10 Recent Horror Movies That Blew Great Concepts

Helmed by Dorota Swies and John C. Lyons (who also co-wrote the script), Unearth is an atmospheric eco-horror which takes aim at the dangers of fracking.

Set in rural Pennsylvania, the plot follows neighbouring families who’ve fallen under financial hardship. But when a gas company offers to buy land from one of the households, they think they’ve stumbled on a solution to their money troubles. However, the drilling awakens a dark presence within the earth.

A slow-burn chiller with excellent performances, this flick is more of a kitchen sink drama than an all-out horror. Even before the drilling begins, a great deal of attention is given to each of the key players so that viewers can fully understand their situations. And when the drilling commences, the monstrous groaning of the fire-spitting machinery gives them a monstrous presence that's constantly lurking in the background.

During the last 20 minutes, though, Unearth throws all its subtlety away when it suddenly transforms into a grotesque body horror. Although the carnage is commendably gross, the jarring tonal shift is too much to take seriously.

By abandoning the character work and subdued approach to its subject matter, Unearth discards its excellent work to become a completely different film.