20 Incredible Modern Horror Movies That Came Out Of NOWHERE

Prior to Barbarian, mastermind Zach Cregger was known solely for outlandish comedy.

After all, he co-founded amusing American sketch troupe The Whitest Kids U' Know, and his only prior writing/directing film credits were comedies Miss March and The Civil War on Drugs. Therefore, he was unproven in the world of horror.

To be fair, though, the trailer for Barbarian alluded to an appropriately creepy and cryptic experience, with its superb use of lighting, atmosphere, and camera angles aiding in the ostensible depiction of an innocent woman staying with a stranger whose seemingly harmless demeanor masks his barbaric tendencies.

Furthermore, two of its main stars – Justin Long and Bill Skarsgård – had major genre credentials thanks to their respective roles in Jeepers Creepers/Tusk and the two-part IT remake.

Even so, the true nature of Barbarian knocked countless cinemagoers off their feet. Much cleverer and gnarlier than it initially seemed, the film was full of ingenious subversions regarding story structure, the motivations and outcomes of multiple characters, and the complex meaning of the title.

Consequently, Barbarian became one of the most commercially and creatively successful horror movies of 2022. In the process, it transformed Cregger from an unknown quantity into a bankable visionary who had all eyes on him when he followed Barbarian with 2025’s absolutely brilliant Weapons.