10 Underrated Horror Movies to Watch This Halloween

By  Nicholas Brooks

The Old Ways for horror movies collage for Remezcla

Art by Stephany Torres

The Halloween season is the perfect excuse to visit fun, spooky events and, for many, to dive into the horror genre and find new and exciting ways to terrify. However, with so many hits and classics that exist and so many more coming out, there are more than a few underrated horror movies that slip through the cracks like The Old Ways or The Wretched.

Whether part of a major genre that didn’t get as much love as it deserves or an independent film that deserved a theatrical release in the U.S., we’ve put together a list of underrated movies you should check out this Halloween and beyond. For this list we went with a blend of horror movies from Latin America, some from the U.S. that have Latine directors, and some that are just terrifying watches you should check out!

1

La Casa Muda (2010)

La Casa Muda (The Silent House) is a unique horror film directed by Gustavo Hernández and starring Florencia Colucci that’s told in one continuous take. The story follows a mother and father who move into a new house only to find it a hub of terror and bloody chaos that culminates in a genre shift no one could see coming.

One-take films and even scenes in movies and TV are rare but always exciting to see. In La Casa Muda, it’s used expertly by building tension and raising the stakes as the main character uncovers an uncomfortable truth, making it a great way to raise the heart rate. In addition, in 2011, Elizabeth Olsen starred in a remake titled Silent House. La Casa Muda is streaming on AMC+.

2

The Ritual (2017)

Based on the novel by Adam Neville, The Ritual follows a group of friends honoring a friend who was tragically killed by taking a hiking trip. After one of them was injured, they decided to cut through a dark forest only to discover a dark secret brought to life by a dark ritual.

The Ritual is equal parts psychological horror, supernatural cult and creature feature. But at its core, it’s a story of grief and bravery that fuels the terror and makes the outlandish story all the more real and grounded. The Ritual is streaming on Netlfix.

3

La Llorona (2019)

The Mexican legend of La Llorona is one of the scariest and most iconic myths ever, but 2019’s La Llorona takes the classic story and twists it in a new direction. From Guatemalan director Jayro Bustamante, the film follows the repercussions of a Mayan Genocide by former dictator Enrique Monteverde. As tensions rise, a new maid named Alma appears, and strange events featuring water and the spirits of the past follow her.

La Llorona came out in the same year as Blumhouse’s The Curse of La Llorona but manages to stand on its own as a more haunting exploration of the legend. What results is a story that deserves more attention but stands the test of time thanks to genuine scares and a powerful message. La Llorona is streaming on the Roku Channel.

4

The Wretched (2019)

2019’s The Wretched is equal parts supernatural and folk horror as it explores a young man uncovering the mystery surrounding his neighbors, specifically the mother. Though she appears normal, there is more sinister things to her than meets the eye, only for the truth to be more horrifying than anyone expected.

Though The Wretched may be more recent, it features some classic ideas in how it executes its story, blending the likes of The Goonies and Fright Night. What results is a spooky story that’s both a great gateway for horror fans but also something more seasoned veterans should explore. The Wretched is streaming on Sling.

5

The Devil’s Backbone (2001)

Guillermo del Toro has influenced many directors and is best known for movies like Hellboy and Pan’s Labyrinth. But the beloved Mexican director cut his teeth with films like Cronos, Mimic, and The Devil’s Backbone. The latter is one of his most poignant as a ghost story following a young orphan as he uncovers a mystery led by the spirit of a child named Santi.

Del Toro has always had a knack for using the concept of horror and scares to tell a story and help audiences overcome the fears he’s created. The Devil’s Backbone may be the best example of this, as it shows that while ghosts can be scary, they are just a sad story that needs to be told or a secret that must come out. Though people may not recognize The Devil’s Backbone, it’s one of del Toro’s best. The Devil’s Backbone is streaming on Peacock.

6

Antlers (2021)

Many movies that explore the legend of the wendigo rarely lean in on its monstrous roots, often using metaphor to explore human depravity, but Antlers goes all in. The story follows a teacher who tries to help one of her students after he appears to act strangely; what results is a harrowing monster story with relatable stakes.

Antlers features impressive effects and offers up some violent scenes that are sure to please long-time monster movie fans. Sadly, being that it was released following the COVID-19 pandemic, it failed to get a strong following even if it deserves all the attention. Antlers is streaming on Paramount+.

7

Aterrados (2017)

Lately, Demián Rugna has become known for his impressive horror film, When Evil Lurks, and with good reason. However, before that, Aterrados (Terrified) marked him taking a stab at the classic haunted house story. But rather than make a tale of things that go bump in the night, Aterrados is a bloody story of a violently haunted house with spirits who aren’t afraid to add more souls to their ranks. 

Aterrados isn’t for the faint of heart and may be even more terrifying than When Evil Lurks, as it forces audiences to face their mortality in a grim way. But without the fanfare of When Evil Lurks, Aterrados is often discovered by the curious or those looking for a good fright. Aterrados is streaming on Shudder.

8

You Are Not My Mother (2021)

There’s nothing more terrifying than a stranger in a person’s home wearing the face of a loved one, and You Are Not My Mother is a prime example of this. The movie follows a young girl who, after her mother returns after disappearing, acts strangely to the point that it’s unclear if it’s really her.

You Are Not My Mother is a prime example of how Irish horror can work well by embracing its folklore and also telling a powerful story about a mother and daughter. The best part is that it doesn’t shy away from solid jumpscares or classic creature feature tropes, making it a little-known entry in the genre but a standout nonetheless. You Are Not My Mother is streaming on Hulu.

9

The Old Ways (2020)

The Old Ways follows a unique take on the possession drama, moving away from traditional religion to offer a look at other practices. The film stars Brigitte Kali Canales as a young woman who encounters a Nahua bruja who claims she is possessed and must undergo an exorcism.

The Old Ways is unlike any similar movie in the genre and is incredible in how it captures how the unknown, in this case, Brujería, can appear scary while also being incredibly helpful. It’s a great movie to watch for anyone expecting the unexpected. The Old Ways is streaming on Netflix.

10

Evil Dead

The Evil Dead franchise is one of the most impressive horror series ever, but it still has a black sheep in the series with director Fede Álvarez’s Evil Dead. The 2013 film brings the franchise to its roots by taking a group of college students to a cabin in the woods only to unleash a horde of demonic spirits.

Evil Dead has all the blood and chaos that the original series is known for but features an even more heartfelt story that makes the terror more believable, minus the dark humor. Sadly, it’s confusion on whether the series was a remake or another entry in the franchise made it hard for audiences to connect; especially when Evil Dead Rise was released to such acclaim in 2023. Evil Dead is available for rent.

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