10 Survival Horror Movies You Probably Haven’t Seen
1. Saloum
In Jean-Luc Herbulot's second feature, three African mercenaries are forced to abandon their mission and take refuge in an isolated resort. When a local recognises the mercs, the trio has to make drastic decisions to stay alive.
As brutal as Saloum is, the Sengalese-French feature feels like a war drama for the most part. But two-thirds in, a huge dollop of horror is thrown into the mix, with the soldiers inexplicably chased by a supernatural swarm.
Blending genres like this can be jarring, but the way Saloum merges real-life tragedies with African folklore works in the story's favour. The first hour is grounded in reality, making it more unexpected and frightening when the paranormal elements are introduced. Saloum is rife with horror tropes but each of them is twisted on its head, making these archetypal ideas feel fresh and new.
The three leads are anything but angels, but they're all likeable in their own way, making it easier to empathise with them when things turn nasty. Even though Saloum was universally praised, won awards, and received a worldwide release, it remains mostly unknown. But since the crime-monster flick has found a home on Shudder, now is the perfect time to check out this underrated gem.