9 Subversive Horror Movies That Aren't What You Expect

Cat People is one of those films that has made a cult status of being subversive before it was cool, bringing the innovative Lewton Bus trope to life that has been hotly recreated in almost every horror movie that's existed since. Detailing a slow build of tension as a woman is followed home at night, a noise that sounds startlingly like the hiss of a cat - a death sentence in this film - is revealed to be nothing more than the brakes of a bus, which she then boards and safely travels home in.

Whilst this trope has lasted the ages, Cat People itself seems to have faded into obscurity, telling the tragic tale of Irena who believes herself to be descended from the evil titular cat people and will transform into a panther if she's aroused into a passion. Oioi.

The film is one that toys with psychological expectations of a film, and jump-scares in particular, only to leave audiences consistently second guessing themselves whenever they think they've got it figured out.