What began as a modest independent film distribution studio has evolved into a cinematic powerhouse, delivering a slate of unforgettable films like “Hereditary” and “Midsommar.”
A24 is now synonymous with high-quality independent cinema that takes risks on ambitious directors, obscure plotlines, and new faces.
The company is often associated with the term “elevated horror,” a genre of horror that blends art-house sensibilities with traditional horror themes. A24’s filmography is renowned for its diversity, and each movie stands out for its unique aesthetic and storytelling. Despite this, a certain A24 flair binds them all.
Barry Jenkins, director of the Oscar-winning “Moonlight,” once remarked, “That’s why everyone says, ‘I know what an A24 film is, but no A24 film is like any other.’” Here, we’ll explore some of A24’s best horror movies that have both scared and fascinated audiences with their unique and disturbing stories.
The Lighthouse (2019)
Robert Eggers’ “The Lighthouse” is a psychological horror set in the 1890s on a desolate New England island. It stars Robert Pattinson as Ephraim Winslow, a former lumberjack and Willem Dafoe as Thomas Wake, a grizzled lighthouse keeper.
This black-and-white film explores their descent into madness. As the two lighthouse keepers grapple with isolation, and harsh conditions, with only each other for company, tensions and resentment start to mount.
Hereditary (2018)
Ari Aster’s “Hereditary” is a modern character-driven horror masterpiece that tells the tale of a grieving family plagued by sinister forces. Annie aka Toni Collette, a successful model maker with a family history of mental illness, faces unsettling changes after her mother’s death.
Annie, her troubled daughter Charlie (Milly Shapiro), and teenage son Peter (Alex Wolff) start experiencing eerie visions and behaviors, leaving her skeptical husband, Steve (Gabriel Byrne), deeply concerned.
Midsommar (2019)
Florence Pugh in Midsommer
Ari Aster returns with “Midsommar,” a disturbing tale of daylight horror and shocking imagery. The film follows Dani (Florence Pugh) and Christian (Jack Reynor), a young American couple in a shaky relationship, who stay together after a family tragedy.
Christian invites Dani on a trip to a unique midsummer festival in a remote Swedish village. What starts as a carefree summer holiday soon turns dark as the seemingly idyllic villagers draw them into a nightmarish cult.
Talk to Me (2022)
In “Talk to Me,” directors Danny and Michael Philippou craft a terrifying story around a group of teenagers who discover they can communicate with spirits through an embalmed hand.
The thrill of communicating with the supernatural quickly escalates into a horrible situation when one friend opens the door to the spirit world. This sets off a chain of gruesome events forcing them to choose who to trust, the living or the dead.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, “The Killing of a Sacred Deer” follows the sudden death of 16-year-old Martin’s father during surgery, he forms a close bond with Dr. Steven Murphy (Collin Ferell), the respected surgeon who operated on his father.
Dr. Murphy’s family initially welcomes Martin (Barry Keoghan), despite a sense of unease. However, the family’s life soon spirals into chaos as they face a harsh punishment that demands a painful decision to find redemption.
The Witch or The VVitch (2015)
William and his family
Another Robert Eggers film, “The Witch,” is ninety minutes of subtle and intelligent period horror drama that delves into the paranoia, that befalls a family. Anya Taylor-Joy stars as a girl accused of witchcraft in 1630s New England.
William and Katherine live a devout Christian life, homesteading with their five children on the edge of the wilderness. After their newborn son mysteriously disappears and their crops fail, the family begins turning on each other. “The Witch” offers a chilling depiction of a family consumed by their sins, vulnerable to an unimaginable evil.
Pearl (2022)
Ti West’s “Pearl” is a visually captivating horror movie set in 1918 that follows a young woman on a farm as she spirals into madness. Mia Goth shines as Pearl, a character-driven to the edge by isolation and desperation.
Stuck on her family’s remote farm, Pearl cares for her sick father under her strict mother’s watchful eye. Dreaming of a glamorous life like those in the movies, Pearl’s ambitions, desires, and repression collide, revealing the origin story of “X’s” notorious villain.
X (2022)
Jenna Ortega’s iconic scream in X (2022)
Ti West’s “X,” was released the same year as its prequel “Pearl.” Taking place in 1979, X follows a group of adult film actors and a small crew heading to a remote farmhouse in Texas to shoot a film. As night falls, they soon discover they’re in grave danger, hunted by an unexpected threat.
Starring Jenna Ortega and Mia Goth in lead roles, this film masterfully combines traditional slasher elements with West’s distinctive style, creating a suspenseful and gripping horror experience.
It Comes at Night (2017)
It comes at night
Trey Edward Shults’s “It Comes at Night” is a post-apocalyptic horror that explores the psychological toll of surviving in a world threatened by the unknown. Amid a world terrorized by an unnatural threat, A man has established order at home with his wife and son.
This delicate balance is tested when a desperate family arrives seeking shelter. Despite their best intentions, rising paranoia and distrust grow between the two families, unleashing something monstrous within him. He soon learns that safeguarding his family may take a heavy toll on his soul.
These are undoubtedly the best A24 horror movies that redefined the horror genre, bringing diversity and innovation, delving into complex themes of family, trauma, and loss. The filmmakers behind these films frequently push the boundaries of traditional horror. And present perspectives that captivate niche audiences and mass fanbases at the same time.
