10 MORE Horror Movies You Probably Haven't Seen But Should

Danishka Esterhazy's directorial debut takes place in a secluded school inhabited by orphan girls, who must obey the overseers without question in order to be adopted. When best friends Sophie and Vivien discover the facility harbours a dark secret, they do everything in their power to escape.

Instead of using jump scares, Level 16 builds uneasiness by highlighting how much pressure the occupants are under. When the girls break the rules, they're disciplined, not with physical abuse but humiliation and alienation. The facilitators use these tactics to convert the orphans into obedient shells, which is arguably more bone-chilling than traditional gore.

With that said, there is gruesomeness to be had, though it's used sparingly. There's such an emphasis on atmosphere that it deepens the impact when the body-horror elements are suddenly incorporated. Throwing in excessive bloodshed late in the story could come across as forced, but it fits the narrative, so it feels earned rather than gimmicky.

Stories can lose their momentum once the big mystery is revealed, but the stakes are raised significantly when Sophie and Vivien learn what's really going on. For this reason, the tension is sky-high right up until the end.