I have come to 2 conclusions after going through all the horror films that I watched this year. 1) This was a damn fine year for horror. 2) I need to watch waaaaaaay more current stuff. I might actually have to do *gasp* research on what good Indies are available! But that’s for the future. Here is my list of top 10 horror films that I personally saw in 2019. If your favorite isn’t on here, I probably didn’t see it. OR I did and am pretending I didn’t so as to avoid any awkwardness. Let’s get started!

10. Horror Noire

Summary: Horror Noire is a documentary that provides a detailed account, and analysis, of black horror and features experts, footage from important films, and interviews with icons of black horror.

Okay, okay, fine. This isn’t technically a horror movie. But I am including this for 2 reasons: 1) This is my list and I’ll do what I want and 2) I learned so much about horror films featuring, made for, and made by black people and I want to talk about this movie whenever I can so more people can see it. This doc covers so much ground and includes insightful interviews with many of the icons of black horror discussed in it, it’s just so worth watching that even casual fans of the horror genre could find this an engaging watch.

9. Zombieland 2: Double Tap

Full review: https://scaredsloth.com/zombieland-double-tap/

Summary: Join the gang as they reunite to kill lots of zombies and have a fun road trip through a decaying America! Also there are new characters! Also I actually liked this one!

I admit it, we are stretching a little bit to include this on any ‘Best Of’ list. But I had a great time with this flick! Zombies are so played out that it almost feels retro to see a zombie movie not have some kind of twist or play on the genre. Yes, it’s a little too close to the original some times and not all the jokes are winners, but there’s more emotional involvement here and I was almost always engaged and ‘with’ whatever was happening on screen. And the mid-credits scene is just gold. In many ways I think it is superior to the original.

8. Us

Summary: A family’s vacation is interrupted by a bizarre home invasion – one performed by people who look shockingly identical to the family themselves.

I had problems with Us. The second half veers off course and many many questions are raised as to the logic and coherence of the plot as well as that very memorable ending. That ending is…not my favorite. That having been said, I loved the first half, love the look of the film, the incredibly unique setup, the hypnotic performance from Lupita Nyong’o and the audacity that director Jordan Peele had to try something really out there for his second film. Even though it didn’t always work for me, nothing but respect for this solid horror film.

7. Ready Or Not

Summary: On the night of her wedding, a young woman partakes in an old money family’s bizarre game ritual. As the game commences, she realizes the stakes are much higher than she thought.

What an awesome ride this was! An action horror-comedy with a brisk pace and probably the best ending of any movie on this list, Ready Or Not is an insanely fun take on a killer game of hide and seek. Full of memorable colorful characters, Ready or Not has exactly the kind of manic energy that I want to see more of in horror genre hybrids. Really looking forward to seeing more from Samara Weaving!

6. Depraved

Summary: After a young man is tragically murdered, a scientist with a loose understanding of the hypocratic oath begins a process to bring him back to life.

I was stunned by how much I loved this adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. This updates the story exactly how it should be updated while keeping the core concepts intact. Especially impressive given its low budget. Just goes to show good writing, a talented cast, and clever filmmaking are all you need to make a great movie.

5. Crawl

Summary: While a monstrous storm strikes Florida, a young woman rushes to her family home to save her missing father from whatever may have happened to him. But she too gets caught between the storm and the wildlife.

A stripped down creature feature that reminds us all what fun and grisly times can be had with simple premises and good monster effects. Crawl gives us characters that we immediately understand and root for set against the backdrop of a world gone mad. Sometimes the gore gets a little silly but that only enhances the grindhouse feel. It’s simple, sure, and more than a little corny, but I love how well this goofy premise was executed. And for bonus points, Crawl had a great trailer.

4. Midsommar

Summary: With their relationship on the rocks, a young couple takes a month-long trip to a mysterious commune. While they’re there, things of a not good nature happen.

Ari Aster’s visually stunning follow-up to my favorite film of last year, Hereditary. Is this as good as Hereditary? No. Is this still a great horror film? Yes. I’m always up for horror movies where one or more character is powerfully sobbing throughout the film and that is shockingly not a joke, as Florence Pugh’s performance powerfully resonates, adding layers and layers of tragedy to all the shocking and terrible things that befall our heroes. Also I love William Jackson Harper and I demand he be cast in more horror films.

3. Parasite

Full review: https://scaredsloth.com/parasite-2019/

Summary: A poor family in Korea figures to a way to make some easy (okay pretty difficult) money off an obscenely wealthy family. Everything goes according to plan! And then it doesn’t.

Masterful social satire of Korean class system that effortlessly glides between comedy and terror, Parasite may be more horror adjacent than pure horror, but the tension is world class and I never knew exactly what would happen next. There are mountains of subtext and satire here but the core messages about the haves and the have-nots are easily understandable and easier to apply to any number of societies. There are many instances of visceral horror present in Parasite, but the most lasting scary moments are about just how accurate much of its portrayals of real life are.

2. One Cut Of The Dead

Summary: A deranged director shoots a zombie film at an abandoned warehouse. His actors may have bitten off more than they can chew when they learn the director’s temper isn’t the only dangerous thing there.

Wow. Just wow. If I hadn’t seen #1 then this would 100% be my movie of the year. I love this movie and have seen it at least 3 times already, with my plan being to show it to everyone I know. Seriously, go to Shudder right now and start a free trial just so you can watch this movie…but then keep that subscription because there’s so much good stuff on there. No spoilers because there is a ton going on here, but if you love movies then I am sure you will love One Cut of the Dead.

1. The Lighthouse

Full review: https://scaredsloth.com/the-lighthouse/

Summary: An old lighthouse keeper and young lighthouse keeper go to an island to keep a lighthouse. They both go delightfully insane.

Gorgeous, intensely acted, and with a beautiful sense of dread, there isn’t any other movie I could have chosen to be my horror film of the year. I don’t want to overstate how much I believe The Lighthouse to be a masterpiece but it’s hard for me not to get excited when I talk about it! I believe it is out on VOD now so please do yourself a favor and take a dip into this nautical hellscape.