As we are hooked on different horror and thriller movies, it gives that tingling feeling to our nape down to our soles.
Movies drawn metaphorically from the alter ego and taking inspiration from reality give the most chills in everyone. Beginning with The Exorcist, Conjuring, The Chainsaw Massacre, and The Girl Next Door are some famous hits on the big screen.
Who doesn’t like Lupita Nyong’o? She is the Best Actress in the New York Film Critics Circle award for the movie Us in 2019 and is known for her portrayal of Nakia in the Black Panther (2018).
In the story Us, the family uncovers the truth behind doppelgangers that are watching and ready to kill the family. There’s no stopping until they find you. But have you seen any movies that caught your attention after watching Adelaide Wilson sweep those beneath the surface?
Here are the 13 best movies like ‘Us’ that will make you gasp. you gasp.
1. Ma (2019)
English 1h 39m IMDb
Director: Tate Taylor
Stars: Octavia Spencer, Diana Silvers, Juliette Lewis
As teenagers, we like to go wild and have fun, where you can party like rock stars. Drinking, kissing, cursing, and enjoying life – the rebel moments of the teenage years.
Ma is the story of a middle-aged woman who’s eyeing the teenagers that are partying in her basement after she invites them. Ma slowly attaches herself to these people, but it brings unexpected mayhem.
This movie is more of a psychological thriller that gives the audience that strange sensation of being scared. The story moves forward as it captivates the different aspects of each character without being cliff hanged, which leads to questions.
We can say that sound effects or music and realistically looking make-up and props play a crucial role in giving the thrilling stir.
Is the mantra “rules are meant to be broken” intended to be shattered? Or is it we who are going to be crushed?
2. The Call (2020)
Korean 1h 52m IMDb
Director: Chung-Hyun Lee
Stars: Park Shin-Hye, Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Sung-ryung
The South Korean movie outlines two parallel worlds, connecting them using a walkie-talkie. A mystery and thriller: Have you ever received a call that suddenly brings you to this rollercoaster ride of agitation?
The South Korean movie The Call makes noise in its premier by having the biggest name in the industry, starring Park Shin-Hye, the lead actress that portrays the role of Seo-yon. It outlines two parallel worlds, connecting them using a walkie-talkie.
A mystery revolves around the past and present places where two women are changing the course of existence. Even though the film is sci-fi, there is a sense that this is a real-world event that is taking place.
The movie leaves the audience with theories and conclusions about what will happen at the end of the finale. The filming location and set-up had an impact on the overall set design.
3. Split (2016)
English 1h 57m IMDb
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Stars: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Haley Lu Richardson
A power that surges from within seems like a paradox to others. Does it ever come across to your mind the questions, “What am I? Who am I?”. Asking oneself while looking at the mirror or talking to yourself alone is not that sane when answered by many.
Split is a psychological thriller film with the lead actor James McAvoy. Many other international celebrities praised his performance by depicting Kevin with 24 different personalities.
The film was one of the well-known real-life cases of Billy Milligan, that was clinically diagnosed with multiple personality disorder. The film was a sequel and crossover from the Unbreakable (2002) and Glass (2019) that M. Night Shyamalan also directed.
The story makes it stands out, and just like the title of the first film title, the sequel is unbreakable if we could just split ourselves into three to watch it simultaneously.
4. Memoir of the Murderer (2017)
Korean 1h 58m IMDb
Director: Shin-yeon Won
Stars: Sol Kyung-gu, Nam-gil Kim, Seol-Hyun Kim
The story is about a character who will do anything to ensure their child’s safety.
It’s difficult for us to forget things, but knowing that you start to lose them due to illness is challenging to accept. The film revolved around crimes and thrilled with plots that you might close or cover your eyes in anticipation of what will happen next.
The Memoir of the Murderer is based on author Kim Young-ha’s bestselling fiction book Diary of a Murderer, published in 2013, and its film adaptation in 2017. Even after seeing the movie, many fans still hope for an English translation of the book because it piques their interest and makes them curious.
Its story gives an approach where you thought it was not very clear but realizes the film’s true nature. Where it’s intended to be that way as it gradually adds up and builds the story itself.
5. Don’t Breathe (2016)
English 1h 28m IMDb
Director: Fede Alvarez
Stars: Stephen Lang, Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette
Many would agree that having silence is the best place, yet what if the table turns where silence will keep you haunted and alive. The film revolves around a group of teens who wants to steal from a blind veteran. However, as they get caught, they discover a dark secret in the basement.
The box office film Don’t Breathe a colossal success worldwide, surpassing its budget by almost 16 times. This thriller, considered a horror movie, is a remake of Evil dead (2013), which will probably make you scream.
The cinematography has its way of focusing and aligning exquisite details that provides depth not just to the actor but to the set design as well. Due to the film’s popularity, its sequel, Don’t Breathe 2, was released in 2021.
Do you want to challenge yourself? Watch it and don’t make a noise.
6. Parasite (2019)
Korean 2h 12m IMDb
Director: Bong Joon Ho
Stars: Song Kang-ho, Sun-kyun Lee, Cho Yeo-jeong
We can’t get enough of the South Korean Films to Dramas as it starting to dominate the mainstream media.
The movie Parasite is a blockbuster that shakes individuals globally as it tackles societal issues that reflect the truth about poverty, hierarchical status, inequality, and deprivation through satire—the award-winning movie with 6 Oscar nominations and international recognition directed by Bong Joon Ho.
Two families live in Seoul with different backgrounds, where one strives for survival. The set locations highlight the distinction of social class and deliver different story interpretations to particular scenarios. Props and other critical aspects of the film showcase symbolism that emphasizes the narrative.
7. Hypnotic (2021)
English 1h 28m IMDb
Director: Matt AngelSuzanne Coote
Stars: Kate Siegel, Jason O’Mara, Dulé Hill
Seek help amidst chaos in our minds when anxiety spikes up, ceases to recover, but builds up to an uproar of events—hypnosis to ease the surge of emotions from Dr. Collin, as suggested by Jenn Thompson’s friend. The clock is ticking; lights are blinking, suddenly coming to an end where dreaming and reality are mixed up.
Hypnotic is a thriller film where the cinematography is more focused on the profiles of the characters and gives a complementing effect and color tone grading.
The cozy ambient style creates an atmosphere of wickedness and helplessness. This film is a good choice if you enjoy movies with a strong sense of justice and vengeance at their core.
8. The Purge (2013)
English 1h 25m IMDb
Director: James DeMonaco
Stars: Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Max Burkholder
The Purge is a film series that makes you think of morality. The sirens represent justice for most of us, but in this film, most people fear the sound of freedom. A real game of hiding and seek, or what most fans would call the survival of the fittest.
One of the biggest film franchises in the Hollywood industry, with five releases since its first screening, is The Purge film series. It revolves around violence and self-ruling of oneself or a group to celebrate independence, a span of twelve hours in which they may commit any crime.
Will killing be a way to freedom and safety? A film that lends itself well to prolonged viewing.
9. Escape Room (2019)
English 1h 39m IMDb
Director: Adam Robitel
Stars: Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, Jay Ellis
A psychological thriller film where finding clues is a key to escape or failure to do so will be a death in return.
However, if they succeed, there is a $10,000 waiting for them. This movie will not only show the strategies of the six individuals playing the game, but it will also encourage you to think of one if you are in that situation.
If you like gore, this movie will hit the spot. The flow of the story for the entire course of the movie is thrilling. The viewers appreciate that there is not much dead air in between. Even though the idea of the movie is not new or original, the puzzles and each player’s personality will excite you.
So, would you enter an escape room for $10,000?
10. Ready or Not (2019)
English 1h 35m IMDb
Director: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett
Stars: Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O’Brien
Dealing with the in-laws can sometimes be annoying as they have different judgments about you and scary since you have no idea how they will treat you.
Ready or Not shows a story about Grace, who marries a wealthy husband with a rich and brutal wedding tradition. Watch at the edge of your seat as she tries to survive her wedding night.
The crew of this movie did a great job at showing the contrast between before and after the wedding. The director knows how to build suspense while having little laughter as well. You might even relate to some of the situations in the movie metaphorically.
Hopefully, none of your in-laws or soon-to-be have these crazy traditions.
11. Orphan (2009)
English 1h 35m IMDb
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Stars: Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard, Isabelle Fuhrman
Having a child is rewarding and losing one is tragic. Sometimes, he finds it hard to move on and will try to cope in different ways, like adapting.
The Colemans fell in love with a child named Esther, which they thought was very well-mannered and intelligent. Will this kid rebuild the family they once had, or will it damage furthermore?
What’s interesting while watching the movie is that the viewers already know what is happening. What they are watching is how the other characters will act upon it.
Some reviewers agree that this movie might be one of the best-twisted stories involving a child. The film crew did an excellent job of making an outstanding actress eerie.
There are also different endings available to watch. Watch all of them to decide which conclusion is the best.
12. It (2017)
English 2h 15m IMDb
Director: Andy Muschietti
Stars: Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Martell, Finn Wolfhard
One of the great novels of Stephen King that was made into a movie is It. Pennywise feeds on the fears of the children.
So, to defeat this horrific clown, the seven teens must conquer their anxiety to save their lives and of the other children as well. Even though they are young, their hearts are in sync, making them stronger than their enemy.
This film did justice to the original plot in the book. It opened the imagination of many readers. It also shows the background of the characters, even for the sequel. It gives viewers who have not read the book an idea of why these kids are invested in defeating the clown. The history also deepens the relationship of the main characters.
If you have a faint heart, don’t worry, there are not many jump scares in the movie. Instead, they will build a dark atmosphere that will send you chills.
13. Get Out (2017)
English 1h 44m IMDb
Director: Jordan Peele
Stars: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford
Just like the movie Us, Get Out presents a thriller or horror that features a black American trying to escape from the horrors that come after them.
Chris spent a vacation meeting the parents of his girlfriend. He wasn’t expecting a warm welcome from the family, but the feeling did not last long as he discovered the town’s strange behavior.
There are only a few American horror films that show the perspective of a black person. Even though the generations accept different races, the movie reminds the people that not everyone treats others the same.
The writer did a great job at making a film that scares people about what’s happening in the movie and the real world.
Summary
The best thing about horror films is that they can have different presenting styles and still make you uneasy. A movie doesn’t need jump scares to scare the viewers. If you like Us, you will love these 13 best movies like ‘Us’ as well.