30 Best Hidden Gem Horror Movies Perfect For Halloween

Examining corpses in the aftermath of violence has long held a morbid fascination for audiences. Whether in true crime, thrillers, or, of course, horror, there’s a tendency to pull viewers in, as protagonists attempt to decipher the nature behind the grisly results and what monster could have committed the crime.

In The Autopsy of Jane Doe, at the centre is a father-and-son coroner team (Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch), who receive the body of an unidentified corpse and begin what seems like a straightforward, open-and-shut examination. Yet, as the hours pass, the nature of her death and the effects it has on their surroundings grow ever more grim and terrifying.

Front and centre, the pairing of Cox and Hirsch is pitch-perfect. Both are fantastic character actors, and they bring pathos and believability to two protagonists with a rigid relationship. Director André Øvredal (Trollhunter) paces it as a slow burn, as the grounded, grim scenario grows increasingly outlandish and frightening.

What’s really clever is how The Autopsy of Jane Doe flips the common set-piece on its head in subversive fashion, asking what if the corpse is the monster itself? While its third act sort of peters out, this 2016 picture still makes for a fun and tense chiller, ideal for a cold, dark night viewing.