3 legit scary horror movies to watch this week

We put out an open call in September for horror movie suggestions. It’s an offshoot of our Dear Polygon series, where we answer questions and give recs to readers like you. We were delighted to see that hundreds of people responded. We are happy to share this first entry.

If you’d like to get in on the fun, you can still fill out our recommendation request form.

Let’s dig in.

Dear Polygon

My favorite horror movie is the one that has some descent into madness, to be completely truthful. So I’m looking for stuff like that! People going crazy, […]Characters go through horrifying events and body horror as well as weird horror films in general. [with] maybe something to think about after it’s done. Send me your most bizarre ideas!

—Jupiter

Jupiter, I couldn’t agree more; there’s nothing better than a movie where someone completely loses it. In the spirit of that, I’ve picked out the king of all freak-out movies for you, one where no one comes out even remotely normal. —Austen Goslin

Possession (1981).

Metrograph Pictures

What’s it like?The husband of a woman who has abandoned her family begins following her. However, he soon realizes that there is a more bizarre explanation to her actions than he or we could have imagined.

It is what kind of horror? Possession starts louder and angrier than most divorce movies and only grows from there, plus it’s more bizarre than any of the rest.

Is it you? Possession is directed by Andrzej Żuławski, a Polish filmmaker and an absolute master of very messed-up love stories, and of people losing their minds over love (or something that looks kind of like love if you squint).

Who’s in it?These movie stars The Mouth of Madness’ Sam Neill in one of his earliest and best roles. Neill is paired with Isabelle Adjani who was awarded Best Actress at Cannes Film Festival 1981. Possession QuartetHe also appeared in films like The Tenant, Nosferatu, the VampyrePlease see the following: Diabolique.

It is how long? The movie’s 124 minutes, but is so packed that it still barely feels that long.

What are my options? Possession was unavailable for years until, in 2021, New York’s Metrograph theater helped restore a new version of the film. Metrograph’s streaming service is now the only place to watch the movie. Thankfully, at just $5 for a month of access, it’s basically the same price as renting a movie would be anyway.

Dear Polygon

It’s great when movies can create a scary atmosphere or a feeling of terror. Horror with a sense of supernatural or the extraordinary is my preference over those that are slasher/stalker films. While I am fairly familiar with American horror, my knowledge is limited to foreign horror.

–Joe

Joe, thanks for your detailed question and all the films you have already seen. This is the right pick, I believe. It’s a foreign horror movie that leans heavily into the fantastical and atmospheric elements, is light on the gorier tendencies of modern movies, and is an absolute classic. —Pete Volk

Eyes Without a Face (1960).

Image: Lux Compagnie Cinématographique de France

What’s it like? This is a tangled up fairy tale with many thorny plants. It’s a haunting story filled with moments of beauty and gorgeous production design (led by the unforgettable face mask worn by one of the lead characters). The narrative follows a surgeon who performs dark experiments to try and repair the damage he accidentally caused to his daughter’s face.

It is what kind of horror? Fantasy horror, with a considerable amount of gore for the period it was released (although milder by today’s standards). Expect many jacked-up faces.

Is it you? Georges Franju also produced the 1963 remake. Judex, directed and co-wrote the French-Italian production, based on Jean Redon’s novel. Franju, before this film was known primarily as a documentary filmmaker.

Franju was supported by an impressive cast of actors. Boileau and Narcejac, a prolific crime-writing team who also wrote the original material, co-wrote the screenplay. Vertigo), the movie was shot by cinematographer Eugen Schüfftan (who broke ground on Metropolis And later, was honored with an Academy Award. HustlerMaurice-Alexis Jarre composed the music for this score. He is best known for his collaboration with David Lean and an Oscar-winning score. Lawrence of Arabia

Who’s in it? Pierre Brasseur is Doctor Génessier, the tormented plastic surgeon. Édith Scob is his extremely lonely daughter Christiane, and she manages to deliver a stunning performance even with her face mostly contained behind a stiff mask. Scob later referenced this iconic role in her appearance in Leos Carax’s Holy Motors.

It is how long? A breezy 90 minutes.

What are my options? Without eyes, there is no face You can stream the video on HBO Max, the Criterion Channel and digital rentals or purchases at Apple or Amazon are available.

Dear Polygon

In horror, I like movies that challenge me or tap into my most deeply-held fears. I’d love to see a horror movie that does something new, such as: using innovative techniques in the cinematography, movies with weird genre-bending elements or twists, or bold, creative ideas that eschew convention!

—Charlie

Is there something more beautiful than a horror movie that hits exactly on a deeply held fear, maybe even one you didn’t know you had, and makes you feel at once like your soul has been stretched out of your chest and seen? Films like this one are bold and dramatic, yet they also have a horror element that is precise. —Zosha Millman

Possessor (2020).

Photo by Karimhussain/Sundance Film Festival

What’s it like?This alternate 2008 is where we see an assassin capable of supplanting the consciousnesses of others, and taking control of their bodies to execute her hit. And when a hit goes wrong, well — Possessor This is similar to the feeling you get when you see yourself in the mirror. After dissociating for several seconds, your memory and self-references are suddenly flooded and lost.

It is what kind of horror? Psychological horror with the type of unpredictable trippiness that never fails to surprise and which will not lose you. There’s sci-fi elements here too, but only to better probe into the inner workings of the blurry outlines of identity. I’m also obligated to tell you that this falls somewhere under the large umbrella of “body horror,” but to me less so in the gory sense, and more in the cleaving (and perverted rejoining) of consciousness from physical experience.

Is it you?It is not surprising that the last warning was given on the last question. Possessor was written and directed by Brandon Cronenberg, who follows in his dad (David Cronenberg)’s steps by making an astoundingly confident and provocative first feature.

Who’s in it? Mandy’s Andrea Riseborough stars as Tasya, the assassin in question, whose handler is played by one Jennifer Jason Leigh. Sean Bean and Christopher Abbott are both part of the high-tech assassinations.

It is how long? 104 minutes. They are only 104 minutes long. I find them to be surprisingly efficient. The movie can sprawl only when necessary to tell its story.

What are my options? Possessor It is streamable on Hulu and available for free with a Kanopy library card. The film is available digitally for rental and purchase through Amazon, Google Play, Apple TV, or Apple TV.