Top A24 Horror Films To Watch This Halloween
10. The Witch (2015) Rating: 7.0
Robert Eggers’s debut feature, The Witch, is a historical horror film set in 1630s New England. It follows a Puritan family that descends into paranoia and despair after being banished from their community and encountering a malevolent presence in the woods. The film is noted for its authentic period language, meticulous detail, and slow-building dread. Anya Taylor-Joy’s breakout role and the film’s atmospheric tension earned it critical acclaim. It is regarded as one of the most influential A24 horror releases.
9. Pearl (2022) Rating: 7.0
Directed by Ti West, Pearl serves as a prequel to X and stars Mia Goth in a career-defining role as a young woman yearning for fame amid her oppressive rural life. The film’s Technicolor-inspired visuals contrast its violent themes, offering a tragic psychological portrait rather than conventional horror. Goth co-wrote the screenplay with West and received critical acclaim for her intense, layered performance. Pearl was lauded for blending classic Hollywood aesthetics with modern psychological terror.
8. Green Room (2015) Rating: 7.0
Directed by Jeremy Saulnier, Green Room follows a punk band trapped in a remote venue after witnessing a murder. They face off against a violent neo-Nazi gang led by Patrick Stewart. Combining survival horror with thriller realism, the film is known for its brutal tension and grounded violence. Anton Yelchin and Imogen Poots deliver strong performances that heighten the sense of desperation. It was praised for its gritty realism, sharp direction, and relentless pacing.
7. Heretic (2025) Rating: 7.0
Heretic, directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, stars Hugh Grant as a mysterious figure who traps two Mormon missionaries in his home. The film blends religious tension with psychological and supernatural horror. Produced by A24, it was praised for its intense performances, claustrophobic setting, and commentary on faith and manipulation. Its minimalist storytelling and growing dread align it with A24’s tradition of atmospheric horror.
6. The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) Rating: 7.0
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, this psychological horror thriller stars Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman. The story follows a surgeon whose family becomes cursed by a mysterious teenager demanding justice. The film uses Lanthimos’s signature deadpan tone and eerie detachment to build unease. It draws inspiration from Greek tragedy, particularly Iphigenia in Aulis. The movie was noted for its haunting score, clinical cinematography, and moral tension.
5. Midsommar (2019) Rating: 7.1
Written and directed by Ari Aster, Midsommar follows a grieving woman, played by Florence Pugh, who joins her boyfriend and friends on a trip to a remote Swedish commune that practices unsettling pagan rituals. Set entirely in daylight, the film contrasts bright imagery with extreme psychological horror. Its themes explore codependency, emotional manipulation, and the allure of belonging. Pugh’s breakout performance and Aster’s unsettling direction were highly praised, cementing the film’s cult status.
4. Talk to Me (2022) Rating: 7.1
Directed by Danny and Michael Philippou, Talk to Me follows a group of teenagers who discover a severed, embalmed hand that allows them to communicate with spirits. What begins as a viral thrill soon descends into supernatural chaos. The film gained attention for its inventive take on possession and grief. Sophie Wilde’s lead performance was widely acclaimed, and the film’s success led to an announced sequel, Talk 2 Me. Critics praised its pacing, atmosphere, and emotional depth.
3. Bring Her Back (2024) Rating: 7.2
Directed by Jennifer Reeder, Bring Her Back is a neo-noir psychological horror film centered on trauma, revenge, and feminine rage. The movie follows a woman drawn into a web of violence and memory while confronting her own haunting past. It premiered at major international festivals to a positive critical reception for its bold visual style and layered narrative. Reeder’s direction and the film’s exploration of gendered violence position it as a standout in A24’s recent horror slate.
2. Hereditary (2018) Rating: 7.3
Ari Aster’s feature debut follows a family haunted by sinister secrets after the death of their grandmother. Starring Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, and Gabriel Byrne, the film examines grief, inherited trauma, and occult manipulation. Its slow-burning tension and disturbing imagery redefined modern psychological horror. Collette’s performance was particularly praised for its emotional intensity. Hereditary became a critical and commercial success, establishing A24 as a leading force in elevated horror.
1. The Lighthouse (2019) Rating: 7.4
Directed by Robert Eggers, The Lighthouse stars Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson as two lighthouse keepers descending into madness on a remote island in the late 19th century. The film is shot in black-and-white 35mm and uses a square aspect ratio to enhance its claustrophobic atmosphere. Inspired by maritime folklore and myth, it explores isolation, power struggles, and psychological collapse. The performances and cinematography received widespread acclaim, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography.
