10 Terrifying German Horror Movies You Probably Haven't Seen
2. The Curse (1988)
The late 1980s and early '90s seemed to be the golden age for having children being at the forefront of horror in Germany. The likes of Benny's Video and Laurin are probably the most notable of these released during the era, but one particularly creepy title that found its way nestled in the genre, albeit under the radar, was 1988's Der Fluch.
Translated as 'The Curse' in English, Der Fluch was written by Andy T. Hoetzel and Ralf Huettner and incorporates elements of traditional mysteries and thrillers of the time. The story revolves around a family who, whilst on a trip in the mountains, find themselves getting lost and discovering the dead body of a young girl that looks exactly like their daughter. Upon talking to some of the locals, the family begin to unearth an ancient prophecy and how they fit into it.
Der Fluch has an outstanding reputation for being ahead of its time in the genre for suspense building through its use of the environment and atmosphere, both of which do a great job in selling the sheer scale and stakes at play in the film. The film noticeably contains no jump scares, gore or any really noticeable special effects, making it a nice alternative choice for those horror fans who can do without the blood.