10 Underrated Horror Films of the 2010s
4. Frozen (Dir. Adam Green, 2010)
Although he has made a solid name for himself with the Hatchet franchise, Adam Green’s Frozen is probably his most tension-laden directorial effort to date. The story of a group of friends who get stuck on a ski lift is dialogue-heavy, but rich with characterization and a very authentic script that never feels dull. While some of the film’s critics find it tedious, it is one I’ve always felt could have found stronger supporters among casual viewers in for some very understated suspense.
Who will enjoy it? Fans of “bottle episodes” and suspense with an emotional flare
Where can I watch it? Amazon Video
5. ChromeSkull: Laid to Rest 2 (Dir. Robert Green Hall, 2011)
High art it isn’t, but ChromeSkull: Laid to Rest 2 is one of the most wholly entertaining slashers and horror sequels out there. You don’t necessarily have to watch Laid to Rest to enjoy this amped up continuation of ChromeSkull’s story, which develops a very cool backstory for our killer and features some of our favorite genre staples (Danielle Harris and Thomas Dekker, delivering here). With killer death scenes and top-notch gore from makeup-guru-turned-director Robert Hall, ChromeSkull is the kind of slick slasher that will leave you wondering why this franchise hasn’t taken off yet.
Who will enjoy it? Lovers of practical effects, inventive death scenes, and a great villain
Where can I watch it? Amazon Video
6. American Mary (Dir. Soska Sisters, 2014)
Horror mainstay Katharine Isabelle is perfection in this freaky thriller about a medical student who survives a sexual assault, drops out of school, and rises to underground fame as a go-to body modification surgeon. Jen and Sylvia Soska deliver a female-empowered gore story with an aggressively beautiful execution, and thrills and jaw-dropping imagery are aplenty here.
Who will enjoy it? Dark horror fans who love a kick-ass female lead
Where can I watch it? Netflix
7. Mother’s Day (Dir. Darren Lynn Bousman, 2010)
A loose remake of the 1980 film of the same name, Mother’s Day is heavy on the crazy and violence, enacted here on unsuspecting home owners during a party by a twisted family. Rebecca De Mornay, the family’s matriarch, delivers in her desperately insane role, teetering the line between pitiable and absolutely unhinged masterfully. The film’s final moments caused for a few complaints, but De Mornay’s performance alone makes this one worth the watch.
Who will enjoy it? Fans of thrillers with kooky villainesses
Where can I watch it? Amazon Video
