10 Great 2024 Horror Movies You Probably Missed

10. Starve Acre

Based on the 2019 novel of the same name, Daniel Kokotaljo's sophomore effort is an understated, chilling venture that works due to its exploration of grief and rebirth underscoring its subtle but effective frights.

Like its literary source of inspiration, the plot follows archeologist and university lecturer Richard (Matt Smith) and his wife Jules (Morfydd Clark) as they mourn the loss of their son Owen (Arthur Shaw). Before his passing, Owen claimed to hear mysterious whistling from an oak tree near the family's home, and once Richard begins to uncover its secrets, as well of those surrounding his abusive father, the bereaved couple is thrust into a deeply unnerving world of disturbing Yorkshire folklore.

The film adaptation adds new complexities to how Richard and Jules begin to embrace the supernatural happenings around them, and this slight change succeeds due to its central performances and relentlessly disconcerting tone. In particular, the latter eases viewers into the actions the couple takes in order to cope with their grief, and while the ending is incredibly upsetting, it feels like the logical conclusion to the built-up lore and relationship dynamics established earlier on in the film.