10 Cosmic Horror Films To Scare You Into Oblivion

If there was any doubt in our minds that The Endless is a cosmic horror, this quote at the beginning of the film solidifies it:

“The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the Unknown.” – H. P. Lovecraft.

Directed by and starring Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, this 2017 addition to the cosmic horror genre sees two brothers who have escaped a “UFO Death Cult” years previous. When they receive an ominous message from the cult members, they return to the commune to investigate.

The Endless tackles the unknown nature of cosmic horror by showing the viewer a cult who are trying to understand it alongside us. Although they worship the strange, malevolent creature in the dessert, they still don’t know much about it.

This film has a multitude of moments that will creep viewers the hell out: some unsettling magic tricks, trippy time-travel, and a being that stares directly into your face without being seen. One intensely spooky moment shows the members of the cult playing tug of war with a rope that ascends into the blackness of the night sky, it’s source unknown.

The Endless shows us what would happen if a cruel alien decided to play games with a group of people for all eternity, but its message goes deeper than that. Through the lens of this horrific cosmic force, we are asked one of the most existential questions of all: what makes a happy life?

It’s the perfect film to round of this mind-bending list.