20 2010s Horror Movies You Must See Before You Die

2. Black Swan

It Follows
Fox Searchlight Pictures

Plot: A ballerina (Natalie Portman) loses her mind as she prepares for the role of a lifetime.

This one managed a very unusual feat in horror cinema: it was nominated for Best Picture. It couldn't have been more deserved.

A psychological thriller with a real grasp on the most terrifying parts of the human mind, Black Swan is a vividly frightening and unforgettably intense descent into madness that will leave viewers both shaking in fear and quietly sobbing. The scariness of Black Swan is matched only by its sheer sadness.

Darren Aronofsky's directing is absolutely mesmerizing and Natalie Portman gives a flawless performance as the compelling, but tragic protagonist. As mentioned before, many horror movie performances get ignored by the Oscars but luckily this one wasn't. Not only was Portman nominated for Best Actress but she actually won.

As nightmarish, disturbing and chilling as it may be, Black Swan is also essential cinema.

Contributor

Film Studies graduate, aspiring screenwriter and all-around nerd who, despite being a pretentious cinephile who loves art-house movies, also loves modern blockbusters and would rather watch superhero movies than classic Hollywood films. Once met Tommy Wiseau.