where to watch: Tubi, Xumo Play, or Pluto TV for free
After one of their pregnant sheep gives birth to a mysterious creature with the body of a human and the head of a lamb, a childless couple, María and Ingvar, decide to raise the creature as their own daughter, naming her Ada. However, as María and Ingvar raise Ada, their once-peaceful life starts to unravel. The biological mother sheep becomes increasingly agitated, and Ingvar's estranged brother, Pétur, shows up, troubled by the bizarre situation. As the couple's attachment to Ada deepens, they soon find themselves having to face the repercussions of their choices.
Pearl (2022)
- Where to watch: Max
Though Pearl contains less gore than X, it remains equally disturbing and emotionally intense, offering a chilling look into the making of a monster. Set in 1918, the story centers on aspiring actress Pearl, who dreams of escaping her bleak, rural life but is unable to do so due to her overbearing mother. As Pearl's desperation grows, her obsession with fame and freedom intensifies, driving her to commit brutal acts in a desperate bid to escape the suffocating life that holds her captive.
It Comes at Night (2017)
- Where to watch: Hulu
It Comes at Night is unsettling because it taps into the fear of the unknown, where the real terror isn't found in external threats, but in the breakdown of trust between individuals. The constant strain between characters and their slow descent into paranoia amplify the fear, leaving viewers with a lingering sense of discomfort as they watch how easily human bonds can fracture under the pressure of survival.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the film revolves around a family living in isolation to protect themselves from a deadly virus, only to have their safety threatened when they are forced to share their home with another family, leading to rising tensions and deepening distrust.
The Monster (2016)
- Where to watch: Tubi or Pluto TV for free
What makes The Monster so disturbing is the way it combines the fear of a deadly, hidden creature with the emotional strain of a troubled mother-daughter bond, resulting in a horror story that’s both terrifying and deeply emotional. Kathy and her daughter Lizzy are headed to Lizzy's dad's house when they find themselves stranded on a deserted road after hitting a wolf. As they wait for help, a terrifying creature emerges from the surrounding woods, turning their already tense situation into a desperate fight for survival.