10 MORE Horror Movies You Probably Haven't Seen But Should
7. Little Otik
Little Otik revolves around childless couple Karel and Bozena, who try to pass off a baby-shaped tree stump as their newborn. However, Karel and Bozena's lives unravel when Otik becomes sentient and develops an insatiable hunger.
What makes Little Otik work effectively as a horror is how the scary elements are introduced gradually and subtly. The opening makes use of warped logic and exaggerated filmmaking, so Little Otik comes across as surreal comedy. In fact, there's little indication things are going to take a sinister turn for quite some time, which makes it far more shocking when the story veers into body-horror and splatter-gore territory.
With that said, the most horrifying aspect is Bozena's denial towards her so-called son. Over time, her maternal instincts towards Otik become twisted and gnarled, causing her to behave with hostility and resentment. Despite the unmistakable danger Otik poses, Bozena tries to protect her ever-gorging offspring, even when it's obvious where this is all heading.
Any horror purist who's keen on watching something completely different should give Little Otik a look since there's nothing out there quite like it.