10 Best Horror Movie Opening Scenes Of The 2020s (So Far)

10. Oddity

Although Oddity explores psychic powers and other otherworldly elements, the introduction deals with a more grounded but equally terrifying scenario: a home invasion.

A young woman, Dani, hears a knock at her front door and peers through the peephole to find a one-eyed stranger called Olin. When he orders her to open the door, Dani naturally refuses, believing the potential intruder wishes her harm. But according to Olin, somebody has already infiltrated Dani's house. In that moment, Dani doesn't know whether putting her trust into this stranger will be her salvation or her undoing.

It's a very simple but palpable scene, due to the haunting premise, eerie atmosphere, and tense performances. Though it can be annoying when a character in a horror movie doesn't take a threat seriously, Dani comes across as realistically cautious rather than foolish. Olin seems sincere, but his unusual appearance and erratic manner make Dani justifiably wary.

As petrifying as a home invasion is, not knowing whether the threat is real can be more frightening, since Dani could be put in more danger if she leaves. It isn't revealed until much later whether Olin was telling the truth, intensifying the tension exponentially.