Well, some films were always going to be a surprise on this list as it's not straight 'horror' we're looking at but this films plays on some very adult fears. James Wan took the dated themes from Death Wish and updated them to a modern world we can all associate with. Kevin Bacon plays Nick Hume, an insurance executive with the perfect life. He loves his wife and, in his children, is truly living out the American Dream. That is until that other side of America rears its head through Billy Darley and his vicious gang who one night choose Nick's eldest son as their latest victim. In turn, after realising the punishment for the murderer will be weak at best, Hume takes matters into his own hands and murders Darley's younger brother in revenge. From there, this film turns into a true nightmare as the courts are powerless, the police lack urgency and, after numerous attempts, the gang attack Nick's perfect life head-on. The revenge film always plays upon our simple nightmares as it makes us consider what would we do? This film works because, in Kevin Bacon, we have a relatable everyman who is pushed beyond his limits either in defence of his family or in revenge of them. It also makes us consider, quite openly, what happens to us if we take 'an eye for an eye'. Unfortunately, it is Billy Darley who has the answer as he says, 'look at you. Look what I made you' and Nick realises 'sometimes it's just chaos'. An underrated film which really does play on modern nightmares.
