The 10 Best Horror Movies of 2024

This past year was one hell of a year for horror! Various movies hit it big at the box office, as well as getting critical acclaim, and more! It took me a while to make this list, cuz I was holding off to watch Nosferatu. As neither Strange Darling nor Longlegs are films that I got to catch theatrically nor are they streaming for free, I have yet to see them. But, I couldn't keep waiting any longer to make this list, so here you go!

Honorable Mentions
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Sting
Wynonna Earp: Vengeance

10. Lisa Frankenstein- This flick from director Zelda Williams and writer Diablo (Jennifer's Body) Cody also gets my pick for most underrated horror flick of last year. The horror/ comedy is highly enjoyable, funny, quirky, wild, and actually pretty romantic. The 80s aesthetic and loving homages to the horror genre further adds to film's charm. The characters are wonderful, too, especially our romantic leads played by Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse. If you ever wondered how to make Newton even hotter, well here is your answer: make her an 80s goth babe! As always Cody writes some lively and really fun dialogue.

9. Arcadian- This post apocalyptic monster movie is another one that didn't get enough love. It felt like everyone was talking about it when it came out but was then completely forgotten. Which is a shame, cuz this flick is engrossing and suspenseful. It does a good job of being a horror movie as well as a heartfelt coming of age flick at the same time. The acting is really good, especially by Nicolas Cage. It also features a really intense climax, an awesome doggy, and some of the fucking weirdest and quirkiest looking monsters that I have seen in ages. 

8. Humane- Caitlin Cronenberg (yes, she is, in fact, genre master David Cronenberg's daughter!) gives us a phenomenal directorial debut with this well crafted thriller. She really knows how to build tension and mix it in with bursts of strong violence. The climax had me cheering and on the edge of my seat. It's also well acted and deals with some very timely politics. 

7. Nosferatu- I definitely fall under that category of people that find Robert Eggers' The Witch to be overrated and who, mostly, does not care for the so called subgenre that is elevated horror movies. However, I loved his take on this often told Dracula/ Count Orloff story. Sure it is slowly paced, but I remained completely captivated and enraptured by what was going on. It's certainly gorgeous looking, what with its use of saturated colors and heavy shadows (reminding me of the director's version of the amazing 1979 Dracula with Frank Langella). The flick is also creepy and plays homage to both of the earlier movies of the same title, while still being its own horrific beast. We even get some old vampire dick for good and gross measure!

6. Abigail- Oh man, what a fun time this flick was! A great mix of action and horror, it has a really exciting, fast pace. The plot twists are great and the characters lively. We get double the babe factor with Melissa Barrera (man, is the Scream franchise stupid for letting her go!) and Kathryn Newton (that's two Newton horror movies that got ranked here for last year!). The gore is absolutely awesome. But, what I love the most is our title character: little Abigail (wonderfully played by Alisha Weir). She is one of the best villains (especially in terms of vampires) that I have seen in a long time! The result is the best bloodsucker movie of last year. Yes, I liked it more than Nosferatu.

5. Terrifier 3- This wild third entry in this ultra-gory slasher franchise might be my least favorite, but not by much of the three movies, but its still an absolute blast to watch! As expected the splatter is phenomenal and graphic, with the bathroom double chainsaw kill being the best kill of last year. As with the two preceding entries in the series, the movie is deliciously cruel and is filled with jet-black and twisted humor. The gorgeous Lauren LaVera cements her place as one of the greatest final girls ever. Meanwhile, Art is as awesome and evil as ever. I also love the fact that it went out unrated and made a shit ton of money. The movie actually became the top grossing unrated flick ever (on a side note, a Beyonce concert held that top spot earlier. I was kinda hoping it was some cool splatter flick, but nope it's a fucking Beyonce concert film. Le sigh)!

I  hope this means that we get more unrated gore movies in the months and years to come. Bonus points for giving us a new Christmas horror movie to add to our annual viewing lists.

  

4. Late Night with the Devil- Mixing intrigue, suspense, and dark humor the plot of this satanic found footage flick builds up really well. It leads strongly into a great ending that is propelled by a very well done climax, all of which caps off this film perfectly. The directing and excellent acting makes you feel like you are actually watching a real, live broadcast. Without a shadow of a doubt Late Night with the Devil is the best possession movie in ages.

3. Alien: Romulus- This amazing sequel is a true return to form for the long running horror/ sci-fi franchise. Moving at an almost unrelenting pace, it is intense, suspenseful, and creepy. Most of the FX work is very well done, and are supplemented by excellent set design and production values. It also features some very strong acting especially from the leads. Our final girl, played by the lovely Cailee Spaeney, is great and a fitting successor to Ripley. Fede (Evil Dead 2013) Alvarez once again proves that he is one of the genre's best modern directors.

2. Immaculate- Immaculate is a classy yet suitably brutal mainstream take on nunsplotation. Michael Mohan's direction gives us a great looking movie with an intensely white knuckle feel. The flick builds to an edge of your seat climax that leads into one of the most holy shit endings that you are likely to see, particularly in recent memory. It's all held together by an amazing performance by the breathtaking Sydney Sweeny in one of last true year's true examples of breakthrough acting.

1. The Substance- Coralle (Revenge) Fargeat's second movie is beautifully shot with excellent use of close-ups and expertly edited leading to what is, quite simply put, a nightmarish tour de force. And, then there is the blood soaked climax which is even more bonkers than the insanity that preceded it! Which is saying a lot! Yet, as gruesome as this body horror flick is, it is also a deep and thought provoking look at women aging in Hollywood (and by extent the regular world). It's all headed by incredible performance by the gorgeous Margaret (One Upon a Time in Hollywood) Quailey and, most especially by the forever stunning Demi (The Seventh Sign) Moore. She gives the performance of her career. She already won a Golden Globe for best actress in a comedy or musical (let's not get into the whole this ain't a comedy or a musical thing, though, and just be happy that she got recognized for her acting), so here is hoping the Oscar's make the same call (and not ignore this cuz its a horror movie). Make no bones about it. this is a true modern masterpiece, that will be worshipped and studied in the years to come.

That's my list. What are your favorite horror movies from last year? Anything that I am missing (like I said earlier I did not see Longlegs or Strange Darling) here? Let me know in the comments section below!

Read More

One:12 Collective Silent Screamers: Nosferatu Bundle

One:12 Collective Silent Screamers: Nosferatu Bundle

Continuing our 20th anniversary celebrations with a call-back to one of the first figures Mez ever produced, Nosferatu joins the One:12 Collective.

Inspired by the poster art for the 1922 film ‘Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror’, the original “Count Orlok” figure was sculpted by Stephan Linder. The One:12 Collective Nosferatu is a reimagined tribute to the original figure.

The One:12 Collective Nosferatu includes a lot of accessories inspired by the film that were not part of the original Silent Screamers release, as well as a brand new sculpt by sculptor Chu Ka Wa – a member of our Hong Kong team who worked in collaboration with Mez handling art direction. Nosferatu wears a coat, tights, and leather shoes, as represented in the original movie poster artwork. The infamous vampire features three head portraits capturing his inhuman visage, with long, rat-like fangs and pointed ears.

Nosferatu comes complete with a removable hat, a lantern that he can hold in his nightmare-inducing claw-like hands, a rat-infested coffin and lid that he can lay inside, a set of castle keys on a metal ring, and six rats.

Nosferatu is packaged in a retro-style tin lunchbox with art inspired by the animated cartoons of yesteryear; perfect for those long road trips to the Carpathian mountainsides of Transylvania.

THIS EXCLUSIVE BUNDLE CONTAINS:

• Nosferatu T-shirt - featuring original art of Nosferatu that is sure to please discerning horror fans, this t-shirt is a screen printed, super soft, poly-cotton blend.
• Nosferatu “Film Cell” - a limited edition, 30mm thick cell that features a scene from the stop-motion trailer used in marketing this figure - depicting the Mezco version of the infamous stairway scene. Presented in a protective card stock holder, this unique memento mori is suitable for framing to display in your casket.

THE ONE:12 COLLECTIVE NOSFERATU FIGURE FEATURES:

• One:12 Collective body with over 20 points of articulation
• Three (3) head portraits
• Hand painted authentic detailing
• Approximately 17cm tall
• Six (6) interchangeable hands
  • One (1) pair of posing hands (L&R)
  • One (1) pair of holding hands (L&R)
  • One (1) pair of grabbing hands (L&R)

COSTUME (non-removable):

• Frock coat
• Shirt and tights
• Hanker-tie neck wrap
• Leather shoes

ACCESSORIES:

• One (1) coffin with lid
• One (1) lantern
• One (1) hat (removable)
• Six (6) rats
• Eight (8) keys attached to a real metal ring
• One (1) One:12 Collective display base with logo
• One (1) One:12 Collective adjustable display post

Each One:12 Collective Silent Screamers: Nosferatu figure is packaged in a collector friendly lunchbox tin, designed with collectors in mind.

The One:12 Collective Silent Screamers: Nosferatu Bundle is available to order at https://mezcotoyz.com/one-12-collective-silent-screamers-nosferatu-bundle.

Read More

Horror Crush: Isabelle Adjani

In continuing Women in Horror Month, this time on Horror Crushes we have one of the most beautiful women to ever grace film, in general: the flawlessly stunning French actress Isabelle Adjani.

Isabelle was born on June 27, 1955 in Paris, France to a Bavarian mother and Algerian father. She began acting at age 14 in 1970. She wouldn't appear in her first horror film till Wernor Herzog's critically acclaimed remake of silent classic Nosferatu. She played Lucy in said film. I am embarrassed to say I never saw it. But, even without having seen it, I can tell you that that is excellent casting!

Sadly, I didn't see her following horror movie, Tenement (1976), either. Directed by Roman Polanksi, it's another critical hit. I been meaning to see it for ages, but alas have yet to do so. But, I can say that she wears glasses in it and looks extra hot in them, I think.

 

Her next horror flick is 1981's French/ German flick Possession from the recently late/ great director Andrzej Zulawski. The movie was controversial and got on the infamous British Video Nasties list. It's not for everyone, but those with an open mind will find a fascinating and original movie; one that wonderfully mixes the arthouse drama with the splatter horror movie. It tells the tale of a hubby (an excellent Sam Neil, in what maybe my favorite performance of his) and his deteriorating marriage to his gorgeous and slowly unhinging wife (Adjani). She is cheating on him with some spiritual Euro-trash dude name Heinrich (Heinz Bennent). Oh and, she is also getting porked by a monster covered in blood and with cucumber-shaped head. Yup, you read that right.

Adjani is fucking amazing in her role. Both of them, as she also plays the beautiful and sweet teacher of couple's son Bob. There is a scene where she breaks down in a subway and has a slimey and bloody miscarriage. The movie is gory, artistic, and totally existential. It stands as bold and thoroughly different from anything else in the genre being made at the time. I personally think it gets better with viewings, and it's wild and bloody climax and dark ending make sure to leave it all on a high, if somewhat of a downer, note. Carl Rambaldi's make-up FX are also excellent. Getting back to Adjani, she is a special effect all her own, as she is frequently nude and, as I stated before, also screwed by her monster lover, in one shocking scene.

 

 

 

 

 She returned to genre one last time in the often forgotten remake to classic French horror movie, Diabolique. I barely remember anything about it, myself. The only thing that stuck in my mind was that some dude is married to Adjani and cheats on him with Sharon Stone. Both women are goddesses, but honestly, I wish they had appeared together in a better film. Not the worst thing, ever but useless, and like I said easy to forget.

I am a huge fan of hers, and there is no denying that with her fair skin, delicate features, sexy French accent, big, light blue eyes, and gorgeous body, she is true perfection. And, that she is also a great actress to boot, one with a very interesting, if a little short, filmography in the genre.

Read More