Horror has never really been a genre which can be accused of growing stale on the whole; much of the criticism levelled at it is usually based on milking franchises for all they're worth (Insidious, Paranormal Activity) or the now extremely-tired found footage genre (The Gallows, Paranormal Activity again). Studios can't be blamed for their business decisions in bringing back recognisable stories or characters. Luckily, when we get dreck like Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension, we're usually also treated to any number of original, low-key efforts which steal the critical acclaim, if not the box office revenue. In that regard, it's been a solid year for horrors. There's been a surge of horror anthologies, a rather novel new trend, along with the always-intriguing selection of aforementioned breakout indies - some of which have given us interesting genre mash-ups, combing horror with the western, or bringing back the man vs nature aesthetic. As usual, there's been a smattering of quality foreign output (although there's no surprises there), and US domestic releases have presented a solid output of original ideas paired with interesting new directions in the genre. Whilst we have had the usual sub-par franchise offerings, it's very telling that the highest-rated horrors of the year have been foreign or indie efforts. Included on this list are a number of extremely lo-fi low-budget efforts that have given a shot in the arm to a genre that didn't necessarily need it. Let's take a look at the ten best, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Cinephile since 1993, aged 4, when he saw his very first film in the cinema - Jurassic Park - which is also evidence of damn fine parenting. World champion at Six Degrees of Separation. Lender of DVDs to cheap mates. Connoisseur of Marvel Comics and its Cinematic Universe.
