10 Great 2024 Horror Movies You Probably Missed

These overlooked 2024 horror movies deserved more recognition!

Lowlifes 2024
Front Street Pictures

These days, even the most ardent cinephiles would be forgiven for missing out on tons of the wonderful movies that get released. With a seemingly infinite number of flicks to catch up on, among other commitments, it is unsurprising that some cinematic gems get lost in the shuffle.

This is no different for the horror genre, whose (usually) affordable production costs mean a large number of projects can be put out, to the point that even the most dedicated of horror hounds can be overwhelmed. Because of this, some underrated efforts come and go with little fanfare, a far cry from what their quality deserves.

The muted response might be due to small-scale or lacklustre marketing, lack of recognizable talent or IP, or simply bad timing on the part of a film's release. And that's a shame, as the following pictures are strong additions to the genre and the wider world of cinema, period.

From indie gems to mid-budget productions, these horror offerings from 2024 absolutely deserve reappraisal from the masses, as they are just as good, if not even better, than so many of their more mainstream counterparts.

10. Starve Acre

Lowlifes 2024
BFI/BBC Films

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.

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