10 Psychological Horror Movies You Must See Before You Die
4. The Haunting
Mike Flanagan's Netflix adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House caused quite a stir when it landed back in 2018. The series was praised for its skilful character development, fantastic camerawork and heart-stopping scares, but when it comes to adaptations of Shirley Jackson's quintessential novel, there's one that stands out as the very best.
Simply titled The Haunting, this 1963 film version is a more restrained affair. Sure, there's plenty of spooky goings-on but the focus here is not on the hauntings themselves, but more the neuroses of the characters who inhabit the house. Which often leaves us wondering whether there are any ghosts at all.
There's plenty of great moments and chilling imagery, but it's the film's exploration of paranoia and anxiety that makes it so interesting. A prime example of 'what you don't see is far scarier than what you do', The Haunting is one of the cinemas finest haunted house films.
The stark black and white cinematography and expert sound-design give the film a distinctly chilling atmosphere, one that won't be forgotten any time soon. It may be a tad slow for some, but it's essential viewing nonetheless.