Horror has long been a popular genre for directors to make their debut in. Something about the DIY nature of horror films appeals to filmmakers who are trying to craft their first feature, with Academy Award winners such asPeter JacksonandGuillermo del Torostarting off in the genre. Recent years have seen more and more creatives begin their cinematic journey in horror, and it has often produced fantastic results.
RELATED:Directorial Debuts That Remain a Filmmaker’s Best Movie
Some of today’s biggest directors first arrived on the scene with a horror movie, such asRobert EggersandAri Aster. While some have decided to stick with the genre and release more horrifying follow-ups, others have strayed in an attempt to conquer other genres. Many of these debuts have won over critics, which is often hard for a horror movie to do, and have become beloved fan favorites.
‘Revenge’ (2017)
Available to stream on Shudder.
RevengestarsMatilda Lutzas Jen, who is enjoying a weekend away with her boyfriend. When his two friends arrive, one takes an uncomfortable liking to her, which results in a shocking act. After the three married men attack her and leave her for dead to cover up their crime, Jen begins hunting them down for retribution.
Hailing from France,Revengeis written and directed byCoralie Fargeat. Alongside Lutz’s performance,Revengewas praised for its screenplay and direction, as Fargeat creates unique imagery as Jen undertakes her warrior’s journey through the desert. It makes for one of thebest female-directed horror films.
‘Raw’ (2016)
Available to stream on Netflix.
Another horror debut from France,Rawfollows Justine (Garance Marillier), a vegetarian who has just arrived at veterinary school. After a hazing ritual forces her to eat raw meat, Justine develops a strange craving for it. However, animal meat will not do, and soon Justine begins to crave human flesh inthis cannibal horror story.
Rawproved to be an indie darling and all eyes were on writer-directorJulia Ducournauto see what she would do next. She followedRawup withTitane, another body horror film that was equally acclaimed. Ducournau’s tendency to shine an uncomfortable light on the human body makes her a unique talent to watch in the genre.
‘We Are Still Here’ (2015)
Available to stream on Prime Video, Peacock and Tubi.
Set in 1979,We Are Still HerestarsBarbara CramptonandAndrew Sensenigas Anne and Paul, a pair of grieving parents. After losing their son Bobby in a car crash, the couple moves to a remote house in New England. While there they are visited by spirits, not of their son, but of something sinister.
Ted Geogheganhas a lot of credits in the horror genre, mostly working as a screenwriter before making his directorial debut withWe Are Still Here. His only other directing credit so far is forMohawk, a survival-thriller about a Native American woman battling to survive against American soldiers in 1812.
‘Housebound’ (2014)
Available to stream on Shudder and Tubi.
Afantastic horror-comedyfrom New Zealand,Houseboundfollows Kylie (Morgana O’Reilly), a thief who is arrested and forced to live with her estranged mother under house arrest. While there, Kylie and her family begin to experience strange events, leading them to believe that their home may be haunted.
Gerard Johnstonedelivers both tight direction and a genuinely funny script with his debut. After an eight-year hiatus, Johnstone is finally back withM3gan, the killer doll movie that has earned rave reviews. Hopefully, we do not have to wait as long for the talented filmmaker’s third feature.
‘A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night’ (2014)
Available to stream on Tubi.
One of the past decade’s most visually striking horror movies,A Girl Walks Home Alone At Nighttells the tale of a female vampire who skateboards around an Iranian town and feeds on men who disrespect women. One night she encounters a kind teenage boy, and the pair begin to connect.
Ana Lily Amirpourreceived acclaim for her unique vampire film, with praise given to itsblack-and-white visual paletteand its focus on underrepresented areas in the horror genre. While her follow-upThe Bad Batchwas not as well-received, her latest filmMona Lisa and the Blood Moonlooks to deliver another visually dazzling fantasy.
‘The Loved Ones’ (2009)
Available to rent on Apple iTunes, Amazon Video and Google Play Movies.
One of the highest-rated horror movies from Australia,The Loved Onessets out to create the worst school dance in history. When the seemingly shy Lola (Robin McLeavy) kidnaps her crush Brent (Xavier Samuel), the girl and her father hold him hostage and subject him to a night of power drills, knives and prom photos.
The arrival ofThe Loved Onesfrom first-time filmmakerSean Byrnemarked him as a talent to watch in the horror scene, but unfortunately, it took six years for his next movie, 2015’sThe Devil’s Candy, to release. He has yet to release anything since then, so hopefully, his next project will arrive sooner rather than later.
‘The Babadook’ (2014)
Another beloved film from down under,The Babadookis a horror movie invested in its characters as it explores themes such as grief through the veil of aterrifying monster movie. When the creature from his storybook comes to life, young Samuel (Noah Wiseman) and his mother Amelia (Essie Davis) attempt to get it out of their house.
The Babadookseemingly became an overnight sensation as the movie made an impact worldwide. The film was a passion project forJennifer Kentand all of her hard work was justified by the movie’s success. Her latest film,The Nightingale, is a confronting thriller based on the violence that occurred in Australia’s past.
‘Get Out’ (2017)
Available to stream on FXNow.
Perhaps the most high-profile horror debut this century,Get Outquickly became a phenomenon at release. When the Black protagonist Chris (Daniel Kaluuya)travels with his white girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) to meet her family, he quickly finds himself feeling out of place in their community as something sinister lurks beneath.
Jordan Peelewas best known as one half of the comedic duoKey & Peele, so it raised some eyebrows when his first film was revealed to be a horror project. Peele proved himself to be a champion of the genre, however, as he went on to win an Oscar for his screenplay whilefollowingGet Outwith two other well-received horror moviesinUsandNope.
‘Under the Shadow’ (2016)
Set in Iran during the 1980s,Under the Shadowfollows Shideh (Narges Rashidi) and her young daughter as they live together in an apartment building. When an unexploded missile crashes through their roof and remains there, Shideh begins to suspect their home is haunted by evil spirits as her daughter exhibits strange behavior.
Iranian filmmakerBabak Anvarimade his debut withUnder the Shadow, andit swiftly received critical acclaim from both horror fans and critics. While his next two films,WoundsandI Came By, failed to reach the heights of his debut,Anvari is currently attached to directthe nextCloverfieldmovie, which will likely produce great results.
‘His House’ (2020)
Fleeing from their home in war-ravaged Sudan, refugee couple Bol (Sope Dirisu) and Rial (Wunmi Mosaku) attempt to settle down in the run-down house provided to them by the UK government. As they struggle to fit into their new neighborhood, the couple begin to suspect that an evil spirit is living within the walls of their new home.
His Houseis an outstanding debut for writer-directorRemi Weekes. It was praised for its gripping atmosphere along with shining a light on the refugee crisis that engulfs the world. Film fans everywhere are eager to see what the talented Weekes will do next.
