10 Hidden Horror Movie Gems From 2020s (So Far)

2. The Dark And The Wicked

Deadstream Movie
RLJE Films

In terms of intense imagery and wince-inducing moments, The Dark and the Wicked very much leads the way on this list.

Considering writer/director Bryan Bertino is the person behind The Strangers, it's no surprise to learn that The Dark and the Wicked is a stripped-back affair based around slowburn tension and brutal pay-offs.

Regarding the plot, this 2020 feature centres on siblings Louise and Michael as they return to their family farmhouse home once it becomes apparent that their ill father is not long for this world. What follows is a terrifying supernatural tale laced with themes of guilt, distant families, and emotional (or not) connections... in addition to some gnarly demonic activity.

As for why The Dark and the Wicked came and went without grabbing the attention of more people, part of that was due to the film being one of the many to see its release heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to that, a planned widespread theatrical release simply was not possible, and the movie instead quietly limped out onto various streaming platforms.

Senior Writer
Senior Writer

Once described as the Swiss Army Knife of WhatCulture, Andrew can usually be found writing, editing, or presenting on a wide range of topics. As a lifelong wrestling fan, horror obsessive, and comic book nerd, he's been covering those topics professionally as far back as 2010. In addition to his current WhatCulture role of Senior Content Producer, Andrew previously spent nearly a decade as Online Editor and Lead Writer for the world's longest-running genre publication, Starburst Magazine, and his work has also been featured on BBC, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, WhatToWatch, Sportkskeeda, and various other outlets, in addition to being a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic. Between his main dayjob, his role as the lead panel host of Wales Comic Con, and his gig as a pre-match host for Wrexham AFC games, Andrew has also carried out a hugely varied amount of interviews, from the likes of Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Adrienne Barbeau, Rob Zombie, Katharine Isabelle, Leigh Whannell, Bruce Campbell, and Tony Todd, to Kevin Smith, Ron Perlman, Elijah Wood, Giancarlo Esposito, Simon Pegg, Charlie Cox, the Russo Brothers, and Brian Blessed, to Kevin Conroy, Paul Dini, Tara Strong, Will Friedle, Burt Ward, Andrea Romano, Frank Miller, and Rob Liefeld, to Bret Hart, Sting, Mick Foley, Ricky Starks, Jamie Hayer, Britt Baker, Eric Bischoff, and William Regal, to Mickey Thomas, Joey Jones, Phil Parkinson, Brian Flynn, Denis Smith, Gary Bennett, Karl Connolly, and Bryan Robson - and that's just the tip of an ever-expanding iceberg.