10 Best & 10 Worst Horror Movies Of 2016

5. Under The Shadow

We’ve seen the rise of J-Horror and K-Horror in recent years and hopefully Tehran-born director Babak Anvari’s first-time feature Under the Shadow could usher in a whole new sub-genre of terrifying Iranian horrors, or ‘I-Horror’ if you will. Set in war-torn 1980s Tehran the movie focuses on Sideh, a mother and former political activist, and her daughter Dorsa as they deal with not only the constant, looming presence of war but also a terrifying malevolent spirit known as a Djinn.

Likened to the critically acclaimed 2014 Australian horror The Babadook for its feminist edge and focus on a mother-child relationship, Under the Shadow has likewise been showered with praise for both its genuinely chilling tone and thought-provoking socio-political themes.

It’s always good to remind horror fans that there’s life (and death) beyond the hackneyed conventions of mainstream Hollywood horrors and Under the Shadow, recently selected as an official Academy Award Best Foreign Language Film entry, sets the precedent for this year’s non-Western horror movies.