# Best Psychological Horror Movie? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 13, 2004, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961 "2004-02-13T01:56:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tentacle\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba9def/32.png) [@Tentacle\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tentacle_Monster)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/1 "2004-02-13T01:56:21Z")
I like scary movies. However, I’m picky about them. I was dragged to see Scream 2 at the theatre and the only time I was scared in the entire movie was after the car crash and the heroine (?) was reaching over the ScreamGuy™’s mask for some reason. A guy two rows up yelled “BAM!!” Scared the crap out of me. Movies like the Scream series, the Friday the 13th series, etc. do nothing for me. The gore just grosses me out, and the only things you’re wondering about are “who’s killing these people?” and “who’s going to die next?” The “why” is by and large either explained in the prologue or just explained away as “he/she’s just a psycho killer”. Not to mention the fact that, inevitably, my favorite character gets killed. Now, _psychological_ horror I like. Jacob’s Ladder got under my skin, even though I already got spoiled on the (very) ending. The Ring is the scariest PG-13 movie I’ve ever seen, and I’d love to see the original Ringu, because apparently it had even LESS gore than the American remake. In the Mouth of Madness was pretty good, too. Any suggestions? I pick up the odd Fangoria, but that and most horror fansites seem fixated on the gore-fests. ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/2 "2004-02-13T02:12:07Z")
I know just where you’re coming from. I recommend: 1. The Others (Nicole Kidman) 2. Village of the Damned (original b&w version) 3. Suspiria (some gore, but very creepy) 4. Blair Witch Project (I found it scary, many didn’t) 5. Sorry, Wrong Number There really aren’t that damn many good ones. If I think of any more, I’ll repost. The director of the original Ringu also has a movie called Pulse which was recommended very highly to me, but I haven’t seen it yet. ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/3 "2004-02-13T02:46:55Z")
_Jacob’s Ladder_ is a great example… here’s a couple others: _Session 9_ is one of the most atmospheric and effective all-out horror films I’ve seen in some time. It disturbed me so much that I honestly don’t want to see it again. _Rosemary’s Baby_ is also exceptional in this regard. The original 1950’s version of _The Haunting_ is one of the films I base good horror movies on these days. The new version is complete bunk… a special-effects extravaganza that completely fails to be scary. The original, however, is a model for how good creepy movies should be made. ---
**Author:** ![Julius\_Henry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8797f3/32.png) [@Julius\_Henry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Julius_Henry)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/4 "2004-02-13T02:54:41Z")
**Gaslight** (1944) may be the granddaddy of all the psychological thrillers. And, yes, that young woman playing the maid is indeed Angela Lansbury. ---
**Author:** ![Cabbage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@Cabbage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabbage)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/5 "2004-02-13T03:00:14Z")
[Val Lewton](http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0507932/) produced several great atmospheric horror movies back in the 40’s, most notably _Cat People_, but all of them are worth checking out. Another must see is 1945’s [Dead of Night](http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0037635/). ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/6 "2004-02-13T03:15:37Z")
While not really a horror movie… **Wait until Dark** is chilling. ---
**Author:** ![Nanook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nanook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanook)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/7 "2004-02-13T03:27:30Z")
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? Period. ---
**Author:** ![mrunlucky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7993a0/32.png) [@mrunlucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrunlucky)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/8 "2004-02-13T06:46:01Z")
_The Innocents_, which is based on Henry James’ “The Turn of the Screw”. Great cinematography too. _The Blair Witch Project_. _The Last Broadcast_, similar in nature to _BWP_ though made beforehand. _Wendigo_. A number of Polanski films: _Repulsion, The Tenant, Rosemary’s Baby_. _Seconds_ directed by John Frankenheimer, starring Rock Hudson. _Sisters_ by Brian De Palma. Some bloodiness. Movies by the aforementioned Val Lewton. _Possession_ by Andrzej Zulawski. Be certain you get the Anchor Bay reissue which has the restored version. ---
**Author:** ![sciguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@sciguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciguy)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/9 "2004-02-13T06:56:15Z")
This may be off base for what you’re looking for, and will probably get me laughed at. **Event Horizon** freaked the crap out of me. It wasn’t the gore (which Hellraiser did better anyway), and I can’t even remember what set it off, but after going to see I had to find some friends to hang out with. I just couldn’t handle hanging around the house alone. You may now point and giggle. ---
**Author:** ![Darkhold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@Darkhold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darkhold)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/10 "2004-02-13T08:59:09Z")
**Shadows Of the Vampire** not frightening just…disturbing. I have to give major props to any movie that creeps me out. **Evil Dead** Yes I know it’s gory as hell. But I think people that focus on that miss the true genius of this movie. The demons aren’t really trying to kill anyone. They’re trying to scare and hurt them as much as they can. That is what truly scares me about this movie. (the scene where his girlfriend just sits there and laughs at him is just excellent) If you don’t mind some not _quite_ horror movies with a good psychological angle. **Identity, Dark City,** and **Donnie Darko** are all very excellent. ---
**Author:** ![Darkhold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@Darkhold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darkhold)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/11 "2004-02-13T09:01:14Z")
> [@sciguy](#): > > You may now point and giggle. It may not have been my favorite movie but I can see why you’d claim it has psychological angles. No giggling here. (though that maybe not the best comfort that came from someone that posted Evil Dead) ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Purl_McKnittington)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/12 "2004-02-13T09:18:54Z")
I have to second The Others. Nicole Kidman is one of my least favorite actresses (She’s so pointy! And her forehead keeps growing. It’s quite odd.), but The Others was one of the first movies I saw in a long time that completely freaked me out. It actually gave me weird dreams – not quite nightmares, but spooky in themselves. The Sixth Sense isn’t a horror movie, per se, but it is way heavy on the suspense and has moments where I could feel the muscles in my shoulders clenching. I was going to recommend Stir of Echoes (starring Kevin Bacon!), but then I remembered that the only horror I experienced while watching it was the mind-numbing wonder that coursed through me when I realized I was going to watch it to the end, no matter how bad it was. ---
**Author:** ![lonelocust](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/73ab20/32.png) [@lonelocust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lonelocust)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/13 "2004-02-13T12:55:15Z")
If you don’t mind subtitles I would suggest **Audition**. [\*\*Audition{/B]]([http://www.austinchronicle.com/gbase/Calendar/Film?Film=141560](http://www.austinchronicle.com/gbase/Calendar/Film?Film=141560)) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/14 "2004-02-13T13:38:57Z")
Another vote for **The Tenant**. Especially if you’ve seen **Rosemary’s Baby** (Polansky assumes you have, and the two compliment each other in very surprising ways). ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/15 "2004-02-13T13:48:24Z")
> [@sciguy](#): > > This may be off base for what you’re looking for, and will probably get me laughed at. > > **Event Horizon** freaked the crap out of me. It wasn’t the gore (which Hellraiser did better anyway), and I can’t even remember what set it off, but after going to see I had to find some friends to hang out with. I just couldn’t handle hanging around the house alone. > > You may now point and giggle. Ha ha! [/Nelson] _Event Horizon_ was one of the silliest movies I ever sat through. Maybe it’s because I was expecting sci-fi and it was really just a bloody slash film set in space, with no real plausibility. The only interesting thing was that Steven Tyler and Joe Perry were in the audience (we were at a matinee in Norwood, Ohio with about 25 people in the theater). What the heck they were doing there was about as mysterious as what the writer was smoking when he wrote the screenplay. Maybe it’s the prequel to the Matrix and it’s what woke Morpheus up to the “real world”. As for pyschological horror movies, I’ll second _Sixth Sense_ and add _Ghost Story_, which was based on a Peter Straub novel IIRC. It’s been a while so I don’t really remember it, but it was pretty eerie back when I was a kid. Also, although it seems a bit corny now, _Poltergeist_ was pretty freaky when it first came out. ---
**Author:** ![Jane\_D\_oh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/839c29/32.png) [@Jane\_D\_oh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jane_D_oh)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/16 "2004-02-13T14:14:45Z")
[May](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303361/) Really great. Some of the best character development in a movie ever. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/17 "2004-02-13T14:36:15Z")
Although it is balanced with true creepiness, The Shining is one of the greatest psychological horror flicks ever. The way the insanity builds in Jack Nicholson is terrifying. I love/hate that kind of movie. It keeps playing in my head over and over and over…even in my sleep. ---
**Author:** ![N.Sane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f19dbf/32.png) [@N.Sane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N.Sane)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/18 "2004-02-13T15:07:41Z")
_Blair Witch Project_ scared the pee out of me and my nephew when we saw it at the theatre. My husband, who didn’t go with us, was highly amused at the fact that Danny and I both sat up all night with the lights on, and didn’t go to sleep until dawn. Some years later, I bought a used video of the movie for a buck, and put it in. I laughed my butt off until it got so irritating that it wasn’t funny anymore. Not a bit of scare. I wonder if it’s the kind of movie that’s only scary once. _The Haunting_, on the other hand, continues to scare the pee out of me. And yes, I’m a philistine who’s referring to the modern version that has absolutely nothing to do with Shirley Jackson’s outstanding book. I saw it three times in the theatres (with different people), and I’m ashamed to report that I yelped each time at the same place. :eek: Yes, even when I knew it was coming. And I got the movie and watched it at home, and to my surprise found it was even scarier at home. I wonder if my affection for this movie has anything to do with the nights I spent as a child, too scared of the monsters under my bed to go to sleep, and had nightmares about being buried alive by the Seven Dwarfs. _The Others_ was good the first time I saw it, although I did figure out the twist very early on. _The Sixth Sense_ is one that I still enjoy. Even though I’ve seen it multiple times, I still am moved by the intense emotions of the “dead people” seen by Haley Joel Osment’s character. I do love a good suspenseful scary movie that has nothing to do with dismembered bodies and blood and gore. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/19 "2004-02-13T15:32:18Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by N. Sane_ The Haunting, on the other hand, continues to scare the pee out of me. And yes, I’m a philistine who’s referring to the modern version that has absolutely nothing to do with Shirley Jackson’s outstanding book. I don’t see a whole lot of movies, I’ll admit, but this one to me is the current holder of the title Worst. Movie. Ever. Nice sets, though. **Kalhoun** , have you ever seen the TV miniseries version of The Shining? I thought it was surprisingly good, and much truer to the book. ---
**Author:** ![Darkhold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@Darkhold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darkhold)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961/20 "2004-02-13T18:48:54Z")
> [@](#): > > May > > Really great. Some of the best character development in a movie ever. Yeah but the death scenes are so cheesy it ruined it for me. It’s weird that the best scenes (walking around with a cooler and bloody hands just was disturbing looking) were next to the worst scenes (anytime someone dies) :rolleyes: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-psychological-horror-movie/228961.md?page=2)