6. Berberian Sound Studio
Another horror that will have missed the eyes of many because it didn't get a wide, multiplex-friendly release, Berberian Sound Studio is the latest effort from Katalin Varga director Peter Strickland, and is one of the most diverting, blindingly original horror films in years, topped by a cracking turn from Toby Jones. Set in 1976, the narrative follows Gilderoy (Jones), a sound engineer for nature documentaries is invited to Italy to work on a new film, which to his surprise happens to be a gory horror. Under the guidance of crazed director Giancarlo Santini (Antonio Mancino), Gilderoy learns the ropes of horror sound design, a vicariously enjoyable experience for horror fans everywhere, given how faultless and diverse this film's sound design is. Slowly Gilderoy begins to lose his grip on reality, and though not scary in the strict sense we assume a typical horror film to be, Berberian Sound Studio is a thrilling tribute to horror films everywhere, specifically the Italian Giallo films of the period. Horror fans will giggle to themselves as they spot the film's countless references to those sorts of works, though at the same time it is sure to be inaccessible to those more familiar with studio-friendly thrills. It's best lumped in with David Lynch's Mulholland Drive; if you enjoy that film's sense of perverse weirdness, then this will be right up your street.
Berberian Sound Studio is available on DVD/Blu-Ray December 31st.