Top 10 Most Original Modern Horror Movie Plots

“The Substance” (2024)
"The Substance" is a haunting exploration of identity vis a vis the human desire for eternal youth. The plot revolves around a mysterious serum that allows individuals to create a second, youthful body. It's a second, symbiotic form of physical rebirth. The film delves into the psychological and ethical consequences of living in two bodies at once, blurring the line between reality and self-delusion. The story is rife with moral ambiguity, body horror, and the creeping fear of losing one's identity. "The Substance" offers a fresh take on the 'be careful what you wish for' trope that has long been essential to the horror genre.

“The Skin I Live In” (2011)
Pedro Almodovar - already a master of melodrama - created a genre-bending masterpiece with "The Skin I Live In." Frequent collaborator Antonio Banderas stars as a brilliant plastic surgeon who, after a personal tragedy, becomes fixated on creating an artificial, indestructible skin. His twisted experiments unfold around a mysterious woman who becomes the subject of his work. "The Skin I Live In" is a disturbing and thought-provoking film about the intersection between control, obsession, and identity. It offers a fascinating and terrifying lens on both bodily autonomy and transformation. The narrative, too, weaves a complex web of psychological horror and vengeance. Its blend of medical science, moral ambiguity, and personal trauma pushes horror conventions into uncomfortable territory, leaving an unforgettable impact.

“The Wailing” (2016)
Film noir - with its deep pools of shadow and its focus on mystery and moral ambiguity - is a genre ripe for a horror crossover. Director Na Hong-jin delivered with "The Wailing," creating an intense and unpredictable cinematic experience. Set in a small village plagued by murders and a mysterious sickness, the film follows a police officer drawn into a spiraling investigation. What begins as a detective story quickly evolves into something far more unsettling. The line between the rational and the supernatural blurs in a world beset by paranoia and desperation. Its intricate layering of religious symbolism and chilling atmosphere is utterly immersive. Nothing in "The Wailing" feels certain, with danger lurking beneath every surface.

“The Babadook” (2014)
Eschewing jump scares for the psychological terror of slowly unraveling, "The Babadook" is arguably one of the best horrors ever made. The film follows Amelia, a widowed mother struggling to care for her troubled son. Their discovery of a disturbing children's book introduces a terrifying creature - the Babadook - into their lives. As the sinister presence in their home grows stronger, it becomes increasingly clear that this horror is a thinly veiled metaphor about the haunting power of grief. The film expertly weaves together themes of trauma, repression, and motherhood. The Babadook is the physical manifestation of how grief - when left unchecked - can tear lives apart.

“Possessor” (2020)
In the era of drone warfare, "Possessor" imagines a world where we become drones ourselves. The film follows an elite assassin who carries out her hits by inhabiting other people's bodies. Using cutting-edge technology, she takes over their minds and uses their bodies to commit murder. The process blurs the boundaries between assassin and host, leading to profound and deadly conflict. After a botched hit, both she and her host struggle with neurological and psychological dissociation and deterioration. Filled with stark visuals and visceral violence, "Possessor" delivers a complex narrative. It scrutinizes notions of self and remote connection with others even as fewer of the audience's interactions with others take place in the real world.

“Saw” (2004)
More than twenty years on, “Saw” has become a well-trodden franchise and a backbone of modern horror. The original film, however, redefined the horror genre with its relentless brutality and intricate narrative structure. The film centers on two men trapped in a dilapidated bathroom, forced to play a deadly game by a twisted mastermind known as Jigsaw. As they struggle to survive, the story unfolds through a series of flashbacks and reveals. As the characters confront brutal moral dilemmas, we discover that these intricate traps are reflections of the characters' misdeeds. While these are now considered conventional tropes, twenty years ago it was groundbreaking storytelling. The psychological manipulation and extreme tension were an interesting new twist in a genre built on punishing wickedness with violence.

“Raw” (2017)
At its core, "Raw" is the story of how - beneath the thin veneer of civilization - we are really all just animals guided by dark urges. It follows Justine, a student beginning her first year at veterinary school. She is soon subjected to a weird hazing ritual, forced to eat raw meat. This erstwhile vegetarian realizes that she has more than just a taste for it, but is filled with an insatiable craving. She physically and psychologically regresses into something more primal and savage. At its heart, "Raw" is a cautionary tale about desire and repression as well as the latent potential for violence within us all. "Raw" taps into deep, cellular fears about how some people are just one push away from their most savage selves.

“When Evil Lurks” (2023)
Like many horrors "When Evil Lurks" is rife with nihilistic themes. The difference is that it takes what's normally just flirtation to its natural conclusion. It's a disturbing tale about the futility of hope in a world where apathy can lead to our downfall. Set in a remote rural village, the film follows two brothers who uncover a spreading demonic possession. Unlike conventional horror narratives, the film eschews simple solutions or heroics. Instead, it opts for a grim portrayal of how human vulnerability and fear amplify the chaos. As the characters confront forces beyond their control, their choices become increasingly desperate and tragic. In the aftermath of COVID, it's a stark reminder that many will use disbelief as a shield in the face of calamity.

“It Follows” (2014)
Many horror films feature high-intensity pacing and use jump scares and surprises as adrenaline spikes. It works, but after a few decades it can get a little stale. "It Follows" throws those tropes in the garbage, instead using inevitability, relentlessness, and patience to bring tension to a slow, inexorable crescendo. Jay is a young woman who finds herself pursued by a mysterious entity after inheriting a strange curse. Passed on through intimacy, victims find themselves harried at every turn by a figure only they can see slowly chasing them. The audience is hounded by the dread of her constant, unavoidable pursuit. "It Follows" captivated us with its haunting minimalism and its ever-present sense of impending doom.



Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.


A Lack of Dialogue, “A Quiet Place” (2018)
This Moody Horror Relies on Incredible Physical Acting Because Speaking Can Be Deadly

Horror in Broad Daylight, “Midsommar” (2019)
A Festival in Rural Sweden Turns Into a Violent Nightmare for a Group of Young Americans

Subverting the Hero's Journey, “Beau Is Afraid” (2023)
This Surrealist Odyssey Centers a Man Confronting His Fears on His Journey Home

A Horrific Tone Poem on Class, “The Menu” (2022)
An Exclusive Restaurant Provides Rich Diners with a Last-in-a-Lifetime Experience


Remaking A Classic into a Tale of Domestic Violence, “The Invisible Man” (2020)
This Remake Shows Why Invisibility Is Truly the Scariest Possible Super Power

“Get Out” (2017)
Jordan Peele has emerged as one of the most powerful - and bankable - voices in horror, with a unique ability to blend social commentary with genre thrills. He captivated audiences with "Us," solidifying his knack for exploring deeper societal issues through chilling narratives. But it’s hard to make a bigger splash than he did with his directorial debut, "Get Out." In it, he weaves a compelling tale of a young Black man, Chris, who visits his white girlfriend’s family. The sinister secrets he uncovers highlight America's persistent struggle with privilege, race, and exploitation. The film cleverly plays with the discomfort of microaggressions and the facade of liberal acceptance. We learned that horror is a perfect lens with which we can scrutinize the underbelly of society.



Is there another horrific plot creepily standing behind us without our knowledge? Let us know in the comments below!