10 Horror Movie Flops That Everyone Saw Coming

Gore Verbinski’s oddball horror effort enjoyed some cult-level buzz when its trailers first hit. Exquisitely shot and mysterious, the commercials promised an intriguing chiller.

Unfortunately, that was not enough for mainstream audiences, with the sight of a dependably sickly Dane DeHaan stumbling around a swanky retreat for geriatrics not really hitting the mark. As reviews began to creep up, it quickly became clear that the mystery promised in the trailers was not going to live up to its potential either.

Quickly stumbling from potential sleeper hit to flop, A Cure for Wellness was horribly let down by a gross out style more interested in putting viewers off their popcorn than telling them anything exciting. The revelations in the third act of the film prove to be utterly ridiculous, ranging from immortalising eel drops to Jason Isaacs having the hots for his own daughter. Beyond the narrative disappointment, the film fails to set up any truly innovative scares, with viewers instead being subjected to grim moments such as DeHaan having a tooth drilled, and being force fed live eels.

Despite delightful cinematography and an engaging first act, this misfire ultimately led to former blockbuster ace Verbinski heading off to director jail. Failing to make use of its Lovecraftian inspirations, this audacious, eccentric work ultimately proved to be a swing and a miss for all involved.